Oregon remained atop the rankings, followed by Texas, Penn State and Notre Dame. The intrigue Tuesday evening came in the double digits, where Alabama climbed two spots, to No. 11, and Miami dropped six places, to No. 12 — meaning the Crimson Tide would make the CFP field, and the Hurricanes would not, if form holds through championship weekend.

Miami's hopes of an undefeated season crumbled over the past few weeks after the Hurricanes lost to Georgia Tech and Syracuse, but there was still belief

Said losses over the last three weeks—a 28–23 defeat at the hands of Georgia Tech and a 42–38 barnburner of a loss to the Syracuse Orange—were part of the reason why Miami (10-2) was ranked behind the Alabama Crimson Tide (9–3).