Happy December, everyone. It’s Week 14, which marks the week that sends teams to the top bowl games. The College Football Playoff rankings have Georgia, Michigan, TCU, and USC in the four-team format with Ohio State and Alabama the first two teams out. Many think that win or lose, Georgia, Michigan, and TCU are locked in the College Football Playoff at the end of the month. USC, the only non-undefeated team in the top 4, just needs to win tonight’s Pac-12 Championship game to secure a playoff spot. If Utah beats them for the second time this season, Ohio State would take their place, so all Buckeyes are Utah fans tonight. So, here are my picks for this weekend:
MAC Championship: Toledo (7-5) (-3) vs.ย Ohio (9-3)
Toledo leads the all-time series, 32-21-1. The Rockets seek their first MAC Championship since 2017, which would be their 12th championship in the conference and 15th overall. They’re making their first trip to Ford Field, in Detroit, for the first time since that 2017 season. It’s been quite a drought for Ohio, their last MAC Championship since 1968. It’s their first MAC Championship game appearance since 2016, where they lost by six to Western Michigan. Ohio has won their last seven games and I think the drought ends tomorrow for the Bobcats.
Tune into Toledo vs. Ohio tomorrow at 12 PM ET on ESPN.
Conference USA Championship: North Texas (7-5) atย UTSA (10-2) (-8.5)
UTSA is looking for their second-straight Conference USA Championship in the same place they won the conference last season. In games played in San Antonio, the Roadrunners are 4-1 against North Texas, but the overall series history is tied at 5-5. The Mean Green are looking for their first Conference USA title, having previously won a total of 25 championships in the TIAA, Lone Star, Gulf Coast, Missouri Valley, Southland, and Sun Belt Conferences. It would be North Texas’s first conference title since 2004 when they won their fourth-straight Sun Belt title. They’re in the Conference USA Championship for the first time since 2017. With Frank Harris at quarterback and the game at the Alamodome, I’ll take UTSA to raise the trophy tonight.
Tune into North Texas at UTSA at 7:30 PM ET on CBS Sports Network.
Sun Belt Championship: Coastal Carolina (9-2) atย Troy (10-2) (-8.5)
Coastal Carolina, with Grayson McCall at quarterback, is the better offensive team, but defense and home-field advantage will win championships for the Trojans. Even though Troy trails the overall series 2-3, they have not lost a game since September 17 and host the Sun Belt Championship game. They’re a better defensive team and while Coastal Carolina has been a better team in the past few seasons, I think Troy will be on top tomorrow.
Tune into Coastal Carolina at Troy tomorrow at 3:30 PM ET on ESPN.
Mountain West Championship: Fresno State (8-4) atย Boise State (9-3) (-3)
Boise State and Fresno State have similar scoring offenses, averaging around 30 points per game so far this season. Boise State has a better scoring defense, allowing opponents to score 17.8 points per game while the Bulldogs allow opponents to score 20.8. The Broncos have been dominant in the past against Fresno State, with an impressive 17-7 record, including an 11-2 record at home and winning three of the last four meetings. It’s a rematch of the 2018 Mountain West Championship, where the Bulldogs won in overtime. I’m a bigger fan of Fresno State quarterback Jake Haener than I am of Taylen Green. With the game on the smurf turf in Boise, I’ll take Boise State in a defensive battle. The winner of this game will be in the Jimmy Kimmel LA Bowl.
Tune into Fresno State at Boise State tomorrow at 4 PM ET on FOX.
Big Ten Championship: Purdue (8-4) vs.ย #2 Michigan (12-0) (-16.5)
The Big Ten West has always been much weaker, but it was an entertaining finish to see who would represent the division in Indianapolis. Every season it’s about, “who will win the Big Ten and why is it from the East Division?” Out of all of the power 5 conference championships, the Big Ten, surprisingly, is the only one that doesn’t feature two top 25 teams. Michigan is coming off their signature win, upsetting arch-rival Ohio State in Columbus last Saturday. Purdue has a history of knocking off top-5 opponents, but their 14-45 record against the Wolverines does not seem to help their case. Michigan has won four in a row, seeking their second-consecutive Big Ten Championship, the first also sending the Wolverines to the College Football Playoff. They will be without Heisman Trophy candidate running back Blake Corum for the rest of the season, but their offensive line is so good, it helped Donovan Edwards in Ohio Stadium. It’s an enormous mismatch in Indianapolis, with Michigan victorious. If somehow, the Boilermakers upset Michigan, Purdue would be in the Rose Bowl on January 2.
