Assessing the biggest remaining games of CFB regular season

Unsurprisingly, the six teams involved in these three preeminent clashes all hail from the Big Ten and Southeastern conferences. In fact, 12 out of the 13 top-ranked teams play in these two conferences. Hence, some refer to the “Power Two” rather than the “Power Four” conferences. 

Ohio State at Oregon

Five Big Ten teams are undefeated through Week 5 — Ohio State, Oregon, Penn State, Indiana and Rutgers. However, most would agree that the Buckeyes and Ducks are the cream of the crop in this quintet.

In four games, the Buckeyes have outscored their opponents 195-27, averaging 48.75 points per game, while holding foes to 6.75 points per contest. To be sure, Ohio State has not yet faced particularly strong competition, but the Buckeyes will likely face a test from the Iowa Hawkeyes in Week 6 before heading out to Eugene to take on the Ducks. 

Oregon has outscored its opponents by an average margin of 36 to 18.75 points, doing so against considerably stiffer competition than confronted by the Buckeyes. Indeed, the Ducks boast wins over No. 21 Boise State and the 3-1 Oregon State Beavers.

Alabama at Tennessee

While the Volunteers have run roughshod over their opponents this year, the Crimson Tide is coming off a narrow victory over a Georgia team that mustered only 13 points in a one-point victory over the 3-2 Kentucky Wildcats. Alabama is undoubtedly one of the top teams in the country, however, the elevation of the Tide to the No. 1 spot in the AP poll has been questioned. 

The only four undefeated teams in the SEC following Week 5 are Alabama, Tennessee, Texas and the Missouri Tigers. 

The winner of the battle between the Vols and Crimson Tide figures to have an inside track to the SEC Championship Game, the outcome of which will determine one of the CFP’s top seeds.

Georgia at Texas

Between now and this game on Oct. 19, the Longhorns have a bye and a meeting with No. 19 Oklahoma in the Red River Rivalry, while Georgia has two home matchups against Auburn and Mississippi State. If Texas hands the Bulldogs a second regular-season loss, the Bulldogs will be at risk of missing the 12-team playoff, while the Longhorns would be well on their way to a spot in the SEC Championship Game and a high playoff seed.