8. Hypothetical: BYU Cougars vs. Cincinnati Bearcats
Hold on for a minute. This is a game that is not currently being scheduled but both have an open week on Dec. 5 and it should be played. Frankly, the Cincinnati Bearcats have more to lose by playing this game than do the BYU Cougars. Cincinnati could already be the Group of 5 champion and have a Cotton Bowl Classic to look forward to. Then again, they may have to beat national independent BYU to have any shot of making the playoff.
BYU has scrambled all season long to get as many games played as possible. The only game the Cougars have left is in a few weeks vs. the Mountain West’s San Diego State Aztecs. But even at 10-0, not playing in a Power 5 conference crushes their chances of crashing the playoff party. It sounds ridiculous, but this potential “Group of 5 Championship” would command our attention.
7. Michigan Wolverines at Ohio State Buckeyes
Other than the whole rivalry component, this game between the Michigan Wolverines and the Ohio State Buckeyes should not matter all that much in the grand scheme of things when it comes to the College Football Playoff picture. However, this is a game that Ohio State has to win to keep the Big Ten’s overall playoff viability alive, given Michigan’s truly awful play this season.
Admittedly, a Big Ten Champion probably has to go undefeated this season to have any realistic hopes of getting in. While the ACC and the SEC can afford the luxury of submitting a one-loss team for the Selection Committee’s approval, how sure are we the Big Ten can do the same? Ohio State might be able to lose a game and still get in, but everyone will be watching the Michigan game.