For the 18th time in program history, BYU finds itself listed in the College Football Playoff rankings.

The Cougars checked in at No. 7 in the initial rankings for 2025, which were released Tuesday night on ESPN.

It’s the highest position BYU has ever held in the initial rankings, beating last year’s opening spot of No. 9. The program’s highest-ever ranking was No. 6, which was achieved after starting 9-0 in 2024.

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If the current rankings were final, the Cougars would host No. 10 Notre Dame in Provo for the first round of the Playoff.

Right behind BYU at No. 8 is fellow Big 12 foe Texas Tech, who also happens to be the Cougars’ opponent this weekend in one of the biggest games in school history.

Utah came in at No. 13, sitting just outside the top 12 but still ranking ahead of a number of 1-loss teams — a very encouraging sign for the Utes and Big 12 as a whole.

The rankings will be updated each week before the final 12-team playoff bracket is released on Sunday, Dec. 7.

Full rankingsOhio State (8-0), Big TenIndiana (8-0), Big TenTexas A&M (8-0), SECAlabama (7-1), SECGeorgia (7-1), SECOle Miss (8-1), SECBYU (8-0), Big 12Texas Tech (8-1), Big 12Oregon (7-1), Big TenNotre Dame (6-2), IndependentTexas (7-2), SECOklahoma (7-2), SECUtah (7-2), Big 12Virginia (8-1), ACCLouisville (7-1), ACCVanderbilt (7-2), SECGeorgia Tech (8-1), ACCMiami (6-2), ACCUSC (6-2), Big TenIowa (6-2), Big TenMichigan (7-2), Big TenMissouri (6-2), SECWashington (6-2), Big TenPitt (7-2), ACCTennessee (6-3), SECBYU head coach Kalani Sitake and Utah head coach Kyle Whittingham talk prior to BYU and Utah playing at LaVell Edwards Stadium in Provo on Saturday, Oct. 18, 2025. | Scott G Winterton, Deseret News