Fansided

10 best college football games in October that will shape the playoff picture

By Christopher Novak

Penn State running back Saquon Barkley picks up yardage and squares off with Michigan safety Delano Hill (44) on Saturday, Nov. 21, 2015, at Beaver Stadium in University Park, Pa. Michigan won, 28-16. (Abby Drey/Centre Daily Times/TNS via Getty Images)
Penn State running back Saquon Barkley picks up yardage and squares off with Michigan safety Delano Hill (44) on Saturday, Nov. 21, 2015, at Beaver Stadium in University Park, Pa. Michigan won, 28-16. (Abby Drey/Centre Daily Times/TNS via Getty Images) /
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USC - Notre Dame
LOS ANGELES, CA – NOVEMBER 26: JuJu Smith-Schuster #9 of the USC Trojans scores a touchdown in the fourth quarter against the Notre Dame Fighting Irish at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on November 26, 2016 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Lisa Blumenfeld/Getty Images) /

8. USC vs. Notre Dame

USC and Notre Dame have produced plenty of classics in their long and storied history against one another. The chance for another is coming in the month of October. South Bend will play host to the next chapter in this rivalry, and it’s looking like another good one could be in store.

Despite their loss to Washington State, USC’s offense is still a barrel of fun. Sam Darnold and Ronald Jones are among the best QB-RB combos in the nation. Southern Cal’s offense, in general, is enough for some to tune in. Especially if you’re one of those people who are into what Darnold’s future could be.

The Fighting Irish, meanwhile, have quietly waltzed to a 4-1 record. Defense is the name of the game in South Bend this season. ND’s defense is among the best in the nation in quite a few categories, which calls for an interesting contrast in this showdown.

Assuming the Trojans can get through Utah, they’ll likely still have one loss as they go into this matchup. Notre Dame should also only have one loss entering this matchup. They should be able to take down North Carolina in Chapel Hill given the contrasts between the two teams. Assuming that happens, this could very well be a matchup that could have New Year’s Six implications. In SC’s case, it could also have CFB Playoff implications, too, as they’ll be fighting to shy away from having two losses, which would likely crater their chances.

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