CFB Week 14: Let’s Talk About Conference Championship Week

PAC-12 Title Game
Washington vs. Colorado
#5 ranked Washington will face a tough game against the surprisingly great Colorado Buffaloes. This will not only decide the PAC-12 champion, but also have a huge impact on whether or not Washington makes the College Football Playoff.

A win for Washington would give them a 12-1 record and a title in hand, and will make it that much harder for the CFP committee to decide between them, Ohio State, Penn State, and Michigan. You’d like to think that a one-loss title winner from any Major 5 conference would automatically get in over a non-title holder or 2-loss teams, but the committee can be unpredictable. It clearly holds the Big 10 in higher regard than the Pac-12 or Big-12.

SEC Title Game

Alabama vs. Florida

Alabama had a bit of a slow start in its game against Auburn, but showed in the second half why it is far and away the team to beat going into the CFP. That defense will tear through Florida and I don’t think the Gators stand a chance. This surely won’t be the most exciting title game you’ll watch this weekend.

Alabama is in the CFP whether they win or lose, as far as I’m concerned. But they’ll win.

Big-12 Regular Season Finale

​Oklahoma vs. Oklahoma State

Now, this should be a great game. Not only is it an in-state rivalry matchup, but it determines a Major 5 champion. This could turn out to be an absolute shootout, as both teams have high-powered offenses.

Look for Oklahoma’s Baker Mayfield to throw some dimes and Samaje Perine should be explosive out of the backfield. OK State’s Mason Rudolph can throw every pass in the book and has decent legs. He’ll look to the running back duo of Justice Hill and Chris Carson to make some big plans and open up the passing game for him.

Each sitting at 9-2 overall, a title would give either team a chance, albeit a somewhat slim one, at a CFP bid. I can’t imagine a two-loss Big-12 school makes it to the Playoff, but as I’ve stated already, the committee can be unpredictable.


ACC Title Game

Clemson vs. Virginia Tech

Clemson will look to solidify a CFP bid by taking care of business against Virginia Tech. It won’t be a sure thing, however, since Tech has a solid offense led by QB Jerrod Evans, and is no slacker on the defensive end either. The Hokies allowed 21 or fewer points in six of their nine wins, including an impressive 34-3 win against North Carolina and a 37-16 win over Miami.

I believe the Tigers will pull this one out because of the coaching prowess of Dabo Swinney and their explosive passing game. DeShaun Watson is a top Heisman candidate and for very good reason. He’s completed 67.5% of his passes on the season and has 34 touchdowns. Tailback Wayne Gallman will also be an important factor and will look to break 1000 yards rushing on the season to go along with his 14 TDs.


Big 10 Title Game

Wisconsin vs. Penn State

No title game will have as much of an impact on the Playoff as the Big 10’s.

Each sitting at 10-2, a title in hand would give either team a good shot at a CFP bid. However, a win for Penn State should ensure that they head to the Playoff instead of Ohio State, considering the Nitany Lions handed them their only loss and caused them to miss the title game as a result.

If Wisconsin wins, you’d have to think that they would be in the CFP over Penn State, and would probably give the Buckeyes a better shot at winning an at-large bid.

Who knows when it comes to the Big 10, though? There’s still a small change that Michigan could get an at-large bid. 

Either way, only one of these two teams playing for the Big 10 title will head to the Playoff. This should be the game of the week for sure.