Georgia has taken over as the top team in the second edition of the 2026 College Football Playoff rankings, according to a November 11 report from UPI.com. Selection committee chairman Hunter Yurachek stated the Bulldogs climbed from No. 2 to the top ranking following a 42-7 victory over Ole Miss on Saturday in Oxford, Miss.
The victory over Ole Miss, which dropped the Rebels from No. 10 to 19, was described by Yurachek as a dominating performance. He noted the Bulldogs looked like the team seen throughout the year, with the exception of the Auburn game. Yurachek highlighted the team's defensive function and the offensive play of Gunner Stockton as reasons the committee is high on the program. This marks the 16th week Georgia has held the top spot, the second-highest total in rankings history behind Alabama.
Notre Dame made one of the biggest moves of the week, jumping from No. 11 to No. 5 after defeating No. 1 Miami 31-24. This victory made the Fighting Irish the first team in rankings history to jump from outside the Top 10 into the Top 5 in a single week. Miami tumbled from the top spot to No. 7.
In other notable shifts, the Utah Utes climbed from No. 3 to a program-record No. 2 following a 28-20 win over the BYU Cougars. The Cougars fell from No. 9 to 10. The UCLA Bruins rose to a program-best No. 4 after a 34-20 win over Minnesota. Meanwhile, Ohio State fell from No. 12 to 20 following a 41-28 loss to Oregon, marking the Buckeyes' lowest ranking in history.
The Top 10 also includes the No. 6 Texas Longhorns, No. 8 Tennessee Volunteers, and No. 9 Indiana Hoosiers. The Longhorns moved up one spot after beating Missouri, while the Volunteers climbed five spots following a 34-6 win over Kentucky. The Hoosiers fell five spots in the rankings.
Rounding out the Top 15 are Texas Tech at No. 12, Wake Forest at No. 13, Houston at No. 14, and Iowa at No. 15. Houston holds the No. 14 ranking, which is the best in the program's history. The Top 25 is completed by Arizona at No. 23, Boise State at No. 24, and Oklahoma State at No. 25. Oklahoma State is the only new team in the Top 25 and entered the rankings for the first time since 2023 after defeating Kansas State by 38 points. The Florida Gators dropped out of the rankings after a 23-7 loss to Oklahoma.
The third edition of the rankings is scheduled to be announced at 9 p.m. EST on Tuesday on ESPN. Subsequent rankings are scheduled for release on Nov. 24 and Dec. 1. Selection Sunday is set for Dec. 6.
