2016 College Football Games with Biggest Playoff Implications
Many results impact the College Football Playoff, but 10 regular-season games in 2016 are primed to matter the most.
While the first two years of the system have showed one shortcoming can be overcome, late-season losses tend to have a greater influence on the final polls. Losing any of the following games could be the unwanted dagger to championship aspirations for some teams.
The list is organized chronologically and focuses on matchups between early Odds Shark favorites for the national title.
Conference championship games are not included. However, most of the clashes will be a critical factor in determining which programs have an extra outing that weekend.
Alabama vs. Tennessee
1 of 10
Perhaps the Tennessee hype is annoying, irritating or even unbearable, but it's going to continue until the regular season.
And after Oct. 15, we'll know if the Volunteers should actually be taken seriously in the playoff chase.
Following games against Virginia Tech, Florida, Georgia and Texas A&M, Joshua Dobbs and Co. host defending-champion Alabama. A victory would put the Vols in the driver's seat.
Tennessee closes the campaign with South Carolina, Tennessee Tech, Kentucky, Missouri and Vanderbilt, which isn't exactly a daunting stretch.
Plus, the Crimson Tide need to avoid what could be a second conference loss and cost themselves a chance to repeat.
Stanford vs. Notre Dame
2 of 10
Notre Dame watched its playoff aspirations disappear as Stanford kicker Conrad Ukropina's 45-yard field goal split the uprights during the 12th game of the 2015 campaign.
The meeting will happen much sooner this year, falling on Oct. 15 instead of the final weekend. But the stakes remain generally the same.
On paper, the Irish should enter the contest at 6-0. Texas and Michigan State are potential yet unlikely losses. Stanford will be finishing a brutal season-opening stretch that includes Kansas State, USC, UCLA, Washington and Washington State.
While Notre Dame must overcome its toughest opponent of the year, the Cardinal will be hoping to survive. The winner might solidify itself as a CFP contender.
Ole Miss vs. LSU
3 of 10
In 2015, the late-November matchup between Ole Miss and LSU merely decided bowl bids. This season, it could be a defining game.
The Rebels have taught college football nation a valuable lesson: Beating Alabama early doesn't matter.
Still, prior to facing the Tide, Ole Miss also challenges Florida State. Hugh Freeze's team will have two fantastic wins or be fighting for its playoff life on Oct. 22 in Baton Rouge.
Conversely, LSU could end a considerably tough slate on a remarkably high note. The Tigers travel to battle Wisconsin (at Lambeau Field), Auburn and Florida before hosting the Rebels.
Realistically, the loser of this SEC tilt will have little chance of remaining in CFP consideration.
.jpg?w=256 "Ohio State Team Doctor")
Clemson vs. Florida State
4 of 10
Despite a stunning loss to Georgia Tech, Florida State had a chance to dethrone a rising power in Clemson. The Tigers prevailed, however, and continued toward the national title.
Since both programs are considered championship favorites for 2016, the early expectation is the Atlantic Division bout will essentially determine the ACC winner. For seven straight years, the Atlantic's representative in the ACC title game won this outing.
The Seminoles welcome Clemson to Tallahassee on Oct. 29. FSU hasn't lost at home to the Tigers since 2006.
Maybe the loser can recover and somehow slide into the playoff, but one result of the CFP selection committee's criteria is conference champions receive preference.
Win, and you likely get in.
Alabama vs. LSU
5 of 10
Similar to Clemson/FSU, the Nov. 5 showdown between Alabama and LSU is often the decisive factor for the league title.
Four times in the last five years, the winner proceeded to—and also won—the SEC championship.
Both programs are touted as favorites, and for good reason. While the Tide claimed the national crown last season, the Tigers return nearly every starter from the 2015 squad.
Alabama has triumphed over LSU in five straight meetings, and Nick Saban's dynasty could add another chapter this year. Or, a temporary break could be in store.
Stanford vs. Oregon
6 of 10
Washington and Washington State should present tough tests, but the Pac-12 North figures to depend on this outcome.
On Nov. 12, Stanford invades Autzen Stadium—where the Cardinal have a single victory in 15 years. Although every team is new, that's not exactly encouraging history.
Regardless, only last season did the winner not eventually advance to the conference championship since its inception in 2011.
Unless every team in the country has a loss by this point, one team's College Football Playoff hopes will end at Autzen.
Michigan vs. Iowa
7 of 10
The primary complaint with Iowa hanging around the CFP picture last season was that it hadn't played top competition. But the Hawkeyes simply beat the teams the Big Ten placed on their schedule.
Fortunately for the detractors, that probably won't be the case again. Jim Harbaugh and Michigan head to Iowa City on Nov. 12.
Perhaps the Hawkeyes won't reach November undefeated again, but they've earned the benefit of the doubt for 2016. On the other side, the Wolverines' schedule sets up nicely for a championship run.
Iowa desperately needs this victory to silence critics, and it's a challenging crossover matchup for a promising Michigan team.
Baylor vs. Oklahoma
8 of 10
Bedlam determined the Big 12 champion in 2015, and it's reasonable to suggest that rivalry will be a crucial game again.
However, Baylor vs. Oklahoma pits the conference's most hyped teams against each other on Nov. 12.
The Sooners earned playoff status last year, taking advantage of multiple injuries to the Bears—who started 7-0 but finished the regular season 2-3 without Seth Russell.
Any thoughts of both teams reaching the CFP are unrealistic. It's been hard enough for the Big 12 to get one team in, let alone two. The loser is done, and the winner is just three weeks away from a necessary title.
Louisville vs. Houston
9 of 10
If Greg Ward Jr. stays healthy, Houston has an excellent opportunity to assemble an undefeated season—or only lose to Oklahoma. Either way, the Cougars could be a CFP darling.
But Louisville is capable of shattering that dream.
Even with a loss to the Sooners, the committee is certainly prepared to consider Houston. Tom Herman's crew will begin the year near the top of the rankings and likely remain there until facing Louisville on Thursday, Nov. 17.
A late-season victory over a power-conference opponent would give the Cougars an important November statement win and a legitimate case to crash the playoff party.
Michigan vs. Ohio State
10 of 10
The hope is 2016's edition of "The Game" will feature a matchup like 2006's, when top-ranked Ohio State hosted No. 2 Michigan.
It's not an unrealistic goal, since excellence is anticipated from the Buckeyes and Wolverines.
Plus, the Big Ten title may be at stake. Michigan State certainly won't be a pushover, but the Spartans likely won't seamlessly replace Connor Cook and manage to win the division.
Should Ohio State and Michigan successfully match expectations, timing—Nov. 26—could make this 2016's most important regular-season game that affects the playoff.
Stats from cfbstats.com or B/R research. Quotes obtained firsthand unless otherwise noted. Follow Bleacher Report CFB Writer David Kenyon on Twitter @Kenyon19_BR.
.jpg?w=480 "Ohio State Team Doctor")
