when will the cfb rankings update

2 min read 10-11-2024

When Will the College Football Rankings Update? A Guide for Fans

The College Football Playoff (CFP) rankings are a hot topic for fans every week during the season. They determine which teams are in the running for the national championship, and they can have a major impact on bowl selections and team seeding. But when exactly do these rankings come out? And what factors go into determining a team's position on the list?

Let's delve into the world of CFP rankings and answer these questions for you:

When Are the CFP Rankings Released?

The CFP rankings are released every Tuesday night at 7 p.m. ET, starting in late October.

Here's a typical schedule:

First Rankings: The first set of rankings is typically released in late October, depending on the week the season begins.
Weekly Updates: After the initial release, the rankings are updated each Tuesday evening throughout the regular season.
Final Rankings: The final CFP rankings are released the Sunday before the CFP Semifinals, typically in early December.

Source: "College Football Playoff Selection Committee" - Sports Illustrated (https://www.si.com/college-football/2023/10/24/college-football-playoff-selection-committee-rankings)

What Factors Determine the Rankings?

The CFP Selection Committee, a 13-member panel of college football experts, is responsible for determining the rankings. While they don't disclose their exact criteria, the following factors are generally considered:

Record: A team's win-loss record is obviously a major factor.
Strength of Schedule: The quality of opponents a team has faced is also important. A team that defeats several highly-ranked opponents will generally be ranked higher than a team with the same record but a weaker schedule.
Head-to-Head Results: When two teams have the same record, head-to-head results can be a deciding factor.
Performance Against Common Opponents: The committee may also compare how teams perform against shared opponents, even if they haven't played each other directly.
Quality of Wins: While a win is a win, some wins carry more weight than others. A decisive victory over a highly-ranked opponent will be valued more than a close win over a weaker team.
Strength of Conference: The strength of a team's conference can also be a factor, particularly if two teams have similar records and have faced similar competition.

Source: "College Football Playoff Selection Committee" - Sports Illustrated (https://www.si.com/college-football/2023/10/24/college-football-playoff-selection-committee-rankings)

The Human Element of the Rankings

It's important to remember that the CFP rankings are subjective. The committee members are all experienced football experts, but they ultimately rely on their own judgment and interpretations of the data. This means that there is always the possibility of disagreement, and the rankings can be controversial.

Staying Informed:

For fans wanting to stay updated, the official CFP website (www.collegefootballplayoff.com) is the most reliable source. It features the latest rankings, a schedule of upcoming games, and explanations of the selection process.

Practical Example:

Let's say Team A and Team B both have 8-2 records. If Team A has defeated several top-10 opponents, while Team B has only played against lower-ranked teams, Team A will likely be ranked higher despite having the same number of wins.

Final Thoughts

The CFP rankings are a dynamic system that reflects the ever-changing landscape of college football. It's essential to stay informed and follow the rankings closely to get a true sense of the national championship race.