College Football Playoff Top 25: First official 2025 CFP rankings revealed

As the 2025 college football season moves into November, teams across the country have built their resumes and learned how early results hold up or fall apart given subsequent performances. For those with outstanding records and big wins, that means a place inside the College Football Playoff Top 25 and a path toward the 12-team CFP bracket at the conclusion of the regular season.

The four conference champions from the ACC, Big Ten, Big 12 and SEC, along with the highest ranked conference champion from the Group of Five are guaranteed a spot in the field, but not a first-round bye. The remaining seven bids will be filled by seven at-large qualifiers who can be slotted according to their ranking.

A slight shift from last seasons format, this brings added clarity to the process throughout the season and ensures the top teams will benefit from their resume. Those who finish between 5-12 will participate in the first round, hosted by the higher seed before subsequent rounds are played at traditional bowl sites.

Through 10 weeks of data, here is how the selection committee ranked the Top 25 teams with a chance to earn their spot in the new 12-team College Football Playoff. As the resumes continue to shift, the rankings will reflect the latest landscape.

1. Ohio State

Ohio State brings an undefeated record into the first College Football Playoff rankings, solidly placing them above the field in the debut Top 25. The Buckeyes continue to roll behind the consistent approach of Ryan Day and solid results on both sides of the ball.

Upcoming schedule: at Purdue, UCLA, Rutgers, at Michigan

2. Indiana

Indiana is backing up an incredible 2024 season which ended in a CFP bid with an even more impressive 2025 record. As Curt Cignetti commits to the present and future of the Hoosiers program, they continue to rise into a national contender which could make a run at the ultimate prize.

Upcoming schedule: at Penn State, Wisconsin, at Purdue

3. Texas A&M

Texas A&M controls their own destiny within the SEC at this point as the only undefeated team left in the conference. Mike Elko has things rolling for a program which has overcome multiple tests already this season and shows no signs of slowing down.

Upcoming schedule: at Missouri, South Carolina, Samford, at Texas

4. Alabama

Alabama faced a variety of questions following a Week 1 loss but has now turned things all the way around and rattled off some of the most impressive wins in the country so far. Kalen DeBoer appears to have the offense rolling with solid defense behind it.

Upcoming schedule: LSU, Oklahoma, Eastern Illinois, at Auburn

5. Georgia

Georgia suffered a loss against Alabama which rattled the narrative surrounding the team more than their resume. Outside of that, Kirby Smart’s group has been able to overcome the ups and downs to win multiple close games.

Upcoming schedule: at Mississippi State, Texas, Charlotte, at Georgia Tech

6. Ole Miss

Ole Miss has picked up some important wins this season, with the only loss to this point coming against Georgia. Lane Kiffin now faces a manageable finish to the regular season which puts them in prime position to make a run.

Upcoming schedule: The Citadel, Florida, at Mississippi State

7. BYU

BYU is firmly in the mix to finish atop the Big 12 this season despite offseason flux which left plenty questions entering Week 1. Kelani Sitake and his staff have navigated things nearly flawlessly, remaining unbeaten to this point.

Upcoming schedule: at Texas Tech, TCU, at Cincinnati, UCF

8. Texas Tech

Texas Tech have put themselves firmly in the mix with other Big 12 contenders, with the only loss so far coming against Arizona State. With plenty chances for Joey McGuire’s team to solidify their resume, they are firmly in control of the CFP route.

Upcoming schedule: BYU, UCF, at West Virginia

9. Oregon

Oregon fits the mold of a College Football Playoff team to this point in the season, with the only loss coming against Indiana. Dan Lanning has replaced production year-over-year to keep the Ducks in the race for a top seed.

Upcoming schedule: at Iowa, Minnesota, USC, at Washington

10. Notre Dame

Notre Dame suffered two early losses but has rebounded well throughout the rest of the season to surge back into CFP contention. Marcus Freeman’s team now controls its own destiny through the rest of the schedule.

Upcoming schedule: Navy, at Pittsburgh, Syracuse, at Stanford

11. Texas

Texas has faced its ups and downs, taking two losses to this point in the season, but has enough good wins on the resume to impress. The path for Steve Sarkisian’s group remains narrow given the record, but it the postseason dream is still alive.

Upcoming schedule: at Georgia, Arkansas, Texas A&M

12. Oklahoma

Oklahoma sits at two losses to this point, but has the wins needed under its belt to remain a College Football Playoff contender. Brent Venables has plenty left to do this season to remain inside the picture, but can continue building.

Upcoming schedule: at Alabama, Missouri, LSU

CFP Top 25 Rankings

13. Utah
14. Virginia
15. Louisville
16. Vanderbilt
17. Georgia Tech
18. Miami
19. USC
20. Iowa
21. Michigan
22. Missouri
23. Washington
24. Pittsburgh
25. Tennessee