Month: December 2024

Image Courtesy: Reddit

Tuesday, December 31
College Football Playoff Quarterfinal at the VRBO Fiesta Bowl (Glendale)
3.Boise State (12-1) vs. 6.Penn State (12-2)
7:30 PM ET, ABC/ESPN
Penn State looks to continue its momentum from its opening round one victory over SMU when they face Boise State in Glendale at the Fiesta Bowl. The Nittany Lions will look to build off of their performance against the Mustangs where tailbacks Nicholas Singleton and Kaytron Allen combined for 160 yards and 3 touchdowns on 25 carries. Singleton and Allen will attempt to help their quarterback Drew Allar set up passes down the field to Mackey Award winning tight end Tyler Warren and receiver Harrison Wallace III. Pass rushers Abdul Carter and Kobe King had great success against the Mustangs and can do so against Boise State tomorrow night. To avoid the great pass rush, Boise State will rely Heisman runner-up Ashton Jeanty, who has rushed for almost 2,500 yards and 29 touchdowns on the season so far. Like Singleton and Allen, Jeanty will need to set up easier throws for his quarterback Maddux Madsen. The run game is the best attribute of both teams so the winner of this game should be the team that has the best game on defense. James Franklin’s defense played great a week ago and they will look to do the same again. Projected Score: Penn State 35, Boise State 20

Wednesday, January 1
College Football Playoff Quarterfinal at the Chick-Fil-A Peach Bowl (Atlanta)
4.Arizona State (11-2) vs. 5.Texas (12-2)
1 PM ET, ABC/ESPN
Texas used a dominant ground attack with Jaydon Blue (146 yards and 2 TDs) and Quintrevion Wisner (110 yards and 2 TDs) to advance past Clemson in the first round. Next up for Steve Sarkisian’s team is a trip to Atlanta to face Big 12 champion Arizona State. The Sun Devils won the league in just their first season. They too rely on the play of their tailback, Cam Skattebo, who has rushed for 1,568 yards and 19 touchdowns. The winner of this game will combine their rush attacks with quality quarterback play. Both Longhorn signal-caller Quinn Ewers (2,867 yards, 26 TDs, and 10 interceptions) and Sun Devil signal-caller Sam Leavitt (2,663 yards, 24 TDs, and 5 interceptions) have been up and down this season. Whichever quarterback is better on New Year’s Day, their team should win the game. Ewers was without one of his favorite targets, Alabama transfer wide receiver Isaiah Bond, during the win over the Tigers. But, Sarkisian has optimism about Bond’s progress that he can return next to leading pass catcher Matthew Golden and tight end Gunnar Helm on the outside. The Sun Devil defense must step up against the Longhorns’ great running backs and receivers if they want to win this game. Defensive backs Myles Bowser (93 tackles, 4 passes defended, and 1 sack) and Xavion Alford (82 tackles, 4 passes defended, and 2 interceptions) will attempt to do just that as the leaders of the Sun Devil defense. Kenny Dillingham’s team has had a great season but I think it comes to an end at the hands of Texas. Projected Score: Texas 45, Arizona State 27

College Football Playoff Quarterfinal at the Rose Bowl presented by Prudential (Pasadena)
1.Oregon (13-0) vs. 8.Ohio State (11-2)
5 PM ET, ABC/ESPN
In a rematch of an October 12th battle in Eugene, Big Ten champion Oregon looks to get a second win over Ohio State in “the grandaddy of them all” in Pasadena at the Rose Bowl. After getting round one off, the Ducks have a challenging opponent in the Buckeyes, who they beat by just one point over two months ago. In that game, Dillon Gabriel passed for 341 yards, two touchdowns, and ran one in as well. Gabriel’s receivers Evan Stewart (149 yards) and Tez Johnson (75 yards) each caught one score while tailback Jordan James ran for over 100 yards and a touchdown as well. On the other side, Ohio State signal caller Will Howard (326 yards) matched Gabriel’s two passing touchdowns and he too got good production from his top two targets, Jeremiah Smith (100 yards and 1 TD) and Emeka Egbuka (93 yards and 1 TD). Howard attempted a long run on the last play from scrimmage in that game but time ran out as he slid down so the Buckeyes could not attempt a field goal. Since, the Buckeyes’ only loss was their fourth consecutive against Michigan before they dominated Tennessee to open the College Football Playoff. Receiver Jeremiah Smith turned in another 100+ yard and multiple touchdown performance while the defense only gave up 17 points to the Volunteers. Can Ryan Day’s team make the trip to the west coast and defeat Dan Lanning’s Ducks? We will certainly find out on Saturday night. Projected Score: Ohio State 38, Oregon 35

