Projected AP Top 25 College Football Rankings After Week 14: Upsets Shake Up CFP Picture

The college football landscape has been significantly altered following the chaotic Week 14, marked by several high-profile upsets that have reshaped the AP Top 25 rankings and the College Football Playoff (CFP) picture.

One of the most stunning upsets came when Ohio State, ranked No. 2, fell to Michigan for the fourth consecutive year in their rivalry game. This loss, combined with other key upsets, has thrown the CFP rankings into disarray. Ohio State’s coach, Ryan Day, faced criticism once again for his team’s performance in a critical game.

Miami, another top contender, suffered a surprising loss to Syracuse. The Orange, led by OSU transfer Kyle McCord, who threw for 380 yards and three touchdowns, secured a 9-3 season and are likely to enter the AP Top 25. This defeat pushed Miami out of contention for the ACC Championship Game, instead placing Clemson in the title game despite their own loss to South Carolina.

Clemson’s loss to South Carolina was particularly painful, marking their third defeat of the season. However, the Tigers still have a path to the CFP through winning the ACC Championship Game against SMU. The pressure is high for Clemson to perform in this crucial matchup.

Texas, on the other hand, solidified its position with a dominant win over Texas A&M, further complicating the CFP picture. Alabama also benefited from the chaos, securing a win over Auburn in the Iron Bowl and keeping their CFP hopes alive despite having three losses.

Other notable teams include Tulane, which saw its CFP aspirations diminish after a loss to Memphis, and Army, which still has an outside chance at the CFP after beating UTSA and preparing to play for the AAC title.

The projected AP Top 25 rankings reflect these significant changes, with teams like Syracuse and SMU rising while Ohio State, Miami, and Clemson face significant drops. The final rankings will be released on Sunday, providing clarity on the new order of college football’s top teams.