CFP Committee Prioritizes Strength of Schedule, Placing Two-Loss Alabama at No. 5

Key points

• Undefeated Miami (8-0) is ranked No. 1, followed by Georgia (7-1) and Utah (8-0).
• Alabama (6-2) is ranked No. 5, ahead of undefeated UCLA (No. 8) and one-loss BYU (No. 9).
• Notre Dame (7-1) is ranked No. 11, despite being No. 4 in the AP poll, due to a lack of signature wins.
• The committee prioritized strength of schedule, leading to higher rankings for SEC teams with difficult schedules.
• Alabama faces a critical game against LSU on November 7, which could determine their playoff viability.

Background

The 2026 CFP rankings are the first of six scheduled releases this season. Previous archive articles noted that the committee is using new metrics, including conference strength, to determine the 12-team bracket. The 2025 season saw Indiana win the national championship, and the 2024 season featured a 12-team format where 92% of top-six seeds made the final field. The current rankings reflect a shift toward strength of schedule, a trend that has been a point of contention in recent years.

How outlets are covering it

Sports Illustrated’s Pat Forde criticized the committee for overrating Alabama, arguing that the Crimson Tide’s No. 5 ranking is unwarranted given their two losses and lack of quality victories compared to teams like Texas. Forde noted that Alabama’s ranking is ahead of undefeated UCLA and one-loss BYU, which he found illogical. The Baltimore Sun highlighted the confusion surrounding the rankings, noting that Miami’s top spot and Alabama’s high placement raised eyebrows. The Salt Lake Tribune focused on Utah’s No. 3 ranking despite a weak strength of schedule, and BYU’s No. 9 placement, which was lower than their AP poll ranking. Committee chairman Hunter Yurachek defended the rankings by emphasizing the importance of signature wins, particularly for Notre Dame, who lost to BYU and need a win against Miami to improve their standing.

Why it matters

The CFP rankings determine which teams make the 12-team playoff bracket, with the top six seeds receiving first-round byes. Alabama’s high ranking despite a 6-2 record highlights the committee’s focus on strength of schedule, which can favor teams with difficult schedules over those with better win-loss records. This decision could impact the playoff landscape, as teams like Notre Dame and Ohio State face critical games this weekend that could determine their viability. The rankings also reflect the ongoing debate about the role of strength of schedule in college football selection, a topic that has been contentious in recent years.

What to watch

The next CFP rankings are scheduled for November 10. Alabama faces a critical game against LSU on November 7, which could determine their playoff viability. Notre Dame plays Miami on November 7, a game that could improve their ranking if they win. Utah faces BYU on November 7, which could impact both teams’ rankings. The committee will continue to evaluate teams based on strength of schedule and quality of victories in the coming weeks.