Tune into Purdue vs. Michigan tomorrow at 8 PM ET on FOX.
American Athletic Conference Championship:ย #22 UCF (9-3)ย at #18 Tulane (10-2) (-4)
UCF has a five-game winning streak against Tulane and has a 4-2 record at Yulman Stadium. I don’t believe that all the conference championship games will be chalk, so I’m going with the upset. I think on paper, Tulane is a better defensive team and both teams are matched evenly on offense. With the home-field advantage, I would take the Green Wave in a heartbeat, but I’ll take UCF in an upset based on the series’ history. The winner of this game will go to the Cotton Bowl.
Tune into UCF at Tulane tomorrow at 4 PM ET on ABC.
ACC Championship:ย #9 Clemson (10-2) (-7.5)ย vs. #23 North Carolina (9-3)
I think it’s very clear that these two teams are not balanced on offense and defense. I think North Carolina is a more offensive-sided team, especially with star quarterback Drake Maye. On the other hand, Clemson is a defensive team. Following a loss, Clemson, under Dabo Swinney, has won the last four games. Overall, they are 30-7 after a loss under him. In the series, the Tigers lead 38-19-1, with a 2-0 record in a neutral site. Clemson has won four in a row, and while the Tar Heels are the better offensive team, I’m not sure they’ll be able to get their usual offense going against the Tigers’ defense. The winner of this game will punch their ticket to the Orange Bowl.
Tune into Clemson vs. North Carolina tomorrow at 8 PM ET on ABC.
SEC Championship: #14 LSU (9-3) vs.ย #1 Georgia (12-0) (-17.5)
The defending national champions are one step closer to winning their first SEC Championship since 2017 when they beat Auburn in a blowout. I expect another blowout tomorrow, as Georgia’s defense, along with quarterback Stetson Bennett leading the offense, dominates against LSU. LSU leads the overall series 18-13-1, with a 5-1 record in neutral site meetings. However, after last year’s hiccup against Alabama, Kirby Smart and the Bulldogs get the job done this time. If Georgia wins, they’ll secure their spot as the No. 1 team in the College Football Playoff. If LSU wins, the Tigers will be in New Orleans for the Sugar Bowl.
Tune into LSU vs. Georgia tomorrow at 4 PM ET on CBS.
Big 12 Championship: #10 Kansas State (9-3) vs.ย #3 TCU (12-0) (-2)
I could totally see Deuce Vaughn and the Wildcats upsetting TCU, but Max Duggan has been one of the best quarterbacks this season and certainly was the best player in the Big 12. The series is tied at 8-8 and TCU won by 10 in Fort Worth earlier this season, not too far from the “neutral” site game in Arlington, Texas. I’ll take the Horned Frogs by a field goal in a battle down to the wire. If TCU wins, they lock their spot in the College Football Playoff. If Kansas State comes out victorious, the Wildcats will be in the Sugar Bowl.
Tune into Kansas State vs. TCU tomorrow at 12 PM ET on ABC.
Pac-12 Championship: #11 Utah (9-3) vs.ย #4 USC (11-1) (-3)
Utah handed USC its first loss this season in Salt Lake City, and the rematch is set for Las Vegas tonight. Utah is seeking back-to-back Pac-12 Championships, which would mean their second-straight Rose Bowl appearance. If USC wins, they’ll be in the College Football Playoff for the first time. If they lose, Ohio State gets in. USC quarterback Caleb Williams is the Heisman Trophy favorite and seeks revenge against the Utes. The problem will be trying to stop them when Cam Rising is throwing to tight end Dalton Kincaid, who the Trojans could not contain at Rice-Eccles Stadium. The Trojans lead the all-time series 13-8. If the Trojans can find some momentum on defense to contain Utah, USC would win their first Pac-12 Championship since 2017 and their 40th overall. I think Caleb Williams leads the Trojans to the College Football Playoff tonight.
Tune into Utah vs. USC at 8 PM ET on FOX.
Calhoun's Corner 