Last weekend, the Gamecocks won at Clemson — a ranked team — and moved up one spot in the CFP ranking. Alabama won over Auburn — a team that finished 5-7 — and was rewarded with a two-spot bump into the critical No. 11 position, the one that essentially would ensure a spot in the 12-team playoff.

In the final College Football Playoff bracket projection before Sunday’s reveal, the Crimson Tide would face the Fighting Irish in the first round. The Hurricanes sit just outside the 12-team field.

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.