Kentucky Ranked No. 6 in First CFP Rankings
The College Football Playoff committee's first rankings place Kentucky at No. 6, with a possible first-round game against No. 11 Notre Dame in Lexington.
Updated on Nov. 4, 2026 in Football
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The College Football Playoff committee released its first rankings, placing Kentucky at No. 6 and Notre Dame at No. 11. Kentucky would face Notre Dame in a first-round playoff game in Lexington if the seeding holds.
Why it matters
The rankings set the seeding framework for the playoff field, which the committee will update weekly before finalizing the bracket. A home first-round game would give Kentucky a direct path to playoff play at Kroger Field.
The first committee ranking places Kentucky at No. 6 and Notre Dame at No. 11, based on the committee's initial evaluation before any further rankings. Kentucky still has games against ranked Tennessee, Florida and Missouri, plus a rivalry game against Louisville, which could move its seed.
The players
College Football Playoff Committee
The selection body that ranks teams weekly and determines the playoff field and seeding for the College Football Playoff.
Kenny Minchey
Kentucky's quarterback, who transferred to Kentucky after three seasons at his former school.
The details
Kentucky quarterback Kenny Minchey, who spent three seasons at his former school before transferring to Kentucky, is part of a team that has three remaining games against ranked opponents. The committee's first ranking names Kentucky and Notre Dame as the first-round matchup under the current seeding.
Timeline
Nov. 4: The committee releases its first College Football Playoff rankings.
Every Tuesday over the next four weeks: The committee releases updated rankings.
Dec. 6: The final playoff field is announced.
Season Trajectory
The first committee ranking is the starting point of a weekly process that will shape the playoff field before the bracket is set. Kentucky's placement will determine whether it earns a home first-round game in Lexington or must travel.
Fans and fantasy managers should track Kentucky's remaining games against Tennessee, Florida, Missouri and Louisville, since each result can move the seed. A top-six finish would keep the first-round game at home in Lexington.
The takeaway
Seeding in the first rankings is not final, so Kentucky's remaining games will decide whether the home playoff game in Lexington holds.
What happens next
The committee releases updated rankings every Tuesday over the next four weeks, and the final playoff field is announced December 6.
Further reading
For more on the teams shaping the playoff race, see Football coverage.
Source note: This article includes information reported by WUKY-FM 91.3 Radio.
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