Rivalry week in college football brings a wave of excitement and uncertainty, especially for teams on the College Football Playoff bubble. Miami, Vanderbilt, Texas, and Michigan find themselves hoping for victories that could pave the way to playoff selection, despite currently lacking control over their own fates.
The stakes are high as No. 16 Texas is set to host unbeaten SEC leader No. 3 Texas A&M on Friday evening. Meanwhile, a jam-packed Saturday features crucial matchups, including No. 1 Ohio State against No. 15 Michigan, No. 12 Miami facing No. 22 Pittsburgh, and No. 14 Vanderbilt taking on No. 19 Tennessee. By Saturday night, the playoff picture will be sharper, depending on the outcomes of these rivalry games.
For Miami, the path to the ACC title game remains open, but they will need some help this weekend. A win over Pittsburgh would secure their place in the ACC Championship, provided that Virginia loses to Virginia Tech and SMU falls to California. If they make it to the championship game and win on December 6, Miami could land at least a No. 11 seed in the playoffs.
Should Miami miss out on the ACC Championship, they still have a route to an at-large berth. They require a victory against Pittsburgh along with losses from teams like Oklahoma, Notre Dame, Alabama, BYU, and Utah. Notably, their earlier head-to-head victory over Notre Dame could bolster their case.
Vanderbilt faces a challenging scenario as well. Their road losses to Alabama and Texas have likely hindered their playoff chances. A victory over Tennessee could change that, but they would still need losses from teams like Utah and Alabama to improve their standing. Like Miami, Vanderbilt would also need to reach at least No. 10 in the rankings for a shot at playoff inclusion, making Miami’s performance pivotal as well.
Texas, starting as a preseason No. 1, finds itself in a precarious position following losses earlier in the season. A win over Texas A&M this weekend is crucial for head coach Steve Sarkisian, but even a victory might not be enough to secure a playoff spot without a significant shakeup in the rankings. They need a cascade of favorable outcomes from rival games, including an upset over Alabama or a loss for BYU, to inch closer to the top 10.
Lastly, Michigan’s potential upset over the unbeaten Buckeyes would not only be monumental in this rivalry but could also change the narrative surrounding their season. A win would provide a strong case for playoff consideration, especially when compared against other teams with similar records.
As rivalry weekend unfolds, fans have every reason to remain hopeful. The unpredictable nature of college football often creates thrilling scenarios, and this weekend could reshape the landscape of the College Football Playoff as teams fight for their postseason lives. The excitement of the games and the possibility of unexpected outcomes embody the spirit of the sport.