College Football 2019: Top 5 games with playoff implications in Week 4

This week’s college football slate offers several ranked matchups including some road challenges for some College Football Playoff hopefuls.

As we creep through the first part of the college football season we still aren’t sure of what the College Football Playoff picture will look like. There are two very distinct tiers with the first including Alabama, Clemson, Georgia, Oklahoma and Ohio State who are holding serve and control their own destiny. However, there are some teams ready and waiting for an opportunity to pounce. Figuring out that second tier is where the fun currently is.

After a lackluster week three slate, Week 4 offers some juicy matchups that will provide us some clarity in the group below those five elite programs. There are three ranked matchups including one of those top tier teams which may be demoted to the crowded second tier.

There are more than five playoff hopeful teams in the five matchups featured here which means some losers will be in serious need of help if they hope to make up any ground down the stretch. A one-loss conference champion is still capable of earning a spot, but to use up that loss in week four would be just shy of crushing.

An honorable mention this week goes to Oregon’s game against Stanford. The Ducks should have no issue against the Cardinal who looked bad yet again last weekend against UCF. An added bonus to Oregon’s playoff hopes is the fate of the Auburn Tigers, who Oregon needs to play well this year. Losing to a good Auburn team in Week 1 is far more attractive to the College Football Playoff committee than losing to a bad Auburn team. And Auburn has a big one this weekend against Texas A&M.