College Football Playoffs 2025-26 Bracket Elimination Scenarios in Week 13 After Poll

The Alabama Crimson Tide's drop to No. 10 was the most significant movement in Tuesday's College Football Playoff rankings release.

Alabama fell six spots after its home loss to the Oklahoma Sooners, who checked in at No. 8.

Kalen DeBoer's team is right on the cut line to earn an at-large berth in the 12-team field. Two of the 12 spots will go to the ACC champion and best Group of Five program.

The Tulane Green Wave were the only G5 team ranked on Tuesday. They now have a clear path to the playoff if they win out.

The USC Trojans' positioning at No. 15 is fascinating for Week 13 since they visit the Oregon Ducks on Saturday.

An upset win by the Trojans would put them into the playoff mix and significantly hurt Oregon's chances of landing in the field.

Alabama at No. 10 With Margin For Error

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Alabama now resides in the final at-large position in the playoff rankings.

The Crimson Tide dropped into that position after their home loss to Oklahoma. A third defeat would really hurt Alabama's case to make the playoff.

Alabama needs to avoid an upset in the Iron Bowl against the Auburn Tigers on Thanksgiving weekend to have a shot at the SEC Championship Game.

The potential result in the SEC title game might affect Alabama's playoff status. A win would obviously keep the Tide in the field, but a loss would leave them in peril.

If Alabama loses in the SEC title game, it would have losses to a pair of top-10 SEC teams plus the opening-weekend defeat to the Florida State Seminoles.

But the primary focus for Alabama has to be to win out, whether its over two or three games, to avoid any extra discussion about its playoff fate.

USC, Oregon Square Off in Elimination Game on Saturday

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USC has a massive opportunity in front of it on Saturday against Oregon.

The Trojans, now at No. 15, can pick up a top-10 road win to force a potential move up into the top 10.

USC is 2-2 against Top 25 teams. The two victories were against programs beneath them in the Big Ten standings.

There's no guarantee that USC makes the playoff with a win over Oregon, but if it finishes 10-2, it could take advantage of potential upsets of teams in front of it.

Saturday's game is equally as important for Oregon. The Ducks can't afford a second loss because there's potential they would fall out of the top 10 with that result.

Oregon currently sits at No. 7 with no path to the Big Ten Championship Game as long as the Ohio State Buckeyes and Indiana Hoosiers remain undefeated.

Two wins for Oregon to close the regular season locks it into the 12-team field as the third-best Big Ten team. A 1-1 record in the final two games will likely keep the Ducks out.

Tulane Takes Charge in Group of Five Race

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Tulane is now the favorite to earn the Group of Five playoff berth.

The Green Wave earned the No. 24 spot on Tuesday as the only G5 team in the rankings.

Tulane should win its final two regular-season games against the Temple Owls and Charlotte 49ers.

After that, the Green Wave would have the American Championship Game, which would be the toughest of the remaining games.

Four teams currently have one league loss in the American and a handful of previously-ranked teams lost over the last few weeks.

If Tulane loses, the eventual American champion or the James Madison Dukes out of the Sun Belt would earn the G5 berth.