Notre Dame’s Kizer needs to play smarter vs. No. 13 Stanford

They have clinched the Big Ten West and a spot in the conference title on December 5.

If No. 5 Michigan State loses to Penn State, with that line based on whether Spartans starting quarterback Connor Cook plays or not…

Notre Dame stands at No. 4 in the AP poll.

ACC – North Carolina upsets Clemson in the title game: This one is unlikely, but certainly not out of the question.

#2 Alabama: Alabama needs to win out as well. It’s not going to be easy for them to return, especially on the Cardinal’s home field. Florida at No. 12 is the second-highest ranked school from the conference behind No. 2 Alabama. But would the playoff committee really be prepared to leave out a one-loss SEC champion? After beating now-No. 11 Oklahoma State on the road, Baylor could make some massive noise even through it’s down to the third-string quarterback.

Both teams are technically still in the mix for this year’s playoff but it will take a convincing win this weekend and a lot of help in order for either of them to get in.

Michigan State plays Penn State on Saturday and Iowa is at Nebraska. First, the Irish don’t have the extra game to make a lasting impression with the committee on championship weekend.

Notre Dame: The two less than impressive wins against Boston College and Wake Forest, added to the fact that they have no conference title game or championship to show for at the end of this season, might hurt Notre Dame even if they impress and beat Stanford in dominant fashion. They face the Nebraska Cornhuskers on the road. They can end up as Big 12 champions or co-champions, but it might not be enough to gain the favour of those 12 making the decisions about the Final Four.

The Fighting Irish are 6-1 ATS vs. a team with a winning record and 1-7 ATS in their last 8 games in November. Lose to Stanford and their championship hopes are gone.

No. 7 Baylor at No. 15 TCU, Friday. By my count, there are upwards of 10 teams that could fight their way into the playoffs.

#8 Ohio State: MSU’s strength of schedule will be impacted both positively and negatively with The Game, regardless of the outcome. He has amassed 25 scores for his career and tied the program mark for rushing touchdowns (four) against California past year. Nittany Lions 13-6 in the series since they joined the Big Ten. Victories for the Trojans and Midshipmen would enhance two of Notre Dame’s best wins. Not to mention, outside of the Big 12, there are conference championship games to be played. It would be easy for the committee to scratch a four-loss Pac-12 champ from the top four. It’s the right thing to do.

The team that wants this game the most will come out the victor and reap the awards that are waiting, and you can be assured that Oklahoma State believes it will rain on the Sooners’ parade (no pun intended, given that the forecast is for rainy and cold conditions). They would probably jump the Spartans initially. Saturday’s game is the first time he’ll play in his home state in front of family and friends while playing for Notre Dame.

What if Auburn beats Alabama, Ole Miss beats Mississippi State and Florida State beats Florida? Neither is Wisconsin, which Bama beat in the season opener.

The combination of Dalvin Cook and Sean Maguire have made Florida State worth watching week-in, week-out. But losing to Florida would be a clear elimination of the Seminoles. A win this weekend will be challenging with the Gators coming off four straight wins, including a close victory against Florida Atlantic to keep its slim playoff hope alive.

Help needed: Nothing has changed for Clemson.

No. 16 Navy at No. 21 Houston. For this exercise, the Huskers pull off the upset and knock Iowa from the ranks of the unbeaten.

Path to the Playoff: Beat Ohio State today and have Penn State beat Michigan State, thereby landing Michigan in the Big Ten championship.