College Football Playoff Quarterfinal at the Allstate Sugar Bowl (New Orleans)
2.Georgia (11-2) vs. 7.Notre Dame (12-1)
8:45 PM ET, ABC/ESPN
Notre Dame dominated the first three quarters of the first 12-team College Football Playoff game ever against instate foe Indiana and defeated the Hoosiers 27-17 to move onto the Sugar Bowl against Georgia. The Fighting Irish tailback relied on star tailback Jeremiyah Love carried the ball only eight times for 108 yards while his quarterback Riley Leonard threw just one touchdown and one interception. Jordan Faison led the Irish with 89 yards receiving while Jayden Thomas caught Leonard’s only touchdown. Their offense will have to be at its best against a confident Georgia defense, headed by defensive back Malaki Starks (73 tackles, 3 passes defended, and 1 interception) and linebacker CJ Allen (72 tackles, 4 passes defended, and 1 interception). Kirby Smart’s quarterback Carson Beck (3,485 yards, 28 TDs, and 12 INTs) is out for the season after injuring his right elbow in the first half of the Bulldogs’ 22-19 win over Texas in the SEC Championship game. In his place will be Gunnar Stockton, who led the Bulldogs to a win in the second half over the Longhorns after passing for 71 yards and an interception. Stockton must avoid turning the ball over against a Fighting Irish defense that is no pushover and rely on tailback Trevor Etienne, who rushed for 94 yards and two scores after coming back from injury in the SEC Championship game. Stockton must also trust his leading receiver Arian Smith and tight end Oscar Delp if they want to get the ball past linebacker linebacker Jack Kiser (69 tackles, 1 sack, and 1 pass defended) and safety Xavier Watts (60 tackles, 8 passes defended, and 6 interceptions). Georgia’s experience in the playoffs should help them in this game against Notre Dame but do not be surprised if it takes them awhile to get going with Gunnar Stockton as he makes his first start as the Bulldogs’ starting quarterback. Projected Score: Georgia 31, Notre Dame 21

