The conference championship games are set and while it’s no surprise to see Alabama and Clemson competing to bring home conference titles this upcoming weekend nobody expected to see teams like Virginia Tech and Penn State in the mix. Here is a look at the best televised games of the week in college football.
Pac-12 Championship Game
#9 Colorado vs. #5 Washington
Friday, 9:00 PM ET – FOX
Colorado and Washington have led massive power shifts in the Pac-12 on their way to a conference championship showdown with the Huskies in particular now in control of their own destiny when it comes to the College Football Playoff. Washington secured its Pac-12 North division title with a blowout win over Washington State last week to improve to 11-1 thanks in big part to Jake Browning and an offense that has averaged 44.8 points per game. Now the Huskies defense will be tested in this one against a formidable Buffaloes offense that has averaged 34.8 points per game this season. Colorado owns the best pass defense in the Pac-12 this season, so it will be very interesting to see if the Buffaloes can slow down Browning enough to give its offense a chance to win this game.
College Football Pick: Washington -7
SEC Championship Game
#1 Alabama vs. #15 Florida
Saturday, 4:00 PM ET – CBS
The Crimson Tide wrapped up the month of November without allowing a touchdown in any of their four games. In fact, Alabama didn’t even allow an opponent to drive within their 10-yard line. That is an incredible statistic for a team that is on the verge of making history as the Tide can wrap extend their perfect season with another SEC title and advance to the College Football Playoff with their perfect record intact.
This pairing has been the most common for SEC Championship games with nine meetings between them. There is a good chance that Alabama prevails for the fourth time in five meetings and nobody will be shocked if they cover the 21.5 points in another statement win. The Gators simply have too many flaws on offense to really challenge Alabama in this spot.
College Football Pick: Alabama -21.5
ACC Championship Game
#4 Clemson vs. Virginia Tech
Saturday, 8:00 PM ET – ABC
Virginia Tech head coach Justin Fuente should be a favorite for conference coach of the year, but his Hokies could have a tough time hanging around with Clemson. The last time these teams met in the ACC Championship game it was the Tigers that delivered the 38-10 blowout win back in 2011 and Virginia Tech fans are hoping it won’t be a similar result on Saturday. The Hokies’ offense has enough talent to put up some points but they could have a tough time trying to slow down Deshaun Watson and company on defense. Watson is coming off one of his best games of the season after throwing for 347 yards and six touchdowns in a 56-7 blowout win over South Carolina and he will look to produce a similar stat line in the final stop before the playoff.
College Football Pick: Clemson -10.5
Big Ten Championship Game
#6 Wisconsin vs. #7 Penn State
Saturday, 8:00 PM ET – FOX
The Big Ten Championship game that nobody predicted we would see will happen Saturday night when the Badgers battle the Nittany Lions. A lot of people are still somewhat shocked that neither Michigan nor Ohio State will play in this contest, even though one of them will still very likely be in the College Football Playoff.
Penn State didn’t even control its own destiny until midway through the third quarter of its win over Michigan State this past Saturday when Ohio State needed overtime to take down Michigan. Now, the Nittany Lions will have the opportunity to shock the world in a matchup of two teams that have greatly exceeded expectations. Penn State’s signature win over the Buckeyes is proof that they can compete with any team and there is no way either team will underestimate the task at hand in the finale. Wisconsin is listed as a one-point favorite heading in to the showdown at Lucas Oil Stadium, but perhaps the Nittany Lions have a little magic left in the tank with a chance to complete an improbable year with a Big Ten title in the championship game that nobody expected.
College Football Pick: Penn State +1
