When Are College Football Rankings Updated? Full 2025 Schedule

By Sarah Miller · June 12, 2038

College football rankings are typically updated weekly during the season, with the AP Poll and Coaches Poll released every Monday afternoon (excluding holidays), while the College Football Playoff (CFP) Rankings debut in early November and are published every Tuesday from Week 13 through the semifinals.

Understanding When College Football Rankings Are Updated

College football fans rely on rankings to track team performance, evaluate playoff contenders, and predict bowl game matchups. The timing and frequency of updates vary by ranking system, but most major polls follow a consistent weekly schedule during the regular season and postseason.

Major Ranking Systems and Their Update Schedules

Several authoritative polls determine team standings throughout the NCAA football season. Each operates on a distinct timeline and methodology.

Associated Press (AP) Poll

Released: Every Monday at approximately 2:00 PM ET
Starts: Preseason (usually early August)
Ends: After the College Football Playoff National Championship
Voters: Panel of sportswriters and broadcasters

Coaches Poll (USA Today)

Released: Every Monday at approximately 2:30 PM ET
Starts: Preseason
Ends: Post-championship game
Voters: NCAA Division I FBS head coaches

College Football Playoff (CFP) Rankings

First Release: Early November (Week 13 of the season)
Released: Every Tuesday at 7:00 PM ET
Broadcast: ESPN
Determines: Top 4 teams for the CFP semifinals

Key Dates for 2025 College Football Playoff Rankings

The 2025 CFP selection committee will begin releasing rankings in November, leading up to the semifinals and national championship. Below is the projected release schedule based on historical patterns.

Ranking Week	Date	Release Time (ET)	Notes
Week 1: Initial Rankings	November 4, 2025	7:00 PM	First CFP Top 25 of the season
Week 2	November 11, 2025	7:00 PM	Post-Week 12 games
Week 3	November 18, 2025	7:00 PM	Mid-playoff evaluation
Week 4	November 25, 2025	7:00 PM	Late-season contenders shift
Week 5: Final Regular Season	December 2, 2025	7:00 PM	Pre-conference championship update
Final Rankings	December 7, 2025	7:00 PM	Announces CFP Top 4 after conference championships

Table data source:1, 2

The College Football Playoff rankings are the most consequential, as they directly determine which teams qualify for the semifinals. Updates occur weekly in December, culminating in the final selection after conference championship games. These rankings incorporate input from a 13-member committee using criteria such as strength of schedule, head-to-head results, and conference championships.

How Rankings Influence Bowl Games and Playoffs

Beyond determining the national title contenders, college football rankings impact New Year’s Six bowl placements, seeding, and team prestige. The final CFP ranking before the semifinals sets the stage for matchups in games like the Rose Bowl, Sugar Bowl, and Peach Bowl.

Top 4 teams enter the CFP semifinals
Ranks 5–12 often receive premier bowl bids
Conference champions from Power Five leagues typically rank higher

The AP and Coaches Polls continue after the playoffs conclude, finalizing year-end rankings following all bowl games.

Frequently Asked Questions About College Football Rankings

When do the College Football Playoff rankings come out?

The College Football Playoff rankings are released every Tuesday starting in early November. The first rankings for the 2025 season are expected on November 4, 2025, with the final selection announced on December 7, 2025, after conference championships.

Are AP Poll rankings updated after bowl games?

Yes, the Associated Press releases its final poll after the College Football Playoff National Championship game, incorporating all postseason results to determine the official year-end No. 1 team.

Who votes in the Coaches Poll?

The Coaches Poll consists of head coaches from all NCAA Division I FBS programs. Each coach submits a ranked ballot weekly, which is compiled by USA Today.

How often are college football rankings updated?

Most major polls are updated weekly. The AP and Coaches Polls release new rankings every Monday during the season, while the CFP rankings are issued weekly on Tuesdays from November through early December.

What factors does the CFP selection committee consider?

The CFP committee evaluates teams based on strength of schedule, head-to-head results, conference championships won, results against common opponents, and overall record. Subjective assessments of team performance also play a role.