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The biggest games for Mizzou and other teams fighting for college football bowl eligibility

The Tigers started 1-5? Four consecutive dominating victories have quickly turned around their fortunes and put them on the verge of locking up a spot. 
Oct 7, 2017; Lexington, KY, USA; Missouri Tigers quarterback Drew Lock (3) celebrates against the Kentucky Wildcats in the second half at Commonwealth Stadium. Kentucky defeated Missouri 40-34. Mandatory Credit: Mark Zerof-USA TODAY Sports

Most of the attention during the college football season is focused on the playoff race. There's also significant drama at the bottom of the postseason picture.

To fill all the spaces in the 39 bowl games this season, 78 teams in the Football Bowl Subdivision must finish with six or more wins. If not, teams with five wins will be added to the mix.

Here's the current situation involving the 128 teams eligible to play in the postseason with three weeks left in the season:

► 60 teams have at least six wins.

► 25 teams already have seven losses.

► The 18 available spots must be filled by the remaining 43 teams.

The situation is much better than at the same time last season when only 35 teams were still eligible to fill 20 remaining spots.

Here are some of the key games this week that will determine if the field is filled:

Texas Tech (5-5) vs. TCU
This might be the best opportunity for the Red Raiders to secure their spot with a trip to Texas coming next week. The Horned Frogs are banged up coming off their loss to Oklahoma with quarterback Kenny Hill and standout linebacker Travin Howard both questionable for the game.

Tennessee (4-6) vs. LSU
It's hard to envision the Volunteers turning things around after five losses in six games led to the departure of coach Butch Jones. Yet, an unlikely win against the Tigers would drastically change their outlook with Vanderbilt visiting this week. Don't be surprised if they give a big effort with their backs to the wall

Missouri (5-5) at Vanderbilt (4-6)
Remember when the Tigers started 1-5? Four consecutive dominating victories have quickly turned around their fortunes and put them on the verge of locking up a spot. The Commodores, who started 3-0, are clinging to hope after six losses in seven games.

Minnesota (5-5) at Northwestern
The up-and-down Golden Gophers will have to earn their way in as they close with two games against ranked opponents. The matchup with the Wildcats might be the easiest path with No. 4 Wisconsin coming to town next week.

Georgia Tech (5-4) at Duke (4-6)
A win against Virginia Tech drastically improved the situation for the Yellow Jackets, who will only play 11 games and face Georgia next week. The Blue Devils, meanwhile, fell to Army on Saturday and have no margin for error.

Rutgers (4-6) at Indiana (4-6)
One of these teams is going to be eliminated from the bowl picture, and one will still have some hope going into the final weekend. The Hoosiers probably have the better hope of reaching six wins with a trip to Purdue up next. The Scarlet Knights will host Michigan State.

Purdue (4-6) at Iowa
Speaking of the Boilermakers, they can possibly turn their game against Indiana into a winner-take-all battle if they can go on the road and beat the Hawkeyes. One thing working to its advantage is Iowa may be emotionally flat after games against Ohio State and Wisconsin.

Arizona State (5-5) at Oregon State
When you are fighting for bowl eligibility, you don't get much better opportunities than facing a one-win team, even if it is on the road. The Sun Devils would be wise to put their situation to bed this week with rival Arizona visiting in their finale.

Utah State (5-5) vs. Hawaii
Another situation where a team wants to avoid a difficult final game by taking advantage of a winnable one this week. The Aggies still must go to Air Force so they need to put full attention on beating the Rainbow Warriors, who have lost seven of eight games.

South Alabama (4-6) at Georgia Southern
The Jaguars looked out of the postseason conversation before an upset of Arkansas State last week. Now they hit the road for their final two games, starting with a contest against the 0-9 Eagles. A win would leave them just a defeat of New Mexico State away from that elusive sixth win.

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