College Football 2020: 5 games with major playoff implications in Week 8
3. (9) Cincinnati at (16) SMU
In a matchup between the two highest-ranked teams in the Group of Five, both teams enter this week with slim playoff hopes, but playoff hopes nonetheless.
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The race for that fourth playoff spot is heating up (assuming Alabama, Clemson and Ohio State win out like they should) and it could be the winner of this game that could make the case that they are deserving of that fourth spot.
This game pits a high scoring offense in SMU and one of the best defenses in the country in Cincinnati and it will be interesting to watch which unit wins out on Saturday.
Cincinnati has had its past game postponed last week and has not seen action in a while and last week SMU had some late game luck in their overtime win over Tulane. It will be worth keeping an eye on if the Bearcats have any rust to shake off or if they can keep rolling against one of the best offenses in the country.
The winner emerges as the favorite in the Group of Five, while the loser will have its dreams of the playoff or New Year’s Six appearance take a big hit.