The 10 games that will determine the 2020 College Football Playoff field

2. Auburn Tigers at Alabama Crimson Tide

It may be the most important rivalry in the SEC forever and always, but the Iron Bowl is of increasing importance in the 2020 College Football Playoff landscape. Though the Auburn Tigers are out of it, they are just good enough to potentially spoil the Alabama Crimson Tide’s playoff trajectory. Alabama could survive an Iron Bowl loss, but that is it. A loss here changes everything.

See, Alabama would still get to the SEC Championship game with an Iron Bowl loss. The only problem with that is only the winner between Alabama and the Florida Gators will be getting in. This opens the door a bit wide for the ACC to get two teams in, as well as an undefeated Pac-12 champion or quite possibly an undefeated Group of 5 champion to get in unexpectedly.

1. Ohio State Buckeyes vs. Northwestern Wildcats (Big Ten Championship Game)

The game we all need to get ready for is the Big Ten Championship game between the Ohio State Buckeyes and the Northwestern Wildcats. With the Wisconsin Badgers being eliminated from the playoff picture by not playing enough games this season, Northwestern will be the de facto Big Ten West champion. If the ‘Cats get to Indianapolis undefeated, they will make it if they win out.

As for Ohio State, they are still the favorites to win the Big Ten, even though Northwestern is a very viable threat out of the Big Ten West this year. Because the Big Ten did not play a 10-game conference schedule, it will not get the benefit of the doubt the ACC or the SEC will or the Big 12 would have. Only the Big Ten champion gets in, and will probably have to be undefeated to do so.

Unless you root for a Big 12 contender, there are games with major College Football Playoff ramifications all across the rest of the Power 5. We know the ACC and the SEC will get at least one team in apiece. The Big Ten feels like its champion gets in as well. As for the No. 4 seed, will it be a Pac-12 champion, a one-loss, at-large team, or someone deserving out of the Group of 5?

Either way, we have plenty of exciting college football games left to be watched this season.

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