Weekend Preview: Championship Weekend
Conference Championships are here. With only two days until the Committee decides which four teams are in, we're set for a photo finish.
ACC Championship
No. 3 Clemson at No. 23 Virginia Tech
Patrick: Clemson really really should win this game. Could it possibly be a close game? Yes, it is very possible, especially playing at VA Tech. Then again, since their loss to Pitt, Clemson has looked like the team everyone knew they could be. Not to mention the clear motivation behind the game for them. As they control their own destiny for the Playoff, I think the Tigers win, expanding a close game into a two or three touchdown lead late in the game.
Cole: Clemson has been impressive as of late. After their first and only loss to Pitt, their defense and offense have shown improvement to the point where they actually look like the national champion caliber team that they were last season. Virginia Tech has surprised a lot of people, and beat out North Carolina for their chance to beat the Tigers. They also carry a little bit of momentum, winning last week's tune-up game against in state rival Virginia 52-10. Clemson has been a top team for a while now, and that won't stop when they win this game, but I think it will be decently close. Clemson will win by less than 10 points.
SEC Championship
No. 1 Alabama vs. No. 15 Florida (Georgia Dome, Atlanta, Georgia)
Patrick: Florida is still not a top 20 team. I really don't know how they won, in Baton Rouge. I really don't want to be saying the same thing as Cole on each of these, but I mean Alabama is going to win. They're going to go into the Playoff ranked number one, and enter the offseason the same way, with a 17th National Title in the trophy case.
Cole: Florida did prove me wrong when they beat LSU, but I am doubling down and saying that they aren't as good as their record shows and in this game they will be blown out. There is a reason the Tide are favored by 24 points. Though Florida's defense might be able to give Lane Kiffin and Jalen Hurts some trouble, eventually they will get worn down by the constant attack of former five star recruits. Not to mention, Alabama's defense is so superior to Florida's offense, the Gators may not even score. Even if by some miracle Florida manages to win this game, I bet that Alabama still gets put in the playoff. Something interesting to note: if (and when) Florida loses this game, every SEC team in the east AND WEST will have four losses except for Alabama.
BIG 10 Championship
No. 6 Wisconsin vs. No. 7 Penn State (Lucas Oil Stadium, Indianapolis, Indiana)
Patrick: This game has to be significant, right? The Big 10 is the best conference this year, hands down. But heading into the championship, the two teams with the best chance of reaching the playoff both failed to be in the title game? How is it possible? I'd like to think the winner of this is in the playoff, because I think it's going to be an incredible game, but I'm not sure that it matters. Washington is taking care of business as I right this so I would think you have Alabama, Clemson, Ohio State, and Washington. Anyways, Wisconsin wins in a low-scoring overtime win. Yes, I am predicting overtime.
Cole: If you would've told me at the beginning of the season that Wisconsin would win their division and be in the Big 10 title game, I would've believed you. If you would've told me they were playing Penn State, I would've checked you into a rehabilitation center for smoking something crazy. Yet here we are, early December, Penn State has a good chance to win and is very much still in the playoff race. These two teams aren't even ranked the highest in the Big 10-- Ohio State sits in the CFP rankings at 2 and Michigan at 5. Should Penn State win this game, it will be really hard to justify Ohio State getting in over them. Even though I think Ohio State would beat Penn State if they played again, if you're going to put in Ohio State over a Big 10 champ who also has the head to head, simply because they are the "better team" and have one less loss, then why even play the games? To put in Ohio State over a (hypothetical) conference champion Penn State totally disregards the head to head results (something the committee supposedly weighs heavily) and totally disregard the conference championship game. Needless to say, this game has huge playoff implications. As much as I would love to stick it to Buckeye fans every where (sorry, my bias is showing) and talk about Penn State winning it, I bet Wisconsin wins this game to put Ohio State in for sure.
Big 12 "Championship"
No. 10 Oklahoma State at No. 9 Oklahoma
Patrick: This game could potentially mean something, assuming every underdog wins their respective conference championships. Then, there is a scenario where one of these teams could sneak in. Baker Mayfield has clawed back into the Heisman race after two early losses, and with his improvement in performance, OU is back in the top 10, and they look like they belong. Personally, I would love to see the beautiful mullet win on the road in this rivalry. My brain tells me it isn't possible, but I'm going to go with my heart instead since I'll have to use my brain plenty these next few weeks (Final exams and no football...). Go Pokes.
Cole: Serving as the de facto Big 12 Championship game, Oklahoma can claim their second straight conference championship. Because of their early losses, Oklahoma's playoff hopes are practically over, so here they are looking for bragging rights and a New Year's Six Bowl. With a Heisman hopeful in Baker Mayfield, the Sooners look like they are in prime position to win yet again. Especially with this game in Norman, the only way Oklahoma State can get this win is if they tap into the magical powers of Mike Gundy's mullet. If they can do that, they should just hand them the Playoff trophy for every year until Gundy retires. (OU wins by 10)
Just... so majestic
Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports
