CFP Playoff Bracket, Scenarios and Bowl Projections After 2025-26 Week 14 AP Rankings

The Oregon Ducks were rewarded for their win over the USC Trojans with a slight move up to No. 5 in the Week 14 AP poll.

Oregon's move into the top five is interesting, but it has to wait until Tuesday to see if the same thing happens in the College Football Playoff rankings.

The other fascinating movement in the AP poll came from the Michigan Wolverines, who are now at No. 15.

Michigan is one of the few agents of chaos left for the playoff picture because it plays the top-ranked Ohio State Buckeyes on Saturday.

Oregon Inches Up to No. 5

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Oregon inched up one spot to No. 5 following its 15-point win over USC.

The collective thought about the Ducks is that their Week 13 victory clinched their spot in the 12-team field.

We'll have to wait until Tuesday to see if the CFB Playoff selection committee thinks the same way as the AP voters.

Dan Lanning's team sits at 10-1 with wins over three ranked opponents and a loss to the second-ranked Indiana Hoosiers.

Oregon just needs to beat the Washington Huskies in Week 14 to officially confirm its place in the playoff.

An 11-1 record would not be enough to put Oregon in the Big Ten Championship Game if the Ohio State Buckeyes and Indiana both win next week. That might be the preferred scenario for the Ducks so they can guarantee a home game in the first round.

Michigan Up to No. 15 Ahead of Ohio State Clash

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Michigan quietly put together a five-game winning streak to reach 9-2 and No. 15 in the AP Top 25.

The Wolverines have positioned themselves to be the team that shakes everything up over the next two weeks.

Michigan owns a four-game winning streak in the rivalry game, so it's probable it wins to move to 10-2 and reaches the Big Ten Championship Game.

It's an unlikely scenario, but the Wolverines could win out and earn the Big Ten's automatic berth, which would likely take away an at-large spot from the SEC.

At the moment, the Big Ten is poised to get three teams into the playoff field. Michigan can make it four if it somehow runs the table.