2023 cbhsports College Football Conference Championship Weekend Preview

Image Courtesy: Sports Illustrated

CFP Top 6
1.Georgia 12-0 (8-0) SEC This week: 8.Alabama (11-1) (Atlanta) (Saturday, 4 PM ET, CBS)
2.Michigan 12-0 (9-0) Big Ten This week: 16.Iowa (10-2) (Indianapolis) (Saturday, 8 PM ET, FOX)
3.Washington 12-0 (9-0) Pac-12 This week: 5.Oregon (11-1) (Las Vegas) (Friday, 8 PM ET, ABC)
4.Florida State 12-0 (8-0) ACC This week: 14.Louisville (10-2) (Charlotte) (Saturday, 8 PM ET, ABC)
5.Oregon 11-1 (8-1) Pac-12 This week: 3.Washington (12-0) (Las Vegas) (Friday, 8 PM ET, ABC)
6.Ohio State 11-1 (8-1) Big Ten This week: Off

Biggest risers and fallers in the CFP Top 25 this week:

Risers
2.Michigan 12-0 (9-0) Big Ten Week 13: #3 (Defeated 2.Ohio State, 30-24)
4.Florida State 12-0 (8-0) ACC Week 13: #5 (Defeated Florida, 24-15)
5.Oregon 11-1 (8-1) Pac-12 Week 13: #6 (Defeated 16.Oregon State, 31-7)
19.NC State 9-3 (6-2) ACC Week 13: #22 (Defeated North Carolina

Fallers
6.Ohio State 11-1 (8-1) Big Ten Week 13: #2 (Lost to 3.Michigan, 30-24)
14.Louisville 10-2 (7-1) ACC Week 13: #10 (Lost to Kentucky, 38-31)
20.Oregon State 8-4 (5-4) Pac-12 Week 13: #16 (Lost to 6.Oregon, 31-7)
25.Kansas State 8-4 (6-3) Big 12 Week 13: #19 (Lost to Iowa State, 42-35)

Dropped Out

New

Key games this weekend (Rankings based off of CFP Poll)
Pac-12 Championship
3.Washington (12-0) vs. 5.Oregon (11-1) (Las Vegas) (Friday, 8 PM ET, ABC)
With every Power Five conference with a chance to have a representative in this season’s College Football Playoff, these conference championship games are so much more important. Back on October 14, Washington defeated Oregon 36-33. The final Pac-12 Championship game as we know it may feature the most points between two teams in conference history because of quarterbacks Michael Penix (Washington) and Bo Nix (Oregon). Washington has won close games against Arizona State 15-7, Stanford 42-33, Utah 35-28, and Oregon State 22-20 since beating the Ducks while Oregon has defeated Utah 35-6, California 63-19, Arizona State 49-13, and rival Oregon State 31-7 during that time period. Simply put Bo Nix (3,906 yards and 37 TDs) and his tailback Bucky Irving (1,043 yards and 10 TDs) have been one of the best backfield duos in the country with receiver Troy Franklin (1,349 yards and 14 TDs) helping them out. But, it has truly been their defense, led by defensive backs Evan Williams (71 tackles and 4.5 sacks) and Tysheem Johnson (59 tackles, 2 interceptions, and 1 sack) that has turned things around to give them this rematch against the Huskies. Washington receiver Rome Odunze, who has 66 catches for over 1206 yards and 11 TDs, has been Michael Penix’ (3,695 yards and 30 TDs) favorite target this season. Washington running back Dillon Johnson (879 yards and 11 TDs) has allowed them to open up the playbook and have a balanced offense, making the defense bite on Penix’s play action passes more often. Cornerback Dominique Hampton (80 tackles and 2 interceptions) and linebacker Edefuan Ulofoshio (72 tackles, 2 sacks, and 1 interception) will look to rattle Nix and the Oregon defense as they look to return to the College Football Playoff for the first time since 2016. Projected Score: Oregon 38, Washington 35

Big 12 Championship
7.Texas (11-1) vs. 18.Oklahoma State (9-3) (Arlington) (Saturday, 12 PM ET, ABC)
Many thought a Texas-Oklahoma rematch was coming in the Big 12 title as they both head to the SEC next season with Oklahoma State losing 21-6 in the first half against BYU. However, the Cowboys bounced back in the second half and defeated the Cougars 40-34 in overtime to clinch their berth to Arlington. The key to the game will be Oklahoma State Alan Bowman (2,487 yards, 10 TDs, and 9 INTs) not turning the ball over against the talented Texas defense, led by linebackers Jaylan Ford (88 tackles, 2 interceptions, and 1 sack) and Anthony Hill Jr. (57 tackles and 4 sacks). If Bowman turns the ball over and does not get the ball to his favorite target Brennan Presley (656 yards and 5 TDs) it will be hard to establish the run with Ollie Gordon II, who has rushed for 1,414 yards and 15 TDs. On the other side, Texas’ Quinn Ewers (2,709 yards and 17 TDs) and tailback CJ Braxton (552 yards and 3 TDs) must keep their great play going to potentially move on to the College Football Playoff with a win. In addition, the combination of Xavier Worthy (883 yards and 5 TDs) and Adonai Mitchell (704 yards and 9 TDs) will make it tough for linebacker Nickolas Martin (112 tackles, 6 sacks, and 1 interception), safety Kendal Daniels (83 tackles, 2 sacks, and 1 interception), and the rest of the Cowboys defense to stop them consistently. Projected Score: Texas 35, Oklahoma State 21

