With the conference championship games all finished, it is now time for the final College Football Playoff ranking to happen and for the 12-team field for the tournament to determine a national champion to be officially announced on Sunday, Dec. 7.

The next era of the college football transfer portal officially opens Jan. 2, but make no mistake -- the 2026 cycle is already underway. Behind the scenes, portal boards have been set for months. Agents are working phones. Players are making quiet decisions. As one source put it, "Deals are being struck."

Notre Dame was ahead of Miami in every iteration of the College Football Playoff rankings this season until the Hurricanes jumped them in shocking fashion in the final one that determined the 12-team field despite both teams being idle.

After instant classics and devastating blowouts during conference championship weekend, the College Football Playoff bracket is on the verge of being locked in.

The final College Football Playoff Rankings included significant adjustments to the top 12 teams, which shook up the postseason field