Ranking 10 games that will shape the College Football Playoff race
Playing a strong schedule is more important than ever before in the College Football Playoff era.
The committee places a strong emphasis on quality opponents, and how well potential semifinal teams play against them is a major part of the selection process.
While most fans expect the usual teams to be in consideration for the final four again this season, those teams will face some unique challenges on the schedule.
And in turn, potential newcomers to the playoff can take advantage.
Ranking 10 games that will shape the College Football Playoff race
10. Cincinnati at Arkansas
When: Sept. 3
Where: Arkansas
What it means for Arkansas: A chance for the Hogs to prove that last season wasn't a fluke. This team won nine games a year ago, beat Texas at home, lost to Alabama by seven, and beat Penn State in the bowl. Now comes the hard part of beating a team that went undefeated in the regular season and made the College Football Playoff last season.
What it means for Cincinnati: Winning a road game against a ranked SEC team is just what the doctor ordered for a team looking to show it belongs in the conversation. Especially as Cincy prepares for a move to the Big 12 next year. But the Bearcats just lost nine of their most important pieces to the NFL Draft.
9. Miami at Texas A&M
When: Sept. 17
Where: Texas A&M
What it means for Miami: Mario Cristobal steps into a perfect prove-it game in Year 1 at his alma mater with a shot to knock off a team many analysts predict could be the next thing in the SEC. Tyler Van Dyke steps in again at quarterback with a big arm and a shot to throw a wrench in the Aggies' playoff hopes early.
What it means for Texas A&M: A shot to beat a ranked non-conference team and make an early statement, especially with the schedule that's yet to come. A&M goes to Mississippi State, Alabama, and South Carolina later on, but this game is a key early chance to make those games mean something.
8. USC at Utah
When: Oct. 15
Where: Utah
What it means for USC: The skeptics around the Trojans are loud and legion and waiting to see this team screw up after all that preseason hype. Lincoln Riley has the tools on offense to get behind the Utes' secondary, but USC's own defense is very unproven and going against an experienced, productive Utah attack led by Cam Rising and Tavion Thomas, who combined for 41 TDs a year ago.
What it means for Utah: An opportunity for the Utes to prove they belong at the top of the Pac-12 after finishing off so strong a year ago. Returning that 1-2 punch on offense is crucial, and this team's best chance of getting into the College Football Playoff race, especially by beating a likely ranked and undefeated conference foe in USC.
7. Clemson at Notre Dame
When: Nov. 8
Where: Notre Dame
What it means for Clemson: Hopefully, the Tigers are still in the College Football Playoff convo by this time with Wake and NC State coming up first. A win for Clemson here looks better if Notre Dame beats Ohio State in Week 1, which seems unlikely, so the Irish will have to be at one loss coming in for Clemson to reap any benefits from a win here.
What it means for Notre Dame: Given most analysts project the Irish will lose the opener, winning every game that comes after is vital since there won't be a conference title game, which the CFP puts a lot of emphasis on. Coming in at one loss, this game has meaning for Notre Dame, especially if Clemson is undefeated.
6. Oklahoma State at Baylor
When: Oct. 1
Where: Baylor
What it means for Oklahoma State: They say it's a game of inches, and it certainly was last season when Baylor's defense held OSU just out of the end zone in the Big 12 Championship and likely out of the College Football Playoff. Revenge is always sweet, especially in the first big game of the year that could set the tone for the rest of the season.
What it means for Baylor: A lot, provided the Bears get through a harder schedule leading up to this game, including two road tilts at BYU and Iowa State. Winning those and beating the Cowboys would be a major boost to Baylor's playoff bid going into another two road games late, at Oklahoma and at Texas.
5. NC State at Clemson
When: Oct. 1
Where: Clemson
What it means for NC State: Four combined points kept the Wolfpack from a perfect ACC record a year ago, and if it can beat Clemson again this season, is looking at a winnable slate the rest of the way. NC State brings back 80 percent of its production, including quarterback Devin Leary, so experience is on its side.
What it means for Clemson: Clemson can still make the College Football Playoff as a one-loss ACC champion, provided that one loss is early enough and the team has time to recover. Losing to your Atlantic Division rival isn't ideal, but beating a ranked conference opponent in your division is a major step towards the CFP.
4. Oregon vs. Georgia
When: Sept. 3
Where: Atlanta
What it means for Oregon: A much-needed opportunity for the Pac-12 to show the College Football Playoff that it belongs on the same field as the SEC. In recent years, the selectors have taken every chance they had to show the opposite. A win over the defending national champs is as good a resume-booster as there is, but it's a lot easier said than done.
What it means for Georgia: Georgia should win every other game on its schedule, but sort of does need to beat Oregon to impress the College Football Playoff pickers if it doesn't win the SEC title, which is a real possibility when looking ahead to a date against likely West champion Alabama.
3. Michigan at Ohio State
USA Today Images
When: Nov. 26
Where: Ohio State
What it means for Michigan: A shot to finally tilt this rivalry back in its own direction and use another W over the Bucks as a stepping stone to the College Football Playoff. This is a very winnable schedule, with a trip to Iowa and home dates against Penn State and Michigan State leading up to The Game. Finishing up with one loss and a win over the Buckeyes would put UM in the thick of the playoff chase.
What it means for Ohio State: Revenge for last season's loss and a very likely chance to finish the regular season undefeated, but there's a stretch in October to watch for: at Michigan State, against Iowa, and at Penn State. Winning the Big Ten East is vital, as the East champ has won the conference title in each year of the College Football Playoff era.
2. Texas A&M at Alabama
USA Today Images
When: Oct. 8
Where: Alabama
What it means for Texas A&M: If it comes to Tuscaloosa undefeated, this game means everything. A road win against the No. 1 team in the country is rocket fuel for any playoff hopeful, provided you can win the other games and the SEC West. A&M beat the No. 1 Tide a year ago, so we know it can be done.
What it means for Alabama: A chance to fend off arguably its toughest challenger in the division and maintain its position atop the SEC. But, as last season showed, even a loss to this team midseason doesn't kill the Tide's shot at the conference title or the College Football Playoff as long as it wins all the other games.
1. Notre Dame at Ohio State
USA Today Images
When: Sept. 3
Where: Ohio State
What it means for Notre Dame: If we're being honest, the selection committee grades Notre Dame on more of a curve than it does teams that can play for conference titles. To get attention, the Irish have to play and win marquee games like this. And what an opportunity: against the No. 2 team in the land on the road. A loss here doesn't kill ND's playoff hopes, given it's close and the Irish don't mess up again.
What it means for Ohio State: OSU can make the playoff if this game is its only loss and it wins the conference title. If both the Buckeyes and Irish finish with one loss, and OSU loses this game, the selectors could still put them ahead of ND, owing to the conference title.