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College football’s home stretch is here and if the last several years are any indication, we’re in for a crazy finish that leads into the first four-team Playoff.
Over the final four weeks, there’s several games involving national contenders that will separate the competition and make the selection committee’s job that much easier. SEC elites Mississippi State, Auburn and Alabama have a minefield to navigate while Playoff wildcard TCU appears to be in great position with just one game remaining against a nationally-ranked foe.
Let’s take a look at college football’s biggest games left on the schedule:
5. Kansas State at Baylor, Dec. 6: The third game in five weeks against a ranked opponent from the Big XII for Kansas State, Bill Snyder’s team will have one of the nation’s most impressive resumes if they can win out in a league that’s been on the same wavelength as the SEC this season. The Wildcats are just outside the CFP poll’s Top 5 at the moment with the meat of the slate remaining.
4. Ohio State at Michigan State, Nov. 8: Thinking in terms of the selection committee, the Spartans have hit the proverbial ceiling in terms of quality wins thanks to a weak Big Ten schedule following the early-season loss at Oregon. This matchup decides the division and would likely be enough to convince the CFP that Michigan State’s indeed deserving of a Playoff spot. Based on Ohio State currently sitting in the No. 14 spot, the Buckeyes need to win and receive help down the stretch.
3. Kansas State at TCU, Saturday: The Wildcats’ back-loaded Big XII schedule begins with a trip to Ft. Worth to take on arguably the nation’s hottest offense at TCU. Horned Frogs quarterback Trevone Boykin is college football’s most improved player, nearly tripling his numbers from last season in the new-look Air Raid. Ranked sixth in the latest CFP poll, TCU will be double digit favorites in every game the rest of the way with a win Saturday.
2. Mississippi St. at Alabama, Nov. 15: The Egg Bowl’s an obvious headache, but Mississippi State’s run to an unbeaten regular season would be within reach with a victory in Tuscaloosa in two weeks. It would all but clinch a Western Division title as well thanks to the Bulldogs’ previous win over Auburn and the fact Ole Miss already has two losses.
1. Auburn at Alabama, Nov. 29: What’s expected to be the SEC’s final regular-season Playoff eliminator, the Western Division title could be on the line depending on top-ranked Mississippi State’s late-season finish. The winner of the Iron Bowl has appeared in the national championship game five consecutive years, unprecedented for an in-state rivalry.
Just missed the cut: Alabama at LSU; Saturday; Mississippi St. at Ole Miss, Nov. 29; Notre Dame at Arizona State, Nov. 8; Auburn at Georgia, Nov. 15; Oregon at Utah, Nov. 15