The College Football Playoff failed to release its third weekly rankings of the 2025 season on Tuesday, November 18 — a stunning break from its rigid schedule that left fans, analysts, and media scrambling. The official collegefootballplayoff.com site displayed the same placeholder message twice: "Rankings will show here once they are released. Thanks for visiting!" — a clear signal that something had gone off-track. The delay came just hours after The Tennessean published a detailed preview article from Nashville, Tennessee, hyping the broadcast and streaming options — only to find the rankings never arrived.
What Went Wrong?
For six consecutive seasons, the CFP rankings have dropped every Tuesday at 7 p.m. Eastern Time, no exceptions. The pattern held through October 28 and November 4, when the rankings were used to project the first-ever bracket for the 2025-2026 playoffs. But on November 18, the system froze. The CFP Selection Committee, composed of 13 members including Boo Corrigan (ACC Commissioner) and Warde Manuel (Michigan AD), reportedly convened as scheduled. Sources close to the committee told The Tennessean that deliberations ran longer than usual, but no official reason was given. The twist? The delay wasn’t just technical — it was unprecedented.
Why Nashville Matters
The Tennessean, based at 1100 Broadway in Nashville, has become the de facto regional hub for CFP coverage in the Southeast. Its coverage of Vanderbilt’s rise — now ranked in the top 20 — and Tennessee’s playoff push has turned its sports desk into a must-read for fans across the SEC. The paper’s November 18 article, titled "What channel is CFP rankings release show on today? Time, TV schedule," was one of the most-read pieces in its history. But when the rankings didn’t appear, readers flooded the site with questions. The paper’s editors confirmed they were working with the CFP to get answers — and still had none by Thursday evening.
Where Was the Broadcast?
Historically, the rankings have aired live on ESPN, usually on ESPN2 or the ESPN app. The November 4 release drew 4.2 million viewers — the highest in CFP history — as fans tried to guess whether Alabama or Ohio State would make the cut. This year, the stakes are even higher: three SEC teams are in the top 10, and a single loss could shatter a national title dream. Yet on Tuesday night, ESPN’s scheduled broadcast slot — 7 p.m. ET — showed a replay of last year’s Cotton Bowl instead. No graphics. No hosts. No announcement. Just silence.
What’s at Stake?
The rankings released on November 25 will be the last before the final selection on December 1. That means teams like Alabama, Ohio State, and Georgia are playing blind. Coaches can’t adjust strategy based on projected matchups. Recruits are watching. Bets are being placed. And with the Capital One Orange Bowl and Goodyear Cotton Bowl Classic set for January 12, every point matters. The delay isn’t just inconvenient — it’s destabilizing the entire playoff narrative.
The Bigger Picture
This isn’t the first time technology has stumbled in college football’s biggest moments. In 2017, the NCAA’s selection show froze for 22 minutes during the NCAA Tournament. But the CFP has prided itself on precision — a $7.8 billion media deal depends on it. The CFP Management Committee, which includes university presidents from all 10 FBS conferences and Notre Dame, now faces mounting pressure to explain the lapse. Was it a server crash? A human error in the voting process? Or something more systemic? The committee hasn’t responded publicly.
What Happens Next?
With the next rankings due Tuesday, November 25, fans are bracing for a double release — last week’s and this week’s — to catch up. But that could muddy the waters. If Ohio State wins on Saturday and Alabama loses, the committee will have to reconcile two weeks of results at once. The Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, where the national championship will be played on January 19, could see a completely different field than expected. Meanwhile, The Tennessean has promised a live blog and expert panel on Tuesday night — ready to decode whatever emerges.
Background: How the CFP Rankings Work
The CFP Selection Committee, formed in 2013, meets weekly during the season to rank the top 25 teams based on win-loss record, strength of schedule, head-to-head results, and conference championships. The committee includes former coaches, athletic directors, and media members — all appointed for three-year terms. Their rankings are confidential until broadcast. The top four teams earn playoff spots, with the semifinals rotating among six major bowl games. The entire process was designed to replace the flawed BCS system — and for the most part, it has worked flawlessly. Until now.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why were the CFP rankings delayed on November 18?
The College Football Playoff has not officially explained the delay, but sources indicate the Selection Committee’s deliberations ran longer than usual, possibly due to close comparisons between top teams. No technical failure was confirmed, and the delay was not announced in advance — making it the first such lapse since the playoff began in 2014.
Will the rankings be released on November 25 as scheduled?
Yes, the CFP has confirmed the November 25 release is still on, though it’s expected to include both the November 18 and November 25 rankings to catch up. This means fans will see two weeks’ worth of changes at once — potentially reshaping the playoff picture overnight, especially if top teams lose or win on Saturday.
Where can I watch the rankings when they’re finally released?
Historically, the rankings air live on ESPN, typically on ESPN2 or the ESPN app. The broadcast usually starts at 7 p.m. Eastern Time. The Tennessean and other regional outlets like SEC Network will provide live analysis, but the official source remains collegefootballplayoff.com — once it’s back online.
How does this delay affect teams like Alabama or Ohio State?
Teams are flying blind. Coaches can’t adjust their strategies based on projected matchups, and recruits are watching the chaos unfold. If Alabama wins its next game and Ohio State loses, the committee will have to reconcile two weeks of results in one release — which could unfairly penalize teams that performed well during the gap.
Is this the first time the CFP has missed a rankings release?
Yes. Since its inception in 2014, the CFP has released rankings every Tuesday without fail — rain, snow, or controversy. Even during the 2020 pandemic, when games were canceled, rankings were still published based on available data. This marks the first time the system has failed to deliver on schedule.
What role does The Tennessean play in CFP coverage?
As Nashville’s major daily newspaper and part of the USA Today Network, The Tennessean has become a key regional voice for SEC football. Its deep coverage of Vanderbilt, Tennessee, and other local programs gives it unique insight into how rankings affect mid-tier teams. Its articles often set the tone for national conversation, especially when major releases go off-script.