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10 games that will determine the 2020 College Football Playoff

By Cody Williams

STILLWATER, OK - NOVEMBER 30: Running back Chuba Hubbard #30 of the Oklahoma State Cowboys looks for an opening against the Oklahoma Sooners in the fourth quarter on November 30, 2019 at Boone Pickens Stadium in Stillwater, Oklahoma. OU won 34-16. (Photo by Brian Bahr/Getty Images)
STILLWATER, OK - NOVEMBER 30: Running back Chuba Hubbard #30 of the Oklahoma State Cowboys looks for an opening against the Oklahoma Sooners in the fourth quarter on November 30, 2019 at Boone Pickens Stadium in Stillwater, Oklahoma. OU won 34-16. (Photo by Brian Bahr/Getty Images) /
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Trevon Grimes, Florida football (Photo by Marianna Massey/Getty Images) /

The College Football Playoff picture will be shaped by these 10 games.

The decision by the Big Ten and Pac-12 to not play football in the fall undoubtedly affects the College Football Playoff pictures. A perennial CFP contender in Ohio State won’t be playing in the fall while other possible contenders such as USC, Michigan and Oregon, among others, won’t be on the field either.

Yet, the College Football Playoff will still be played as the ACC, Big Ten and SEC, in addition to three Group of 5 conferences, wage on amid the COVID-19 pandemic. While we won’t have some of the likely contenders for the playoff involved, though, that could actually make the race for a spot in the final four even more thrilling.

So as we look at the conference-only schedules and the contenders for the College Football Playoff left playing in the fall 2020 season, let’s dive into the regular season games that will have the biggest hand in shaping the CFP picture.

10. LSU at Florida (Oct. 17)

Looking at the SEC, the favorites to win each division, Alabama in the West and Georgia in the East, are quite obvious. Subsequently, it figures that both the Crimson Tide and Bulldogs are contenders to make the College Football Playoff. At the same time, with each team playing a rigorous 10-game slate in the conference, that they’ll emerge atop their respective divisions isn’t a foregone conclusion.

Subsequently, we could see a real dogfight in the SEC this season. And that means two teams sitting behind Alabama and Georgia in any proverbial power rankings, LSU and Florida, have a real chance to surprise and make a run at the conference title and, thus, the playoff.

The Tigers and Gators meet relatively early in the season with their mid-October matchup, which could be interesting for both sides. LSU has to replace roughly 40 percent of the roster of the team that won a National Championship last season and, with new players stepping into larger roles, players could be looking to find their footing.

Though less publicized than with LSU, Florida too could have some early-year growing pains. They’re in need of revamping the offensive line and have a ton of turnover to deal with on the defensive side of the ball. Subsequently, the Gators could also be figuring some things out.

Whichever team has the most questions answered at this point in the season should be able to emerge victoriously. And a win in this game could be critical if Alabama and Georgia trip up more than expected as it could be the difference between an SEC Championship Game appearance or not, which is also the difference between CFP candidacy or being left out.