The most exciting aspect of the College Football Playoff (CFP) is the weekly scoreboard-watching it encourages.
In the past, this type of horse race-style viewing was mainly limited to conference races during bowl season or the very top of the rankings in the BCS and four-team CFP era.
But with 12 teams now in the CFP, fans must monitor multiple games to understand their team’s standing.
This makes each week far more engaging. For Indiana, its CFP hopes are primarily in its own hands—if the Hoosiers defeat Purdue at 7 p.m. ET on Saturday.
However, Indiana fans must also pay attention to other key matchups, including usual Big Ten contests and pivotal non-Big Ten games like Georgia Tech-Georgia, Clemson-South Carolina, Notre Dame-USC, and Tennessee-Vanderbilt.
As the final week of regular-season games approaches, here’s what to watch:
Big Ten Watch
Michigan (6-5) at No. 2 Ohio State (10-1, 7-1)
Noon Saturday, FOX: Indiana’s hopes of reaching the Big Ten championship game hinge on Michigan pulling off a major upset against Ohio State.
While surprises have happened in “The Game,” with the lower-ranked team winning four of the last five meetings, those weren’t true upsets.
The last time an unranked team defeated a ranked opponent in this series was 2004, when Ohio State upset No. 7 Michigan.
The last time Michigan pulled off such an upset was in 1993, making this a long-shot scenario.
Maryland (4-7, 1-7) at No. 4 Penn State (10-1, 7-1)
3:30 p.m. Saturday, BTN: The Hoosiers also need Penn State to lose for a Big Ten championship chance, but Maryland is unlikely to deliver.
The Terrapins have lost six of their last seven games and face a Penn State team that has historically dominated the series, boasting a 43-3-1 advantage.
Washington (6-5, 4-4) at No. 1 Oregon (11-0, 8-0)
7:30 p.m. Saturday, NBC: This game won’t impact the Hoosiers. Oregon has already secured a Big Ten championship game berth, and a loss likely wouldn’t drop them below Indiana in the rankings.
College Football Playoff Rankings Watch
Oregon State (5-6) at No. 11 Boise State (10-1)
Noon Friday, FOX: While Boise State is just behind Indiana in the CFP rankings, their path to the playoffs lies through a Mountain West championship and a quarterfinal bye.
This early Friday game, kicking off at 10 a.m. local time, is more about TV scheduling than major implications.
Mississippi State (2-9) at No. 15 Ole Miss (8-3)
3:30 p.m. Friday, ABC: Indiana would prefer Ole Miss to be eliminated from playoff contention.
Mississippi State, despite a tough schedule, could deliver that blow with an upset in the Egg Bowl.
Georgia Tech (7-4) at No. 7 Georgia (9-2)
7:30 p.m. Friday, ABC: Indiana benefits if Georgia Tech can upset Georgia.
Although Tech has two top-10 wins this season, both have caveats, and an upset here remains unlikely.
No. 15 South Carolina (8-3) at No. 12 Clemson (9-2)
Noon Saturday, ESPN: A win for Clemson boosts their playoff resume and potentially threatens Indiana’s spot.
While a South Carolina win might alleviate some pressure, it could create other challenges if the Gamecocks enter the mix as a three-loss SEC team.
No. 8 Tennessee (9-2) at Vanderbilt (6-5)
Noon Saturday, ABC:
A Vanderbilt upset would help Indiana by knocking Tennessee down a notch in the rankings. However, the Commodores have struggled recently, losing three of their last four games.
No. 6 Miami (10-1) at Syracuse (8-3)
3:30 p.m. Saturday, ESPN: Syracuse has quietly had a strong season and could upset Miami, which would jeopardize the ACC’s hopes of landing two CFP bids.
That would create more breathing room for Indiana.
No. 5 Notre Dame (10-1) at USC (6-5)
3:30 p.m. Saturday, CBS: Notre Dame’s weak schedule, ranked 78th, is a point of contention.
An upset by USC would be a boost to Indiana, but the Trojans have struggled to capitalize on opportunities this season.
Auburn (5-6) at No. 13 Alabama (8-3)
3:30 p.m. Saturday, ABC: Alabama remains a threat to Indiana despite three losses.
The Hoosiers would benefit from Auburn eliminating the Crimson Tide with an upset.
California (6-5) at No. 9 SMU (10-1)
3:30 p.m. Saturday, ESPN2: A win for Cal would hurt SMU’s at-large chances and indirectly aid Indiana’s playoff hopes.
No. 3 Texas (10-1) at No. 20 Texas A&M (8-3)
7:30 p.m. Saturday, ABC: Texas A&M can still reach the SEC championship game with a win here.
If A&M made it and won the SEC title, it would complicate the playoff picture. Indiana needs Texas to prevail.
