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

That means, barring an upset in Saturday's ACC championship game between Clemson and SMU, Alabama might be headed back to the CFP for the ninth time in the past 11 seasons -- despite losing three times under first-year coach Kalen DeBoer -- while the Hurricanes get left out of the first 12-team tournament.