Ohio State Buckeyes

College Football Playoff: Games That Matter Week 12

Published Jun. 30, 2017 6:28 p.m. ET

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Jan 24, 2015; Columbus, OH, USA; Ohio State Buckeyes mascot Brutus with college football playoff trophy at Ohio Stadium for the national championship celebration. Mandatory Credit: Joe Maiorana-USA TODAY Sports

Games that could affect the College Football Playoff situation.

I read an article where the writer said one of the matchups was a good thing because the schedule this week was bland. I don’t know what the writer was smoking before he wrote that but he couldn’t be farther from the truth. There are games played this week that could greatly impact the College Football Playoff.

There are scenarios where a conference could get two teams in the playoff, and others where the conference could be left out. Three conferences could be affected by the outcome of this week’s games and possibly a fourth.

In fact, the SEC is the only conference where there isn’t an important game to be played concerning the playoff situation. Alabama is the only team in the running and they have a bye week. They are playing the Chattanooga Mocs Saturday to rest up for the Iron Bowl next week versus Auburn.

The first game I want to discuss is the Clemson-Wake Forest game. I’m not expecting an upset here, but even another close win by the Tigers could hurt their chances at making the playoff.

When Clemson won five of their first eight games by seven points or less, they were viewed as a team that could find a way to win. Now that they lost one of those close games, they may be perceived as not being as good as everyone thought they were.

Especially with the Playoff Committee’s perception of the ACC. There are only three teams ranked on the top 25 this week. If the Tigers have another close win against a conference opponent, their stock could slip with the committee members.

Clemson fans had better hope that #17 ranked Florida State doesn’t lay an egg when they travel to Syracuse as well as that would the win over the Seminoles was one of the Tigers’ best wins.

However, there is another game that could affect Clemson even more, impact the perception of the conference, and shake up everything when it comes to the playoffs.

Louisville vs. Houston.

Dec 30, 2015; Nashville, TN, USA; Louisville Cardinals quarterback Lamar Jackson (8) celebrates after a 62-yard touchdown run during the first half against the Texas A&M Aggies in the 2015 Music City Bowl at Nissan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Christopher Hanewinckel-USA TODAY Sports

When Houston hosts Louisville it will be ‘Must See TV’ for the College Football Playoff Committee. The Cardinals will have a chance to prove to the committee they are real contenders, or show they are just pretenders.

As of now who is certain? Louisville led by their dynamic quarterback Lamar Jackson has run over most of their opponents. But when they played Clemson, the one team that could match them score for score, they lost.

Houston has scored at least 30 points in nine of their ten games this season and scored 38 or more five times. This game has all the makings of a shootout. Also, Houston is undefeated at home this season and has a win over No. 9 Oklahoma.

A loss would do away with their chances of making the playoff, but a narrow win may doom Louisville’s chances as well. They probably wouldn’t be included over a conference champion or a one loss Ohio State.

Speaking of Ohio State, let’s look at the Big Ten games of importance this week.

Oct 17, 2015; Ann Arbor, MI, USA; Michigan Wolverines head coach Jim Harbaugh reacts to a call in the fourth quarter against the Michigan State Spartans at Michigan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports

Michigan vs Indiana:

This game is important for Ohio State as much as it is Michigan in the eyes of the playoff committee. If Ohio State wins out, Penn State will probably play in the Big Ten Championship game. Without a chance at a conference title, the Buckeyes will want the Wolverines highly ranked going into ‘The Game’.

The playoff committee will pay close attention to how Michigan plays against Indiana with a backup quarterback. The Wolverines are heavy favorites so they may need to have a decisive victory or they will move down in the rankings.

If Michigan wins out, a close win on Saturday won’t mean a thing. But if Ohio State wins next week, will the win mean as much to the committee if the Wolverines aren’t as highly ranked as they are now?

First Ohio State has to defeat Michigan State, their nemesis of late. On paper it doesn’t appear it will be much of a game. After all, Ohio State only has the one loss to Penn State and Michigan State has had a horrible season.

There are two things to remember though. First, the Spartans have ruined the Buckeyes’ chances of winning a national title two of the last three years. Second, they did the same thing in 1997 and didn’t play in a bowl game that year either.

Well, on to the next conference that could have issues. The highest ranked team isn’t playing in either of these games.

Dec 27, 2014; San Diego, CA, USA; USC Trojans quarterback Cody Kessler (6) looks to pass during the second quarter against the Nebraska Cornhuskers in the 2014 Holiday Bowl at Qualcomm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jake Roth-USA TODAY Sports

Of course Washington has to win out to have a chance at the playoffs, but they may need help from conference teams as well. Husky fans should become Trojan fans as well for the next two games.

No. 12 USC and UCLA are playing their crosstown rivalry game and a win by the Bruins would certainly hurt Washington. Their weak schedule is already hurting the Huskies’ chances of making the playoffs. If their only loss is to a USC team slipping in the rankings, they may not have much of a chance at all.

No. 10 Colorado vs. No. 22 Washington St. is another game to watch. If the Cougars are knocked from the rankings, a Washington win next week won’t mean nearly as much.

You won’t believe it but the Big 12 actually could get a team in the playoff. Check out these games.

Sep 10, 2016; Norman, OK, USA; Oklahoma Sooners quarterback Baker Mayfield (6) warms up prior to action against the Louisiana Monroe Warhawks at Gaylord Family – Oklahoma Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark D. Smith-USA TODAY Sports

Just a couple of weeks ago it would be hard to believe a Big 12 game could have playoff implications but that could be the case. Things may get jumbled up in the next two weeks and the Big 12 champions could slip in.

Oklahoma is 8-2 and playing some of the best football in the nation at the moment. They will play in Morgantown Saturday against one loss West Virginia. Oklahoma State plays TCU is 8-2 and is facing TCU. With the way things could play out the next two weeks, all three are still in the playoff hunt with a win.

There is a possibility that neither the Big 10 or the Pac 12 will have a one loss champion. Ohio State could be 11-1 without a conference title in hand. Could a less deserving Big 12 conference champion jump an 11-1 Ohio State team, again?

It may be a long shot for one of these teams to get in the playoff but don’t dismiss the possibility just yet. In 2007, the BCS title game was played between an Ohio State team that was ranked No. 7 with two weeks to play and a two loss LSU team. Strange things can happen between now and the final rankings by the playoff committee.

There are several games on tap this week that could have a significant bearing on the College Football Playoff. Probably other games I haven’t even mentioned here.