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20 games that will impact the College Football Playoff
Joe Robbins/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images

20 games that will impact the College Football Playoff

College football is nearly upon us, meaning there are schools from New Jersey to California (and some of those not in the Big Ten) that are vying for wins over their rivals, conference championships and one of the four coveted spots in the College Football Playoff.

As you may know, this is the final season the playoff is capped at four teams. Beginning next season, there will be 12 seats at the table and more opportunities for schools to get in. That makes 2023 the final season where there are truly giant games that could determine a team's shot at winning a national championship or missing the cut completely. It's that fine a line. Last season, Alabama lost just two games all season long and both came on the road on the last play of the game. The Tide were good enough to win the championship but were on the outside looking in.

Needless to say, there are so many games during a season that help determine not only who gets into the playoff but more likely who does not. We've pared it down to 20. 

 
1 of 20

Tennessee at Alabama

Tennessee at Alabama
Randy Sartin-USA TODAY Sports
 
2 of 20

LSU at Alabama

LSU at Alabama
Stephen Lew-USA TODAY Sports
 
3 of 20

LSU vs Florida State

LSU vs Florida State
Melina Myers-USA TODAY Sports
 
4 of 20

Michigan at Penn State

Michigan at Penn State
Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports
 
5 of 20

Penn State at Ohio State

Penn State at Ohio State
Matthew OHaren-USA TODAY Sports
 
6 of 20

USC at Oregon

USC at Oregon
Orlando Ramirez-USA TODAY Sports
 
7 of 20

Florida State at Clemson

Florida State at Clemson
Alicia Devine/Tallahassee Democrat / USA TODAY NETWORK
 
8 of 20

Georgia at Tennessee

Georgia at Tennessee
Calvin Mattheis/News Sentinel / USA TODAY NETWORK
 
9 of 20

Oregon at Washington

Oregon at Washington
Troy Wayrynen-USA TODAY Sports
 
10 of 20

USC at Notre Dame

USC at Notre Dame
Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
 
11 of 20

Oklahoma vs Texas

Oklahoma vs Texas
Austin American-Statesman-USA TODAY NETWORK
 
12 of 20

Texas at Alabama

Texas at Alabama
Austin American-Statesman-USA TODAY NETWORK
 
13 of 20

Utah at USC

Utah at USC
Rob Gray-USA TODAY Sports
 
14 of 20

Ohio State at Notre Dame

Ohio State at Notre Dame
John Mersits / USA TODAY NETWORK
 
15 of 20

Notre Dame at Clemson

Notre Dame at Clemson
Matt Cashore-USA TODAY Sports
 
16 of 20

Ole Miss at Tulane

Ole Miss at Tulane
Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports
 
17 of 20

Georgia vs Florida

Georgia vs Florida
Corey Perrine/Florida Times-Union / USA TODAY NETWORK
 
18 of 20

James Snook-USA TODAY Sports
 
19 of 20

Ken Ruinard-USA TODAY NETWORK
 
20 of 20

Ohio State at Michigan

Ohio State at Michigan
Junfu Han/USA Today / Adam Cairns/Columbus Dispatch / USA TODAY NETWORK

More must-reads:

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