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5 games with playoff implications in College Football Week 1

By Harris Jacobs

MORGANTOWN, WV - NOVEMBER 25: Geno Smith #12 of the West Virginia Mountaineers evades a tackle from Brandon Lindsey #7 of the University of Pittsburgh Panthers during the 2011 Backyard Brawl on November 25, 2011 at Mountaineer Field in Morgantown, West Virginia. (Photo by Jared Wickerham/Getty Images)
MORGANTOWN, WV - NOVEMBER 25: Geno Smith #12 of the West Virginia Mountaineers evades a tackle from Brandon Lindsey #7 of the University of Pittsburgh Panthers during the 2011 Backyard Brawl on November 25, 2011 at Mountaineer Field in Morgantown, West Virginia. (Photo by Jared Wickerham/Getty Images) /
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(Photo by Carmen Mandato/Getty Images)
(Photo by Carmen Mandato/Getty Images) /

3. No. 23 Cincinnati at No.19 Arkansas

This is a matchup between two teams who exceeded everyone’s expectations in 2021.

Last season, the Cincinnati Bearcats made history as the first Group of 5 team to make the College Football Playoff. Head coach Luke Fickell’s squad had an undefeated season, highlighted by a marquee road win against Notre Dame.

In 2022, the Bearcats will have to replace lots of star power. Cincinnati had a whopping nine players selected in the 2022 NFL Draft which included four-year starting quarterback Desmond Ridder and star cornerback Sauce Gardner.

Even with the season opener being days away, head coach Luke Fickell has yet to announce the winner of the quarterback competition between Eastern Michigan transfer Ben Bryant and redshirt sophomore Evan Prater. Without Ridder, who is the program’s all-time leader in total yards and touchdowns, the Bearcats have huge shoes to fill.

As the Bearcats hope to contend for a second straight playoff bid, they will have to overcome an extremely tough first opponent in the Arkansas Razorbacks. Coming off an impressive 9-4 campaign, Arkansas has the potential to be even better this season.

Star quarterback KJ Jefferson is back for his third season in Fayetteville, and the Razorbacks could have one of the best offensive lines in the SEC.

It is safe to say that this is a must-win game for Cincinnati in its quest to return to the College Football Playoff. The Razorbacks are the only ranked team on the Bearcats’ schedule, so this could be Cincinnati’s only opportunity to prove that they can compete on the highest level.

For Arkansas to be this year’s dark-horse playoff contender, a win over Cincinnati would be a great start. Given that the Razorbacks face the likes of Texas A&M, Ole Miss, and Alabama this season, the road is only going to get tougher for Sam Pittman’s club. An undefeated record in SEC play is probably a bit unrealistic.

After the dust settles on Saturday night in Fayetteville, it is safe to say that one team’s playoff hopes will take a serious hit.

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