College football games seen in Week 14 have implications for the CFP

We understand that this is the week when turkeys have their day. Of course, we have nothing against really well-prepared poultry. But this space is all about helping you, the discerning college football viewer, avoid figurative turkeys even this week of feasting.

With that in mind, some of these games that impact the playoff pursuit may not end with fantastic results. But we think they’ll get the most attention on the final Saturday of the regular season.

Here are our seven recommended games to watch in Week 14.

No. 3 Texas at No. 19 Texas A&M

Time/TV: 7:30 p.m. ET, ABC.

Why watch: Do you have to ask? It’s the long-awaited renewal of acquaintances between these two Lone Star State programs that love to hate each other. As if that wasn’t enough, a spot in the SEC title game against Georgia is also on the line. The Aggies need this more, as a fourth loss would be fatal to their playoff aspirations, but the Longhorns will have no interest in falling into the overall pool. Texas QB Quinn Ewers has faced hostile environments before, but Kyle Field could set a new standard for noise at night. He has reliable short game options like TE Gunnar Helm and RB Jaydon Blue, but an early deep connection with WR Isaiah Bond would help neutralize the crowd. The Aggies’ defense can be inconsistent, but DE Nic Scourton will have to accommodate the Longhorns’ protectors. A&M QB Marcel Reed has a strong group of pass catchers but fewer breakaway threats. He’s not afraid to keep the ball, but Texas LB Anthony Hill Jr. will likely have him monitored.

Why it might disappoint: Quite simply, the Aggies have been incredibly inconsistent all season. The Longhorns will want to make short work of it because the longer they let the Aggies hang around, the more the crowd becomes a factor.

No. 14 South Carolina at No. 12 Clemson

Time/TV: Noon ET, ESPN.

Why watch: Of course, the Palmetto showdown will not change the conference picture for either participant. Nevertheless, it is an important competition in which the winner can achieve a good result and maintain his name in the general playoff discussion. South Carolina is arguably the hottest team in the SEC, closing out its league slate with four straight wins. The Tigers have done enough to get by since losing to Louisville on Nov. 2, but this result could ultimately cost them a shot at the ACC title if Miami beats Syracuse. Gamecocks QB LaNorris Sellers has made excellent use of explosive RB Raheim Sanders, who will no doubt get a lot of attention from Clemson LB Barrett Carter. Tigers QB Cade Klubnik will also rely heavily on ground support from RB Phil Mafah, but WR Antonio Williams will also need to find some room to operate. DB Nick Emmanwori helps the Gamecocks defense.

Why it might disappoint: With the notable exception of the Pittsburgh win, Clemson’s games this season have been largely without drama, win or loss. The Tigers either quickly took the lead or fell behind and failed to rally. That likely won’t be the case here, but the Gamecocks probably won’t be surprised by anything Clemson throws at them.

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No. 7 Miami at Syracuse

Time/TV: 3:30 p.m. ET, ESPN.

Why watch: The Hurricanes’ mission is clear: win this game in the Dome and play for an ACC title a week later. Without a few baffling defeats, the Orange might be in this position themselves, but nonetheless, this was a largely successful debut season for coach Fran Brown. Miami continues to live and die with the risk-reward style of QB Cam Ward, who has a whopping 34 touchdowns with seven picks. His favorite target, WR Xavier Restrepo, will likely be covered by Syracuse DB Jayden Bellamy. Aside from a disastrous game against Pittsburgh, QB Kyle McCord was just as productive as Ward, with TE Oronde Gadsden II and WR Jackson Meeks serving as primary weapons. Miami DE Tyler Baron will lead the effort to disrupt them.

Why it might disappoint: It probably won’t. The Hurricanes lived dangerously for most of the campaign. Even last week’s 42-14 win over Wake Forest was a one-score game in the fourth quarter, and the Orange should be even tougher to beat in their exhibition games. A spate of turnovers could derail things, but that could go either way.

Kansas State at No. 17 Iowa State

Time/TV: 7:30 p.m. ET, Fox.

