Kentucky Lands at No. 6 in First College Football Playoff Rankings
Kentucky debuted at No. 6 in the initial College Football Playoff rankings released on Nov. 3, 2026, marking the program’s highest-ever appearance in the selection committee’s Top 25. The Wildcats surpass their position in the AP Poll by two spots, backed by metrics that place them second nationally in Strength of Record and eighth in Strength of Schedule.
Gus Malzahn and a dozen other committee members assembled to build the bracket ahead of the Dec. 6 finalization date. The selection places Kentucky in the CFP Top 25 for the 11th time in school history and the first time since 2022, eclipsing the previous peak of No. 9 set during the initial 2018 rankings.
They’ve left their hats at the door and the first CFP Selection Committee Meeting of the season is officially underway! 🏆#CFP pic.twitter.com/EtU6zhKcaO
Kentucky Hosts Notre Dame in Projected Playoff
If the postseason started immediately, sixth-seeded Kentucky would host No. 11 Notre Dame at Kroger Field in a first-round matchup, with the winner advancing to face third-seeded Utah. Meanwhile, Miami and Georgia claim the top two spots in a field where the SEC leads all conferences with 10 teams represented in the Top 25.
Under current selection rules, the teams ranked Nos. 1-4 in the CFP rankings earn the top four seeds and a first-round bye, regardless of whether they win their conference championship or not, placing Miami, Georgia, Utah, and Indiana into those slots. Seeds five through 12 play opening-round games at campus sites, leaving traditional powers like Ohio State and Tennessee on the outside looking in as the first two teams out.
Upcoming Schedule for the Wildcats
Kentucky travels to face No. 13 Tennessee this Saturday before playing a closing stretch that features No. 24 Florida, No. 18 Missouri, and Louisville. Additional under-the-hood metrics show the Wildcats ranking 12th in remaining strength of schedule and 19th in game control.
Frequently Asked Questions About the 2026 Bracket
When is the 12-team field finalized?
The College Football Playoff selection committee will finalize the 12-team field on Sunday, Dec. 6, 2026.
How many rankings does the committee release?
The committee releases six total rankings throughout the season, with the first edition debuting on Nov. 3, 2026.
Which conference has the most teams in the Top 25?
The SEC leads all conferences with 10 teams in the initial Top 25, followed by the Big Ten with six selections.