Finally, after duking it out all regular season, teams have arrived here at Championship Saturday.
Conference Championships mean a lot to the fans, the players, and the teams.
It’s not all about NIL for the players, and bonuses for the coaches, it’s also about pride.
Saying We are the champions of the Big Ten, or SEC, or Big 12, or ACC, means a lot.
It shows that you went through the gauntlet of meaningful games, and rivalry games, to be called champions. Every player and team aspires to reach that goal, but you are the only ones to do it.
So, here we go.
ACC Championship Game – Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, NC.
Duke Blue Devils (7-5) vs #17 Virginia Cavaliers (10-2)
Game starts at 8:00 PM (EST) on ABC.
These 2 teams just met on November 15th, and the Cavaliers laid a 34-17 butt whopping on the Blue Devils.
NO, the game was not as close as the score indicated.
Unfortunately, the Cavaliers have suffered a few injuries since that game, and the Blue Devils have gotten a few players back from injury in the secondary since.
Like most games, this one will come down to the trenches and quarterback. Chandler Morris for UVA and Darian Mensah for Duke.
Personally, I love that these 2 teams, (which historically struggle in football), playing for the conference title is great. It shows one of the very few good things that NIL has done, which is parity.
Prediction – I think it’s going to be a repeat, but closer. I’m taking the Cavaliers to win 28-24.
Big Ten Championship Game – Lucas Oil Stadium, Indianapolis, IN.
#2 Indiana Hoosiers (12-0) vs #1 Ohio State Buckeyes (12-0).
Game starts at 8:00 PM (EST) on FOX.
This game could very well end up being for the Heisman Trophy, as both quarterbacks Fernando Mendoza and Julian Sayin are the front runners.
Indiana MUST control the clock and keep the Buckeyes offense off the field, if they want to win this game. They rank 9th in the country in rushing, averaging 229.8 YPG and must use it to their advantage. The revamped offensive line has only allowed 15 sacks all season too. That will allow the play action passing game to open up and let Mendoza show off his arm and accuracy.
Ohio State MUST get pressure on Mendoza, as he’s first in the conference getting rid of the football (2.5 seconds). Make him hold onto the football and be uncomfortable. That will allow the Buckeye playmakers on defense like Downs, Reese, Styles, to do what they do best. They have the advantage at all the skill positions, so just play within themselves.
Prediction – Indiana hasn’t played a defense like this all season long. I think they’ll hang around for a little while, before Ohio State takes over. Give me the Buckeyes to win 35-17.
Big 12 Championship Game – AT&T Stadium, Arlington, TX.
#11 BYU Cougars (11-1) vs #4 Texas Tech Red Raiders (11-1).
Game starts at Noon (EST) on FOX.
Like in the ACC Championship Game, these 2 teams have already met. Texas Tech won 29-7 on November 8th.
BYU likes to play “ugly football”. They run the ball and play sound defense. The offensive line must get movement this time, and allow HB LJ Martin to eat. He leads the conference with 1,229 yards and has 11 TDs. That’ll allow their freshman quarterback Bear Bachmeier to be comfortable. IF they can find a way to keep it close, they’ll have a chance. Otherwise, it’ll be a rinse and repeat.
Texas Tech simply has to continue to play top notch defense and allow quarterback Behren Morton to get into a rhythm early. In the first meeting, they had a 13-0 lead at the half. It should’ve been 28-0, but they couldn’t convert in the redzone. Linebackers David Bailey and Jacob Rodriguez are the leaders of this team. They just need to keep the other 9 players calm and focused. This is the team’s first ever Big 12 conference championship game.
Prediction – This game was U-G-L-Y the first time around, and I don’t think it’ll be better. Texas Tech is clearly the better team. Give me the Red Raiders to win 28-13.
SEC Championship Game – Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta, GA.
#3 Georgia Bulldogs (11-1) vs #9 Alabama Crimson Tide (10-2)
Game starts at 4:00 PM (EST) on ABC.
Like 2 of the previous games here, these teams have met already this season, with the Crimson Tide winning 24-21.
The Bulldogs haven’t forgotten that loss either.
The Georgia defense HAS to play better than it did in the first game. They allowed Alabama to dominate them on the ground. Stopping the run and getting pressure will make it much easier for their offense (who struggled last week). Quarterback Gunnar Stockton only threw for 70 yards, with 1 TD and 1 INT last week against Georgia Tech. He CAN NOT repeat that performance. HC Kirby Smart must get him into rhythm very early.
For Alabama, with starting running back Jam Miller questionable for the game, and backup Kevin Riley is out with a broken jaw; they’ll need quarterback Ty Simpson to be absolutely on point. They have the advantage at WR with Williams and Bernard, so use that with quick passes and crossing routes. The defense allowed 227 yards rushing in the first meeting (mostly in the 2nd half), they must not allow that to happen again.
Prediction – History has shown us, that it’s hard to beat the same team twice in a season. Alabama jumped out early, but Georgia fought back when they first met this season. I think it’ll be a very close game. This is so hard to predict. Simpson is the better QB, but Smart is the better coach. I’ll go out on a limb and take the Crimson Tide to win 28-24.
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In other Conference Championship Games, on Friday Night, give me….
#25 James Madison over Troy in the Sun Belt Championship Game.
Jacksonville State over Kennesaw State in the C-USA Championship Game.
#24 North Texas over #20 Tulane in the AAC Championship Game.
Boise State over UNLV in the Mountain West Championship Game.
In the other Saturday game, I’m taking Western Michigan to spank Miami (OH) in the MAC Championship game.
– by Sean McKenzie
Stats and information courtesy of…..NCAA and ESPN.
Pictures courtesy of…..wallpapercave, clutchpoints, MSN, and FOX4News.
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