Welcome to the first weekend of College Football Playoffs! We saw a wild comeback last night in the first CFP game, and we had a TON of great matchups on the hardwood! Today promises to deliver across the country with massive matchups that will resonate until March!

Just a bit of explanation here: when I power rank these games, I try to leave the 4/5 categories for a select few games, so when we have huge slates like today, a lot more games fall into the 2/3 categories because I do not want to water down the top tiers. This is meant as a guide to help you choose games if you have limited screen access!

As always, please reach out to me if you have questions, comments or things you’d like to see!

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METHODOLOGY

Each game is assigned a Power Rating (1–5):

5️⃣  Must-Watch
National-impact game; typically Q1 vs. Q1.

4️⃣ High-Level Matchup
Strong game with postseason or résumé relevance.

3️⃣  Notable/Competitive
High quality mid-major matchup and/or decent high-major game

2️⃣  Worth Monitoring
Intrigue, rivalry angle, or stylistic fun; Typically the solid mid-major matchups will go here 

1️⃣  Minimal Impact
Not a major bracket game, but includes a fun storyline or a mid/low major game of interest

High Major Buy Games:

Michigan State, Louisville, Kansas State, Indiana, Iowa, are all playing games where they’re favored by 20+ out of conference.

5️⃣ St. John’s vs. Kentucky | 12:30, CBS | CBS Sports Classic, ATL 

Yes, we get to see Pitino vs. Pope… and While both teams have been a bit disappointing, this matchup will not disappoint! Plus, you add in the news that came through on Friday and we get the first appearance of Jayden Quaintance, the transfer from Arizona State who is projected as a top pick in the NBA draft this year! This is must-watch. I know I’ll be following along! 

3️⃣ Liberty @ Dayton | 12:30, USA Network

This is an elite mid-major matchup, and one I’d love to see become a regular one. Both teams are solid overall, with Dayton having legitimate at-large hopes. A loss to Liberty would severely damage those hopes.

3️⃣  Colorado State @ Utah State | 2:00, CBSSN

Colorado State is a bit under the radar this year, and while I don’t 100% buy into them yet, this would be a great way to prove it. I expect to see the MWC favorites roll at home here though.

4️⃣ Ohio State vs. North Carolina | 3:00, CBS | CBS Sports Classic, ATL

UNC likely gets Seth Trimble back for this under-the-radar matchup! Ohio State has quietly been doing well this year, sitting at 8-2 right now, but they could use a marquee win. North Carolina has been very good this year, with just 1 loss to-date! 

3️⃣  Memphis @ Mississippi State | 4:00, ESPN

This game, while amazing in name, doesn’t hold a ton of weight at this time. If Memphis wants any hope at making the tournament, they need to start stacking wins, and quickly. This one would be a start. Mississippi State is just not a tournament team this year.

3️⃣ Northwestern vs. Butler | 4:00, Peacock | Indy Classic, Indy

Butler comes into this one as 1.5 point favorites, and this is a game that they really need to win if they are going to make a push towards the tournament. For Northwestern, this would be a great rivalry win, and could help catapult their season, which isn’t out of the bubble conversations either!

3️⃣  Grand Canyon @ Wyoming | 4:00, MWC Network

I’m calling this out for a couple reasons: A. It should be a great game in Laramie and is worth attention. B. I would like to welcome GCU to the MWC! I keep forgetting about their move this year! This one has massive conference implications!

5️⃣ Houston vs. Arkansas | 5:30, CBS | Prudential Center, Newark, NJ

This game is going to be very intriguing. I know some don’t buy into either of these teams yet, but both are absolutely top 10 caliber teams. Both will have a massive opportunity to go out and prove it on Saturday in Newark! Sampson vs. Calipari is an amazing coaching matchup! 

3️⃣ Maryland @ Virginia | 6:00, ESPN

I expect to see UVA run away with this one, as Maryland has been extremely disappointing to start the year. 

5️⃣ Auburn vs. Purdue | 6:30, Peacock | Indy

The indy Classic features two really solid teams. While I do give a solid edge to Purdue on this one, Auburn has been steadily improving this year and will look to make a statement here. 

5️⃣ Duke vs. Texas Tech | 8:00, ESPN | MSG

Texas Tech has been a bit disappointing this year while playing a really solid schedule. Duke has also played a gauntlet, but is undefeated to date! The Boozer led Blue Devils will look to get to 12-0!

2️⃣ Stanford @ Colorado | 8:00, ESPNU

This is an intriguing matchup. Overall, both are absolutely performing above expectations, but neither have been tested. CU favored by 5.5 as of this writing, and I like the Buffs here, but I’m not sold on either.

2️⃣ Penn @ Rutgers | 8:00, BTN

No national implications, but Fran and Penn will look to pull an upset here!

3️⃣ Xavier @ Georgetown | 8:30, FS1

This matchup grew a lot more important locally after Creighton dismantled Xavier in the Cintas Center on Wednesday! Georgetown has started well and is very much so alive in the NCAAT picture. This one is one the a tournament team would win at home, however!

3️⃣ Marquette @ Creighton | 8:30, Peacock

Creighton appeared to find a spark in Cincinnati this week. Can they parlay that into a multiple game run of good performances? If so, they’re a contender to backdoor a trip to the tournament, or at least make some noise in the Big East! For Marquette: Are they going to finish last in the Big East? Also, They’re striping the Chi tonight, it’ll be ROCKING!

4️⃣ Boise State @ Nevada | 10:00, MWC Network

This is a key battle in the MWC every year, and this year is no different! We will learn a ton about both teams very quickly in this one! Whoever wins has a solid chance at an NCAAT bid, and if it’s Boise, they’re going to give every bracketologist a headache with how to evaluate their loss to Hawaii Pacific.

4️⃣ San Diego State vs. Arizona | 10:30 | ESPN2 | Phoenix, AZ 

SDSU has been among the most disappointing teams in the country, while Arizona has been one of the two most impressive teams in the country, with Michigan. Arizona is favored by 14.5, and I’ll take them to win big here! 

Under The Radar Games:

On busier slates, these will likely be a mixture of 2/3 on the power ranking scale and will be my opportunity to feature more mid-major ball!

2️⃣ Buffalo @ Western Michigan | 1:00, ESPN+

A little bit of MACTION is good for the soul, and this will fit that bill very well. Buffalo has been doing really well this year, this should be a good one!

2️⃣ Iona @ Vermont | 2:00, ESPN+

I love all of the little regional matchups that New England brings! This should be a fun one in Burlington!

2️⃣ Marshall @ Troy | 2:00, ESPN+

Sun Belt = Fun Belt! Both Marshall and Troy look to be forces to reckon with this year in the SBC. This matchup will likely be a big one going down the rest of the year!

2️⃣ Bowling Green @ Ohio | 4:00, ESPN+

I’m really not sure why Ohio is favored by 1.5, but I’m taking Bowling Green to go into Athens and get a win here!

2️⃣ UT Martin @ Tennessee Tech | 4:00, ESPN+

If you haven’t noticed, UT Martin will be in a lot of these this year, as will the OVC in general! Another regional rivalry and what should be an awesome game!