ESPN: Ten games that will affect the CFB Playoff

[Freak]

3. Nov. 18: Georgia at Tennessee​

Why it will matter to the committee: This could eliminate one team if the game determines the winner of the SEC East -- or it could change the three-peat narrative in the SEC and catapult the Vols into the top four if they're not there already. If Georgia doesn't beat Tennessee and doesn't play for the SEC title, it's going to be difficult for the selection committee to justify a top-four finish -- unless it's a close loss and Georgia has won every other game so easily that those in the room agree the Dawgs are "unequivocally" one of the four best teams in the country.

That's going to be difficult, though, because Georgia's nonconference schedule includes UT Martin, Ball State, UAB and Georgia Tech. The entire East division could be eliminated if Tennessee beats Georgia but loses at Alabama on Oct. 21 and again in the SEC championship game.

Five more that just missed the cut.

3. Oct. 21: Tennessee at Alabama​

Why it will matter to the committee: The Vols have a chance to beat Georgia and Alabama during the regular season. What else does the committee need to see?

Five more that will surprise you.

1. Tennessee vs. Virginia (Sept. 2): The Vols could be a CFP contender, but don't overlook their season opener. They will be facing a very emotional UVA team playing for the first time since the deaths of D'Sean Perry, Devin Chandler and Lavel Davis Jr., who were killed in a campus shooting in November 2022.

Ranking the 10 most important games to the College Football Playoff -- and five that will surprise

From Michigan-Ohio State to FSU-Clemson and beyond, we've got the games the committee will be paying the closest attention to.

www.espn.com

 

[unfrozencvmanvol]

You see alot of these lists every year in the preseason, what I'd be interested in is a list of the most impactful games after the season. I think we would have had several entries last year. I recall frequently seeing a list of "best" games after the season, but that's not always the same as most impactful.

 

[Vol$_Deep_11_9]

Five more that just missed the cut.

Five more that will surprise you.

Ranking the 10 most important games to the College Football Playoff -- and five that will surprise

From Michigan-Ohio State to FSU-Clemson and beyond, we've got the games the committee will be paying the closest attention to.

www.espn.com

Bama game missed the cut? I’ll give them Georgia, that will be an important game. I think the Bama game will be as well especially if we’ve made it there unscathed.

I know some will call me crazy but this first game is tougher than folks think it will be. I still expect a comfortable win but I don’t expect us to cover.

All that said, if you would have told me all we had to do was beat SC to make the playoffs last year I’d have said you were FOS

 

[spyfish007]

My son read this article to me while driving yesterday. I disagreed with 6 or 7 of these. Bunch of non SEC or B1G games between teams that really will not compete for their conference championship are included that I don't think will matter one bit. Games like Alabama and Tennessee put outside the top 10. Bogus list probably written for eyeballs instead of reason.

 

[Vol49er]

You see alot of these lists every year in the preseason, what I'd be interested in is a list of the most impactful games after the season. I think we would have had several entries last year. I recall frequently seeing a list of "best" games after the season, but that's not always the same as most impactful.

Fair point. We lose to Alabama, theyre in the playoff over Ohio State. We beat South Carolina, we're in the playoff over Ohio State. We beat Georgia and USC, its probably US and Georgia and Ohio State is out. We beat Georgia and lose to USC, I'd guess it would be us and Ohio State with Georgia left out