CFP ranking prediction: Georgia takes first place, so what?

Updated November 10, 2026, 6:42 p.m. ET

Follow Tuesday night’s College Football Playoff rankings with our live blog by clicking here.

Georgia will move to No. 1 in the second College Football Playoff rankings and Utah will move up to No. 2, while two two-loss SEC teams could move into the top four.

Georgia will replace Miami, which lost to Notre Dame. The selection committee is expected to honor that result and place the Hurricanes behind the Fighting Irish. For the Irish, this would require a big jump from last week’s 11th place finish.

Utah is clearly number 2 after picking up a rivalry victory against Brigham Young. From there, Alabama has good reason to move up two spots to No. 3 after beating LSU, and Texas could move ahead of Indiana after winning at Missouri.

Don’t look for Ohio State to top this week’s rankings. The Buckeyes will remain in the Top 25 but will land somewhere around 20th after an ugly home loss to Oregon.

USA TODAY Sports will provide live reaction to Tuesday night’s College Football Playoff rankings reveal. Watch Blake Toppmeyer and John Brice for their snapshot analysis of the second CFP top 25.

Here is our projection for the top 12 in the new playoff rankings:

1. Georgia (8-1)

The national consensus is that Georgia is the best team in college football. Look for the selection committee to keep things simple and promote the Bulldogs over Miami.

2. Utah (9-0)

There will be a conversation about Utah ranking ahead of Georgia after the Holy War victory. In the Utes’ favor are an unbeaten record, an explosive offense and wins over BYU and Houston. That still won’t be enough to sway the committee.

3.Alabama (7-2)

Winning at LSU is yet another feather in the cap for Alabama, which already had the committee’s attention after being ranked surprisingly No. 5 a week ago. The Crimson Tide will face Vanderbilt, Chattanooga and Auburn through the end of November.

4. Notre Dame (8-1)

The Irish saved their season and can see the finish line with Boston College, SMU and Syracuse to close out November.

5.Miami (8-1)

That would be a huge drop for a team that was arguably No. 1 last Tuesday. One reason Miami might stay in the top five or six is that the committee hasn’t been too focused on head-to-head results. If willing to look at the bigger picture rather than just Saturday night’s loss, the committee could keep the Hurricanes ahead of the Irish.

6. Indiana (8-1)

Indiana will drop at least one spot from last week and possibly more, although the committee rarely shuts down teams that were inactive, as the Hoosiers were on Saturday. Importantly, Ohio State’s loss to Oregon gives IU a clearer path to the Big Ten title game.

7.Texas (7-2)

The overall resume is unmatched. Texas now has four wins against teams expected to be in this week’s playoff rankings: Ohio State, Tennessee, Ole Miss and Missouri. (The Tigers should remain in the Top 25 despite a third defeat.)

8. UCLA (9-0)

UCLA gave the committee something to think about with a 34-20 win at Minnesota. More to the point, this result could end up being compared to Indiana’s home win against the Golden Gophers, which required a 60-yard field goal as time expired to force overtime.

9.Tennessee (7-2)

Tennessee needs to edge Kentucky after Saturday’s dominant 34-6 win. That same calculus doesn’t seem to apply to the Alabama comparison despite the Volunteers’ 26-10 victory in October. Still, this team is heading toward the finish line and getting closer to closing out an overall spot.

10. Kentucky (7-2)

Don’t expect Kentucky to fall too far, especially after Missouri and LSU posted their third losses. At the same time, LSU being out of the playoffs isn’t good for the Wildcats, who dominated the Tigers in overtime last month.

11. Texas Tech (8-1)

The Red Raiders had two very good wins against ranked teams in Houston and Arizona. Unfortunately, there’s not much more in store for Texas Tech, even if just one loss is enough to warrant a move up from the No. 1 ranking.

12. Wake Forest (8-1)

Not that beating Merrimack 77-0 will do much to sway the committee. But the Demon Deacons have been on a roll over their last five games and are part of a team capable of challenging Miami for the ACC crown. Another option here is BYU after a competitive loss at Salt Lake City.

Top-ranked Group of Six team: Boise State

No. 25 last week, Boise State could move up to No. 23 or No. 22 after a blowout win against Colorado State. There are no other Group of Six teams vying for a spot in the new Top 25.

Gn sports

Related Posts