The College Football Playoff pairings will be defined by conference championship weekend, which runs from Dec. 1-2 with nine games, including all five Power 5 conferences.
Sporting News breaks down each of those matchups with dates, times, TV schedule and what’s at stake in each game.
MORE: Watch college football live and on-demand with fuboTV
ACC
Clemson (11-1) vs. Miami (11-1)
TV: ABC
When: 8 p.m., Saturday
Where: Bank of America Stadium, Charlotte, N.C.
What's at stake: A playoff berth. The winner is in here. The Tigers are going for three straight ACC championships, while the Hurricanes can win their first ACC championship. It’s win-or-else, and expect this game to live up to expectations.
CHAMPIONSHIP PICKS: Straight up | Against the spread
Big Ten
Ohio State (10-2) vs. Wisconsin (12-0)
TV: FOX
When: 8 p.m., Saturday
Where: Lucas Oil Stadium, Indianapolis
What's at stake: A playoff berth should be in play for the Badgers, and the Buckeyes are back in the mix just like 2014 — when they beat the Badgers 59-0 in the Big Ten championship game. Ohio State rode that momentum to the national championship. This one will be a lot closer.
Big 12 (Live blog)
TCU (10-2) vs. Oklahoma (11-1)
TV: FOX
When: Saturday, 12:30 p.m.
Where: AT&T Stadium, Arlington, Texas
What's at stake: It’s the return of the conference championship game in the conference, and a possible College Football Playoff spot. The Sooners are in better position with Heisman Trophy leader Baker Mayfield, and they beat the Horned Frogs 38-20 on Nov. 11. What kind of adjustments will Gary Patterson make? Can TCU finally sneak into the playoff?
Pac-12
USC (10-2) vs. Stanford (9-3)
TV: ESPN
When: Friday, 8 p.m.
Where: Levi’s Stadium, Santa Clara, Calif.
What's at stake: USC is back in the Pac-12 championship game and is holding on to some faint playoff hopes. It’s a rematch from the regular season with the Cardinal. That’s the biggest piece of drama, as the conference likely will be locked out of the College Football Playoff for the second time in three seasons.
SEC
Auburn (10-2) vs. Georgia (11-1)
TV: CBS
When: Saturday, 4 p.m.
Where: Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta
What's at stake: The winner is in here, too. The Tigers beat the Bulldogs 40-17 on Nov. 11, and it will be the first time in four years Alabama isn't crowned SEC champion. We'll see what changes in the game plan Georgia made around Jake Fromm. Auburn, meanwhile, can become the first two-loss team to reach the College Football Playoff.
MORE: Ohio State in position to make playoff again?
American Athletic Conference
Memphis (10-1) vs. UCF (11-0)
TV: ABC
When: Noon, Saturday
Where: Spectrum Stadium, Orlando, Fla.
What's at stake: Two high-powered offenses meet in a game that likely determines which Group of 5 school makes the New Year's Day Six. Mike Norvell and Scott Frost also are two of the hottest coaching candidates in the FBS.
Conference USA
North Texas (9-3) at Florida Atlantic (9-3)
TV: ESPN2
When: Noon, Saturday
Where: FAU Stadium, Boca Raton, Fla.
What’s at stake: Both teams are in the conference championship game for the first time. Lane Kiffin can complete an impressive turnaround in just one season with the Owls, while Seth Littrell is looking to do the same in Year 2. Florida Atlantic beat North Texas 69-31 on Oct. 21.
Mid-American Conference
Akron (7-5) vs. Toledo (10-2)
TV: ESPN
When: Noon, Saturday
Where: Ford Field, Detroit
What's a stake: Toledo is trying to win its first MAC championship since 2004 with the combination of quarterback Logan Woodside and up-and-coming coach Jason Candle. Can ageless coach Terry Bowden lead the Zips to their first conference title since 2005? Toledo beat Akron 48-21 on Oct. 21.
Mountain West Conference
Boise State (9-3) vs. Fresno State (9-3)
TV: ESPN
When: 6:45 p.m., Saturday
Where: Albertsons Stadium, Boise, Idaho
What's a stake: It’s a rematch from last week, a game the Bulldogs won 28-17. It's also the first appearance for both teams in the championship game since 2014. Boise State won that meeting 28-14.
