Who will be standing after conference title games?
LSU coach Ed Orgeron celebrates with his players after defeating Texas A&M last weekend. Now he gets Georgia.
Previewing the title games for FBS’ power conferences:
Pac-12 No. 5 Utah vs. No. 13 Oregon in Santa Clara, California Friday, 8 p.m. ET, ABC
Danny Sheridan’s line:
Utah by 61⁄2
Nothing is guaranteed to the Pac-12 champ in terms of a College Football Playoff slot even if once-beaten Utah (11-1) should prevail. The Ducks (10-2), whose shot at the national title went by the boards in the desert a couple of weeks ago at Arizona State, still have a lot on the line as they try to claim a league crown and ensure a Rose Bowl berth. Since their late September setback at Southern California, the Utes have been on a roll. Their lone close call during that stretch was a 33-28 escape at Washington. Their winning formula is good ball security from QB Tyler Huntley and sound defense from a rocksolid line backed by LB Devin Lloyd. The Ducks’ offense has lost some explosiveness with QB Justin Herbert’s receiving corps hit by injuries. LB Troy Dye and the defense has helped, but falling behind would be ill-advised. Prediction: Oregon has risen to the occasion for most of the season, but the Utes enter as the hotter team. Utah, 27-20
Big 12 No. 6 Oklahoma vs. No. 8 Baylor in Arlington, Texas Saturday, noon ET, ABC
Danny Sheridan’s line: Oklahoma by 91⁄2
The winner of this contest must also get a couple of other dominoes to fall the right way to reach the Playoff. The Sooners (11-1) with the higher ranking and the earlier head-to-head win against the Bears would seem to be in a better position, but Baylor might have a case with a victory that would avenge the lone blemish on its record.
When QB Jalen Hurts avoids giving the ball away, OU can count on a comfortable win. The improved defensive unit led by veteran LB Kenneth Murray has bailed the Sooners out a time or two, including the Nov. 16 encounter versus Baylor (11-1). The Bears’ most disruptive defender, DE James Lynch, will try to make a clean OU offensive performance difficult. Baylor QB Charlie Brewer’s most dangerous big-play threat is WR Denzel Mims. His 15.45 yards per reception don’t quite match OU WR CeeDee Lamb’s average of 20.70, but both will get plenty of attention. Prediction: This time the Sooners will grab the lead early and roll to another Big 12 title. Will it be enough for a return to the Playoff? Oklahoma, 38-21
SEC No. 1 LSU vs. No. 4 Georgia in Atlanta Saturday, 4 p.m. ET, CBS
Danny Sheridan’s line: LSU by
61⁄2
Here’s where the Playoff picture might get complicated. There is virtually no doubt that the winner of this heavyweight bout is in, and an LSU victory could mean the No. 1 seed for the Tigers. A Bulldogs victory, however, might not eliminate LSU (12-0) from the equation with its strong résumé.
The marquee matchup pits LSU’s high-octane attack that puts up 560 yards and 48.7 yards per game, both tops in the SEC, against the Bulldogs’ defense surrendering just 257 yards and 10.4 points per contest, also best in the conference in both categories. Tigers QB Joe Burrow enters with 44 TD passes. Georgia (11-1) can generally count on S Richard LeCounte to keep big plays to a minimum but might need to take more chances with blitzes to keep Burrow from using his array of deep threats, most notably Ja’Marr Chase and Justin Jefferson. Bulldogs QB Jake Fromm has been in his share of big games but won’t have as many weapons at his disposal, especially if WR Lawrence Cager remains out. RB D’Andre Swift will try to provide support. Prediction: This will be a bit tougher for LSU than some of the recent outings, but eventually the Tigers will figure out the stingy Georgia defense. LSU, 37-17
ACC No. 3 Clemson vs.
No. 22 Virginia in Charlotte, North Carolina Saturday, 7:30 p.m. ET, ABC
Danny Sheridan’s line: Clemson by 281⁄2
Clemson coach Dabo Swinney is correct that his Tigers (12-0) are in something of a no-win situation entering the title game of their league that they have for the most part dominated. Should Virginia play (9-3) the Tigers close, something that hasn’t happened in a couple of months, Clemson might get credit for a quality win but will more likely face criticism for struggling to put away an inferior opponent.
If the Tigers dominate, they’ll continue to hear that they haven’t beaten anyone of note. Swinney is also quite right that a loss would likely keep the Tigers out.
Clemson’s backfield duo of QB Trevor Lawrence and RB Travis Etienne have been virtually unstoppable since that aforementioned close call at North Carolina on Sept. 28. Virginia LBs Zane Zandier and Jordan Mack can cause havoc behind the line of scrimmage, but Lawrence can also look outside to
WRs Tee Higgins and Justyn Ross if the blitz arrives too late. Cavaliers QB Bryce Perkins does it all for the offense, but he’s going to need a lot of help to avoid frequent collisions with Tigers LB Isaiah Simmons. Prediction: Virginia is the seventh different team to represent the Coastal Division in this game in seven years. But the champion usually comes from the Atlantic. That won’t change. Clemson, 41-14
Big Ten No. 2 Ohio State vs.
No. 10 Wisconsin in Indianapolis Saturday, 8 p.m. ET, Fox
Danny Sheridan’s line: Ohio State by 161⁄2
This one is also a rematch, the first round of which went about as badly as one could imagine for the Badgers, losing 38-7 on the road. Wisconsin (12-2) recovered to win the Big Ten West, finishing with a solid road win at Minnesota. But the Buckeyes (12-0) have shown little sign of slowing down. Ohio State might have a case to remain in the top four with a loss, but why test that argument? Ohio State QB Justin Fields has weapons like RB J.K. Dobbins and WR Chris Olave around him, but he still isn’t likely to be afraid to take off himself into the teeth of LB Chris Orr and the Badgers’ defense. Wisconsin RB Jonathan Taylor remains the primary mover on the offensive side. The Buckeyes’ front seven, featuring LBs Malik Harrison and Tuf Borland, kept him bottled up in their last meeting, however, so QB Jack Coan must provide some air cover to give the Badgers any chance of creating a different outcome.
Prediction: Expect to hear the old adage often this week about how hard it is to beat a team twice. That’s only true, however, if the first game was close, which was decidedly not the case in this instance. The Buckeyes will close the deal and be on to the Playoff. Ohio State, 45-10