College Football 2020: 5 games with major playoff implications in Week 8

Week 8 is highlighted by the return of the Big Ten and an overlooked matchup in the Big 12. Which college football games have massive playoff impacts?

Week 8 will bring a return to normalcy of sorts in college football as the Big Ten kicks off its football season and adds another element to a complicated playoff picture.

There is a lot of skepticism of the Big Ten schedule and if they are able to complete the season, playing nine weeks straight and if the fact they they are playing in only eight games will affect the conference’s standing in the College Football Playoff. A thing to watch in the Big Ten will be if anyone can compete with Ohio State or will the Buckeyes run roughshod over the conference.

While Week 8 does not have the marquee matchup of a game like Alabama and Georgia that was played last week, that does not mean that there are not quality games that could have a huge impact on the playoff race.

For a top 20 matchup, Oklahoma State versus Iowa State has flown largely under the radar and that is a game that could decide who has the inside track to the Big 12 title game. Cowboys quarterback Spencer Sanders should be back and it will be interesting to see if their offense can be as good as advertised with him healthy.

In the other Power Five conferences, every week is a prove it week to see if they can be the challengers to the favorites.

In the ACC, North Carolina is looking for a bounce back game and keep their slim playoff hopes alive and Notre Dame is looking for an emphatic win over Pitt to show they can possibly challenge Clemson. In the SEC, it will be interesting to watch and see if anyone can show up to be a bump in the road for Alabama or if it will be an easy march for the Tide back to the playoff.

Here are the Week 8 games with the most playoff implications.