SEC Championship
1.Georgia (12-0) vs. 8.Alabama (11-1) (Atlanta) (Saturday, 4 PM ET, CBS)
Chaos has to ensue but if Alabama is able to end Georgia’s 29 game winning streak on Saturday afternoon in Atlanta, they can make the College Football Playoff. Because Texas defeated the Crimson Tide back in September, the Longhorns have to lose the Big 12 championship against Oklahoma State for the Crimson Tide to pass them. They must also hope for Washington to give Oregon its second loss in Friday’s Pac-12 title and need Florida State to fall to Louisville in Charlotte in the ACC title. The Crimson Tide used a miracle on 4th and goal from the thirty one yard line to defeat Auburn in the Iron Bowl, which never disappoints. Auburn only brought two pass rushers and gave Alabama quarterback Jalen Milroe (2,526 yards and 22 TDs) enough time to hit Isaiah Bond (542 yards and 4 TDs) in the end zone to give them the win. Milroe must get top running back Jase McClellan (803 yards and 6 TDs) and former Georgia wideout Jermaine Burton (749 yards and 7 TDs) if they want to get past Georgia’s terrific defense under head coach Kirby Smart. Led by defensive back Tykee Smith (63 tackles, 4 interceptions, and 2 sacks) and linebacker Smael Mondon Jr. (60 tackles and 3 sacks), the Bulldog defense will look to eliminate Jalen Milroe’s running and turn the Alabama into a one dimensional offense. Georgia led most of the game but was only able to defeat rival Georgia Tech, 31-23. The Georgia offense must continue to rely on its strengths, such as quarterback Carson Beck (3,495 yards and 22 TDs), tailback Daijun Edwards (781 yards and 11 TDs), and tight end Brock Bowers (661 yards and 6 TDs). They will be challenged by the Alabama defense, who can control the line of scrimmage with cornerback blitzes from Caleb Downs (95 tackles and 2 interceptions) and from linebacker Jihaad Campbell (61 tackles and 0.5 sacks). The last SEC Championship between the east division and west division championship (and before Texas and Oklahoma enter the league) should be a dandy in Atlanta. Projected Score: Georgia 31, Alabama 28

ACC Championship
4.Florida State (12-0) vs. 14.Louisville (10-2) (Charlotte) (Saturday, 8 PM ET, ABC)
Florida State played a better second half against Florida in Gainesville to defeat the Gators 24-19 without staring quarterback Jordan Travis. Instead, backup Tate Rodemaker threw for 134 yards, running back Trey Benson rushed for 95 yards and 3 TDs, and Johnny Wilson caught six passes for 64 yards to keep themselves undefeated and in the College Football Playoff chase. After that performance, however, the Seminoles must prove against Louisville, who comes off a seven point loss to rival Kentucky, that they are worthy of a spot in the playoff with a dominant performance, because there are eight teams still alive to make it entering the weekend. Linebackers Tatum Bethune (63 tackles) and Kalen DeLoach (63 tackles, 7 sacks, and 1 interception) must get to quarterback Jack Plummer (2,952 yards and 21 TDs) and limit the production of tailback Jawhar Jordan (1,076 yards and 13 TDs) and receiver Jamari Thrash (801 yards and 6 TDs) to keep the Cardinals’ offense at bay. To knock the Seminoles out of the playoff, the Louisville defense must stop their offense with linebacker TJ Quinn (75 tackles 1 interception, and 0.5 sacks) and defensive back Cam’Ron Kelly (63 tackles and 2 interceptions). A win for the Seminoles puts them in position to win a national championship but they must be convincing in Charlotte on Saturday night. Projected Score: Florida State 21, Louisville 17

Big Ten Championship
1.Michigan (12-0) vs. 16.Iowa (10-2) (Indianapolis) (Saturday, 8 PM ET, FOX)
Michigan matches up with Iowa for the third consecutive season. The Wolverines won 42-3 in 2021 and 43-22 in 2022. Michigan went 3-0 without Jim Harbaugh on the sideline due to his sign-stealing suspension. They dominated on the ground but struggled to find the passing game until they faced Ohio State, when they got their third consecutive win over the Buckeyes. Unless Iowa finds an offensive identity (something they have not done much over the last decade), Michigan should be well on their way to a third consecutive College Football Playoff berth, looking for their first win in the event. With Harbaugh back, and JJ McCarthy (2,483 yards and 19 TDs) playing well, they should be the favorites to win their semifinal match up assuming they beat the Hawkeyes. It is the running back duo of Black Corum (976 yards and 20 TDs), Donovan Edwards (354 yards and 3 TDs), and receiver Roman Wilson (648 yards and 11 TDs) hard to beat. Linebackers Junior Colson (71 tackles) and Michael Barrett (45 tackles and 2 sacks) will not be easy on Iowa’s running back duo Leshon Williams (779 yards and 1 TD) and Kaleb Johnson (415 yards and 3 TDs) because signal-caller Deacon Hill has only thrown for 976 yards and 5 TDs. Defensively, they are fantastic. Linebackers Jay Higgins has 141 tackles, 1 sack, and 1 interception and Nick Jackson who has 91 tackles and 4 sacks. They will challenge Michigan’s offense early but the Wolverines will find enough momentum off of their own defense to create great field position. Then, the running game will solidify another playoff spot for Harbaugh’s team. Projected Score: Michigan 38, Iowa 20