Image Courtesy: Arkansas Razorbacks

Friday, December 27
AutoZone Liberty Bowl (Memphis)
Arkansas (6-6) vs. Texas Tech (8-4)
7 PM ET, ESPN
Arkansas plays in the Liberty Bowl for the seventh time with a 3-3 record in the game overall in Memphis. The Razorbacks may be playing with many second and third stringers due to a mass exodus in the transfer portal. But, at least they are playing and are not opting out of this bowl game. These extra weeks of practice help for the 2025 season. The Razorbacks face Texas Tech, an 8-4 team out of the Big 12, who finished tied for the second best record in the league at 6-3. Arkansas leads the all-time series over the Red Raiders 29-8 ahead of their 38th meeting and first in a bowl game. Tech is led by head coach Joey McGuire, who took over in 2022 and has led his team to a 23-15 mark after coming over from rival Baylor, where he served as the associated head coach and coached the defensive line and linebackers. McGuire will put his undefeated record in bowl games on the line tomorrow when facing the Razorbacks, a team he grew up rooting for with season tickets to the games in Little Rock at War Memorial Stadium. On December 14th, it was announced Red Raider signal-caller Behren Morton will not play due to getting surgery on his throwing shoulder. It will be true freshman Will Hammond stepping in to lead their offense versus a Razorback defense that will be without defensive ends Landon Jackson, Nico Davillier, linebacker Brad Spence, defensive backs Jaylen Braxton, TJ, and Tevis Metcalf as they head to the NFL Draft or the transfer portal. Hammond will be without leading receiver Micah Hudson, tailback Quinten Joyner, and offensive linemen Kaden Carr, Ty Buchanan, Dalton Merryman, and Garrett Morphis as they exited to the transfer portal. Arkansas’ offense must hope it can get production out of second string playmakers as well but it will have starting quarterback Taylen Green for the showdown against Texas Tech in Memphis as well as for the upcoming 2025 season. Green will look to get the ball down the field to receivers Isaac TeSlaa, former MLB outfielder Monte Harrison, and Dazmin James. TeSlaa joins second string tailback Rodney Hill as the only two guys outside of Green who have played meaningful snaps on the Razorback offense expected to play on Friday night. Braylen Russell, Arkansas’ talented bowling ball running back entered the transfer portal twice before pulling out of it after reconsidering. He returned to bowl practices earlier this week and coach Pittman said he is in Memphis and will get a good load of action. Not having starter Ja’Quinden Jackson and the SEC’s leading receiver Andrew Armstrong as they prepare for the NFL Draft will hurt Sam Pittman’s team as will losing four starters on the offensive line. If Arkansas can keep this game close until the fourth quarter, they have a shot to win but if they can’t, Texas Tech could get a third straight bowl win for head coach Joey McGuire. Projected Score: Texas Tech 38, Arkansas 21

Image Courtesy: Austin American-Statesman

Friday, December 20
10.Indiana (11-1) @ 7.Notre Dame (11-1)
8 PM ET, ABC/ESPN
The Hoosiers head to face the Fighting Irish to set up an instate first round playoff game up north on Friday night. It should be chilly in South Bend on for the first, first round game in the 12-team format’s history. Curt Cignetti has led Indiana to a historic season in his first season since coming over from James Madison. Cignetti’s signal caller Kurtis Rourke (2,827 yards, 27 TDs, and 4 INTs) has been fantastic this season. His stable of running backs Justice Ellison and Ty Son Lawton, who have combined for almost 1,500 rushing yards and 22 touchdowns, will help him set up the passing game to receivers Elijah Sarratt, Omar Cooper Jr., and Myles Price. The Hoosiers’ defense has been terrific and dominant against subpar competition for much of the season (outside of the loss to Ohio State in November) but have a shot to prove themselves against a Notre Dame offense that improved throughout the season after a dud loss to Northern Illinois in week 2. Former Duke quarterback Riley Leonard has been a beneficiary of new offensive coordinator Mike Denbrock, who left LSU to coach the Fighting Irish after coaching Jayden Daniels to a Heisman Trophy last fall. He has passed for over 2,000 yards, 16 touchdowns, and 5 interceptions and rushed for 721 yards and 14 TDs. To avoid turnovers down the field by Leonard, Marcus Freeman’s team must rely on running back Jeremiyah Love who needs 51 yards to eclipse 1,000 on the ground along with 15 touchdowns. It will be big for one of receivers Beaux Collins, Jaden Greathouse, and tight end Mitchell Evans to step up as a go to receiver for Leonard as the top three targets have combined for only six touchdown receptions on the season. So, it will be up to the Fighting Irish defense, headed by linebackers Jack Kiser and Drayk Bowen to make things rough on Rourke and the Indiana offense to help them win the game. After Notre Dame’s Freeman signed a four-year contract extension, it would be hard to see them fall against an Indiana program that in its first season with a revamped roster. Projected Score: Notre Dame 21, Indiana 14

