The first College Football Playoff rankings of the 2026 season have given Notre Dame an immediate challenge, with the selection committee placing the Fighting Irish at No. 11. That is a difficult position for a team with national championship ambitions, particularly with a game against the top-ranked Miami Hurricanes coming up this weekend. Marcus Freeman and his team now have little room for another setback if they hope to remain in a strong position as the playoff race develops.
Miami leads the committee’s first top 25, followed by Georgia at No. 2, Utah at No. 3 and Indiana at No. 4. Alabama rounds out the top five, a notable placement for the Crimson Tide and one of the biggest talking points from Tuesday’s announcement.
Trevor Ruszkowski – Imagn Images
For Notre Dame, however, the immediate concern is earning a statement win against Miami. Notre Dame was ranked No. 4 in the latest AP poll after improving to 7-1 with its win over Navy, making the committee’s decision to place it at No. 11 a sharp contrast from the media poll.
A win over an unbeaten Miami team would give Notre Dame the kind of high-profile win that can strengthen its playoff résumé and potentially produce a major rise in the next rankings. A loss, on the other hand, would leave the Irish at 7-2 and facing a difficult path through the remaining weeks, especially with fewer opportunities to add a marquee win to their résumé.
THE FIRST CFP TOP 25 RANKINGS HAVE DROPPED!
Do you agree? pic.twitter.com/1QIqGCN0zo
— FOX College Football (@CFBONFOX) November 4, 2026
The Hurricanes, meanwhile, have an opportunity to protect their position at the top and strengthen their case with a road win over a ranked opponent. Saturday’s game at Notre Dame Stadium is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. ET and will be broadcast on NBC.
The committee’s final playoff rankings will be announced on Dec. 6.
College Football Conference Predictions
Athlon Sports predicts the finishing order for teams in the following conferences:
- ACC
- American
- Big 12
- Big Ten
- Conference USA
- MAC
- Mountain West
- Pac-12
- SEC
- Sun Belt
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