Rivalry week is gone. Conference championship weekend is here.
Seven conference championships highlight the final weekend of the college football season. Playoff berths are on the line, and you just know there’s at least one spoiler out there.
Let’s rank the conference championship games you just have to see on Friday and Saturday.
1. Georgia Tech (10-2) vs. Florida State (12-0)
Reason to watch: Florida State’s 28-game win streak began with a 21-15 win against Georgia Tech in the 2012 ACC championship. Jameis Winston better not make mistakes in this one; the Yellow Jackets have rushed for at least 350 yards in every game and closed the regular season with wins against Clemson and Georgia. Is this where the streak ends?
2. Alabama (11-1) vs. Missouri (10-2)
Reason to watch: Alabama is looking for its third SEC championship and fourth national championship under Nick Saban, a run that would put him on par with legendary coach Bear Bryant. The conference’s premier program will have to go through the new kid Missouri, which is still searching for respect despite back-to-back SEC East championships.
3. Arizona (10-2) vs. Oregon (11-1)
Reason to watch: This is a rematch worth watching. Oregon is back in the Pac-12 championship game after a two-year absence and can right the wrong of the Oct. 2 loss to the Wildcats in Eugene. Arizona has won two straight against the Ducks and racked up 977 total yards in those wins. Can Rich Rodriguez really make it three in a row? Expect Marcus Mariota and Anu Solomon to put on a show.
4. Ohio State (11-1) vs. Wisconsin (10-2)
Reason to watch: How will Ohio State quarterback Cardale Jones handle the pressure of replacing J.T. Barrett, who suffered a season-ending ankle injury in the win against Michigan? Wisconsin has the Big Ten’s best statistical defense and a running back Melvin Gordon, who has 2,260 yards. The Buckeyes can make their final playoff pitch. Gordon can win the Heisman Trophy with another monster performance.
5. Boise State (10-2) vs. Fresno State (6-6)
Reason to watch: The Bulldogs won their last three games and have a chance to repeat as Mountain West champions. Boise State won the regular-season meeting 37-27. It’s a showcase for Boise State’s Jay Ajayi, who had 158 yards and two touchdowns in that matchup, and Fresno State’s Marteze Waller, who had 164 yards two scores.
6. Marshall (11-1) vs. Louisiana Tech (8-4)
Reason to watch: The Thundering Herd and Bulldogs combined for 142 points last weekend, so that’s a start. Marshall’s Rakeem Cato and Louisiana Tech’s Cody Sokol figure to air it out, and there’s still an outside chance Marshall could get the Group of 5 playoff bowl bid.
7. Northern Illinois (10-2) vs. Bowling Green (7-5)
Reason to watch: It’s #MACtion. What else do you need? The Huskies are back in Detroit for the fifth consecutive year, and they will be looking for revenge after last year’s 47-27 loss to the Falcons. Northern Illinois quarterback Drew Hare has thrown just one interception this season. Bowling Green closed the season with losses to Toledo and Ball State.
