Last week, multiple losses by AP Top 10 teams shook up the College Football Playoff picture. That momentum is sure to continue into Week 7 as multiple such teams are guaranteed to lose in pivotal spots. BYU and Notre Dame battle in a major nonconference matchup that can nearly write a ticket for the College Football Playoff.
Ohio State and Indiana both have the chance to position themselves for Big Ten contention, while Missouri has a prove-it spot to cement itself in the top tier of contenders. Here are seven games that will have major implications on the College Football Playoff picture, including a pair of top-10 matchups. The postseason implications are off the charts as two of the biggest religious institutions in the FBS meet in Provo.
Notre Dame has only three ranked matchups this year, with the Cougars as the only road opponent. A win essentially locks Notre Dame into a playoff spot after missing last year. For BYU -- and the Big 12 -- the implications are even deeper.
The Cougars finished No. 11 and 13 in the AP Top 25 in the past two years, but were excluded from the postseason both times. The Big 12 has also failed to produce an at-large since the field moved to 12, the only league to face that issue. Those dynamics can quickly change if BYU pulls the monumental upset.
Indiana is a heavyweight battle in Bloomington, and the only thing nudging it down the list is that it might not be the only time these two teams play. The Buckeyes have an early loss to Texas, but have otherwise been dominant. Indiana remains undefeated, but needed a late comeback to survive a top-25-caliber Nebraska.
The Buckeyes are the only top-15 opponent on the schedule; finishing 11-1 should be enough to reach the postseason, but this is where we learn whether there's championship contention in IU's future. Tennessee sits right on the edge of postseason contention after a 5-1 start, with the only loss coming by three points to then-No. 1 Texas. Now is the time to elevate if they're ready to make a push, though underwhelming offensive performances against Auburn and Arkansas bring up major questions.
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