Overview

• The College Football Playoff committee will release its initial top 25 rankings of the season at 7 p.m. ET on ESPN.
• This year marks the first time the CFP will feature a 12-team format, with the top four conference champions receiving first-round byes.
• Oregon is expected to be ranked No. 1, continuing its dominant season with a 9-0 record and leading the Big Ten power rankings.
• The CFP committee, composed of 13 members including athletic directors and former coaches, uses factors like strength of schedule and head-to-head results to determine rankings.
• The expanded playoff format allows for more teams to compete, with automatic bids for the top conference champions and at-large spots for other high-ranking teams.