Iowa football CFP rooting guide: What Hawkeyes hope for in Week 11

As Iowa football (7-2, 4-2 Big Ten) clashes with Purdue (3-6, 2-4 Big Ten) at a sold-out Kinnick Stadium on Saturday, Hawkeye fans will also be keeping their eye on the out-of-town scoreboards, as Iowa is within reach of securing its first-ever College Football Playoff appearance.

While a 10-2 finish for the 15th-ranked Hawkeyes would put Iowa in an excellent position to clinch a spot in the 12-team CFP field, Kirk Ferentz and Co. would welcome help around the nation to improve its CFP standing.

As the Hawkeyes look to bolster their resume with a win over the Boilermakers, here is what Iowa fans should be rooting for elsewhere this weekend:

Week 11 College Football Schedule

Duke at No. 7 MiamiSaturday, 11 a.m. CTABCRoot for: Duke

A second-straight loss increases the odds that the ACC is a one-bid league. Hawkeye fans should be pulling for Duke here.

No. 13 Wake Forest at SMUSaturday, 11 a.m. CTESPNRoot for: SMU

Like Miami, a Wake Forest loss increases the odds that the ACC is a one-bid league. A Wake Forest loss all but guarantees another Iowa rise in the rankings.

Northwestern at No. 20 Ohio StateSaturday, 11 a.m. CTFoxRoot for: Northwestern

After an embarrassing home loss to Oregon last week, Ohio State's playoff chances are on life support. A fourth loss for the Buckeyes would be the proverbial "nail in the coffin" for Ohio State and would remove them from impacting Iowa. Iowa fans should be cheering on the Wildcats.

No. 3 Alabama at VanderbiltSaturday, 11:45 a.m. CTSEC NetworkRoot for: Vanderbilt

As much as the CFP committee likes this two-loss Crimson Tide team, a third loss to Vanderbilt would be catastrophic for Alabama's playoff outlook.

No. 8 Tennessee at Texas A&MSaturday, 2 p.m. CTESPNRoot for: Texas A&M

With two losses, Tennessee and Iowa may be more alike than not, and a loss to a middling Texas A&M squad would be a major blow to the Volunteers' resume.

No. 22 Missouri at No. 1 GeorgiaSaturday, 2:30 p.m. CTABCRoot for:Georgia

Missouri isn't a threat at the moment, but a win at Georgia changes that in a hurry. A loss would eliminate Missouri from CFP contention.

Boston College at No. 5 Notre DameSaturday, 2:30 p.m. CTNBCRoot for: Boston College

It's a long shot, but if the Irish drop two of their final three games, then Notre Dame is likely on the outside looking in of the College Football Playoff. Notre Dame closes versus Boston College, versus SMU, and at Syracuse. SMU could be tricky, but the Irish dropping either game against Boston College or Syracuse would be a major upset.

No. 18 USC at No. 9 IndianaSaturday, 2:30 p.m. CTCBSRoot for: Indiana

A USC win could be one of the first dominoes toward Iowa reaching the Big Ten championship game, but a third loss by USC likely means the Trojans are boxed out of the CFP. There's a chance for USC to impress in its regular-season finale at UCLA, but, after a loss here, the Trojans would be too far down the rankings to make the climb back up inside the CFP field.

Michigan at No. 16 OregonSaturday, 2:30 p.m. CTFS1Root for: Michigan

If the Wolverines hand Oregon a fourth loss, the Ducks will be eliminated from CFP contention.

Florida at No. 11 KentuckySaturday, 5:15 p.m. CTESPNRoot for: Florida

The Gators could hand Kentucky a third loss, and seriously damage the Wildcats' CFP chances. A Florida win guarantees an Iowa climb in the CFP rankings.

Baylor at No. 10 BYUSaturday, 6 p.m. CTFoxRoot for: Baylor

Baylor could bounce BYU out of the CFP picture by handing the Cougars a third loss.\

No. 6 Texas at No. 21 LSUSaturday, 6:30 p.m. CTABCRoot for: LSU

There's a good argument to be made both ways here, but an LSU win hands Texas its third loss and gives Iowa a chance to jump the Longhorns. Iowa shouldn't think only about getting in. Is there a path to rise all the way to No. 8 and host a CFP game? A Texas loss could help take Iowa there. Texas closes against Arkansas and at Texas A&M, so this is the best final chance for Texas to drop another game.

Meanwhile, LSU certainly reenters the CFP discussion with a signature win over Texas, but the Tigers wouldn't be out of the woods either. LSU has a tough road trip to Tennessee next week where the Vols could bounce the Tigers out of the CFP discussion.

No. 17 South Carolina at ArkansasSaturday, 6:45 p.m. CTSEC NetworkRoot for: Arkansas

We're calling the Hogs. Get South Carolina out of the equation.

No. 12 Texas Tech at No. 25 Oklahoma StateSaturday, 8:30 p.m. CTESPNRoot for: Oklahoma State

An Oklahoma State win creates another clear avenue for Iowa to rise in the rankings.

No. 2 Utah at No. 23 ArizonaSaturday, 9:30 p.m. CTFoxRoot for: Utah

Utah is unbeaten and in prime position to grab at least one bid out of the Big 12. A Utes victory ends Arizona's CFP hopes.

No. 19 Ole Miss at OklahomaSunday, Noon CTSEC NetworkRoot for: Oklahoma

With an Oklahoma win, the Sooners can end any hopes for Trinidad Chambliss and Ole Miss returning to the CFP.

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This article originally appeared on Hawkeyes Wire: Iowa football CFP rooting guide: What Hawkeyes hope for in Week 11