Playoff Pillars: More Dominoes Could Fall on Final Regular Season Weekend

CINCINNATI — The final weekend of the 2021 college football regular season is here, and there are a few matchups with direct impacts on the Cincinnati Bearcats' chances to make the College Football Playoff.

From the big game at the Big House to the 2021 Iron Bowl, UC is looking to benefit like they did last weekend when former-Bearcat Tavion Thomas carried No. 19 Utah to a 38-7 win over No. 11 Oregon. Let's get to the Playoff Pillars.

No. 2 Ohio State (-7) at No. 5 Michigan | 12 p.m.

Jim Harbaugh is still searching for his first victory over Ohio State as the head Michigan man. Overall, Michigan hasn't beaten OSU since 2011, but Harbaugh has arguably his best team since becoming head coach. Michigan holds a 20.19 Simple Rating this season. According to Sport Reference they have never been above 17.56 under Harbaugh.

What's at Stake

Similar to last week's Michigan State-OSU game, this is another CFP quarterfinal. The winner controls their destiny and will make the playoff by winning the Big Ten Championship next weekend.

Cincinnati won't be affected by this game too heavily either way, but a Michigan win is the best outcome. That could allow UC to move up another spot if the committee doesn't jump Michigan over the Bearcats because of the signature win.

No. 3 Alabama (-20.5) at Auburn | 3:30 p.m.

Jordan-Hare Stadium has been anything but fun for the Alabama Crimson Tide over the past half-decade. Auburn has won 3-of-4 in the series at home and most recently pulled a 48-45 upset to knock Alabama out of the national conversation two years ago. The Tigers are without veteran Bo Nix due to injury and have T.J. Finley making his second career start.

What's at Stake

Similar to 2019, Alabama cannot afford another loss if they want to make the CFP. No two-loss team has ever made the playoff, and after being moved down in the latest rankings without losing, they appear on thin ice with the committee. One more Alabama loss makes an undefeated Cincinnati a near-lock to make the CFP.

No. 10 Oklahoma (+4.5) at No. 7 Okla. State | 7:30 p.m.

Bedlam brings big stakes in 2021.

Cowboys head coach Mike Gundy has sought answers against Oklahoma for nearly two decades and not found many. Gundy is just 2-14 all-time against the Sooners. Oklahoma has won six consecutive games against OSU, but these teams have never been this decorated.

Their 20 combined wins are the most in series history heading into the contest, and this marks just the third time both have met as top-10 teams.

What's at Stake

The Big-12's playoff fate is on the line Saturday, with Oklahoma being the preferable victor for Cincinnati fans. It's hard to see the committee pushing the Sooners from No. 10 into the top four even as a one-loss Big 12 champion.

They'd need 3-4 teams to lose ahead of them in the next two weeks and will play OSU twice in that span. Both Oklahoma schools already punched tickets to the Big 12 Championship game. Unless the Sooners rolled in Bedlam and next week's title bout by a wide margin, it's a tough case to make.

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