3 teams who could dramatically alter the CFP race

If the past week was any indication, there could be plenty of craziness awaiting fans during college football’s stretch run. Speaking to this point, there are now several teams that find themselves in the unique position that a few great performances would not only allow them to finish their seasons strongly, but could disrupt the college football playoff race.

Michigan State

The Spartans seem like an odd choice to play the role of spoiler. After all, they are only a year removed from making the college football playoffs, but the talent drop-off in East Lansing this season has been real. Still, Michigan State is in prime position to do some serious damage.

First, the Spartans host the Buckeyes on Saturday. If Michigan State can find a way to win this game - and that is a big if - it would theoretically eliminate Ohio State from playoff contention. Alternatively, if the Buckeyes beat the Spartans, Michigan State still has the chance to shape the Big Ten East divisional race when it plays Penn State next Saturday. A win against the surging Nittany Lions would be a huge boon for the program, and would end the regular season on a high note. It could also benefit Ohio State, provided they beat Michigan this weekend, as a win by the Spartans would clinch the division for the Buckeyes.

The bottom line is, Michigan State has had one of the most disappointing seasons in college football. However, with two games remaining against Top 10 teams, the Spartans have the opportunity to turn their season around and enter the offseason with momentum by upsetting one or two of college football’s hottest teams.

Virginia Tech

The Hokies have had quite the interesting ride this season. This is a team who has double-digit losses to Syracuse and Tennessee, yet, they have also beaten North Carolina, Miami (FL), and Pittsburgh - a team who beat two Top 10 teams this season in Penn State and Clemson. Therefore, when the Hokies are on they are one of the most dangerous teams in the ACC.

What they have going for them is the fact that they are atop the ACC’s Coastal Division, sharing the same 5-2 record with North Carolina, who they beat. This means if Virginia Tech wins its regular season finale against Virginia, it will punch its ticket to the ACC title game where it likely faces Clemson.

One thing to watch for in the Hokies is their resiliency. Following their two losses this season, they won their next three games. If this streak continues, it will mean beating Notre Dame, Virginia, and most likely Clemson in the ACC title game. And if they beat the Tigers, it could open the playoffs to a two-loss team like Wisconsin, if it wins the Big Ten title game. The Hokies could make things really interesting by going on another hot streak to end the season.

Washington State

There might not be a team in the country with more to gain over the next three weeks than the Cougars. Washington State faces No. 10 Colorado this week, then No. 6 Washington the following week in the Apple Cup. Should the Cougars win both of those games, they would clinch the Pac-12 North Division and go to the conference championship game, where they could face USC, one of, if not the hottest teams in the country right now.

Say the Cougars beat the Trojans to capture the Pac-12 championship. They would finish the season with three wins over Top 15 competition in consecutive weeks. This would be a remarkable achievement for a program looking to establish an elite identity. What’s more, should a few upsets occur - such as Clemson losing the ACC championship, and/or Michigan beating Ohio State then losing to Wisconsin in the Big Ten title game - the playoff committee might consider the Cougars as a selection, given their hot finish to the season.