CHAMPIONSHIP GAMES LEAD TO PLAYOFF REWARD SEC championship in Atlanta, No. 1 Alabama vs No. 16 Florida, 4 p.m. ET, CBS
Wisconsin, Penn State, Clemson aim for spot in national semifinals
Championship Weekend is upon us. Though there isn’t room for everyone in the four-team College Football Playoff field, most of the participants this weekend can at least count on nice bowl destinations. For those hoping to play for a national title, all they can do is put their best foot forward and hope it’s enough. Here are the matchups in order of appearance.
FRIDAY MAC championship in Detroit, No. 14 Western Michigan vs. Ohio, 7 p.m. ET, ESPN2
The undefeated Broncos figure to have the inside track to represent the Group of Five conferences in a New Year’s Six bowl, most likely the Cotton as the lineup shakes out this year. Of course, they must first get by the Bobcats, who prevailed in the perceived lesser of the MAC divisions but do own a win against Toledo, which was in the West hunt until the final week.
Pac-12 championship in Santa Clara, Calif., No. 4 Washington vs. No. 9 Colorado, 9 p.m. ET, Fox
Though many observers thought the Huskies would reach this point under Chris Petersen’s watch, they are at least a year ahead of schedule, according to numerous projections. That the Buffaloes, 4-9 a year ago, are here at all is testament to the incredible rebuilding work that Mike MacIntyre has done in Boulder. Win or lose, Colorado has had a fine year.
Washington QB Jake Browning is the game’s headliner, thanks to his 40 touchdown tosses. He gets plenty of help from the dynamic WR duo of John Ross and Dante Pettis, but he must beware of Buffaloes S Tedric Thompson, who has seven of his team’s 15 interceptions this season. Colorado QB Sefo Liufau isn’t as prolific with the deep ball, but he and TB Phillip Lindsay provide a solid 1-2 punch from the backfield that requires preparation. But the Washington defense uses a wide array of blitz packages designed to get LB Joe Mathis and S Budda Baker in position to make plays behind the line of scrimmage.
SATURDAY AAC championship, Temple at No. 20 Navy, noon ET, ABC
Top to bottom, the American is undoubtedly the strongest of the leagues without automatic inclusion in the access bowl lineup. Whether that will translate into a major bid for the winner remains to be seen, but it would nonetheless be a significant accomplishment for either program, as both are seeking their first conference title at the sport’s top level.
No. 10 Oklahoma State at No. 7 Oklahoma, 12:30 p.m. ET, Fox
Though not officially a conference championship game, the “Bedlam” showdown will decide the Big 12 championship for the second year in succession. Though the win got the Sooners into the Playoff a year ago, there might not be enough dominoes left to fall to get them in this time.
The game shouldn’t disap- point, however, as both teams are capable of putting up large numbers. Sooners QB Baker Mayfield and WR Dede Westbrook can strike at any time. But Oklahoma can rely on its ground game as well with RBs Joe Mixon and Samaje Perine both at full speed. The Cowboys will need QB Mason Rudolph to keep pace. He has the deep threat in WR James Washington, but anything RB Justice Hill can contribute in the run game will help.
This might be the least meaningful of the power conference championship games. It would be difficult to envision the Crimson Tide dropping all the way out of the top four even if they should somehow find a way to lose this game. Likewise, it is unlikely that the Gators could climb to that point should they pull off what would be a monumental upset.
Florida’s problem — and it’s a big one — is that it hasn’t been able to move the ball with much efficiency against average defenses, and Alabama’s is anything but average. Tide DE Jonathan Allen and LB Reuben Foster figure to make life difficult for Gators RB Jordan Scarlett and QB Austin Appleby. What might give Florida a chance is if Alabama QB Jalen Hurts suddenly remembers he’s a freshman and gives the ball away too many times.
ACC championship in Orlando, No. 3 Clemson vs. No. 18 Virginia Tech, 8 p.m. ET, ABC
The Hokies are going to have a lot of additional fans from across the country; though they’re not likely to secure a Playoff bid themselves, a win would almost certainly knock Clemson out of the top four. The Tigers, however, are well aware of their “win-andyou’re-in” situation and won’t be taking anything for granted.
Virginia Tech has the kind of disruptive defense that has both- ered Clemson QB Deshaun Watson at times this season. But Watson’s most recent outings have been largely error-free, and if he can continue to make good decisions, WR Mike Williams and RB Wayne Gallman will keep Hokies DT Woody Baron and LB Tremaine Edmunds from blowing up plays in the backfield.
Big Ten championship in Indianapolis, No. 5 Wisconsin vs. No. 8 Penn State, 8 p.m. ET, Fox
Here’s the one that is going to cause a whole lot of discussion, with a guarantee that some team’s fans somewhere are going to be extremely unhappy about noon Sunday. After all, we have a conference with two teams rated in the top five by the committee, and neither of them are in this game. Does the winner get in, at the expense of or possibly in addition to Ohio State? Will a oneloss team from a power league be left out? Again, all these twicebeaten clubs can do is present their case.
This contest is unlikely to produce a lofty score. It should, however, be close throughout. The stronger units will be in direct opposition as the Nittany Lions’ balanced attack tries to solve the Badgers’ stiff defense. Penn State would like to get RB Saquon Barkley established first to limit QB Trace McSorley’s potentially damaging encounters with Badgers LB T.J. Watt. The Wisconsin offense isn’t built for big plays, and Penn State S Marcus Allen doesn’t permit many, so the Badgers also will try to power the ball with RB Corey Clement early and often. Badgers QB Alex Hornibrook, who left the Minnesota game last week with a possible concussion, might not be available, but Bart Houston has been effective when called upon and figured to see action in any event.