college Playoff impact games
Big Ten, Big 12 and ACC schools also jockeying for position this weekend
Just a third of the college football season remains, and the results on the field take on added importance with the Playoff committee now weighing in on a weekly basis. One thing is certain – the ranks of the unbeaten will be reduced by at least two in Week 11. Besides No. 2 LSU at No. 1 Alabama, here are the other four games with the most impact on the College Football Playoff picture.
No. 5 Penn State at No. 13 Minnesota
Saturday, noon ET, ABC
One of this week’s clashes of unbeatens was perhaps expected. This one, however, was almost certainly not anticipated by even the most dedicated observers of the sport when the campaign began. The Nittany Lions, of course, are frequent visitors to the top 10 and are accustomed to competing for and occasionally winning the Big Ten. The Golden Gophers, on the other hand, are rowing their boat into uncharted waters at 8-0 for the first time since 1941. Key contests remain for both teams in their respective divisions, but a win here would be quite meaningful.
After squeaking by with victory margins of seven points or fewer in their first four outings, the Gophers have prevailed by increasingly more convincing scores since. But now QB Tanner Morgan and RB Rodney Smith face a more accomplished defense than they’ve yet encountered in the early portion of their league schedule. Nittany Lions LBs Micah Parsons and Cam Brown lead a ground defense that allows less than 2 yards per rushing attempt, which could put a damper on the Gophers’ bread-and-butter zone read plays. PSU QB Sean Clifford has grown more comfortable running the attack, and WR K.J. Hamler has added a needed big-play element. But they must beware of DB Antoine
Winfield Jr., the mainstay of the Minnesota secondary who has swiped five passes and made 33 solo tackles.
Iowa State at No. 8 Oklahoma
Saturday, 8 p.m. ET, Fox
The Sooners were last seen nearly pulling off a huge comeback but falling short at Kansas State two weeks ago. They return home to take on the Cyclones, who were a popular choice as a potential Big 12 sleeper at the start of the season. Iowa State has flashed a bit more of that potential after a slow start, so the Sooners must bounce back quickly to avoid a fatal blow to their Playoff hopes.
Oklahoma QB Jalen Hurts remains in the Heisman conversation, but a few illtimed miscues forced him to play catchup in the setback in the Little Apple. He and big-play threat CeeDee Lamb will be up against a defense, anchored by LB Marcel Spears Jr., that until a home loss to Oklahoma State in its most recent contest hadn’t given up many long scoring plays. Cyclones QB Brock Purdy has 15 scoring throws but can’t afford to add to his seven interceptions. He’s made good use in the red zone of TE Charlie Kolar, a native of Norman who would love to add to his five scoring grabs in his hometown. LB Kenneth Murray and the Sooners’ defense have done a better job this season getting off the field on third down, but they’ve managed just six takeaways.
No. 10 Baylor at TCU
Saturday, noon ET, FS1
And here we find the lone Big 12 squad yet to taste defeat this season, a scenario even the most ardent supporters of the Bears probably didn’t anticipate. They look to set themselves up for back-to-back showdowns with Oklahoma and Texas but must first handle business in Fort Worth. The Horned
Frogs haven’t been the most consistent bunch, but their takedown of the Longhorns a couple of weeks ago indicates they can be dangerous.
Baylor had to work a bit harder than expected to escape West Virginia on Halloween thanks to some special teams breakdowns and offensive line issues. QB Charlie Brewer still has a healthy 67.6 completion percentage. He’ll now try to steer clear of LB Garret Wallow, TCU’s defensive leader who finds his way to the ball often. The Horned Frogs have turned the offense over to freshman Max Duggan, a dual threat who has 12 TDs by air and four by land. Bears LB Jordan Williams will lead the effort to keep him under wraps.
No. 20 Wake Forest at Virginia Tech
Saturday, 3:30 p.m. ET, ACC Network
With the ACC all but absent from the Playoff rankings, Wake Forest is the closest thing there is to a challenger for Clemson. It would actually help the Tigers if the Demon Deacons were still ranked when they square off a week from now – assuming Clemson handles its end of things at North Carolina State. But first Wake must get by the Hokies, who missed an opportunity for a quality win for the league last week at Notre Dame but still have a path to the Coastal Division title.
Deacons QB Jamie Newman returned from a shoulder injury and turned in a dominant performance against the aforementioned N.C. State squad last week. The Hokies could be more difficult to solve, thanks to playmakers like LB Rayshard Ashby and S Divine Deablo. But the offensive side has been more problematic for Tech, with freshman Quincy Patterson pressed into service at quarterback due to injuries. He’s a dangerous runner, but Wake S Amari Henderson will be ready to pounce if his passing accuracy doesn’t improve.