Saturday, December 21
11.SMU (11-2) @ 6.Penn State (11-2)
12 PM ET, TNT/MAX
After sneaking into the College Football Playoff, SMU heads to Happy Valley to face Penn State in another cold environment. The Mustangs do not have a win against a team ranked inside the College Football Playoff after failing to beat Clemson in the ACC Championship game. The committee still gave them an opportunity so the Mustangs must make the most of it. They face a Penn State team that appeared in the Big Ten Championship game. The Nittany Lions also lost their title game, but they did to number one ranked Oregon. Their run game is terrific with the two headed monster of Nicholas Singleton (838 yards and 7 TDs) and Kaytron Allen (822 yards and 6 TDs). They help their quarterback, Drew Allar get the ball down the field to tight end Tyler Warren (1,062 yards and 6 TDs) and receiver Harrison Wallace III (638 yards and 4 TDs). Safety Jaylen Reed has led the Nittany Lions with 79 tackles, 3 interceptions, 3 passes defended, and 1.5 sacks. He will look to intercept the passes of SMU signal caller Kevin Jennings. Jennings play has been awesome since taking over for Preston Stone at quarterback, throwing for over 3,000 yards, 22 touchdowns, but he has turned the ball over 8 times. Running back Brashard Smith (1,270 yards and 14 TDs) will look to help Jennings with the passing game, getting the ball down the field to Roderick Daniels Jr. and Key’Shawn Smith who have combined for over 1,100 yards and 8 touchdowns through the air. SMU’s defense will have a huge job dealing with Allar, Singleton, and Allen. They will look to do it with linebacker Kobe Wilson (110 tackles, 3 sacks, 2 interceptions, 2 passes defended, and 1 forced fumble) and safety Isaiah Nwokobia (86 tackles, 3 interceptions, 3 passes defended, and 0.5 sacks). Penn State’s James Franklin has struggled to win big games in his time in State College but a win to open the College Football Playoffs would simply shut everybody up in and around the program. Projected Score: Penn State 24, SMU 14

12.Clemson (10-3) @ 5.Texas (11-2)
4 PM ET, TNT/MAX
Can Texas bounce back after a second loss in the SEC Championship game to Georgia and beat Clemson. The Bulldogs were able to crush the Tigers to open their season so can the Longhorns do the same thing? The quarterback match up includes two gunslingers that played at Austin area high schools, Texas’ Quinn Ewers (Southlake Carroll) and Clemson’s Cade Klubnik (Austin Westlake). The duel between Ewers and Klubnik will have a huge impact on this game. Klubnik will have to avoid the phenomenal Texas pass rush, headed by linebacker Anthony Hill Jr. (90 tackles, 7.5 sacks, 4 forced fumbles, 1 fumble recovery, 1 interception, and 1 pass defended) if he wants to get the ball down the field to receivers Antonio Williams, Bryant Wesco Jr., and TJ Moore. The production of tailback Phil Mafah (1,106 yards and 8 TDs) should help but the overpowering Texas defense will definitely be a challenge. Texas’ offense must play better than it has in its games against Georgia and play like it has in its other ten games so far this season at home when Clemson comes to town. Receivers Matthew Golden (738 yards and 8 TDs), Isaiah Bond (532 yards and 5 TDs), and tight end Gunnar Helm (611 yards and 5 TDs) make plays down field for Ewers while a trio of running backs including Quintrevion Wisner (863 yards and 3 TDs), Jaydon Blue (564 yards and 6 TDs), and Jerrick Gibson (342 yards and 4 TDs) help him in the backfield. Also, backup signal caller Arch Manning could see playing time, especially on running plays as he has already rushed for four touchdowns on the season. Dabo Swinney’s linebackers Barrett Carter, Wade Woodaz, and Sammy Brown all have over 70 tackles on the season and should make an impact in stopping for the Longhorn defense. Steve Sarkisian’s Longhorns should win this game but it will take them a half to fully get control of the game. Projected Score: Texas 35, Clemson 17

