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Tomorrow marks the return of Michigan football. While the Wolverines don’t kick off until the evening, there are plenty of other games to watch while you wait. The most important game of the week is most certainly Michigan vs. No. 21 Minnesota, and a win over the Golden Gophers would be exactly what the doctor ordered. But it isn’t the only important game for the Wolverines.
For the rest of the college football world, this is Week 8 of the 2020 season. Multiple games have been played, but plenty of games remain and the season is far from over. The AP Top 25 poll has seen some shifts, and now the Big Ten gets to contribute as teams have been moving around without a game being played yet.
The College Football Playoff rankings don’t come out until Tuesday, Nov. 24. So, for now, the AP Top 25 poll reigns supreme. Michigan needs to climb up the poll to help increase its chances of reaching the College Football Playoffs. While wins certainly help, the path can always be easier if higher teams lose and fall in the polls. These three games are ones that need to be watched or paid attention to tomorrow.
Game 1: No. 23 NC State vs. No. 14 North Carolina
Last week we saw North Carolina, which was ranked No. 5 in the country, mind you, lose to an unranked Florida State team that’s trying to rebuild its program. Florida State lost its season opener to Georgia Tech 16-13, and while you could say it was close, Georgia Tech got thrown around like middle school players by Clemson last week in a 73-7 defeat.
North Carolina lost to a team that lost to Georgia Tech, which got murdered by Clemson. North Carolina shouldn’t be ranked this high, and with a tougher opponent coming into town, the Tar Heels could struggle mightily. A win for NC State would boost it into the top 20, but if Michigan takes care of Minnesota, it shouldn’t jump over the Wolverines.
Root for: No. 23 NC State
Game 2: No. 17 Iowa State vs. No. 6 Oklahoma State
In a season where every game means even more than normal, one loss could drop you out of the College Football Playoff talk. Missing a game due to COVID-19 could cost you a spot as well. Oklahoma State is undefeated. Iowa State lost its opening game, though it won three in a row since.
Iowa State has a tougher road ahead: It has yet to play Texas, Kansas State and West Virginia. Oklahoma State has to take on Texas and Kansas State as well, but also Oklahoma. Both of these teams could lose again later in the season, but it’s better if another undefeated team falls early, so Michigan has a chance to move up the polls.
Root for: No. 17 Iowa State
Game 3: No. 8 Penn State vs. Indiana
Our final game this week is a Big Ten showdown between Penn State and Indiana. Penn State lost key players on offense and defense. While Indiana did as well, Indiana looks tougher than ever. Penn State got hit with late news that their starting running back, Journey Brown, could miss the entire season due to an undisclosed medical condition. That is a big blow to the offense just as the season is about to begin.
Indiana needs to capitalize on this and showcase it is a threat inside the Big Ten East. A loss to Indiana would push Penn State down the polls and be a huge blow to the Nittany Lions. Michigan would jump up the polls, and, with the Wolverines taking on Indiana in two weeks, that matchup becomes more interesting. A ranked Indiana team will give Michigan more credibility if Michigan can beat it, as the College Football Playoff committee loves wins against ranked teams.
Root for: Indiana
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