The regular season is nearly complete, and Week 14 delivered exactly the kind of late-year chaos that reshapes championship races and playoff paths. Upsets, statement wins, and narrow escapes triggered one of the most dramatic Top-25 reshuffles of the entire year. With the Selection Committee watching every snap, the final impressions teams leave now carry more weight than ever.
Entering the week, Texas stood tall at No. 1, and they once again headlined a poll filled with seismic movement—both up and down. SMU, previously No. 3, saw their undefeated dream shattered and plunged six spots, while several programs like Wake Forest, UCLA, and Tulane used dominant performances to surge ahead. Meanwhile, traditional bluebloods such as Michigan and Georgia suffered damaging setbacks that could alter the postseason landscape.
Here’s the full breakdown of where things stand heading into the final stretch.
Week 14 PCFB Top-25 Rankings
- Texas
- Wake Forest
- Clemson
- Penn State
- Nebraska
- UCLA
- Tulane
- Florida
- SMU
- Notre Dame
- Tennessee
- Michigan
- Texas A&M
- Washington
- Georgia
- Oregon
- Texas Tech
- Northwestern
- Arizona State
- Miami
- Auburn
- Middle Tennessee State
- Memphis
- Army
- Bowling Green
TOP RISERS OF THE WEEK
Wake Forest (↑ from 4 to 2)
The Demon Deacons are officially in the thick of the playoff race thanks to a dominant Week 14 performance and SMU’s stumble. Wake Forest’s climb to No. 2 marks their highest ranking in program history this late in the season. Their offense continues to shred defenses, but it’s their suddenly-tough defensive front that has turned them into a complete playoff contender.
UCLA (↑ from 9 to 6)
No team improved its résumé more dramatically than UCLA. Coming off a gritty rivalry win, the Bruins jumped three spots and positioned themselves firmly as the top Pac-12 contender. They’re peaking at the perfect time, and their combination of speed and depth makes them a dark-horse threat for a last-minute playoff push.
Tulane (↑ from 10 to 7)
Tulane keeps finding ways to win—and win big. Climbing from No. 10 to No. 7, the Green Wave continue to prove their early-season dominance wasn’t a fluke. They’ve been the biggest Group-of-Five storyline all year, and if they close the season strong, a New Year’s Six bowl feels certain.
Florida (↑ from 13 to 8)
The Gators were one of the most scrutinized teams heading into Week 14, but they responded with a statement win that vaulted them back into the national conversation. DJ Lagway’s Heisman-resurgent performance in Week 13 helped solidify Florida’s upward movement, making them the highest-ranking two-loss team in the country. Sitting at No. 8, they’re still on the outside looking in—but they’re very much alive.
BIGGEST FALLERS OF THE WEEK
SMU (↓ from 3 to 9)
SMU’s dream season hit its first major roadblock. What looked like a playoff-caliber team slipped six spots after a stunning upset loss. Kevin Jennings still put up numbers, but turnovers and defensive breakdowns doomed the Mustangs. Falling from No. 3 to No. 9 places them on the fringe of New Year’s Six territory instead of in the playoff race. A brutal blow for the Ponies.
Michigan (↓ from 12 to 12, indirect slide)
Technically Michigan only dropped from 12 to 12 numerically due to reshuffling, but in the context of teams leaping ahead of them, it was a significant relative fall. Michigan’s loss this week eliminated them from playoff contention and likely from a New Year’s Six game as well.
Georgia (↓ from 18 to 15 / also a net drop)
Georgia moved up in the rankings numerically, but contextually they suffered one of the toughest perception losses of the entire poll. Voters punished them for a sloppy performance, and while they benefit from other teams losing, the Bulldogs now sit firmly outside the national spotlight. Their title hopes evaporated weeks ago, but now even a top-15 finish is in jeopardy.
Louisville (Dropped from 14 out of the poll)
One week removed from looking like a sleeper Top-10 candidate, Louisville collapsed in Week 14. Their fall from No. 14 to unranked was one of the biggest drops of the entire season and puts the program in damage-control mode heading into bowl season.
South Carolina (Dropped from 12 out of the poll)
A brutal rivalry-week defeat knocked the Gamecocks completely out of the rankings. It’s one of the biggest disappointments of the week when considering how strong their mid-season surge looked.
PROGRAMS MAKING NOISE
Penn State (↑ from 7 to 4)
Penn State continues quietly stacking wins and now sits just outside the top three. With SMU falling and Michigan stumbling, Penn State suddenly looks like a sleeper candidate for the No. 3 or No. 4 playoff seed. Their defense remains one of the most consistent units in the country.
Nebraska (↑ from 8 to 5)
Nebraska keeps climbing, moving up three spots after another commanding Big Ten performance. This is their highest ranking of the season, and the Cornhuskers seem to have rediscovered their identity—smash-mouth football and opportunistic defense.
Notre Dame (↓ from 5 to 10)
The Irish held on for a victory but looked shaky doing it. Voters punished the performance, dropping Notre Dame five spots from No. 5 to No. 10. Their playoff dreams are gone; the focus now shifts to salvaging a top-10 finish.
NEWCOMERS TO THE TOP 25
Memphis (No. 23)
Memphis enters the poll after a convincing Week 14 win. Their offense has been inconsistent, but when they’re clicking, they can score with anybody. A finish inside the Top 20 isn’t out of the question.
Army (No. 24)
Army cracks the Top-25 late with a throwback defensive performance that stunned a Top-20 team. Their physical identity has frustrated opponents all season, and this ranking is well deserved.
Bowling Green (No. 25)
Sneaking in at No. 25, Bowling Green is one of the most surprising ranked teams in the nation. Their opportunistic defense and newfound explosive passing attack have made them a MAC team worth watching.
PROGRAMS THAT FELL OUT
- Louisville (previous 14)
- South Carolina (previous 12)
- Oregon State (receiving votes previously but now gone completely)
Both Louisville and South Carolina’s late collapses reshaped the mid-tier of the poll and opened the door for Memphis, Army, and Bowling Green.
LOOKING AHEAD: PLAYOFF CHAOS LOOMS
With Texas, Wake Forest, Clemson, and Penn State currently filling the top four slots, the playoff picture appears stable on the surface—but Week 15 is notorious for upsets. Key storylines to watch:
- Can Texas finish an undefeated regular season?
- Will Wake Forest prove they belong at No. 2?
- Is Clemson peaking too late—or at just the right time?
- Can Penn State leap Clemson for the No. 3 spot?
- Will SMU or Notre Dame get one last chance to crash the playoff party?
- And most importantly—can Florida or Nebraska sneak in if chaos erupts?
The final week awaits, and if Week 14 was any indication, absolutely nothing is safe.