9.Tennessee (10-2) @ 8.Ohio State (10-2)
8 PM ET, ABC/ESPN
Tennessee’s trip to Columbus for a Saturday night showdown with Ohio State should be the best game of the first round of these playoffs. The Volunteers should be ready to go into the freezing environment and beat a Buckeye team that just lost to an underachieving Michigan team during Thanksgiving weekend, 13-10. Tailback Dylan Sampson has been the engine for the Volunteer offense this season, rushing for almost 1,500 yards and 22 touchdowns. Nico Iamaleava benefits from Sampson’s abilities, becoming a better passer throughout the season, throwing for over 2,500 yards and 19 touchdowns. Iamaleava’s receiving core of Dont’e Thornton Jr., Bru McCoy, Squirrel White, and Chris Brazzell II will look to help open things up for their quarterback against Ohio State’s defense, including safety Sonny Styles (76 tackles, 4 sacks, and 3 passes defended), linebacker Cody Simon (74 tackles, 5 sacks, and 5 passes defended), and safety Caleb Downs (61 tackles, 3 passes defended, and 1 interception). Nobody expects much out of Buckeye quarterback Will Howard (175 passing yards in loss to Michigan) or his running backs Quinshon Judkins (46 rushing yards) and TreVeyon Henderson (21 rushing yards) after their dismal performances against the Wolverines. They must prove that they are a team that can advance to win the national championship game by showing up for this game at their home stadium. Ohio State head coach Ryan Day must know that his team’s strength is passing the ball down the field to an awesome group of receivers, including Jeremiah Smith (934 yards and 10 TDs), Emeka Egbuka (743 yards and 9 TDs), and Carnell Tate (583 yards and 4 TDs). If the Buckeyes do not defeat the Vols, Ryan Day might be fired before he walks off the field on Saturday night. Projected Score: Tennessee 24, Ohio State 21

Image Courtesy: SMU Athletics

Here are the twelve teams (seeded 1-12) I believe that will be in this season’s College Football Playoff:
1.Oregon (13-0) Big Ten Champion
2.Georgia (11-2) SEC Champion
3.Arizona State (11-2) Big 12 Champion
4.Boise State (12-1) Mountain West Champion
5.Texas (11-2) SEC Runner-Up
6.Penn State (11-2) Big Ten Runner-Up
7.Notre Dame (11-1) Independents
8.Ohio State (10-2) Big Ten At-Large
9.Tennessee (10-2) SEC At-Large
10.Indiana (11-1) Big Ten At-Large
11.Alabama (9-3) SEC At-Large
12.Clemson (10-3) ACC Champion

Bracket based on my projections:

First Round (December 20-December 21)

Columbus
8.Ohio State
9.Tennessee

Austin
5.Texas
12.Clemson

State College
6.Penn State
11.Alabama

South Bend
7.Notre Dame
10.Indiana

Quarterfinals (December 31-January 1)

Rose Bowl (Pasadena)
1.Oregon
8.Ohio State/9.Tennessee

Sugar Bowl (New Orleans)
4.Boise State
5.Texas/12.Clemson

Fiesta Bowl (Glendale)
3.Arizona State
6.Penn State/11.Alabama

Peach Bowl (Atlanta)
2.Georgia
7.Notre Dame/10.Indiana

The semifinals will be played at the Capital One Orange Bowl in Miami Gardens, Florida on January 9 and at the Goodyear Cotton Bowl Classic in Arlington, TX on January 10. The 2025 College Football Playoff National Championship will be wrap up the season on January 20 in Atlanta.

