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While the playoffs have taken a predictable path this fall, consider how rare it is for No. 1 Alabama, No. 2 Clemson and No. 3 Notre Dame to enter the week of rivalry without defeat: is the fourth time in 20 years that three Power 5 teams (or BCS automatic qualifiers) have started 11-0.
Since its creation in 1998, the BCS has been repeated three times, according to research by ESPN Stats & Information: in 2013 (Alabama, Florida State and Ohio State), in 2009 (Alabama, Florida and Texas) and in 2004 (Auburn, Oklahoma and USC).
That's all.
So here we are, with three undefeated teams in the top four and just two weeks before the College Football Playoff Selection Committee unveils its final ranking on December 2nd. Can they remain unbeaten, and if not, then what?
Here is an overview of the rivalry games that will have the most importance for the college football playoffs, ranked in order of consequence on the final ranking of the committee:
1. Michigan at Ohio State (Saturday noon and FOX)
If Michigan wins: That would be the best result for the Big Ten, as the best team in the league would maintain its No. 4 position before the conference championship match against Northwestern. If the Wolverines won, it would be much easier for the selection committee to justify Big Ten's playoff spot as they played better than Ohio State more consistently throughout the season. Michigan would have the advantage over Oklahoma, the only Big 12 champion, and over Washington State, on a loss if the Cougars won the Pac-12. Michigan could even be chosen at the expense of an Alabama team, a loss, which loses against Georgia in the SEC championship, although this is an extremely difficult decision.
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If Ohio State wins: There is no guarantee other than winning the East Division title. It is possible that the Big Ten champion will not be eliminated from the playoffs for the third year in a row if Ohio State wins, but the committee will have a tough decision between the Buckeyes and Oklahoma to a defeat for fourth place. Both teams have had defensive difficulties this year (the OU is number 95 in terms of defensive efficiency, Ohio State is at number 46) and yet, both continue to find a way to win with talented quarterbacks. However, if the Ohio state overrides Michigan, the committee will have to weigh its victory against an Oklahoma win against West Virginia in Morgantown on Friday night. The state of Ohio would probably have the advantage, as the Mountaineers are now a two-game losing team and Michigan among the top four opponents, a defeat. An Ohio state victory could also affect the SEC. If Alabama were to lose Georgia in the SEC championship, an Ohio State win could increase the chances that Alabama and Georgia will both finish in the top four at the expense of Big Ten champion.
Rooting interests: If you're a fan of the OU, SEC, or Washington State, encourage the state of Ohio to gain help. Fans of Notre Dame, applaud Michigan (the victory that continues to give).
2. Oklahoma at West Virginia (Friday at 8pm, Paris time, ESPN)
If Oklahoma wins: The Sooners would win a place in the Big 12 conference championship and remain in contention to rank in the top four. If they win Friday night and Texas beat Kansas, the Longhorns clinch the other place of the title game. The Sooners would then have a chance to avenge their loss to the Longhorns in the regular season, which would be a strong statement for the selection committee. The question is whether it would be enough to topple the Big Ten champion for fourth place.
If West Virginia wins: The Mountaineers clinched a spot in the Big 12 title, which means the league's hopes for the playoffs are probably over. A win in West Virginia would guarantee the Big 12 champion at least two losses, perhaps three, if Texas wins the title. If WVU and Kansas State (Iowa State Saturday) lose, Texas will win a spot in the title game.
Rooting interests: Washington State fans should be delighted with the Mountaineers, as the Sooners still oppose the Top 25 of the CFP before tonight's standings. The UCF fans should also rejoice in WVU because it is an additional chaos that could be favorable to them.
3. Our Lady at the USC (Saturday, 8 pm, ABC)
If Notre Dame wins: The Irish finish unbeaten and hold a place among the top four, where they can sit comfortably and watch how the conference league matches could change the rest of the playoff situation. With Notre Dame, this means that at least two Power 5 conference champions will be left out.
If USC wins: Even if it would be an embarrassing defeat for Notre Dame, do not neglect an Irish team to a defeat until the rest of the conference league matches are over. If the Big 12 produces a two-losing champion, or there's a surprise in the Big Ten or Pac-12 title games, a defeat to a defeat, Notre Dame, is definitely still in the mix. The Irish are currently the No. 1 ESPN record strength, which means that they've played the toughest schedule to date: they beat two division champions in Northwestern and Pitt and probably a third if Michigan wins the Big Ten East. If Northwestern and Michigan ended up playing for the Big Ten title, Notre Dame would have defeated the league champion anyway.
Rooting interests: The UCF fans should encourage USC (at the very least, the Irish must collapse to trigger a wave of chaos for the Knights to move into consideration). The state of Washington should applaud USC because it needs a maximum of dominoes escapes to the maximum.
4. Washington State Washington (Friday, 8:30 pm ET, FOX)
If Washington wins: The Huskies will win the Pac-12 North, but the conference will lose overall, as the league is guaranteed to have a conference champion with three losses. Utah and Washington each have three defeats, so the winner of the Pac-12 title will be eliminated.
