Previewing the Football Bowl
Subdivision conference championship games:
PAC-12 CHAMPIONSHIP IN SANTA CLARA, CALIF.
NO. 11 WASHINGTON VS. NO. 17 UTAH NOV. 30,
8 P.M. ET,
TV: FOX
Since its champion is
guaranteed to have three losses, the league is officially out of the playoff
discussion. Even so, a trip to the Rose Bowl will provide plenty of incentive.
The Utes are representing the South Division for the first time in the title
game since joining the conference. The Huskies were expected to be back here,
though their path took unexpected detours.
Utah made it despite losing
both starting QB Tyler Huntley and RB Zack Moss to season ending injuries. The
Utes flashed that resilience in their last regular-season game, overcoming a
20-point deficit to top BYU. The Utah backfield is now in the hands of QB Jason
Shelley and RB Armand Shyne, but they’ll be up against the Pac-12’s stingiest
defense. Huskies veteran RB Myles Gaskin has been a workhorse of late. His
three TDs powered Washington to victory in a snowy Apple Cup showdown with
Washington State. He’s sure to face a loaded box this week, so QB Jake Browning
might have to take some shots downfield.
Prediction: The Utes are
scrappy and will never be out of the game. But the deeper, more talented
Huskies will prevail and make plans for Pasadena. WASHINGTON, 27-20
BIG 12 CHAMPIONSHIP IN ARLINGTON, TEXAS
NO. 5 OKLAHOMA VS. NO. 9 TEXAS DEC. 1, NOON
ET,
TV: ABC
Sooners QB Kyler Murray, a
dual threat, looks to make a strong closing argument for Heisman Trophy voters,
in addition to avenging the team’s lone loss. He likely will need to put up big
numbers to compensate for Oklahoma’s defensive deficiencies, especially in the
secondary. Texas QB Sam Ehlinger has been playing through a shoulder sprain
that might limit his downfield range, but he has shifty targets like WR
Lil’Jordan Humphrey who can turn short throws into big gainers.
Prediction: The Sooners
were in comeback mode the first time around against Texas. This time they won’t
dig themselves a hole with those early mistakes. Look for Oklahoma to reverse
the result in another high scoring affair. OKLAHOMA, 45-31
AAC CHAMPIONSHIP
MEMPHIS AT NO. 7 CENTRAL FLORIDA DEC. 1,
3:30 P.M. ET,
TV: ABC
Central Florida kept its quest
for a second consecutive undefeated campaign intact but lost QB McKenzie Milton
to a horrific leg injury. If the Knights can get past the Tigers in a rematch
of last year’s American Athletic Conference title game, they are guaranteed at
least another major bowl berth. Memphis has overcome a slow start and would
love to cap off the season with a conference crown.
The UCF defense has shown much
improvement in its last two games, limiting Cincinnati and South Florida to 23
points total. That unit must be at its best to slow the Tigers’ one-two RB
punch of Darrell Henderson and Patrick Taylor Jr. Knights QB Darriel Mack has
some game experience, but it’s asking too much to expect the team to approach
its season average of 43.1 points without Milton.
Prediction: It won’t be
last year’s 62-55 double-OT thriller, but it should again be close throughout
with both teams relying heavily on the ground game. UCF, 34-28
SEC CHAMPIONSHIP IN ATLANTA
NO. 1 ALABAMA VS. NO. 4 GEORGIA SATURDAY, 4
P.M. ET,
TV: CBS
Last season’s College Football
Playoff finalists have been on a collision course. Tide QB Tua Tagovailoa
was introduced to the world in the second half of that title game and showed
flashes of what the offense would become with him as this season’s regular starter.
He’s faced stronger pass rushes over the last month, but Georgia’s front line
has struggled to mount pressure. The Bulldogs boast the Southeastern
Conference’s most potent ground attack, averaging a shade less than 260 yards
per game. Alabama is well equipped to stop a one-dimensional game plan,
however, so QB Jake Fromm will have to do enough through the air to give his
outstanding running backs room.
