Now that we are already halfway through the 2022 college football season, we can start to look ahead to some of those all-important games towards the end of the regular season, which is of course, rivalry week. This year is special in college football because there are a lot of rivalry games that will have major playoff implications, and while this does tend to happen on occasion, it seems like this year, every team’s biggest game will have a major effect on whether they make the playoffs. With that being said, here are the five best rivalry games that could impact this year’s college football playoff.
5. The Iron Bowl
Now I know, Auburn is no where even close to contention for the college football playoff, but Alabama is right in the thick of it as of right now. I do also know that Auburn is not very good at all this year, but I do also know that everyone thought that last year Alabama would dominate them, and Bama only won by two points in four overtimes. I would also like to mention that in no way would I ever imagine for Alabama to lose this game or would I ever pick Alabama to lose this game. I also could never physically bring myself to pick Auburn over my Crimson Tide, but I do think it is important to note that this is the Iron Bowl, and in the Iron Bowl, anything is possible.
4. Georgia vs. Florida
This game is in the same boat as the Iron Bowl because it is a game that could have a major effect on the playoff landscape if the underdog was to win. Georgia vs. Florida has had many incredible games over the years and while it does not seem as though that is likely for this year’s iteration, Georgia has had some very poor performances against some subpar teams this season. And who knows, with it being a heated rivalry game maybe this is finally the game where Georgia does not escape and one of the biggest upsets of the season comes to fruition.
3. USC vs. UCLA
If you would have told me at the beginning of the season that this game could very possibly determine a playoff team this season, I would have laughed in your face. Needless to say, I was wrong. UCLA has been nothing short of remarkable this season and while USC does have a loss on their record, a top 10 win over a team like UCLA could catapult them right back into the playoff picture. This game could very easily determine the frontrunner for the Heisman trophy if either Caleb Williams (USC) or Dorian Thompson-Robinson (UCLA) were to have a large stat line.
2. Georgia vs. Tennessee
What now seems like the biggest regular season game remaining may be the most important game in terms of the college football playoff picture as well. It makes it all the more fun that these two teams just so happen to be pretty big rivals as well. Georgia and Tennessee have both looked incredible this year and if this game even lives up to half of the hype that it will have then the game will go down as an instant classic in the college football world. This game is also very likely to determine who will be representing the East in the SEC championship game so needless to say this game is very important.
1. Ohio State vs. Michigan
One of the biggest rivalries in all of college football just so happens to be the most important rivalry to the college football playoff landscape this season. In all likelihood, both of these teams will come into this game undefeated. This means that the winner of this game will go to the BIG10 conference championship game, and then most likely cruise to the playoffs as the number one or two seed. The hatred these two teams have for each other can only be matched by that of the Iron Bowl, but in terms of importance to the playoff landscape, no other games in the college football season even come close. Even though the Tennessee vs. Georgia game will be very important, it is still possible for either Georgia or Tennessee to lose that game and still win the conference and make the playoff. But in the case of “The Game” only one team will make it out of that game with their end of season dreams still attainable, and that is what makes rivalry games so great.
