The inaugural College Football Playoff (CFP) is looming ahead, but a handful of important rivalry games and conference title games can heavily alter the landscape.

The CFP committee released their fifth rankings and will release one more before unveiling the final top 25 on Sunday, Dec. 7. This weekend is rivalry week and the following will be conference title week.

Thursday, Nov. 27

TCU (5) at Texas: TCU is the highest ranked team in the Big 12, the only Power Five conference without a title game. Texas has won three in a row, but do not figure to be favored at home against TCU.

Friday, Nov. 28

Arkansas at Missouri (17): Missouri can lock up the SEC East with a win and secure their shot at winning the conference title. Even though they would not be favored against whatever SEC West team they play, their best (and only, perhaps) chance at the CFP is to win.

Stanford at UCLA (8): UCLA would clinch the Pac-12 South with a win and would meet Oregon for the conference title. They too can make the CFP, in theory, but they would have to beat a Ducks team ranked second in the nation.

Arizona State (13) at Arizona (11): If UCLA loses, the winner of this game would take the Pac-12 South and get their shot at Oregon and the CFP.

Saturday, Nov. 29

Michigan at Ohio State (6): Ohio State will be heavily favored at home and would secure their place in the Big Ten title game with a win. Their win over Michigan State put them in the conversation for the CFP, so it is time for them to finish.

Georgia Tech (16) at Georgia (9): This rivalry crosses conference lines, though the latter is already locked in to the ACC title game against Florida State. Meanwhile, Georgia will need to win to have a shot at the SEC title game.

Florida at Florida State (3): The latter is already going to play for the ACC title, but their weak schedule has them on thin ice with the CFP committee.

Mississippi State (4) at Ole Miss (19): Mississippi State can win the SEC West by beating Ole Miss in the Egg Bowl and ranked fourth overall, they would protect their CFP spot as well.

Baylor (7) at Texas Tech: Baylor will need to win this week and next week when they play Kansas State. Two wins may be enough to get into the CFP, provided TCU slips.

Minnesota (18) at Wisconsin (14): Wisconsin has a one game lead over their opponents in the Big Ten West, so a win would lock up the division.

Kansas at Kansas State (12): Ranked lower than Baylor and TCU, Kansas State needs to win out and then hope to get lucky.

Auburn (15) at Alabama (1): The Iron Bowl may not live up to last year's game, but the Tide will have to win to secure the SEC West.