If Washington State wins: The Pac-12 keeps its hopes of playing in the playoffs, but the state of Washington must win the title of champion of the conference and get help. Even though Alabama and Clemson are losing to their rivals but winning their respective conference titles, they are probably ahead of the state of Washington. A defeat of Notre Dame would certainly open the door to debate, but a Oklahoma Big 12 champion, a defeat, is more likely to take advantage of Irish defeats as he punctuated his resume with victories at West Virginia and then likely against Texas. The best scenario for the state of Washington would be that Northwestern wins the Big Ten and that a team consisting of two defeats wins the Big 12. The good news for the Cougars is that Washington and Utah are both entered the top 25 of the committee, which gives them a much needed boost.
Rooting interests: The UCF needs all possible help for the Knights to encourage Washington to eliminate the Pac-12 with a win. Fans of the state of Ohio should also applaud Washington … juuuuust in case they have a little competition, because at present, they are still lagging behind the Cougars in the top 25.
5. Auburn at Alabama (Saturday, 3:30 pm ET, CBS)
If Auburn wins: Alabama should still have no problem to rank among the top four, provided it wins the SEC. If the Tide loses this match, however, the SEC's chances of having two teams play in the playoff round are probably out of date, as the committee would not be taking a two-game losing team this year that did not win its league , even though it is Alabama.
If Alabama wins: The Tide enters the undefeated SEC championship, in the top four and with a cushion to lose in the title match and may still enter.
Rooting interests: UCF, Washington State, Ohio State and Oklahoma should all tackle Auburn. If anyone else wants to have a chance to rank among the top four, he only misses two SEC teams. and Our Lady.
6. Georgia Tech in Georgia (Saturday noon and SEC network)
If Georgia wins: The Bulldogs maintain the status quo on the bubble, unless there is chaos above them during the week of rivalry (Michigan defeats against Ohio State, Notre Dame losing to USC) or causing chaos by beating Alabama under the title of the SEC.
If Georgia Tech wins: If Georgia loses to Georgia Tech, but beats Alabama to win the SEC title, she could become the first team to lose two to rank among the top four in the playoff period. Or … the SEC could be left out in favor of Clemson, Notre Dame, Michigan and Oklahoma. A Georgia Tech win would also completely change the perception of an Alabama defeat against Georgia in the SEC championship, thus reducing the chances that the tide will sneak as a finalist in the SEC. It's one thing to lose a tight match against the country's No. 5 team, but Georgia would not be ranked No. 5 before the SEC championship game if it lost to an unlisted Georgia Tech team four defeats.
Rooting interests: Anyone suffering from SEC-related fatigue should be excited about the Jackets, as its effect of training can be considerable.
7. South Carolina at Clemson (Saturday, 7 pm ET, ESPN)
If South Carolina wins: Clemson could still rank among the top four if he beats Pitt to win the ACC. If Alabama, Notre Dame and Michigan prevailed, Clemson would probably still be chosen before a single setback in Oklahoma and another in the state of Washington. What would happen in this scenario, however, if Alabama lost to a lost Georgia team once? Georgia, Notre Dame and Michigan would be present, and the debate would then move to Alabama, SEC's second runner-up, or to Clemson, champion at a loss to ACC.
If Clemson wins: The unbeaten Tigers would participate in the ACC championship game and would be at a victory to finish in the top four.
Rooting interests: All those in need of chaos (UCF, Oklahoma and Washington) should congratulate South Carolina, although a Saturday defeat would guarantee nothing more than a debate between two Power One champions.
8. UCF South Florida (Friday, 4:15 pm, Paris time, ESPN)
If UCF wins: The Knights have already clinched a spot in the American Athletic Conference championship game and are expected to remain the team's top 5 ranked team, ready to qualify for the Six New Year's tournament. . With UCF 's win on Saturday and West Virginia' s defeat, the Knights are expected to join the top 10 tonight and possibly even leap forward into the state of Ohio. No matter where they end up in the fourth standings of the committee, the Knights must still face the winner of Houston-Memphis on Friday and win their conference to qualify for the title of New Year's Six. Remember that he is the highest ranked conference champion of the group of 5. Even with another unbeaten season and a conference title, the UCF would still need to melt into the championship conference matches Power 5 to be seriously considered to rank among the top four.
If South Florida wins: UCF was still heading for the US title and was attempting the New Year's bowl, but with Utah State's loss now in the standings (and two losses at Boise State), the US top runners might have a bit of competition if they stumble. The states of Utah and Boise are also playing on Saturday, and the winner will claim the division of the mountain at the MWC.
Rooting interests: Mountain West fans should cheer on South Florida, but that would be just the first step in the evening on the pitch. The group of five fans in general may want to continue to take root for UCF, if only to see how high they can climb this year as their representative.
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