10 matchups that could change the game
Now that the first College Football Playoff rankings have been released, we know exactly where everyone stands.
That means we can map out exactly which games we need to keep an eye on in the final weeks of the regular season.
This Saturday is filled with a trio of potentially playoff-altering games all featuring top 20 matchups, highlighted by Saturday night’s Alabama-LSU tussle.
Then, hold on to your remote, because every Saturday after that is filled with huge games. Sorry, Iowa fans. Your team doesn’t have a mustsee matchup on the schedule because somehow they close the season with four bad teams. So, see you in the Big Ten championship.
Everyone else will get at least one test to prove they belong in the College Football Playoff. A look at ten games that will make a difference (rankings are based on the College Football Playoff):
Saturday: No. 2 LSU at No. 4 Alabama
LSU still has three games left against top 20 teams, and that’s not even counting a possible SEC championship matchup. A loss by LSU, which is a 6.5 point underdog, wouldn’t necessarily end its playoff hopes, but it sure would make it tough. For Alabama, if it survives this one, it has to play at No. 20 Mississippi State the next week.
Saturday: No. 16 Florida State at No. 1 Clemson
Clemson already is the No. 1 team in the college football playoff rankings, and the Tigers only have two tough games left — this one and the ACC championship game. Clemson is a 12.5-point favorite, and if it survives this one, the Tigers should be in good shape. A Florida State loss would almost assuredly eliminate the Seminoles from playoff contention.
Saturday: No. 8 TCU at No. 14 Oklahoma State
The Horned Frogs are upset at their low ranking, but they’ll get their chance to prove themselves. They still have three games against top 15 teams, and it starts with this one. Oklahoma State, which is a 4.5-point underdog, is undefeated, but untested. A Cowboys’ loss in this spot would likely end their playoff hopes.
Nov. 14: No. 4 Alabama at No. 20 Mississippi State
This likely will be Alabama’s final test – sorry Auburn fans, your team isn’t that good this year. Of course, with a loss to Ole Miss already on the schedule, the Crimson Tide can’t afford to lose even one more game.
Nov. 14: No. 15 Oklahoma at No. 6 Baylor
This is a run of three straight weeks where Baylor has to play top-15 teams. Run that gauntlet and the Bears almost assuredly will end up in the playoff, but they likely can’t afford any losses. After a horrible loss to Texas, the Sooners need to win every game impressively to have any hope at all of qualifying for a playoff.
Nov. 14: No. 13 Memphis at No. 25 Houston
Truthfully, neither of these teams has much of a shot of a playoff berth, but Memphis earned a pretty high ranking and could use any top 25 win to pair with its upset of Ole Miss to make its case. Houston will be looking to stay undefeated and make a case for a New Year’s Six bowl.
Nov. 21: No. 7 Michigan State at No. 3 Ohio State
Both of these teams likely will remain undefeated by the time this meeting arrives. The winner will have an inside track to the Big 10 championship game and a playoff berth. The loser is likely out because of the devastation of a lateseason loss.
Nov 27: No. 6 Baylor at No. 8 TCU
The Friday after Thanksgiving has just one prime-time game on the schedule, and this is it. If both teams survive the potential landmines against the likes of Oklahoma and Oklahoma State before this matchup, then this one likely decides one of the final four playoff spots.
Nov. 28: No. 3 Ohio State at No. 17 Michigan
The Buckeyes have to play this game a week after what is sure to be an emotional contest against Michigan State. Jim Harbaugh doesn’t have Michigan in position to make the playoffs, but he has made the Wolverines a lot better and they will be a legit test for the Buckeyes in Ann Arbor.
Nov. 28: No. 5 Notre Dame at No. 11 Stanford
It was a bit of a surprise the Irish are so close to a playoff spot. With games left against Pitt, Wake Forest and Boston College, they should stroll into this game undefeated. Win at Stanford and Notre Dame is in, no question. This is Stanford’s only game left against a top 25 team, so this could be the biggest game of the final weekend of the regular season.