Why watch: Every Big 12 game will matter come finals weekend because there are so many tiebreaker possibilities in play. However, given both teams’ penchant for nail-biting games, we suspect this game could be the best of them all in terms of entertainment value. The Cyclones have won three games on their last possession, including their triumph over Iowa in September. The Wildcats also had their fair share of squeaks, although there was a lack of excitement in the fourth quarter in their last two games. Iowa State QB Rocco Becht has one of the best pass-catching duos in the country with WRs Jayden Higgins and Jaylin Noel, with nearly 2,000 yards between them. K-State DL Brendan Mott will lead the effort to prevent him from using them. Wildcats QB Avery Johnson and RB DJ Giddens will try to establish the ground game first. While Johnson has reliable targets for the aerial attack, he must avoid Cyclones DB Jontez Williams, who has four of the team’s 14 interceptions.

Why it might disappoint: That shouldn’t be the case. The Cyclones’ losses were each in the single digits. The Wildcats have been buried a few times, but Iowa State has a tendency to let opponents hang around. Expect a fun ride here in Ames.

No. 5 Notre Dame in Southern California

Time/TV: 3:30 p.m. ET, CBS.

Why watch: While maintaining their independence, this will be the Fighting Irish’s final argument to the playoff committee. The best way to describe it is not so much a must-win game but more of a can’t-lose game, but the Trojans would love nothing more than to spoil the game in a largely disappointing game to play for their long-time rivals this season. Notre Dame QB Riley Leonard is up to 27 total touchdowns this season, 14 through the air and 13 over the land. He can expect a lot of attention from LB Easton Mascarenas-Arnold, the leading horse in the Trojans’ defense. USC’s QB change to Jayden Maiava hasn’t resulted in a significant increase in downfield completions, but RB Woody Marks is a consistent 100-yard game producer. Struggling Irish LBs Jack Kiser and Drayk Bowen seem to often meet him in the gaps.

Why it might disappoint: When it comes to squad talent, this should be a competitive duel. But USC has beaten itself with untimely mistakes too many times this year to expect something like that won’t happen again. To put it in numbers: Notre Dame ranks second nationally in turnover margin, while the Trojans are at 81^st.

No. 8 Tennessee at Vanderbilt

Time/TV: Noon ET, ABC.

Why watch: Tennessee may not be playing for the championship, but the Volunteers can put themselves in a favorable position to secure an at-large bid from the crowded SEC field. However, they can’t afford to cede this rivalry game to the Commodores, who escaped the conference cellar in 2024 and can now improve their bowl goal. QB Nico Iamaleava and the rest of the Vols predictably used last week’s date with Texas-El Paso as a good game after being shut out by Georgia, but DB Randon Fontenette and the Vandy defense did a good job limiting big winners. RB Dylan Sampson could help Tennessee beat the Commodores at their own game with sustained drives. Vanderbilt’s QB Diego Pavia has been largely kept under control in his last few games, and Tennessee LB Arion Carter and Co. will do their best to continue that trend.

Why it might disappoint: In recent years we have been quick to dismiss the Commodores when they find themselves in early crisis. But this year’s group has only been beaten by multiple points once in SEC play, and the Vols have been underwhelming even in their wins. It might not be the flashiest football, but it probably won’t be a defeat.

Michigan at No. 2 Ohio State

Time/TV: Noon ET, Fox.

Why watch: After passing their big test against newly promoted Indiana with flying colors, the Buckeyes now have one final task to secure a rematch against Oregon next week in Indianapolis. The deadline with the Wolverines also represents a major hurdle to overcome for Ohio State coach Ryan Day, who is still seeking his first win against Michigan since moving to the larger office in Columbus. The Michigan defense is still pretty formidable, with LBs Ernest Hausmann and Jaishawn Barham forming an active front line that could make life a little challenging for Buckeyes QB Will Howard. But the RB tandem of TreVeyon Henderson and Quinshon Judkins is difficult to contain for a full 60 minutes, and one of Ohio State University’s overwhelmingly potent threats usually escapes at some point. The Wolverines’ one-two punch of RBs Kalel Mullings and Donovan Edwards remained productive despite low air support, but it will be difficult to find room in the Horseshoe as the Buckeyes’ hard-hitting DB Sonny Styles can help in run support.

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College football games seen in Week 14 have implications for the CFP

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