College football is back in full swing. There are always things to watch every week of the season. Here are 5 things to watch in conference championship week.
The Big 12 Championship is a rematch between BYU and Texas Tech. BYU is 11-1 and in the thick of the CFP discussion. Winning this game is the only guarantee to get them in the CFP. The Cougars have a balanced team, scoring 33.7 points and allowing just 17.8 points per game. They will have a chance to avenge their only loss of the season, as they dropped the game to Texas Tech 29-7, earlier in the season.
Texas Tech also has one loss, but were ranked no. 5 last week by the CFP Committee. They are likely moving up in this week’s rankings and are going to be in the CFP, especially if the committee doesn’t penalize teams who play in conference championship games like last season. The Red Raiders rank third nationally in scoring offense and defense, putting up 43.2 points and allowing just 11.3 points per game. It will be a battle and a win can get them a first round bye in the CFP.
The SEC Championship will feature a somewhat familiar matchup, as Alabama plays Georgia. Alabama is 10-2 and based on how they were ranked last week, should still be in the CFP if the season ended today. With so many teams in contention, will the CFP Committee drop Alabama if they lose? A win over Georgia seals their ticket to the CFP and they have defeated them already this season. They’ll be relying on the passing offense to lead them, as they can’t run the football well. If they can get chunk plays against Georgia, they could win.
Georgia wants to win the conference, according to Kirby Smart and he will want to prove he can beat Alabama. The Bulldogs lost Carson Beck in last year’s SEC Championship Game though, so they’ll probably be careful with their players. Georgia has found ways to win games, as they aren’t a juggernaut on either side of the ball. Gunner Stockton has played well at quarterback and the defense has improved throughout the season, as they only allow 16.7 points per game this year. A win will give them a CFP bye and will likely mean a lot to Smart. The added bonus is maybe knocking Alabama out of the CFP.
A lot of things had to break their way, but Duke is in the ACC Championship with a 7-5 record. If they win, they are in the CFP, or two group of five teams will get in. That puts some importance on the ACC Championship. The Blue Devils have thrived behind the play of quarterback Darian Mensah, who passes for 289.3 yards per game, helping the team to score 34.6 points per game. The defense has been an issue, allowing just under 30 points per game.
The Blue Devils will be matching up with Virginia in the ACC Championship Game. Virginia is in the CFP if they win, but out if they lose. They are 10-2 with losses to NC State and Wake Forest. Virginia quarterback Chandler Morris and running back J’Mari Taylor have helped the offense average 33.2 points per game. The defense gives up 20.0 points per game, with some mixed performances during the season. If they win there is less chaos, but not many people expected the Cavaliers to get to this point, which is a great story itself.
There are two group of five championships to watch this weekend. The first is North Texas taking on Tulane. Tulane is currently slotted into the CFP as the highest-rated group of five champion. Jon Sumrall is being courted by other schools, but has helped the Green Wave be in the poll position to make the CFP. North Texas has just one loss and could be in if they defeat Tulane, but they will have to hold off James Madison in the rankings, or have a scenario where both make the CFP if Duke wins the ACC.
The other group of five championship game to watch involves James Madison. They play Troy in the Sun Belt Championship. The Dukes just have one loss on the season, which came to Louisville. They will be hoping for a win and a Tulane loss, as that is their best path to the CFP, although the committee could have North Texas ranked above them in that scenario. A Duke win over Virginia could really help their chances.
Ohio State and Indiana are both undefeated this season and now meet in a weird game. It is probably the only game in college football history with two undefeated teams this late in the season with almost no stakes. Both teams are in the CFP regardless of what happens on Saturday and they are probably going to both have byes. Getting the no. 1 seed is great, but the second-round game is pretty tough for whoever advances.
The Buckeyes destroyed the Hoosiers last season, but Indiana is better this season. Two Heisman contenders will go at it with Sayin and Mendoza battling. It will be good football played by both teams, but this game could end up getting a big change to conference championship weekend in the future.
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