2020 Conference Championship Preview

We have made it to conference championship weekend. Unfortunately, the Sun Belt Champ game featuring 19Louisiana and 12Coastal Carolina has been canceled because of covid and the two will be named co-champions. I was really looking forward to that game. I really hope we get all of the other 9 games in this weekend. On Sunday we will know who made it into the College Football Playoff. The season is almost done.

My Record: 5-1 last week, 54-29 overall (65%)

*I will not be doing bowl picks this season. There are too many variables. I will pick and preview all of the CFP games and the NY6 bowls

Conference Championships
CUSA Championship (Friday): UAB at Marshall
This game is an interesting one. Marshall started out the season with 7 straight wins before being shut out by Rice in their last game. It really makes me wonder if they have mentally checked out. UAB has three losses on the year, but one came to Miami early on and the other two were close ones to Louisiana and Louisiana Tech. The Blazers have only played one game since November 14, and that was a win over Rice. UAB has a special place in my heart and I think that they can pull out this win. This will be the third straight year that UAB represents the West Division in this game. Not bad for a team that got cut by their university after the 2014 season and didn’t play for two years.
I am picking UAB

MAC Championship (Friday): Ball State vs Buffalo
Buffalo has been really good over their short season. Their offense has been nearly unstoppable and running back Jaret Patterson has rushed for 1,025 yards and 18TDs on just 123 carries (8 of those TDs came in one game!). Ball State has also been strong this year, but they have played a lot more close games (only one with a margin more than 7). I just don’t think that Ball State will be able to contain the Buffalo offense.
I am picking Buffalo

Pac 12 Championship: Oregon at 13USC
This game was originally supposed to pit Washington against USC, but because of covid issues for the Huskies, Oregon has taken over to represent the Pac 12 North. Oregon started out well but have been a bit meh since. They lost their last two games and just haven’t felt like Oregon. USC is probably the best team in the Pac 12 but that isn’t saying much. They have figured out how to win games at the end and I think that is how they will win this one. This one could really come down to the wire.
I am Picking USC

Big 10 Championship: 14Northwestern vs 4Ohio State
I really think Ohio State will win this game comfortably, but Northwestern can be sneaky. Despite only playing 5 games this season, I really do think Ohio State is one of the better teams in the country based on what I have seen. Their only close game was against a very good Indiana, and that was a comeback attempt. Of course, I want Northwestern to win this game because I am not an Ohio State fan and I love chaos, but I don’t think it would be smart to pick against the Buckeyes in this situation.
I am picking Ohio State

Big 12 Championship: 10Oklahoma vs 6Iowa State
This game has the potential to be the most fun and exciting of the weekend. The two played each other earlier this season and Iowa State won. This December Oklahoma team is a bit different than the one that the Cyclones saw in early October. The Sooners have found their offense and really do look like Oklahoma. I think this game will come down to the last possession and I think Oklahoma has the edge. But, if Iowa State wins and gets some help from Northwestern and Notre Dame, they might make it into the CFP.
I am picking Oklahoma

ACC Championship: 3Clemson vs 2Notre Dame
This is Clemson’s revenge game. When the two teams met earlier this season, the Tigers were without star QB Trevor Lawrence. That game went to 2OT. I think Lawrence is the difference maker and that Clemson will win this game. Of course, in that scenario, both teams will remain ranked in the top 4 (unless it is a blowout). If Notre Dame wins, I believe that Clemson should be out of the top 4. I’m not sure that will happen because the committee likes to play things safe and it’s easy to put Clemson in. That said, I think it will be a non-issue because Clemson is the better team. We probably won’t see them play in the semis because the committee would put one at 2 and the other at 4.
I am picking Clemson

Mountain West Championship: Boise State at 24San Jose State (in Las Vegas)I am picking San Jose State

SEC Championship: 1Alabama vs 7Florida
After seeing Florida get beat by LSU, I don’t think the final score of this game will be all that close. Florida’s defense is not good. Alabama’s offense is insanely good. I do not see the Gators being able to hold the Tide. I am interested to see if this game will be a shootout, but I’d take Alabama in that game too. Dan Mullen has been super annoying this year as well and I’d like to see him get beat.
I am picking Alabama

American Championship: 23Tulsa at 9Cincinnati
These two teams were supposed to play last weekend but covid caused them to cancel. Cincinnati still has an outside shot of making the CFP and has a very good shot of representing the Group of 5 schools in a NY6 bowl game. Tulsa has been scrappy this season and has found ways to win close games. I don’t think this game will be all that close and send the Bearcats to a NY6 bowl.
I am picking Cincinnati

Other Games
Nebraska at Rutgers (Friday)
5Texas A&M at Tennessee
Washington State at Utah
Air Force at Army
Ole Miss at LSU
Missouri at Mississippi State
Minnesota at Wisconsin
Illinois at Penn State
Stanford at UCLA
Michigan State at Maryland
Arizona State at Oregon State

Covid Cancelations
Vanderbilt at 8Georgia
Purdue at 11Indiana
19Louisiana at 12Coastal Carolina (Sun Belt Championship)
Michigan at 16Iowa
Georgia Tech at 18Miami
Arizona at California
SMU at UTSA
ULM at Troy
Florida State at Wake Forest