CHAMPIONSHIP SATURDAY
Southeastern Conference
■ Who: No. 1 Georgia (12-0, 8-0 SEC, No. 1 CFP) vs. No. 4 Alabama (11-1, 7-1, No. 3). ■ When/where: 1 p.m. (KLAS-8), Atlanta. ■ What’s at stake: Alabama is playing for a College Football Playoff berth, though it is possible the Crimson Tide could make the four-team field even with a loss to the Bulldogs. Georgia is playing to protect its No. 1 ranking in the playoff but likely is assured of a spot even if its loses to Alabama.
Big Ten
■ Who: No. 2 Michigan (11-1, 8-1 Big Ten, No. 2 CFP) vs. No. 15 Iowa (10-2, 7-2, No. 13).
■ When/where: 5 p.m. (KVVU-5), Indianapolis.
■ What’s at stake: Iowa returns to the title game for the first time since 2015 and the second time in the 11-year history of the event. The Hawkeyes have won three of four trophy games this season, and a fourth would give them their first conference crown since 2004. Michigan, meanwhile, makes its first Lucas Oil Stadium appearance. Everyone wants to see how the Wolverines react after an emotional victory over Ohio State.
Atlantic Coast Conference
■ Who: No. 17 Pittsburgh (10-2, 7-1 ACC, No. 17 CFP) vs No. 18 Wake Forest (10-2, 7-1, No. 18).
■ When/where: 5 p.m. (KTNV-13), Charlotte, North Carolina.
■ What’s at stake: The ACC championship and the honor of officially ending Clemson’s six-year run as champs. The Tigers represented the ACC in the College Football Playoff for six straight years, but this year’s ACC champion won’t be headed to the playoffs. However, the winner of this game will be attending a more prestigious bowl game than the loser.
Big 12 Conference
■ Who: No. 5 Oklahoma State (11-1, 8-1 Big 12, No. 5 CFP) vs. No. 9 Baylor (10-2, 7-2, No. 9).
■ When/where: 9 a.m. (KTNV-13), Arlington, Texas.
■ What’s at stake: Oklahoma State is playing in its first Big 12 title game. A win would keep the Cowboys in contention for a possible College Football Playoff spot, depending on what the teams ahead of them in the CFP rankings — Georgia, Michigan, Alabama and Cincinnati — do in their conference title games. Baylor, which lost to Oklahoma State 24-14 on Oct. 2, is playing in its second Big 12 title game in three years. The Bears could go to the Sugar Bowl with a win, or even with a loss like two years ago after they lost in the league title game to an Oklahoma squad that reached the playoff.
American Athletic Conference
■ Who: No. 16 Houston (11-1, 8-0 AAC, No. 21 CFP) at No. 3 Cincinnati (12-0, 8-0, No. 4).
■ When/where: 1 p.m. (KTNV-13).
■ What’s at stake: The AAC title is on the line for both teams, but the stakes are greater for Cincinnati, which is in position to become the first non-power Five team to reach the College Football Playoff.
The Bearcats are ranked No. 4 in this week’s rankings. The final rankings will be announced Sunday.
Mountain West
■ Who: Utah State (9-3, 6-2 MW) at No. 19 San Diego State (11-1, 7-1, No. 19 CFP). ■ When/where: 9 a.m. (KVVU-5), Carson, California.
■ What’s at stake: The Mountain
Division champion Aggies and the West Division champion Aztecs are playing for the Mountain West title and a berth in the inaugural Jimmy Kimmel LA Bowl at $5 billion Sofi Stadium in Inglewood, California, on Dec. 18. The Aztecs have won 11 of the past 12 meetings, including 38-7 in Logan in 2020. SDSU is trying for its first MW championship since winning consecutive titles in 2015 and 2016. Utah State lost to Fresno State in its lone title game appearance, in 2013.
Utah coach Kyle Whittingham raises the championship trophy as he celebrates with his players after their 38-10 victory over Oregon in the Pac-12 title game Friday night at Allegiant Stadium. “Our defense was suffocating,” Whittingham said.