The College Football Playoff rankings will be released for the first time this season on Nov. 3.

ESPN will televise the rankings release show, as it has for the last several years.

Tennessee football, 17th in the coaches poll and 16th in the AP poll, may inch into the top 15 of the CFP rankings pending the results of games on Oct. 31.

The Vols (6-2, 3-2 SEC) have a marquee win against Alabama earlier this month, with further opportunities to build the resume against Kentucky and LSU in November.

Here's what to know about the first CFP rankings release show.

When is the first CFP rankings release?

What channel is the first CFP ranking release on today?

CFP rankings release show schedule

• Tuesday, Nov. 3, 7 p.m.

• Tuesday, Nov. 10, 9 p.m.

• Tuesday, Nov. 17, 9 p.m.

• Tuesday, Nov. 24, 7 p.m.

• Tuesday, Dec. 1, 7 p.m.

• Sunday, Dec. 6, 12 p.m.

College Football Playoff format, how the CFP works

The top five ranked major conference champions are still guaranteed a spot, which will include at least the top-ranked non-major conference champion in FBS.

Seeding will otherwise be a reflection of the final CFP rankings.

Like the last few seasons, teams seeded No. 5 through No. 12 will have a first-round matchup. Seeds 5 through 8 will host a first-round game on campus sites.

CFP bracket, 2026-2027 schedule

Played Dec. 18 and 19 on campus sites

• CFP No. 12 seed at CFP No. 5 seed

• CFP No. 11 seed at CFP No. 6 seed

• CFP No. 10 seed at CFP No. 7 seed

• CFP No. 9 seed at CFP No. 8 seed

Bowl sites; will include CFP seeds Nos. 1-4 plus first-round winners

• Fiesta Bowl CFP quarterfinal game, 6:30 p.m. CT on Dec. 30 at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona

• Cotton Bowl CFP quarterfinal game, TBD on Jan. 1, 2026 at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas

• Rose Bowl Game CFP quarterfinal game, TBD on Jan. 1, 2027 at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, California

• Peach Bowl CFP quarterfinal game, TBD on Jan. 1, 2027 at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta

Bowl sites

• Orange Bowl CFP semifinal game, 6:30 p.m. CT on Jan. 14, 2027 at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, Florida

• Sugar Bowl CFP semifinal game, 6:30 p.m. CT on Jan. 15, 2027 at Caesars Superdome in New Orleans, Louisiana

• CFP semifinal winner vs. CFP semifinal winner, Jan. 25, 2026 at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas, Nevada