Just two weeks left in the regular season and the playoff chase is on. The focus this week is on games that impact the chase.
ACC
Miami and Virginia each control its destiny as far as winning the ACC title and gaining the likely #3 seed in the playoff. That's big as the ACC is probably only getting one team in. Clemson needs some help.
BIG Ten
Ohio State-Indiana is the marquee game of the week, but honestly I'm not sure how big it is in terms of the playoff. Regardless of what happens, I think both teams still make the playoff unless they suffer an upset next week. Minnesota knocking off Penn State would open the door for a bubble team.
Big 12
Big week for the Big 12. Like the ACC, this conference is likely only getting one bid. BYU and Colorado are in control in terms of winning the conference and getting the auto bid. But Cam Skattebo and Arizona State can wrestle control away from BYU this week. The Cougars nearly lost at Utah two weeks ago and then fell to Kansas last week. Speaking of which, the Jayhawks can continue to play spoiler against Prime Time Colorado. Iowa State still has a shot as well but needs help.
SEC
It looks like the SEC will come down to next week's Texas-Texas A&M winner vs. Alabama, unless Kentucky, Oklahoma or Auburn can pull a shocker this week. Kentucky has already done it once this year, winning at Ole Miss. The Rebels are in a good spot to get an at-large bid, but Florida is still playing hard for Billy Napier. You'll rarely hear a Vols fan say this, but "Go Gators!"
Other
The Irish are in if they win out, but can undefeated Army nudge its way into the playoff picture with an upset here? Boise State is in a good spot to get one of the five auto bids for a conference champion and is even in line to get the coveted fourth seed and a first-round bye. But with all of the Big 12 contenders playing big games this week, the Broncos may need an impressive win to stay ahead of the Big 12 pack.
ACC
- #8 Miami vs. Wake Forest
- #13 SMU at Virginia
Miami and Virginia each control its destiny as far as winning the ACC title and gaining the likely #3 seed in the playoff. That's big as the ACC is probably only getting one team in. Clemson needs some help.
BIG Ten
- #2 Ohio State vs. #5 Indiana
- #4 Penn State at Minnesota
Ohio State-Indiana is the marquee game of the week, but honestly I'm not sure how big it is in terms of the playoff. Regardless of what happens, I think both teams still make the playoff unless they suffer an upset next week. Minnesota knocking off Penn State would open the door for a bubble team.
Big 12
- #14 BYU at #21 Arizona State
- #16 Colorado at Kansas
- #22 Iowa State at Utah
Big week for the Big 12. Like the ACC, this conference is likely only getting one bid. BYU and Colorado are in control in terms of winning the conference and getting the auto bid. But Cam Skattebo and Arizona State can wrestle control away from BYU this week. The Cougars nearly lost at Utah two weeks ago and then fell to Kansas last week. Speaking of which, the Jayhawks can continue to play spoiler against Prime Time Colorado. Iowa State still has a shot as well but needs help.
SEC
- #3 Texas vs. Kentucky
- #7 Alabama at Oklahoma
- #9 Ole Miss at Florida
- #15 Texas A&M at Auburn
It looks like the SEC will come down to next week's Texas-Texas A&M winner vs. Alabama, unless Kentucky, Oklahoma or Auburn can pull a shocker this week. Kentucky has already done it once this year, winning at Ole Miss. The Rebels are in a good spot to get an at-large bid, but Florida is still playing hard for Billy Napier. You'll rarely hear a Vols fan say this, but "Go Gators!"
Other
- #6 Notre Dame vs. #19 Army
- #12 Boise State at Wyoming
The Irish are in if they win out, but can undefeated Army nudge its way into the playoff picture with an upset here? Boise State is in a good spot to get one of the five auto bids for a conference champion and is even in line to get the coveted fourth seed and a first-round bye. But with all of the Big 12 contenders playing big games this week, the Broncos may need an impressive win to stay ahead of the Big 12 pack.
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