Winners and Losers of the Week 14 College Football Playoff Rankings

For at least half of the programs still remaining in the College Football Playoff race this season, Week 14 is their final opportunity to make a statement.

Technically speaking, yes, the CFP selection committee "starts new" every week. It is possible—just ask anyone on 2014 TCU—to have the metaphorical Playoff rug pulled from underneath a team at the last moment despite a win.

Chaos can happen in that way. It also may occur naturally.

The upcoming slate is loaded with games that will determine matchups in conference championships. We'll also see which programs secure a 10-2 record, which looks the minimum needed for at-large hopefuls.

Before we get there, however, we have a fresh Top 25 from the committee.

1. Ohio State
2. Indiana
3. Texas A&M
4. Georgia
5. Texas Tech
6. Oregon
7. Ole Miss
8. Oklahoma
9. Notre Dame
10. Alabama
11. BYU
12. Miami
13. Utah
14. Vanderbilt
15. Michigan
16. Texas
17. USC
18. Virginia
19. Tennessee
20. Arizona State
21. SMU
22. Pitt
23. Georgia Tech
24. Tulane
25. Arizona

Winner: Oregon's Bye Potential

Tom Hauck/Getty Images

Dante Moore

Start here: The odds of a first-round bye aren't awesome for Oregon.

Ranked sixth, the Ducks need at least two Top 5 programs to slip up—and likely in the upcoming slate, not during conference championships. They're certainly not guaranteed a win at Washington, either.

The good news, however, is Oregon now actually has a chance for a bye.

In the previous ranking, Ole Miss stood at No. 6. While the Lane Kiffin drama enveloped the Rebels' open weekend, Oregon beat Top 25 opponent USC and nudged its way from seventh to sixth.

Oregon needs Michigan to upset Ohio State this Saturday for the Ducks to have a chance at making the Big Ten Championship Game. If that doesn't happen, UO won't be defending its conference crown in Indy.

But if Texas A&M and Texas Tech were to falter, Oregon is now best positioned to sneak into a first-round Playoff bye.

Loser: Utah's Slight Dip

Sam Hodde/Getty Images

Devon Dampier

If you want to believe in a conspiracy, check the bottom of the ranking. The late positions in the Top 25 tend to justify what happens higher up.

Back in Week 11, SEC programs Texas and Oklahoma ranked 11th and 12th ahead of Big 12 school Utah in 13th. Down in the 21-25 range, you would notice Missouri (22nd) and Tennessee (25th) and no Big 12 team.

Fast-forward a couple weeks, and the main question was how Miami would fit around the fringe of the Top 10.

Once again, the 'Canes moved up. This time, it was at the expense of Utah—which needed a late comeback to edge Kansas State in Week 13.

So, hey, check the poll.

Arizona State, the best win on Utah's profile, is 20th. Meanwhile, SMU—which beat Miami—and Pitt—the Hurricanes' opponent in Week 14—are 21st and 22nd. That's a huge, huge advantage in Miami's favor.

Since the Utes take on 5-6 Kansas compared to Miami at 8-3 Pitt, it's safe to say Utah cannot jump the 'Canes in at-large discussions if both win.

Winner: Notre Dame, Alabama Stay Put

Butch Dill/Getty Images

Ty Simpson

The single-most important question right now is whether the CFP selection committee will shove Miami past Notre Dame and/or Alabama.

Why would that happen? It's simple, really.

Miami (9-2) owns a head-to-head victory over Notre Dame (9-2). Ask me, I think that's a compelling reason! Miami also defeated Florida State, which wrecked Alabama (9-2) early this season. Ask me, I think that's a compelling reason!

In other words: Notre Dame is ahead of Miami because ND has "better" losses, and Bama is in front of the 'Canes because of more quality wins.

You can tell, to me, it's perplexing and inconsistent.

Nevertheless, that's how the committee ruled. Miami finally joined the 9-12 seeding "group" with ND and Bama, but they stayed ahead of the Hurricanes. That's a massive, CFP-saving outcome for the Irish and Tide.

Loser: Georgia Tech

Rich von Biberstein/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images

Haynes King

One more win. That's all Georgia Tech needed.

If the Yellow Jackets—at home—had defeated Pitt, they would've clinched a spot in the ACC Championship Game. No matter what happened against rival Georgia this weekend, an ACC-winning GT would not have been in danger of falling below two Group of Five conference winners in the final Top 25.

Instead, the prime-time clash devolved into Tech's worst game of the season. Now, after that 42-28 loss, the Jackets are clinging to the slimmest shred of hope.

The short version: Georgia Tech needs both SMU and Virginia to lose, plus help.

By no means is this campaign now a failure for the Jackets, who already have the program's first nine-win record since 2016. Being so close to playing for a shot at the Playoff and falling this short, though, will be painful to remember.

Winner: Drama in Finales

G Fiume/Getty Images

Bryce Underwood

Heading into Week 14, the CFP picture is a delightful—and debate-filled—mess. And, hey, we like to be entertained. That's the purpose of sports.

Not everything will be decided on the field, but a whole lot will be.

Since no Power Four leagues have a locked-in conference title qualifier, there are so many significant games to follow.

Indiana and Texas A&M hold win-and-in outlooks on Friday, which also includes Ole Miss, Utah and Arizona State trying to stay alive in their respective league races—plus Georgia hoping to cement a bye-worthy profile. North Texas should make its conference championship with a win, too.

Saturday begins with Ohio State's showdown at Michigan, which doesn't have a great résumé but could earn the single-best win by anyone this season. Miami and Pitt battle in a fight for their postseason lives, while Texas Tech and BYU have win-and-in scenarios in the Big 12.

All of those matchups kick off at noon or 1 p.m. ET.

Later in the day, there's a Top 25 clash between Vanderbilt and Tennessee—two helpful teams on other SEC résumés. Oregon and Oklahoma need to avoid upsets to safely expect at-large bids, as do Alabama—which must beat Auburn to make the SEC Championship Game—and Notre Dame.

Throw in Sun Belt favorite James Madison and American front-runner Tulane scrapping for G5 respect, and Week 14 is stacked with CFP storylines.