Conference Championship Weekend Preview
It’s a big week for college football as the conference champions will finally be crowned this weekend. Four major conferences have their respective title games scheduled and the Big XII, while not having an official game, has a showdown that will certainly impact the conference championship.
Here’s a preview of those five match-ups.
PAC-12 Championship: Oregon vs Arizona
Line: ORE–14.5
Perhaps a bit surprisingly, Oregon comes into this game favored by more than two touchdowns. This is surprising of course, because the Ducks lost to Arizona earlier in the season 31-24.
Arizona has had a fine season under the tutelage of head coach Rich Rodriguez, their only losses coming to both PAC-12 teams from Los Angeles. But despite their struggles against USC and UCLA, the Wildcats have played Oregon well recently, beating them two years in a row.
That being said, Oregon has really hit their stride the past few weeks and is coming off a huge rivalry win against Oregon State in the ‘Civil War’. Heisman favorite Marcus Mariota has played near perfect in recent weeks and I expect Mariota to lead his team with a vengeance this Friday versus Arizona.
Prediction: Oregon
SEC Championship: Alabama vs Missouri
Line: ALA–14.5
Despite featuring the same betting line as the PAC-12 Championship, this one is far less surprising. Alabama is currently ranked No. 1 overall by the College Football Playoff committee. However, it is true this team is not quite the Crimson Tide of recent times and many more holes in their 2014 group are apparent. Luckily for Alabama, their opponent isn’t much to write home about.
While Missouri did win the SEC East, it’s been far from an impressive division this season. This is the same Tiger team that lost to Indiana, in football, earlier in the season. The Tigers own a formidable defense, but I certainly don’t think their offense will put up much of a fight against Alabama’s elite defense. The SEC Championship will be a much smoother victory for the Tide compared to their SEC West wars in recent weeks.
Prediction: Alabama
Kansas State vs Baylor
The TCU Horned Frogs will certainly have their eye on this one Saturday night. With a win from TCU against Iowa State and a win from Baylor, the two would officially be crowned co-champions of the Big XII. A co-champion will be a much more difficult case to make to the Playoff selection committee than winning the conference title outright.
Baylor quarterback Bryce Petty will apparently be ready to go, but his health will be something to keep an eye on after suffering a concussion versus Texas Tech last Saturday.
Kansas State has had a surprisingly strong season led by legendary coach Bill Snyder, but if Petty is in full form I think the powerful Baylor offense will be too much to handle for the Wildcats’ D.
Prediction: Baylor
ACC Championship: Florida State vs Georgia Tech
Line: FSU–4.5
Georgia Tech has quite a bit of momentum coming off a dramatic overtime victory against hated rival Georgia. Florida State continues to struggle against nearly all of their opponents, but somehow they always end up the victors. I don’t expect this game to go any differently for the Noles.
Georgia Tech still runs the high-powered option offense, but their defense famously lacks in most facets. As long as Jameis Winston has more touchdowns than interceptions, I think the Noles will be able to add another win to their streak after Saturday night.
Prediction: Florida State
Big 10 Championship: Ohio State vs Wisconsin
Line: WIS–4
The biggest story surrounding this game is quite unfortunate for the Buckeyes. After losing returning quarterback Braxton Miller for the year at the start of the season, J.T. Barrett stepped up in his place for a record breaking season. Unfortunately for the Bucks, Barrett is now out for the season as well after breaking his ankle last weekend.
Cardale Jones will now take Barrett’s place under center and hope to lead the Buckeyes to a Big 10 Championship. I expect Jones to play well under the leadership of Urban Meyer, but he surely won’t be able to provide the same offensive spark as did J.T. Barrett.
The Badgers have Heisman hopeful Melvin Gordon in the backfield, who currently holds the title of best running back in college football. As long as Wisconsin consistently feeds Gordon the rock, it should result in a win for the Badgers.
Prediction: Wisconsin