Georgia leads reshaped CFP projection as Notre Dame climbs and Indiana falls

Georgia took the top spot in the second College Football Playoff rankings of the 2026 season, while movement further down the standings substantially changed the projected 12-team bracket. Alabama climbed to No. 3 following its victory over LSU, and UCLA reached No. 4. Along with No. 2 Utah, those teams occupy the four projected positions that carry first-round byes.

Notre Dame made one of the most consequential moves in the field after defeating Miami in Week 10. The Fighting Irish had been projected as the No. 11 seed and the final at-large selection a week earlier. They now stand at No. 5, putting them above the other teams projected to host opening-round games: No. 6 Texas, No. 7 Miami and No. 8 Tennessee.

The revised bracket would send No. 12 seed Boise State to Notre Dame for the first round. A victory would put the Fighting Irish into a second-round matchup with UCLA, with Georgia a potential opponent after that. Notre Dame's rise followed its win over a Miami team that had held the No. 1 ranking.

Defending national champion Indiana moved in the opposite direction despite having a bye week. The Hoosiers fell five places to the No. 9 seed, a drop that took them from a projected first-round bye to an opening game away from home. Their recent performances and additional losses by opponents responsible for their quality wins weakened their position in the rankings.

Under the current projection, Indiana would visit No. 8 seed Tennessee at Neyland Stadium. Advancing from that game would bring a second-round meeting with top-seeded Georgia. Rather than occupying a position for a second consecutive first-round bye, the Hoosiers now need to improve their standing to regain a projected home opener.

The Big 12's outlook improved from the first rankings. BYU remained at No. 10 despite losing to Utah, with its victory over Notre Dame supporting its position. No. 11 Kentucky holds the final place in the projected field, while No. 12 Texas Tech and No. 13 Wake Forest sit immediately outside it.

Texas Tech is the first team out, giving the Big 12 another possible route into the field. No. 14 Houston also remains nearby, while No. 23 Arizona and No. 25 Oklahoma State could strengthen other teams' resumes. The Big 12 has yet to secure an at-large CFP berth in the 12-team era, making it the only Power Four conference without one.