Championship Weekend begins tonight! I’ve been combing through this weekend’s Conference Championship games to rank them from least interesting to most interesting.
What do you think? Do you agree with my choices? Let me know.
10. Mountain West (Boise St vs. UNLV)
Boise State (7-5, 6-2 MW)
UNLV (9-3, 6-2 MW)
Sat, 3PM ET, FOX
Unfortunately, the Mountain West drew the short straw in my rankings. This game could not have less of an impact on the national stage. These are two unranked teams going to head to head in a Group of 5 conference who often gets forgotten by anyone who isn’t cheering on their school. However, these are my favorite types of games. Even though it’s last in my list, you better believe I’ll be following along.
While these two teams have the same conference win-loss record, Boise State’s five loss season says a lot to me. Yes, they may be on a 3 game win streak and get the -2.5 line advantage, I think UNLV will come away with the win on this one. They have a stronger body of work plus a home field advantage with this game played in Las Vegas. At least they both will get a Bowl Game.
9. Sun Belt (Appalachian State vs. Troy)
Appalachian State (8-4, 6-2 SB)
Troy (10-2, 7-1 SB)
Sat, 4 PM ET, ESPN
The 10 win Trojans are on a roll this season. Their only losses came at the beginning of the season and they have only improved. I’m excited to see where this team will take this game. The Trojans are ranked 29th in passing yards and 10th in points against. I’m betting this game will pad their stats nicely.
8. MAC (Miami (OH) vs Toledo)
Miami (OH) (10-2, 7-1 MAC)
Toledo (11-1, 8-0 MAC)
12:00 AM ET, ESPN
Toledo is rocking the 8 point favorite and, let’s be real, that’s got to be fairly obvious. Toledo is undefeated in conference play and a one loss team overall. While their stats may not be top of the league, they do claim the 8th spot in rushing yards per game with 211.4 yards per game. Meanwhile, Miami (OH) boasts allowing only 131.4 rushing yards per game. If Miami can shut down Toledo’s run game, they may have a chance of keeping this one close. I think Toledo will come out with the win.
7. AAC (SMU vs. 22 Tulane)
SMU (10-2, 8-0 AAC)
22 Tulane (11-1, 8-0 AAC)
Sat, 4:00 PM ET, ABC
Finally a ranked opponent! In the final AP Poll of 2022, Tulane was ranked 9th. They haven’t quite come close to the Top 10 this year, but being ranked is still a step in the right direction for this team. Can they continue the trends started in 2022?
I think game is going to be close, but Tulane will come out on top. These teams are an equal match for each other and I’m excited to see what kind of duel this will inevitably become.
6. Conference USA (New Mexico State vs. 24 Liberty)
New Mexico State (10-2, 7-1 CUSA)
24 Liberty (12-0, 8-0 CUSA)
Fri, 7:00 PM ET, CBSSN
Conference Championship Weekend begins with what has to be the lowest ranked undefeated team in FBS history. Maybe that hyperbole, but it is surprising that Liberty isn’t closer to the top than they are. I’m not arguing for a top 10 or top 5 rank, but come on…they deserve a little more than 24th.
For this game, I think Liberty continues their unbeaten streak and comes out with a win. They are a team on fire and that won’t die this weekend. Maybe they’ll get a boost in the rankings if things go their way.
5. Big 12 (18 Oklahoma State vs. 7 Texas)
18 Oklahoma State (9-3, 7-2 B12)
7 Texas (11-1, 8-1 B12)
Sat, Noon ET, ABC
Big 12 chaos strikes again and marks the first of the Power 5 conference championship games in my list. Any hopes of what could have been a three way tie for the second place berth in the championship game ended in the final seconds of 2OT for OKST vs. BYU. While I was hoping for a Red River Rematch, we’ll have to settle with orange vs. orange. OKST may have pulled off the win against Oklahoma and BYU, but Texas will be a far different competitor. I’m betting Texas wins in a blowout to try to prove to the CFP Committee that they deserve the #4 spot in the final rankings.
4. Big 10 (2 Michigan vs. 16 Iowa)
2 Michigan (12-0, 9-0 B1G)
16 Iowa (10-2, 7-2 B1G)
Sat, 8 PM ET, FOX
Let chaos reign! Can Iowa pull off the upset and take the Big Ten out of playoff contention? Probably not, but it would be an interesting scenario. If Michigan is out of the playoffs, who gets the coveted fourth spot? Perhaps it’s the only way a victorious Texas finds their way in. Unfortunately, I think this game is over before it begins. Iowa can hold their own, but they don’t have much of a shot against a Michigan team who gets their coach back on the field. Michigan will win in a landslide victory.
3. SEC (1 Georgia vs. 8 Alabama)
1 Georgia (12-0, 8-0 SEC)
8 Alabama (11-1, 8-0 SEC)
Sat, 4 PM ET, CBS
In an “anything goes” battle for the top, I’ll be most curious to see if Alabama has what it takes to overcome number 1. Bama may not have been the team we are used to seeing this year, but I won’t count them out in a championship game. What will happen if Bama wins? Will we once again have two SEC teams in the playoffs? Or is Bama out regardless? Either way, I think Georgia will take this one, perhaps in overtime.
2. ACC (14 Louisville vs. 4 Florida State)
14 Louisville (10-2, 7-1 ACC)
4 Florida State (12-0, 8-0 ACC)
Sat, 8 PM ET, ABC
I think this game could be a playoff shakeup game. I haven’t been as high on Florida State this year as the polls have been. Sure they’re playing well enough, but too many of their losses have been way too close to call for #4 team. I think Louisville could be a spoiler and find Florida State’s weaknesses. Louisville will have to be on their game from the beginning to dismantle Florida State from top to bottom. Considering Florida State’s play this season, I think it’s possible. Taking down #4 wouldn’t give Louisville a playoff berth, but it will make the countdown especially interesting.
1. Pac 12 (5 Oregon vs. 3 Washington)
5 Oregon (11-1, 8-1 P12)
3 Washington (12-0, 9-0 P12)
Fri, 8 PM ET, ABC
Let’s! Go! This is the one. This is the conference championship game I’m most excited to watch. Without question this has to be the biggest game of the weekend. Two top 5 teams going to head to head. Oregon is on a tear dominating every team they play. Washington is holding on to its record breaking season. Both have something to prove and both have the potential of getting into the playoff. I can’t see a world where the winner of this game doesn’t get a berth to the playoffs. As a fan of CFP chaos I’m rooting for Oregon. Regardless who wins, this will be the game of the year and you won’t want to miss it!
CFP Top 4 After Conference Championship Games
After this weekend’s conference championship games conclude, we’ll get the coveted final CFP Poll which will tell us who gets to go to the College Football Playoffs. Based on my predictions for this weekend, here’s what I think the Top 4 will look like on Sunday afternoon.
Conclusion
Let’s be real: every college football game is a #1 game to watch. Watching conference championship games are always exciting because anything can happen. I can’t wait to see how this weekend shakes out. I’m hoping for CFP chaos on Sunday fueled by impassioned upsets and incredible plays. It’s going to be a great weekend.
Where will you be watching from? What are your game rankings? Which of the conference championship games will you be watching? Let me know in the comments.