Every team in the running for a College Football Playoff spot knows where it stands in the eyes of selection committee members now that the initial rankings are out.
Though the top 10 teams in the CFP rankings and Associated Press Top 25 poll are the same, the list differs and Oregon is a point of contention. The Ducks are No. 6 in the AP poll and No. 9 in the CFP rankings, and that creates an intriguing backdrop for their road game against an Iowa team outside the Top 25 but No. 20 in the CFP rankings.
Oregon lost at home to Indiana, has one quality win (at Northwestern) and was flat in its last game (21-7 home win over woeful Wisconsin). A loss in Iowa City would all but kill the Ducks’ CFP hopes.
If the Hawkeyes beat the Ducks and extend their win streak to four, they will have played themselves into position for an at-large bid, at least for a week.
Top games to watch
No. 8 BYU (8-0, 5-0 Big 12, No. 7 CFP) at No. 9 Texas Tech (8-1, 5-1, No. 8 CFP)
It’s the first top-10 matchup for a Big 12 conference game since 2021, and the winner will be alone in first place. BYU RB LJ Martin (shoulder) and the Cougars’ defense are banged up. The Red Raiders seem ready to roll again with QB Behren Morton healthy. BetMGM Sportsbook: Texas Tech by 10.
No. 3 Texas A&M (8-0, 5-0 SEC, No. 3 CFP) at No. 19 Missouri (6-2, 2-2, No. 22 CFP)
Aggies are going for their first 9-0 start since 1975. The Tigers are facing their third top-10 opponent in four games and their playoff hopes are on life support. Mizzou freshman Matt Zollers makes his first start in place of the injured Beau Pribula. BetMGM Sportsbook: Texas A&M by 7.
No. 6 Oregon (7-1, 4-1 Big Ten, No. 9 CFP) at Iowa (6-2, 4-1, No. 20 CFP)
Hawkeyes are 4-4 at home against top-10 teams since 2016, the third-best record among teams that have been in the Big Ten since then. Oregon will need to corral 235-pound Iowa QB Mark Gronowski, who has been more dangerous with his legs than his arm. BetMGM Sportsbook: Oregon by 6.
Wake Forest (5-3, 2-3 ACC) at No. 12 Virginia (8-1, 5-0, No. 14 CFP)
Virginia has a knack for playing close games and needs to keep winning them because the ACC appears headed toward being a one-bid league in the CFP. The Demon Deacons had won five in a row in the series before Virginia rallied from 13 points down to win 31-30 last year. Also, Wake Forest isn’t as bad as it looked against Florida State last week. BetMGM Sportsbook: Virginia by 6 1/2.
The undercard
No. 5 Georgia (7-1, 5-1 SEC, No. 5 CFP) at Mississippi State (5-4, 1-4)
This wouldn’t seem to be a very exciting matchup given the records and the fact Mississippi State is 2-19 in SEC games since 2023, including 1-12 under second-year coach Jeff Lebby. This won’t be easy for Georgia. Remember, MSU took ranked opponents Tennessee and Texas to overtime before losing. BetMGM Sportsbook: Georgia by 9.
Auburn (4-5, 1-5) at No. 15 Vanderbilt (7-2, 3-2, No. 16 CFP)
D.J. Durkin, 10-15 at Maryland in 2016-17, heads to Nashville for his first game as the Tigers’ interim head coach. Tigers are 1-5 in the SEC, all decided by no more than 10 points. Commodores in bouce-back mode after loss at Texas. BetMGM Sportsbook: Vanderbilt by 6.5.
Outside looking in
James Madison (7-1, 5-0 Sun Belt) at Marshall (4-4, 2-2)
The Dukes are two spots out of the AP Top 25 and believe they’re worthy of consideration for the CFP’s Group of Five spot. That means they need to win impressively, something they’ve done in their past two games. Road team has won all three meetings in this series since 2022. BetMGM Sportsbook: James Madison by 13.5.
San Diego State (7-1, 4-0 MWC) at Hawaii (6-3, 3-2)
The Aztecs, who have won six in a row and are alone atop the Mountain West, are four spots out of the AP Top 25 and waiting in the wings if the American’s playoff contenders falter. Their only loss was at Washington State. The trip across the Pacific begins a challenging stretch that continues with home games against Boise State and San Jose State and a game at New Mexico. BetMGM Sportsbook: San Diego State by 7.
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