PAC 12: 12 Stanford vs 10 USC @Levi Stadium Santa Clara, California
Of the Power 5 Conference Championship Games going on this week the Pac 12 game is the least important towards the CFP. USC is ranked 10 and Stanford is ranked 12. While this may not have big implications, it has 2 of the biggest names in college playing in it, (Sam Darnold USC, Bryce Love Stanford) when these 2 teams played earlier in the year USC won 42-24 and that’s when Stanford had a healthy Bryce Love, now that Bryce Love is banged up with an ankle injury, and Sam Darnold has turned around his season, look for another beat down by USC and for them to play in another Rose Bowl.
Prediction: USC by 21
Big 10: 8 Ohio state vs 4 Wisconsin @Lucas Oil Stadium Indianapolis, Indiana
This is one of the more intriguing Championship games as Wisconsin is 12-0 but currently has 0 wins against teams in the top 25 of the CFP Rankings, while Ohio state is 10-2 with a loss to top 4 Oklahoma and a detrimental loss to good but unranked Iowa. If Wisconsin wins this game, they guarantee a ticket to the Playoffs, but if Ohio State wins they will probably be the last team not to make it in because of their 2 losses.
Ohio State would have been the overwhelming favorite if it had not been for a cameraman who injured JT Barrett, while Barrett is expected to play, he just had a minor surgery to repair a slightly torn meniscus and Urban Meyer said he might not start the game but will get snaps, (Update: per Beanie Wells, JT Barrett will not play). If Dwayne Haskins starts, the offense will not be screwed as he was 6/7 with 3 rushes for 24 yards against a good Michigan Defense. Wisconsin on the other hand is either the best or second best defense in the Nation and might give the Redshirt Freshman fits in the pocket and force him to make throws on the run, which might make him uncomfortable.
While Alex Hornibrook is not a good QB, he has RB Jordan Taylor to lean on and if their defense can shut down an inexperienced QB they should be able to win. But hey, a JT Barrett backup has won a Conference Championship before.
Prediction: Wisconsin by 3
Big 12: 11 TCU vs 3 Oklahoma @AT&T Stadium Arlington, Texas
Out of all the Conference Championships this is the one with the biggest to lose and the least to gain. Oklahoma torched TCU 38-20 only 3 weeks ago. TCU has dropped to 11 in the polls and has 2 losses, so they have 0 chance to make the playoff. They will be playing to spoil the Sooners and try to make a bigger bowl game. Oklahoma has only lost to Iowa State, who also beat TCU. Baker Mayfield Basically won the Heisman already and needs one more big game to make it a lock. While TCU is a great team, this could be a trap game and knowing the Big 12 Championships in the past, Oklahoma could shoot themselves in the foot and make it the 3rd of 4 years with the Playoff that no Big 12 teams make it. Maybe Baker Mayfield’s red zone interceptions could finally catch up to him.
Prediction: TCU by 3 in OT
SEC: 6 Georgia vs 2 Auburn @Mercedes-Benz Stadium Atlanta, Georgia
While this is a down year for the SEC, they still have 3 of the best 6 teams in the country. Auburn is the hottest team, took down this same Georgia team (when they were ranked 1), and just came off another convincing win against then-ranked #1 Alabama, Georgia has not played that hard of a schedule and their first big test they got beat down by this same Auburn team. The wild Card in the CFP is perennial powerhouse Alabama who is ranked 5, they have not played a great schedule, but besides their loss to #2 Auburn they have gotten everything done to be in the playoff except making a championship game. Auburn dominated at home, but in their 2 losses struggled on the road, and while this is a neutral site game it is in the home state of Georgia. Look for a more UGA-dominated crowd to rattle the Tigers. Jacob Fromm needs to lean more on his 2 headed monster of Nick Chubb and Sony Michel and not pass as much against a stout Auburn Defense.
Prediction: Georgia by 10
ACC: 1 Clemson vs 7 Miami @Bank of America Stadium Charlotte, North Carolina
Clemson had its every year loss to a bad team, but besides that have been one of the best teams in the nation. Miami looked amazing until they put up a dud against Pitt, where they also lost their number 1 TE. To throw salt on their wounds, Ahmmon Richards, their #1 WR, got hurt in practice and is out for the year. In a game that looked like one of the best a few weeks prior now looks like Kelly Bryant and his explosive offense will dominate as an overrated Malik Rosier Jr. will have no one to give the ball and will turn the ball over a lot.
Prediction: Clemson by 17