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With the regular season almost complete, the College Football Playoff picture is coming together. The stakes get higher by the week, as one loss can knock many teams out of contention.
As we count down to selection day on Sunday, Dec. 8, here are three games in Week 14 that could have the biggest impact on the College Football Playoff.
*All rankings are from the College Football Playoff poll
CFP: 2024-25 College Football Playoff schedule, dates, TV channel, sites
No. 3 Texas at No. 20 Texas A&M
This is a big game for both programs, as it will decide which team will face Georgia for the SEC championship.
The stakes are obviously high for the Aggies. Their only realistic path to the playoffs is with an SEC championship win, which means they must take down Texas. However, the Longhorns, even with their shiny No. 3 ranking, could drop out of the top 12 with a loss to Texas A&M. If Steve Sarkisian’s squad loses, Texas would not have a singular win over a team ranked inside the top 25. Texas has not played three of the top four SEC teams ranked behind it, and the only one it did play (Georgia), it lost by 15 at home.
As surprising as it may sound, this in-state rivalry game could end up being a playoff game for both teams.
PLAYOFF: How the 12-team CFP bracket looks with the latest rankings
No. 5 Notre Dame at Southern Cal
After Notre Dame crushed previously undefeated Army, one would think if the Irish remain with one loss — even though it is to Northern Illinois — they are in the playoffs. But two losses? The Trojans have been underwhelming this season, but all five of their losses are by one score or and three by three points or fewer.
Now, Notre Dame is on a roll since the Northern Illinois loss. It would be surprising, but it seems like the historic stars could align for the Trojans to spoil the Irish’s playoff hopes.
No. 8 Tennessee at Vanderbilt
Vanderbilt is out of playoff contention. Tennessee is not, and the Commodores would love nothing more than to spoil their in-state rival’s postseason aspirations with a third loss. Vanderbilt has proven capable with a win over Alabama and a close loss to Texas, and the Vols have no room for error after a loss to Georgia in Week 12.
Vandy has looked spotty this season, losing to a 3-8 Georgia State team in mid-September but turning around to beat No. 1 Alabama a few weeks later. The Vols will certainly have the edge in this matchup, but the Commodores can hang with some of the best on the right day.
The Vols have outscored Vandy 219-72 in their five-game winning streak against the Commodores. After going winless in the SEC last season (0-8), Vanderbilt football alum and head coach Clark Lea certainly believes he has the squad to put an end to that streak this year and finish the regular season on top.
It may not be likely, but I would keep an eye on the field goalpost in Nashville in Week 14.
Jordan Howard is a graduate of the University of Georgia, working as a postgraduate intern for NCAA Digital. He is a Hearst-nominated journalist and his print work has appeared in The Marietta Daily Journal, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution and UGA Rivals. Howard enjoys breaking down the latest trends and numbers, specializing in football, basketball, baseball and lacrosse.
The views on this page do not necessarily reflect the views of the NCAA or its member institutions.
