College Football Playoff Poll Prediction: Where Will Notre Dame and Tennessee Rank Now?

There were plenty of storylines coming out of the first round of College Football Playoff rankings last Tuesday night.
Alabama at No. 5 raised the biggest ruckus, but as it turned out, the committee was justified. The loudest screaming came from Notre Dame and Tennessee fans, whose teams were ranked 11th and 13th, respectively.
But it was a “prove it” week for both, and the Irish came through against No. 1 Miami, and the Volunteers rocked No. 6 Kentucky to take care of business themselves. So what will the new College Football Playoff Top 25 rankings be on Tuesday night? Here’s our prediction, along with the remaining games and our call on the final records.
– Predictions:AP Poll | Coaches Poll

2026 College Football Playoff Rankings Prediction: Quick Hits

• As always, remember, the CFP committee takes the previous rankings, rips them up, and throws them in the trash. They start over and meticulously go from 25 to 1, so if they’re doing it right, there should be massive changes.
• The biggest risers in the Tuesday CFP Top 25 will be: Notre Dame, Tennessee, South Carolina
• The biggest fallers in the next CFP Top 25 will be: Kentucky, Ohio State, LSU

25. New Mexico Lobos

Last Week Ranking: NR
Record: 8-1
Last Week: New Mexico 31, Nevada 3
Projected Final Record: 12-1
Remaining Games: UNLV, at Wyoming, Air Force

24. Missouri Tigers

Last Week Ranking: 18
Record: 6-3
Last Week: Texas 34, MIssouri 20
Projected Final Record: 8-4
Remaining Games: at Georgia, Kentucky, Oklahoma

23. Boise State Broncos

Last Week Ranking: 25
Record: 8-1
Last Week: Boise State 64, Colorado State 38
Projected Final Record: 11-2
Remaining Games: Oregon State, San Diego State, (predicted Pac-12 Championship appearance)

22. Ohio State Buckeyes

Last Week Ranking: 12
Record: 6-3
Last Week: Oregon 41, Ohio State 28
Projected Final Record: 9-3
Remaining Games: Northwestern, at Nebraska, Michigan

21. LSU Tigers

Last Week Ranking: 14
Record: 6-3
Last Week: Alabama 31, LSU 13
Projected Final Record: 8-4
Remaining Games: Texas, at Tennessee, at Arkansas

20. Ole Miss Rebels

Last Week Ranking: 10
Record: 6-3
Last Week: Georgia 42, Ole Miss 7
Projected Final Record: 9-3
Remaining Games: at Oklahoma, Wofford, Mississippi State

19. Oregon Ducks

Last Week Ranking: 23
Record: 6-3
Last Week: Oregon 41, Ohio State 28
Projected Final Record: 9-3
Remaining Games: Michigan, at Michigan State, Washington

18. Arizona Wildcats

Last Week Ranking: 22
Record: 7-2
Last Week: Arizona 29, TCU 28
Projected Final Record: 10-2
Remaining Games: Utah, at Kansas State, Arizona State

17. South Carolina Gamecocks

Last Week Ranking: 21
Record: 6-3
Last Week: South Carolina 17, Texas A&M 9
Projected Final Record: 9-3
Remaining Games: at Arkansas, Georgia, at Clemson

16. USC Trojans

Last Week Ranking: 20
Record: 7-2
Last Week: Off This Week
Projected Final Record: 8-4
Remaining Games: at Indiana, Maryland, at UCLA

15. Iowa Hawkeyes

Last Week Ranking: 19
Record: 7-2
Last Week: Iowa 24, Northwestern 10
Projected Final Record: 10-2
Remaining Games: Purdue, at Illinois, Nebraska

14. Houston Cougars

Last Week Ranking: 17
Record: 7-2
Last Week: Houston 31, Cincinnat 24
Projected Final Record: 9-3
Remaining Games: at Colorado, at West Virginia, Baylor

13. Kentucky Wildcats

Last Week Ranking: 6
Record: 7-2
Last Week: Tennessee 34, Kentucky 6
Projected Final Record: 9-3
Remaining Games: Florida, at Missouri, Louisville

12. Texas Tech Red Raiders

Last Week Ranking: 15
Record: 8-1
Last Week: Texas Tech 53, West Virginia 48
Projected Final Record: 10-3
Remaining Games: at Oklahoma State, at Baylor, TCU, (predicted Big 12 Championship appearance)

11. BYU Cougars

Last Week Ranking: 9
Record: 7-2
Last Week: Utah 28, BYU 20
Projected Final Record: 10-2
Remaining Games: Baylor, at Kansas, Cincinnati

10. Wake Forest Demon Deacons

Last Week Ranking: 16
Record: 8-1
Last Week: Wake Forest 77, Merrimack 0
Projected Final Record: 10-3
Remaining Games: at SMU, at Georgia Tech, Duke, (predicted Big 12 Championship appearance)

9. Tennessee Volunteers

Last Week Ranking: 13
Record: 7-2
Last Week: Tennessee 34, Kentucky 6
Projected Final Record: 10-2
Remaining Games: at Texas A&M, LSU, at Vanderbilt

8. UCLA Bruins

Last Week Ranking: 8
Record: 9-0
Last Week: UCLA 34, Minnesota 20
Projected Final Record: 12-1
Remaining Games: Illinois, at Michigan, USC, (predicted Big Ten Championship appearance)

7. Texas Longhorns

Last Week Ranking: 7
Record: 7-2
Last Week: Texas 34, MIssouri 20
Projected Final Record: 9-3
Remaining Games: at LSU, Arkansas, at Texas A&M

6. Miami Hurricanes

Last Week Ranking: 1
Record: 8-1
Last Week: Notre Dame 31, Miami 24
Projected Final Record: 12-1
Remaining Games: Duke, Virginia Tech, Boston College, (predicted ACC Championship appearance)

5. Notre Dame Fighting Irish

Last Week Ranking: 11
Record: 8-1
Last Week: Notre Dame 31, Miami 24
Projected Final Record: 11-1
Remaining Games: Boston College, SMU, at Syracuse

4. Alabama Crimson Tide

Last Week Ranking: 5
Record: 7-2
Last Week: Alabama 31, LSU 13
Projected Final Record: 10-3
Remaining Games: at Vanderbilt, Chattanooga, Auburn, (predicted SEC Championship appearance)

3. Indiana Hoosiers

Last Week Ranking: 4
Record: 8-1
Last Week: Off This Week
Projected Final Record: 12-1
Remaining Games: USC, at Washington, Purdue, (predicted Big Ten Championship appearance)

2. Utah Utes

Last Week Ranking: 3
Record: 9-0
Last Week: Utah 28, BYU 20
Projected Final Record: 12-1
Remaining Games: at Arizona, at TCU, West Virginia, (predicted Big 12 Championship appearance)

1. Georgia Bulldogs

Last Week Ranking: 2
Record: 8-1
Last Week: Georgia 42, Ole Miss 7
Projected Final Record: 11-2
Remaining Games: Missouri, at South Carolina, Georgia Tech, (predicted Big Ten Championship appearance)