With the Big 10 and Pac 12 both announcing they will only be playing conference games this season; the state of college football is very up in the air. As coronavirus cases continue to rise across the country, it is impossible to expect the season to go on as normal. The SEC announced they will not make a decision on games until the end of July and ACC and Big 12 have yet to release their plans. However, it seems likely that all leagues will switch to conference only games.
The Big 10 and Pac 12’s decision to only play conference games not only affects the teams in those leagues, but teams across the country. All teams that were scheduled to play a non-conference game against any team in the Big 10 or Pac 12 has been canceled. This decision will also have a ripple effect to the college football playoff selection and how bowl eligibility will work. In the past, getting to six wins qualified a team as bowl eligible, but with the games canceled as a result of the Big 10/ Pac 12 decision, some teams will be playing less games than usual. Will this mean there are less bowl games played?
The playoff selection will be unlike any other this year as teams will likely all have played different numbers of games. The committee will need to decide if the number of games each team played will be a factor, if conference strength will play a role, and whatever else comes up. Also, if the other three power five conferences do decided to play non-conference games, how will this impact the Big 10 and Pac 12’s playoff hopes?
Best Games canceled because of Pac 12/ Big 10 decision:
Ohio State vs. Oregon
This game was going to be an interesting week 1 matchup between two teams who have a lot of turnover this season after losing lots of players. Ohio State was thought to have the edge because they have a returning quarterback as opposed to Oregon who will be replacing their four-year starters, Justin Herbert. However, I think it would have been a pretty tight game as both teams try to adjust with their new players.
USC vs. Alabama
The one year Alabama actually schedules a respectable non-conference opponent, it gets canceled. Hmm Nick Saban, did you have anything to do with this? This game was supposed to be a chance for USC to show they are “back” and better than they have been the past few years and give Troy Hilton a chance to get himself off the hot seat. I don’t think this would have actually been a close game, as I don’t believe in all the pre-season hype USC has been getting, but it could be interesting to see how Alabama bounces back after failing to beat any top-25 team last season. It could be a trap for Alabama as they have never had to play anyone remotely good in the preseason so they are not used to playing tough this early.
Michigan vs. Washington
This game was going to be a top 25 matchup and although it most likely wouldn’t hold playoff implications, it would be a big win for either team.
UC vs. Nebraska
Is Nebraska “back” this year? Is UC capable of playing with Power 5 teams? This game was a chance for both teams to prove something, and unforently it was taken away. UC had another 10-win season, but had back to back losses to Memphis to knock them out of a New Year’s six bowl. This game was the way for them to start this season with a bang and show they want to avenge last season’s end. Nebraska, on the other hand, failed to finish last season bowl eligible after starting the season ranked in the top 25 and projected to do super well. This game was a chance for them to start this season on a different note. This would have been a good game for Nebraska QB Adrian Martinez to show he can live up to all the talent people think he has.
Wisconsin vs. Notre Dame
This game was going to be played in a great environment, at Lambo Field, but now is canceled. This game was a great chance for both teams to get a major win under their belt. For Wisconsin, it would have shown they can beat top teams and are ready to compete for the Big 10 title. For Notre Dame, it was a chance to get a win against a (most likely) ranked team to have under their belt to try to get into a good bowl game or the college football playoffs.
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