Welcome to Conference Championship Week football friends! It's always sad with how quickly football season rushes by, but the excitement also builds each week as the CFB Playoffs inch closer and closer. There's likely one playoff spot up for grabs between a few different teams, and that will be decided this weekend with all of the respective Conference Championship games. I have breakdowns for all of the big games you need to know about this weekend and who I believe is going to the playoffs. Don't forget to listen to the latest episode of The 2nd String, my College Football Podcast!
Rivalry Week Prediction Results: 10-6
Overall Prediction Results: 119-57
I'll start with the quick hits this week:
Miami (OH) vs. Central Michigan (MAC Championship)- Miami (OH) seemed to get hot at the right time, but Jim McElwain has the Chippewas rolling right now. They've scored 45+ in their last three games and should play well in this one too. McElwain wins the MAC Championship in his first year at CMU. Chippewas 36, Redhawks 27.
UAB vs. FAU (C-USA Championship)- The Blazers have one of the best defenses in the nation statistically, and will be tested with Lane Kiffin's high-octane offense. The Owls have been nearly impossible to stop on offense this year, and Sophomore QB Chris Robinson should make quick work of the Blazer's secondary. FAU 31, UAB 20.
Louisiana vs. #21 Appalachian State (Sun Belt Championship)- The Ragin' Cajuns and the Mountaineers are nearly identical on paper. This is a tricky game to pick as both QBs have been stellar all season long. However, I predicted the Mountaineers would win it all for the Sun Belt at the beginning of the season, and I'm going to stick with them. App State wins the title 30-28.
Hawai'i vs. #19 Boise State (MWC Championship)- The Rainbow Warriors have had a great season and find themselves in the Mountain West Conference Championship game for the first time ever. Unfortunately for them, they have to square off against MWC juggernaut, Boise State. Cole McDonald is good, but the Broncos will be too much. We should definitely see some points in this one though! Broncos 41, Rainbow Warriors 24.
#20 Cincinnati vs. #17 Memphis (AAC Championship)
The Bearcats and Tigers will meet for the second week in a row, but a trophy will be on the line this time around. Memphis won last week's contest 34-24, but Cincy was without star QB Desmond Ridder, who's expected to be back for the AAC Championship. Back-up QB Ben Bryant played well, throwing for nearly 230 yards with a passing and rushing TD, but his 3 second half turnovers opened the door for Memphis to pull away. The Tigers are always a threat on offense with the QB-WR duo of Brady White and Damonte Coxie, who torched the Bearcats' secondary for 145 yards and 1 TD together. The Tigers do get to host again, but I think having Desmond Ridder in the game rather than the sidelines will be a big factor. Also, this is a game that heavily applies to my #1 rule of CFB; You never want to play a team twice. Cincy wins the title and Memphis has it slip from their grasp yet again. Bearcats upset the Tigers 27-25.
#23 Virginia vs #3 Clemson (ACC Championship)
Virginia has now made it 7 straight years of a new team representing the ACC Coastal Division. Clemson is about to make it 9 straight years of an Atlantic Division team winning the title, with the last 5 (including this one) belonging to the Tigers. Virginia has played well this season, Bryce Perkins is a good QB, yadda yadda yadda. It won't matter in this game, Clemson will destroy. This team had one close game all season and everyone has written them off. DO NOT SLEEP ON CLEMSON! The Tigers are more than primed for another title run and their team is arguably better than last season. Their defense is statistically better, Travis Etienne is a monster (and one of the most overlooked players in the nation) and Trevor Lawrence has 8 different players with receiving TDs this season, led by Tee Higgins and Justyn Ross (10 and 7 TD receptions respectively). This is one of the most talented rosters in the nation. Clemson dominates the ACC Title game 48-14.
