Notre Dame Opens CFP Rankings at No. 11
The College Football Playoff committee placed 7-1 Notre Dame at No. 11 in its first 2026 rankings, released on November 3, prompting criticism from fans and analysts. The Fighting Irish can improve their standing against No. 1 Miami on November 7.
Notre Dame entered the College Football Playoff committee’s first rankings of the season at No. 11, well below its No. 4 position in the AP poll and No. 6 spot in the coaches poll. The committee’s chairman, Hunter Yurachek, said the Irish lacked a signature win.
Notre Dame’s strongest win was its season opener against Wisconsin, while its only opponent currently ranked in the CFP top 25 was BYU, which beat the Irish 28-24. Notre Dame is 7-1, and its game against Miami in South Bend on November 7 offers a chance to strengthen its playoff case.
Fans criticized the ranking on social media, with some arguing Notre Dame had not beaten strong opponents. Others suggested the committee treated the school differently because it is not in a conference.
The rankings also placed two-loss Alabama at No. 5 and undefeated UCLA at No. 8. All six two-loss SEC teams ranked above their positions in the AP and coaches polls, prompting questions about how much weight the committee gave to conference strength. The first rankings are preliminary, with four more releases scheduled before Selection Sunday.