Image Courtesy: Online Athens

CFP Top 12
1.Oregon 12-0 (9-0) Big Ten This week: 3.Penn State (11-1) (Indianapolis) (Saturday, 8 PM ET, CBS)
2.Texas 11-1 (7-1) SEC This week: 5.Georgia (10-2) (Atlanta) (Saturday, 4 PM ET, ABC)
3.Penn State 11-1 (8-1) Big Ten This week: Oregon (12-0) (Indianapolis) (Saturday, 8 PM ET, CBS)
4.Notre Dame 11-1 Independents This week: Off
5.Georgia 10-2 (6-2) SEC This week: 2.Texas (11-1) (Atlanta) (Saturday, 4 PM ET, ABC)
6.Ohio State 10-2 (7-2) Big Ten This week: Off
7.Tennessee 10-2 (6-2) SEC This week: Off
8.SMU 11-1 (8-0) ACC This week: 17.Clemson (9-3) (Charlotte) (Saturday, 8 PM ET, ABC)
9.Indiana 11-1 (8-1) Big Ten This week: Off
10.Boise State 11-1 (7-0) Mountain West This week: 20.UNLV (10-2) (Friday, 8 PM ET, FOX)
11.Alabama 9-3 (5-3) SEC This week: Off
12.Miami 10-2 (6-2) ACC This week: Off

Projected College Football Playoff Bracket (How the College Football Playoff bracket is seeded)

First Round

Columbus
8.Ohio State
9.Tennessee

State College
5.Penn State
12.Arizona State

South Bend
6.Notre Dame
11.Alabama

Athens
7.Georgia
10.Indiana

Quarterfinals

Rose Bowl (Pasadena)
1.Oregon
8.Ohio State/9.Tennessee

Fiesta Bowl (Glendale)
4.Boise State
5.Penn State/12.Arizona State

Peach Bowl (Atlanta)
3.SMU
6.Notre Dame/11.Alabama

Sugar Bowl (New Orleans)
2.Texas
7.Georgia/10.Indiana

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

Risers
5.Georgia 10-2 (6-2) SEC Week 14: #7 (Defeated Georgia Tech 44-42)
11.Alabama 9-3 (5-3) SEC Week 14: #13 (Defeated Auburn 28-14)
16.Iowa State 10-2 (7-2) Big 12 Week 14: #18 (Defeated 24.Kansas State 29-24)

Fallers
6.Ohio State 10-2 (7-2) Big Ten Week 14: #2 (Lost to Michigan 13-10)
12.Miami 10-2 (6-2) ACC Week 14: #6 (Lost to Syracuse 42-38)
17.Clemson 9-3 (7-1) ACC Week 14: #12 (Lost to 15.South Carolina 17-14)

Dropped Out
Tulane 9-3 (7-1) American Athletic Week 14: #17 (Lost to Memphis 34-24)
Texas A&M 8-4 (5-3) SEC Week 14: #20 (Lost to 3.Texas 17-7)
Kansas State 8-4 (5-4) Big 12 Week 14: #24 (Lost to 18.Iowa State 29-24)

New
22.Syracuse 9-3 (5-3) ACC Week 14: NR (Defeated 6.Miami 42-38)
24.Army 10-1 (8-0) American Athletic Week 14: NR (Defeated UTSA 29-24)
25.Memphis 10-2 (6-2) American Athletic Week 14: NR (Defeated 17.Tulane 34-24)

Key games this weekend (Rankings based off of CFP Poll)

Friday, December 6
Mountain West Championship
20.UNLV (10-2) @ 10.Boise State (11-1)
8 PM ET, FOX
The winner of Friday’s Mountain West Championship game between Boise State and UNLV will be the first ever designated Group of Five representative in the 12-team College Football Playoff. A win for the Broncos will likely keep them as the four seed with a bye into the quarterfinals. However, a win for the Runnin’ Rebels would likely place them as the number 12 seed, sending the winner of the Big 12 to the four seed as UNLV would likely be ranked outside of the top 12 in the final rankings no matter how big their margin of victory would be. The headliner, of course, for the Broncos, is Heisman Trophy co-favorite Ashton Jeanty, who is on pace to break Barry Sanders’ all-time single season rushing record. Jeanty, who has rushed for 2,288 yards and 28 scores on the season, needs 340 rush yards during the conference championship and in potential College Football Playoff games to break Barry Sanders’ of record of 2,628 yards. It will be up to Jeanty’s offensive line and quarterback Maddux Madsen, who has an incredible touchdown to turnover ratio (21 to 3) to give him as many chances to break the record and win this game. UNLV has to travel to Boise to play this one but the Runnin’ Rebels have one of the best defenses in the Mountain West, being led by the league’s defensive player of the year, linebacker Jackson Woodard (114 tackles, 9 passes defended, 4 interceptions, 3.5 sacks, and 2 fumbles recovered) and defensive back Jalen Catalon (82 tackles, 5 interceptions, 3 passes defended, 2 sacks, and 1 forced fumble). That defense will be the biggest challenge the Broncos’ offense has seen since facing Oregon in week 1, their last loss. UNLV’s offense does not have a tailback like Jeanty but they do have a 1,000+ yard receiver in Ricky White III, who has caught 11 of quarterback Hajj-Malik Williams 17 touchdown passes. This game will be close, I think Boise State protects their home field and clinches a top four seed in the College Football Playoff. Projected Score: Boise State 27, UNLV 24

