College Football Playoffs 2025-26 Bracket Elimination Scenarios in Week 14 After Poll

A handful of slight movements in Tuesday's College Football Playoff rankings set the stage for some potential debates over the next few weeks.

The Oregon Ducks moved up one spot to No. 6. That could be significant when it comes to breaking down easier paths to the semifinal and championship game.

The more interesting moves came beneath the currently projected playoff teams.

The Miami Hurricanes inched their way up to No. 12, just three spots behind the Notre Dame Fighting Irish. Miami likely needs an at-large berth to get into the field because of its two-loss record in ACC play.

Ahead of their rivalry game with the Ohio State Buckeyes, the Michigan Wolverines moved up to No. 15.

Miami Inches Up to No. 12

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Miami is another step closer to the at-large positions with its move up to No. 12.

The Hurricanes need to beat the Pittsburgh Panthers on Saturday and get a lot of help to reach the ACC Championship Game.

Their likeliest playoff path is through an at-large spot, which it would earn by being inside the top 10.

Entering Week 14, the Alabama Crimson Tide and BYU Cougars are directly in front of Miami. BYU could easily lose in the Big 12 Championship Game to the fifth-ranked Texas Tech Red Raiders.

Alabama might trip up against the Auburn Tigers, or it could fall in the SEC Championship Game.

That's relevant to Miami because not only would losses by Bama and BYU move the Hurricanes into the top 10, it would put them directly behind the Notre Dame Fighting Irish, who Miami defeated in Week 1.

The distance between Miami and Notre Dame has been the hot rankings topic for weeks, but the head-to-head result hasn't affected the rankings yet. That could come into play if Miami beats Pitt and then BYU and Alabama lose once more.

Michigan Lurking at No. 15

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Michigan's playoff scenario is far less complicated than what Miami is dealing with.

The Wolverines must beat top-ranked Ohio State and then win the Big Ten Championship Game the next week to take the Big Ten's automatic bid.

Michigan needs to beat Ohio State and then have Oregon lose to the Washington Huskies to earn a trip to Indianapolis.

It's an unlikely path, but it's still in play, and that makes Michigan the one true big stealer left in the rankings.

If Michigan pulls off its unlikely feat, it will take away one of the at-large spots, likely from the team ranked at No. 10.

There is a scenario still out there in which Michigan wins the Big Ten and the final at-large spot comes down to Notre Dame versus Miami.