CFB Playoff Week 16 Preview and What These Games Mean for the ‘Noles

#6 Baylor vs. #9 Kansas State

Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports

The fact that this game between the #6 team and #9 team in the country could mean almost nothing is amusing to me. Both squads have had tremendous seasons and it is truly a shame that this is almost a garbage game. In my opinion, the only way a Baylor win would get them in to the playoff is if they blow-out Kansas State, AND TCU loses or wins by seven points or less.

Offensively, this game should be fun to watch, as each team boasts a QB with 2,800+ yards passing and a skill player with 1000+ yards of offense. Bill Snyder vs. Art Briles, senior day for Bryce Petty, the story lines are there. Looks can be deceiving: Kansas State’s two losses came against Auburn and TCU, two very respectable ball clubs. Baylor’s lone loss came against a healthy West Virginia football team in Morgantown. At that time, the loss to the Mountaineers was one you could hang your hat on, but since then, WVU has gone downhill and Baylor has gone down with them because that is now seen as a “bad loss.”

More from Chop Chat

• FSU football: Q&A with Clemson experts at Rubbing The Rock 2023
• FSU football: 3 reasons Noles beat Clemson, two reasons they lose
• FSU football: QB Brock Glenn out with an injury for ‘a few weeks’
• FSU football: Which TV announcers will call Clemson game?
• FSU football: Is Jared Verse ready to make an impact versus Clemson?

If Bryce Petty is healthy, I expect the Bears to win this game at home, and at least give themselves a fighting chance at that final four come Sunday afternoon. If Petty’s concussion still lingers, the Wildcats will pull of the upset and ruin Baylor’s shot at the playoff. A key component to watch is if Baylor was to lose Saturday, TCU would be the Big 12 champion, thus making its playoff case stronger and more reasonable. I think that will happen; Baylor simply has not impressed me this season defensively, I don’t think Bryce Petty is 100%, and Kansas State knows it. Wildcats win in a dogfight.

Kansas State- 38 Baylor- 37

What does this mean for the ‘Noles? With a Baylor loss, TCU will become the Big 12 Champion and if the committee liked the Horned Frogs before, they are going to love them now. TCU would likely remain at the #3 spot and the playoff bracket will look identical to what it was going into the weekend barring any upsets; Alabama, Oregon, TCU, Florida State.