Seven games decide who stays in the College Football Playoff
USC, Texas, and Boise State face elimination threats in Week 11 as the final eight spots solidify.
By Chioma Kuznetsov ·
The College Football Playoff field is shrinking fast, and seven games this weekend will determine which teams survive the cut. Kentucky dropped from a likely bye contender to the edge of the bracket after a recent loss. Notre Dame secured its position with a victory over No. 1 Miami. Meanwhile, No. 19 Ole Miss and No. 20 Ohio State likely missed the postseason entirely after their defeats. No. 21 LSU remains on the bubble.
USC travels to No. 9 Indiana for a match that functions as an elimination game. The Trojans rose in the rankings after beating Ohio State and currently hold two losses. They must win this Saturday to keep their campaign alive, as Indiana is their final ranked opponent. Indiana has held its last five opponents to fewer than 20 points, despite falling five spots in the rankings after a bye week.
No. 6 Texas visits No. 21 LSU in a contest that determines if the Longhorns can host in the first round. Texas is undefeated against ranked teams this season. LSU, which has lost its last three games against ranked opponents, plays for its postseason life. The Tigers finish the regular season against No. 6 Texas and No. 8 Tennessee, making the result of this game critical for their standing.
No. 12 Texas Tech faces No. 25 Oklahoma State in a Big 12 clash. Oklahoma State fields the conference's best offense, led by quarterback Drew Mestemaker. Texas Tech, the top team in the conference, must win to stay in the playoff conversation. Oklahoma State, with three losses, could use a victory over a top-12 team to close the gap with the Oregon tier and improve their head-to-head record.
No. 13 Wake Forest visits SMU in a game that decides which team plays Miami in the ACC Championship. Wake Forest quarterback Gio Lopez faces SMU star Kevin Jennings. SMU lost to Syracuse earlier in the season, which cost them a potential play-in spot. The winner of this matchup takes the inside track to the conference title game.
No. 7 Miami hosts a surging Duke squad. Miami's offense has struggled since the departure of wide receiver Malachi Toney. Duke won the ACC last season and aims to do it again by beating both Miami and Wake Forest. Both of these road games are necessary for Duke to remain a playoff threat.
No. 24 Boise State plays Oregon State in the key Group of Six contest. Oregon State quarterback Braden Atkinson is out with an injury. Boise State needs this win to secure the single automatic playoff berth for the Group of Six. Their defense has allowed 73 points in its last two games against Texas State and Colorado State. Oregon State wide receiver Jesse Legree provides a scoring threat that the Broncos must contain.
No. 10 BYU hosts Baylor to close out its regular season. BYU remains in the playoff field if it wins this game, following a one-spot drop after a loss to No. 2 Utah. Baylor enters with a 6-3 record under interim coach Joe Klanderman. The Bears have won their last two games by a combined 43 points, but they face their most difficult opponent of the year in the Cougars.