#5 Utah vs. #13 Oregon (PAC-12 Championship)
One of the biggest games of the weekend will be played tonight out in Santa Clara. The Utes and the Ducks are both looking to take home the PAC-12 Title, but there's a bit more on the line. Utah is rated #5 and could easily slid into the 4th Playoff spot if LSU is able to beat Georgia. Oregon may not be in the Playoff hunt any more, but a PAC-12 Championship wouldn't be the worst way for Justin Herbert to end his college career. Herbert leads one of the most deadly offensive attacks in the nation, and will look to bring the air raid to Utah's stout defense. The Ducks average more than 270 yards through the air on offense, and the Utes give up around 185 per game through the air. If there is a weak spot to their defense, the secondary would be it. However, Utah does average nearly 2.5 sacks per game and allows less than 30 percent of third downs to be converted by their opponents. On offense, Utah has two of the all-time best players in program history with QB Tyler Huntley and RB Zack Moss. Both have had stellar seasons so far, but Oregon will be the best team they've played all year. The Ducks give up an average of just 15.8 points per game. Before the season kicked off, this is the PAC-12 Championship match-up I predicted, and Utah was my choice for champion. I think Huntley and Moss will carry this team to victory in a tough game, sending the Utes to the CFB Playoffs! Utah wins the PAC-12 Championship 30-21
#7 Baylor vs. #6 Oklahoma (Big XII Championship)
The Big XII Championship game brings us yet another rematch from earlier in the season with Baylor and Oklahoma. The Bears dominated the first half of their previous meeting, leading by as much as 28 before the Sooners mounted their largest comeback in school history. Jalen Hurts has been incredible all season long for Lincoln Riley and his offense, accounting for more than 4,500 yards of total offense and 49 TDs thus far. Baylor could not handle him in the second half, but their defense is still one of the best the Sooners have faced this year. They give up fewer than 20 points per game and have recorded 40 total sacks on the season, ranking 9th in the nation. The Bears love to get pressure on the QB, and will be looking to keep true to that in round two against Jalen Hurts. As I mentioned earlier, you never want to play a team twice! However, I believe Oklahoma is an exception to that rule this year, because of CeeDee Lamb. The Junior wideout is easily one of the best players in the nation and was injured in the first game against the Bears. Lamb averages over 20 yards per catch with 1,035 receiving yards and 14 TDs on the year. He makes coordinators dizzy with his moves and will be a key factor to watch in this game. Honestly, I think Baylor has a shot, and with that shot, they have one of the best arguments to be in the Playoff if they win. They would avenge their only loss of the season and have a Conference Title to flaunt. Oklahoma will be looking for a big win in order to jump Utah, and they'll likely get it. I still have the Utes in the Playoffs, but I wouldn't be surprised if the committee picked OU. Sooners win the Big XII 40-28.
#4 Georgia vs. #2 LSU (SEC Championship)
Most of the CFB world has already given LSU the SEC Title and their guaranteed spot in the Playoffs, but don't forget about those boys from UGA. The Dawgs have arguably the most formidable defense in the nation, and will look to shut down the Heisman front-runner, Joe Burrow. Georgia gives up an average of 10 points and just over 250 yards per game. The Tigers have one of the most explosive offensive attacks in the nation, led by the air raid. Burrow has thrown for nearly 4,400 yards with an insane 44 to 6 TD to INT ratio. The Tigers also have Junior RB Clyde Edwards-Helaire, who averages nearly 7 yards per carry and has 1,233 yards and 16 TDs on the season. This will be Georgia's best offense they've faced all season and the best defense LSU has faced. Switching sides, Georgia's offense has been criticized a lot this season for how lackluster it's been. Jake Fromm hasn't been as impressive this year, but still has 2,385 yards with 21 TDs and just 3 picks. D'Andre Swift has another 1,200+ yards on the ground and LSU's defense has not been very impressive. This could go either way, and if Georgia is able to win, I imagine both teams will go to the Playoffs. Burrow has been on another planet this season though, and I think he'll make some key plays to give LSU the edge. Tigers win the SEC Title and knock Georgia out of the Playoffs with a 30-24 victory.
#8 Wisconsin vs. #1 Ohio State (BIG 10 Championship)
The BIG 10 Championship features the last rematch of Conference Championship week between the Badgers and the Buckeyes. Ohio State won the first meeting this season 38-7 in Columbus, limiting Jonathan Taylor to just 52 yards. The Buckeye offense was rolling that day (as they have all season) with J.K. Dobbins rushing for 163 yards and 2 TDs. The Badgers have fought their way back to the Conference Title game and will look to feed the rock to Jonathan Taylor in order to keep Ohio State off the field. That will be the best way to beat Ohio State. Unfortunately, when their offense is on the sidelines, arguably the best player in football is on the field in Chase Young. Young has been a one man wrecking crew this season, accounting for a national best, 16.5 sacks this season. The Buckeye defense is not going to give up much room for Taylor, forcing QB Jack Coan to drop back to pass. Young will dominate yet again, and the score might be a bit tighter than the first time around, but Ohio State is another exception to my rule. Buckeyes win the BIG 10 Title 35-14.
CFB Playoff Predictions: Ohio State, LSU, Clemson & Utah.
Thanks for reading my Conference Championship Predictions and enjoy the games this weekend!
#CFBKnowItAll
Alex Fernando
No comments:
Post a Comment