Saturday, December 7
Big 12 Championship
15.Arizona State (10-2) vs. 16.Iowa State (10-2) (Arlington)
12 PM ET, ABC
As I mentioned in the Mountain West Championship game preview, the winner of the Arizona State/Iowa State Big 12 Championship game must hope for UNLV to upset Boise State on the road so that either the Sun Devils or Cyclones can get a top four seed and a bye in the first ever 12-team College Football Playoff. The Sun Devils and Cyclones were in a four-way tie with BYU and Colorado for the Big 12 lead at 6-2 in Big 12 play. Because of tiebreakers going their way, the two teams advanced to the conference championship game. Arizona State comes into Arlington winners of five straight games. The Sun Devils are in the Big 12 Championship game in just their first season in the conference and their second season under former Oregon offensive coordinator Kenny Dillingham, the youngest head coach in college football. Dillingham’s offense gets things going for the Sun Devils. Notably, running back Cam Skattebo (1,398 yards and 17 touchdowns) sets up the pass for quarterback Sam Leavitt (2,444 yards and 21 touchdowns and 5 interceptions) and receiver Jordyn Tyson (1,101 yards and 10 TDs). Dillingham’s defense is talented in the secondary is talented with defensive backs Myles Bowser (87 tackles, 4 passes defended, and 1 sack) and Xavion Alford (75 tackles, 4 passes defended, and 2 interceptions) looking to pick of Cyclone quarterback Rocco Becht (21 TDs) who has already thrown eight interceptions so far this fall. Becht’s leading receiver Jayden Higgins (1,068 yards and 9 TDs) and tailback Carson Hansen (618 yards and 11 TDs) will look to help him out as the Cyclones play their first Big 12 football championship since falling to Oklahoma in 2020. In what should be a close game, Arizona State will clinch their first Big 12 championship in their first year in the conference. Projected Score: Arizona State 35, Iowa State 21

SEC Championship
2.Texas (11-1) vs. 5.Georgia (10-2) (Atlanta)
4 PM ET, ABC
Texas will look to avenge an October 19th loss they took at home to Georgia, 30-15, is the higher ranked team once again in this matchup. The Longhorns face the Bulldogs after a win over Texas A&M in the first “Lone Star Showdown” since 2011 on the road in College Station. Steve Sarkisian’s team is looking for a second consecutive conference championship and their first SEC championship in their first year in the league after winning the Big 12 title in their last season over their finale in the conference last fall. However, last Friday in Atlanta, it took Georgia until the second half to get going and eight overtimes to beat instate rival Georgia Tech 44-42. As they make the short return trip to Atlanta for their fourth consecutive appearance in the SEC Championship game, they will have to start much faster against a more talented Texas team. Carson Beck must rely on running backs Trevor Etienne (who is “hopeful” to return from a rib injury) and Nate Frazier to establish the play action passing game to receivers Arian Smith, Dominic Lovett, and Dillon Bell. The Bulldog defense must put up a much better effort in Saturday’s game than they did last Friday because giving up 44 points again will be a bad recipe for defeating the Longhorns. For Texas, quarterback Quinn Ewers continues to nurse an ankle injury but he is expected to play. I do expect backup Arch Manning to continue to get action as well but either way there must be consistent quarterback play from the Longhorns against a Georgia defense that is led by star safety Malaki Starks, who has three passes defended and an interception on the season. Texas can get past Georgia’s secondary by spreading them out with tight end Gunnar Helm, and receivers Matthew Golden and Isaiah Bond. The Longhorn front seven is maybe the best in the country with linebackers Anthony Hill Jr. (84 tackles, 7.5 sacks, 4 forced fumbles, and 1 interception) and David Gbenda (51 tackles and 1 sack). In what could be the second game of a three game series if the two teams get to meet in the College Football Playoff, Texas will get revenge on Georgia to win the SEC in just their first season in the conference. Projected Score: Texas 28, Georgia 24

