ESPN ranks the 12 games in 2024 with biggest 12-team College Football Playoff implications
ESPN ranked the 12 games during the 2024 season that will have the biggest impact on the 12-team College Football Playoff.
There are more avenues to get into the bracket this time around with conference champs and at-large bids. However, every game still counts and there should be no days off.
Let’s dive into ESPN’s ranking of the 12 games that will have the biggest 12-team playoff implications next season.
1. Georgia at Texas (Oct. 19)
Welcome to the SEC Texas! ESPN’s reasoning is referencing the committee’s desire to see a conference champion. Sure, the loser could get an at-large bid here.
But if Georgia wins, it’ll have a resume booster with a win on the road. The same goes for Texas, a high quality conference win against one of the best teams in the country. It’ll go a long way for the SEC title.
2. Georgia at Alabama (Sept. 28)
This is a chance for both teams to make a statement in September when usually these two wouldn’t square off until a conference championship game. If Kalen DeBoer wants to make a statement, this could be the biggest win of his young tenure.
Plus, this could set up for one of two matchups between the two teams next year, depending upon how the expanded SEC plays out. Heck, imagine if the two teams met in the 12-team playoff at some point?
3. Ohio State at Oregon (Oct. 12)
It feels like this matchup was a big factor in the College Football Playoff before it expanded to 12 teams. Now, the two teams are conference foes in the Big Ten.
Each team gets an opportunity to impress the committee in this game since they’re a conference matchup now. Whether it’s an at-large bid or the deciding factor to make the Big Ten title game, this one should be circled.
4. Texas at Michigan (Sept. 7)
The defending national champions host a huge SEC game in September. The two teams haven’t even faced each other since January 1, 2005!
ESPN’s reasoning here is if Texas happens to lose to Georgia in October, the committee could look back on this game as a win for the Longhorns (of course if they beat the defending champions). That could weigh quite heavily later in the year.
5. Florida State at Notre Dame (Nov. 9)
Notre Dame needs all of the big wins it can get since as an Independent, the Fighting Irish have no automatic path to the playoff. There’s less pressure to go unbeaten though, since there are more spots.
On the flip side, Florida State getting a road win here can boost the resume, especially if the Seminoles don’t win the ACC. Perhaps 2024 is finally the year FSU returns to the playoff after just missing out this past fall.
6. Michigan at Ohio State (Nov. 30)
This game could’ve been higher, but the expanded playoff gives both of these teams an opportunity to get in regardless of the result of this game. You know what else kinda stinks? The two could face each other two weeks in a row.
Depending upon the Big Ten standings, these could be the best two teams without divisions. Michigan has more opportunities to impress the committee with a loaded schedule so Ohio State likely needs this one more.
7. Oklahoma vs. Texas (Oct. 12)
The winner of this game has more to gain since it’s now in a loaded SEC that has more contenders for the playoff. It didn’t hinder Texas last year, even in a loss, since Oklahoma fell back a bit.
There’s a lot riding on this rivalry, so the loser could have even more ground to make up in 2024. Should Oklahoma win this one again, it’ll likely give the Sooners more margin for error based on who they play in conference.
8. Ole Miss at LSU (Oct. 12)
Ole Miss won the shootout last season in the division last September. Now going on the road, Lane Kiffin’s crew can make a midseason statement with a win against the Tigers.
This could be a must-win for the Rebels with a gauntlet after that: Oklahoma, Arkansas, Georgia and Florida. LSU gets USC, UCLA, Alabama and Oklahoma earlier in the year so this is definitely one to circle as to what can make or break the Tigers’ playoff chances in a loaded SEC.
9. Michigan at Washington (Oct. 5)
The national championship rematch is now a Big Ten game to kickoff October. Jedd Fisch takes over the Huskies and it remains to be seen if they’ll be a 2023 level this coming fall.
The same goes for Michigan whether or not Jim Harbaugh comes back. This won’t be make or break for the playoff, but realistically just for the Big Ten Championship Game. It probably means more to Washington since the Huskies play host.
10. Arizona at Utah (TBA)
This game is the outlier on the list when it comes to Big 12 teams in 2024. Both are newbies to the conference but since the Big Ten and SEC are so loaded, perhaps the Big 12 winner will be the sole representative out of the conference.
Both teams should be in contention without Texas and Oklahoma in the mix this year. Utah brings back Cam Rising and Arizona looks to continue what Fisch built.
11. Boise State at Oregon (Sept. 7)
The top Group of Five champion gets the automatic bid and the Broncos have the biggest opportunity. If they win this game on the road, it’ll be their spot to lose.
Heck, they might have a shot against Oregon with USC quarterback transfer Malachi Nelson. In the end, it could also be a quality win for Oregon as well.
12. LSU vs. USC (Sept. 1)
USC is in a loaded Big Ten and LSU is in a loaded SEC. What better way to boost your resume right off the bat than to win a neutral side game to open the season?
USC should be improved off its 7-5 record in 2023 and LSU should be in the mix with nine or so wins to try and get to the playoff in the end as an at-large team, based on early projections. This could determine each team’s path to the 12-team playoff immediately.
We already can’t wait for next season with the new playoff format and the realigned conferences. It makes for a lot more high quality matchups and some absolute chaos week in and week out.