TCU is unranked in the initial Associated Press Top 25 announced Monday, out of the rankings following only their third losing season under coach Gary Patterson.
Alabama is No. 1, Ohio State second and Florida State third.
TCU entered the season ranked in eight of the previous nine years and 10 of the previous 12.
The last time the Horned Frogs began a year out of the rankings (2014), they went 12-1 and finished No. 3.
TCU is coming off a 6-7 season, only the third under .500 in 16 seasons under head coach Gary Patterson.