College Football Trap Games: The Hidden Threats to Every Playoff Contender
Sometimes it isn't the biggest obstacles in the road that disrupt your path. It can often be the potholes you don't see coming. Such is the nature of trap games in college football, and no team is immune, including the top contenders for this year's College Football Playoff.
It's easy for teams made up of young adults to find the focus and emotional energy to play in the biggest games of the season. But there is a natural letdown before and after those matchups on the schedule that have been circled all offseason. No College Football Playoff contenders are immune, and it's why we see so many surprises during the season that knock a team into a ditch.
Consider last year. Texas missed the playoff due to a loss at Florida. Penn State's season went off track at winless UCLA following its overtime defeat to Oregon. And yet it was the Nittany Lions at 3-5 that nearly derailed Indiana's unbeaten season.
Danger is around every corner. Which matchups could be slip ups this year? We've identified the biggest potential pitfall for every team in the top 12 that could result in an unexpected dogfight against a motivated opponent that spoils their season.
No. 1 Ohio State at Nebraska (Nov. 21)
Memorial Stadium isn't the fortress it used to be when the Cornhuskers were among the elite of college football. However, it still presents a tricky environment should Nebraska show improvement in the third year under Matt Rhule and the Buckeyes possibly looking ahead to their big showdown against Michigan.
No. 2 Oregon at Michigan State (Nov. 20)
It'll be a weird Friday night game in East Lansing on the penultimate Big Ten weekend. The Ducks face Ohio State and Michigan in consecutive games prior to this trip to face a Michigan State team that could see a resurgence under Pat Fitzgerald. And looming ahead is a game against Washington. If there's a spot for a hangover, this is it.
No. 3 Georgia at South Carolina (Nov. 21)
A trip to Columbia in their SEC finale comes after the Bulldogs face Mississippi and Missouri in consecutive weeks. The Gamecocks likely are fighting for bowl eligibility with Georgia possibly having a spot in the conference title game secured. Not the most difficult game in the world but probably the biggest trap for Bulldogs when you consider the Florida rivalry can't be taken for granted.
No. 4 Texas at Missouri (Nov. 7)
Arch Manning's struggles in his first season came in games away from home. This road trip seems manageable but it comes ahead of a visit to LSU. Missouri hasn't hosted its former Big 12 rival since 2005 and its fans surely will be up for the game. When you consider Texas nearly lost to Kentucky and Mississippi State last year, it's not impossible to envision a defeat here.
No. 5 Notre Dame vs. Navy (Oct. 31)
Sandwiched in between a trip to BYU and a visit from Miami comes a rivalry game in Foxborough, Massachusetts, against the preseason favorite in the American. Typically, the Midshipmen haven't been a match for the Fighting Irish in recent years. That could create some complacency for Notre Dame players preparing for an option team ahead of their biggest game of the season with a revenge element attached.
No. 6 Indiana at Nebraska (Oct. 10)
Another opportunity for the Cornhuskers in a trap game. The Hoosiers have a home game against Ohio State looming the following week, and fans should be reminded that last year's title team had narrow wins at Iowa and Penn State. Wouldn't be a surprise if they get pushed by Nebraska.
No. 7 Miami at North Carolina (Oct. 31)
Bear with me. Yes, Bill Belichick hasn't had a great start to his tenure with the Tar Heels. But weird things happen on Halloween, and the Hurricanes will have a road trip to Notre Dame the following week. Could they be looking ahead? Maybe.
No. 8 Texas A&M at South Carolina (Nov. 7)
And another opportunity for South Carolina. The Aggies face a ridiculous final five games of the season with trips to Alabama and Oklahoma and home games against Tennessee and Texas. Wedged into that stretch is this game with the Gamecocks that will need their attention.
No. 9 Oklahoma at Florida (Nov. 7)
No trip to The Swamp can be overlooked. This one looks particularly difficult. The Sooners have Michigan, Georgia and Texas all away from home in the first five weeks. Should they stay in playoff contention, things ramp back up in the final month with this game against the Gators preceding home matchups against Mississippi and Texas A&M.
No. 10 Ole Miss at Florida (Sept. 26)
The Rebels are poised to play one of the most emotional games of the season in Week 3 against former coach Lane Kiffin. There's sure to be huge positive or negative impact after that result. Focus will be needed when they travel to Gainesville with the Gators possibly 3-0 and with some momentum in Jon Sumrall's first season.
No. 11 Alabama at Vanderbilt (Nov. 14)
The Crimson Tide will face four consecutive games in the back half of October and early November. Then comes this visit to face the Commodores.
No. 12 Texas Tech at Cincinnati (Oct. 24)
The Red Raiders ran roughshod through the Big 12 last season. This year's schedule only features one ranked opponent, Houston. Finding the potential downturn isn't easy but this trip north to face the Bearcats could be tricky with it coming in between Arizona and Arizona State games. There's no love lost between the programs after the Brendan Sorsby saga.
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This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: One trap game that could derail every College Football Playoff contender