We are beginning to get a clear idea of which college football teams are contenders and which might have to wait until next year. Accordingly, we know who will face the biggest obstacles to unbeaten seasons and playoff bids — and we can highlight which games could determine who’s playing for a national championship and who isn’t.
Here are 10 of the most important regular season games left on the schedule from now until the end of November.
USC at Washington State, Sep. 29
This will arguably be USC’s toughest test yet, and Washington State will have a first real opportunity to make a statement. This may not be the two teams’ final meeting of 2017 — they could play in the Pac-12 Championship — but a loss here would do real harm to USC’s stated championship aspirations. The Trojans have already had their fair share of scares, but a trip to Pullman will provide an even stiffer test. If they come through this, they have to be taken seriously.
Clemson at Virginia Tech, Sep. 30
Another clash of unbeaten teams looms large in the ACC. Clemson has gotten past both Auburn and Louisville so far to maintain their unbeaten record behind quarterback Kelly Bryant, while Virginia Tech has jumped out to a 4-0 start aided in part by a win over West Virginia. For now, the Tigers stand a good chance of returning to the playoff if they can get past this game — their schedule gets simpler from here on out. The Hokies, however, would like to put themselves in the playoff conversation.
Utah at USC, Oct. 14
This game could well decide who wins the Pac-12 South. Utah will be unbeaten here if they get past Stanford at home the week before this, while the Trojans will should be looking strong as well. This will be the Utes’ first real test — they have yet to play a ranked opponent, and a trip to the Coliseum will tell us a lot about just how good they really are. USC will be navigating a minefield by this point, but you’d likely favor them in this matchup.
Michigan at Penn State, Oct. 21
The Big Ten will almost certainly have at least one representative in the College Football Playoff this season, and this game in Happy Valley will probably have a big say in who it is. Neither team faces a ranked opponent before this game, so there’s a pretty good chance that this will be another battle of unbeatens. The battle between Penn State’s vaunted offense led by Trace McSorley and Saquon Barkley against Michigan’s excellent defense will be mouth-watering. The winner of this game will likely have the inside track for a playoff spot — or, at the very least, will be in control of their own destiny.
USC at Notre Dame, Oct. 21
Another very challenging matchup for USC, which will certainly have earned their place if they make it to the College Football Playoff this season. Notre Dame’s lone defeat so far came by one point to a top ten team in Georgia, so they’ll be ready and up for the challenge of this rivalry. USC’s schedule will get easier after this one, so if they come through unscathed, they’ll have to feel very good about their postseason chances. Notre Dame, meanwhile, could be trying to make a push for a New Year’s Six appearance.
Oklahoma at Oklahoma State, Nov. 4
Bedlam should still be quite meaningful this season, and could have major playoff implications. If Oklahoma State can enter this game without a second loss, they’ll rightly look at it as an opportunity to re-establish themselves as a playoff contender. Barring a significant upset, Oklahoma will probably enter this game unbeaten. The Cowboys need a signature win to buff their resume after their ugly loss to TCU. Their playoff hopes aren’t done yet, but they have to win out, including in this game, to keep them alive.
Virginia Tech at Miami, Nov. 4
This will be particularly big if Virginia Tech can get past Clemson, but either way, this could be a decider for who will represent the ACC Coastal in the conference championship game. Miami has been listed as a preseason favorite, but the Hokies have gotten off to a hot start. If both teams can enter this game with one loss or less, this will have a huge say in the conference championship, and the winner will have a chance to at least put them on the fringes of the playoff conversation.
Georgia at Auburn, Nov. 11
Georgia could well need this game to win the SEC East, while Auburn will have the Iron Bowl looming, making this an important game for both teams. The Bulldogs’ only currently ranked opponent before this game will be Florida at home, and the Gators have not looked great. There’s a chance that Georgia could come in without a loss, and there’s also a chance that Auburn’s lone loss at this point could be to Clemson. There could be a lot of implications here.
TCU at Oklahoma, Nov. 11
We have already seen what TCU can do to a highly-ranked team — they walked into Stillwater and beat up on Oklahoma State in mid-September. This will likely be their next chance to prove their mettle. Meanwhile, if the Sooners get past Oklahoma State, they’ll be looking at a chance to march into the playoff with an unbeaten record. The Horned Frogs will be a huge test for them. Who’s to say that TCU won’t have similar aspirations at this point? A prelude to the Big 12 Championship and a playoff bid could hang in the balance.
Ohio State at Michigan, Nov. 25
It’s always big, but with both programs firmly back in the upper echelon of college football, it’s even bigger now. Last year’s contest was one for the ages, with major playoff implications and a controversial finish adding even more drama to the equation. It’s tough to tell where these two teams will stand — Ohio State has already lost, but they get Penn State at home and avoid Wisconsin, while the Wolverines have to travel to both. Still, it’s certainly within the realm of possibility that a playoff spot may be on the line here. And even if there isn’t a playoff spot at stake, pride — and how last year’s game ended — will add a lot of incentive in this contest.
