Until the final week of the season, it's safe to say the first set of College Football Playoff rankings are the most important.
College football fans have watched a wild start to the 2023 campaign that appears to feature more parity than there has been in recent years. But through this point, any speculation about how the CFP committee views this season is just that: speculation.
On Tuesday, fans will officially get a glimpse at the landscape of college football through the eyes of those who will pick the four playoff teams.
MORE: Watch the CFP rankings release live with Fubo (free trial)
The committee has proven difficult to predict at times, and the first set of rankings could be interesting. How will the committee view the impressive wins of Ohio State vs. the sheer dominance of Michigan? What will be its impression of a sleeping giant in Georgia? What does the committee really think of the Pac-12, and Washington's current standing atop the conference?
From this point on, fans will be able to have tangible proof of how the committee views the college football world, and can finally start to make assessments each week over how the different games will impact the rankings.
Here's everything you need to know to watch the first set of CFP rankings.
When are the College Football Playoff rankings released?
- Date: Tuesday, Oct. 31
- Start time: 7 p.m. ET
The College Football Playoff committee will unveil the first set of 2023 rankings at 7 p.m. ET on Tuesday, Oct. 31.
CFP rankings schedule 2023
Following the games in Week 9, the CFP will unveil its first set of rankings, and will continue to reveal them weekly until the end of the season. Each week, the rankings will be posted at 7 p.m. ET on Tuesday.
There are two exceptions to the typical schedule, however. The first will be on Tuesday, Nov. 14, when the rankings will be announced some time around 9 p.m. ET after the first game of the State Farm Champions Classic doubleheader. The last set of rankings will be announced at noon on Sunday, Dec. 3, when the final field will be set.
| Date | Time (ET) |
| Tuesday, Oct. 31 | 7 p.m. |
| Tuesday, Nov. 7 | 7 p.m. |
| Tuesday, Nov. 14 | 9 p.m. |
| Tuesday, Nov. 21 | 7 p.m. |
| Tuesday, Nov. 28 | 7 p.m. |
| Sunday, Dec. 3 | Noon |
How to watch the CFP selection show
- TV channel: ESPN
- Live stream: ESPN app, Fubo
The CFP rankings will be released on ESPN each week. Fans hoping to stream the release can find them on the ESPN app with a cable subscription or with Fubo, which offers a free trial.
Projected CFP rankings: Who are the top four teams in college football?
Prior to Week 9 games
1. Michigan (8-0)
2. Georgia (7-0)
3. Ohio State (7-0)
4. Florida State (8-0)
Next two out:
5. Washington (7-0)
6. Oregon (6-1)
It can be challenging to evaluate exactly how the College Football Playoff committee is going to roll out the initial rankings this year. How does the committee value major wins vs. pure dominance?
If the committee is not taking past seasons into account, it stands to be reasoned Michigan will come in ahead of Georgia. The two programs have played similarly unimpressive schedules, but unlike the Bulldogs, the Wolverines have steam-rolled their opponents and have not looked shaky at any point this season.
MORE: Bowl projections for College Football Playoff, New Year's Six and all the rest
But if the committee values best wins, Ohio State and Florida State could have a case to be higher in the rankings. Ohio State has two wins against top-10 teams, while Florida State has impressive wins over ranked LSU and Duke. Washington might have the best win of the season with a victory over Oregon, but the Huskies looked really shaky against a sub-par Arizona State team. Oklahoma beat Texas in an impressive Red River Rivalry showdown, but then played it close against UCF and lost to Kansas, which should knock them out of the top six.
Should Oregon beat Utah on Saturday, the Ducks could stand to benefit the most from the Sooners' loss and vault up to be a spot behind Washington.