Big Ten Championship
1.Oregon (12-0) vs. 3.Penn State (11-1) (Indianapolis)
8 PM ET, CBS
A win for Oregon over Penn State would continue the Ducks’ undefeated season and lock up the top seed in the 12-team College Football Playoff. After Ohio State got upset by Michigan last Saturday, Penn State was gifted the opportunity to play in the Big Ten title game against the Ducks. The Nittany Lions would appear in the playoff for the first time ever with a win. Drew Allar has been inconsistent but the veteran quarterback has limited turnovers this season throwing 18 touchdowns compared to just 5 interceptions on the season. Allar must trust tight end Tyler Warren (978 yards and 6 TDs), receivers Harrison Wallace III (579 yards and 3 TDs), and Omari Evans (338 yards and 3 TDs) to be reliable targets for him. Penn State’s tailback tandem of Nicholas Singleton (733 yards and 7 TDs) and Kaytron Allen (698 yards and 5 TDs) is really the engine that makes their offense go. The Nittany Lion defense, headed by safety Jaylen Reed (75 tackles, 3 interceptions, and 1.5 sacks) to beat an Oregon offense that has had a lot of success this season. Receivers Tez Johnson (685 yards and 9 TDs) and Evan Stewart (613 yards and 5 TDs) make their quarterback Dillon Gabriel’s job much easier. As does Gabriel’s running back, Jordan James who has gone for over 1,100 yards and 13 touchdowns on the ground. 80 tackle linebacker Bryce Boettcher will be the guy the Penn State offense is preparing for this week. Boettcher and his teammates will attempt to disrupt the Penn State offense. I think they will do a good enough job for the Ducks to move to 13-0 on the season and win the Big Ten in their first season in the league. Projected Score: Oregon 31, Penn State 21

ACC Championship
8.SMU (11-1) vs. 17.Clemson (9-3) (Charlotte)
8 PM ET, ABC
SMU is another team in their first season in a conference to appear in the title game. The Mustangs’ went an incredible record of 11-1 (8-0) in the ACC in just their first season in the ACC. They will face the last ACC team to play in the College Football Playoff, the Clemson Tigers. The Tigers come off of a 17-14 loss against instate rival South Carolina. Despite this loss bringing Dabo Swinney’s team to three on the season, a win in the ACC title game would mean an automatic bid into the College Football Playoff. Clemson’s Cade Klubnik must play efficient football without turning the ball over to SMU. Veteran tailback Phil Mafah will look to improve on his 1,078 yards and 8 touchdowns so far on the season while leading receiver Antonio Williams will look to do the same with his 788 yards and 10 touchdowns. The linebacking duo of Barrett Carter and Wade Woodaz will look to make SMU quarterback Kevin Jennings’s day tough by getting into the backfield. On the other hand, Jennings will attempt to get the ball down the field to his receiving trio of Roderick Daniels Jr., Key’Shawn Smith, and Jordan Hudson and rely on the skills of tailback Brashard Smith. SMU will beat Clemson and send them to 9-4 entering bowl season.
Projected Score: SMU 34, Clemson 20