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The college football season is ticking closer to reality, which means it’s never too early to dream about how it may play out.
In a recent piece from CBS Sports, eight of the 15 most important college football games this fall feature a Big Ten team (which includes the Big Ten title game in December).
The games are spread out throughout the season, featuring matchups such as Ohio State-USC, Ohio State-Michigan, Michigan-Oklahoma, Ohio State-Texas, and Ohio State-Oregon, to name a few.
What’s interesting is that every entry has something in common: potential College Football Playoff implications.
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For one, nearly every Big Ten matchup featured teams that made the postseason last year. But the game Brad Crawford appears most intrigued by is the Buckeyes’ trip to USC.
“This isn't just a meeting between two bluebloods with enormous brands -- it's a matchup that could directly impact the conference championship race and playoff conversation,” Crawford wrote. “Ohio State enters every season with national championship expectations and little margin for error, while USC continues searching for the breakthrough victory that proves the Trojans are ready to contend with the league's elite. A home win would be a statement for Lincoln Riley and one of the most important victories of his tenure.”
Buckeyes fans can keep dreaming as the season goes on, but their matchup with the Wolverines is yet another can’t-miss opportunity on a national stage.
In a nutshell, both teams could be playing for everything or nothing by the time “The Game” rolls around. Last year’s meeting clinched a spot in the title game for Ohio State, while the 2024 edition was a colossal upset by the Wolverines that ultimately served as a wake-up call for Ohio State’s national title run.
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Overall, the Big Ten is well-represented this fall. If Crawford is deemed correct, nearly every week will have a new, potentially unforgettable storyline.
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