PREDICTION: Georgia fans have to hope that the lone loss at
LSU wasn’t a precursor, but that might just be the reality if the offense bogs
down. The Bulldogs secondary isn’t bad, but it can’t keep Tagovailoa & Co. down
for an entire game. The Tide will roll on to yet another playoff
appearance. ALABAMA, 35-17
MOUNTAIN WEST
CHAMPIONSHIP
NO. 23 FRESNO STATE AT NO. 20 BOISE STATE
DEC. 1, 7:45 P.M. ET,
TV: ESPN
The winner here could be in a
position for a New Year’s Six bowl should Central Florida come up short in the
AAC finale. These programs are getting to be familiar foes. Besides last year’s
encounter for the championship, the Broncos also handed the Bulldogs their only
league loss this season, 24-17, three weeks ago. This one figures to be close
as well with both squads helmed by veteran QBs who don’t make many mistakes.
The Bulldogs’ Marcus McMaryion has 24 TD throws with just three picks, while
BSU senior Brett Rypien has a ratio of 29 TDs to seven INTs. BSU gets plenty of
ground support from RB Alexander Mattison, while the Bulldogs make ample use of
the sophomore backfield duo of Ronnie Rivers and Jordan Mims.
PREDICTION: This stadium has been the source of much
frustration for Bulldogs fans. This might be the one in which FSU gets over the
hump, but it’s hard to pick against the Broncos at home. BOISE STATE, 30-24
ACC CHAMPIONSHIP IN CHARLOTTE, N.C.
NO. 2 CLEMSON VS. PITTSBURGH DEC. 1, 8 P.M.
ET,
TV: ABC
The Tigers face their last
obstacle in their bid for yet another playoff invitation, and it looks a lot
less formidable as the Coastal Division champion Panthers were throttled at
Miami in their regular-season finale. Pitt must regroup quickly.
During the Panthers’ four game
conference winning streak that allowed them to seal the Coastal Division, RBs
Qadree Ollison and Darrin Hall were running wild, allowing QB
Kenny Pickett to make
easy throws. The whole unit
ground to a halt last week, which doesn’t bode well against the Tigers’
formidable defensive front. Clemson gave up more points than it would have
liked against South Carolina and will be out to prove itself playoff ready. QB
Trevor Lawrence and RB Travis Etienne can produce an explosive play at any
time.
PREDICTION: Pitt won a shootout with Syracuse earlier in the
season, but the Panthers won’t have the firepower to keep pace if the Tigers
put up a big score. Clemson figures to do just that and be off to the playoff. CLEMSON, 45-20
BIG TEN CHAMPIONSHIP IN INDIANAPOLIS
NO. 6 OHIO STATE VS. NO. 21 NORTHWESTERN
DEC. 1, 8 P.M. ET,
TV: Fox
The Buckeyes picked a good
time to author their most complete performance of the season in last week’s
dismantling of archrival Michigan, clinching the East Division and putting
themselves in the playoff mix. But any regression to the inconsistency they’ve
shown at times could spell trouble against the Wildcats, who won their last
seven conference games.
Which OSU team will show up?
The defense that nearly let Maryland beat it two weeks ago looked like a
different group against the Wolverines. Northwestern’s running game has been
inconsistent at best, but gritty QB Clayton Thorson rarely gives up on a play.
But Buckeyes QB Dwayne Haskins, who has 42 TD passes this season, should have
another big night.
PREDICTION: The Wildcats tend to play up or down to their
competition. They lost to Akron and barely got out with a win at hapless
Rutgers but hung tough with Notre Dame and shut down Iowa and Wisconsin.
They’ll probably make Buckeyes fans nervous for a stretch, but OSU has too many
weapons. Then the playoff debates will commence. OHIO STATE, 33-24
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