For the first time since 2016, Ohio State is sitting at home during conference championship weekend, waiting to see where it will go for its bowl game.
So in that time, why don't we go through and pick which teams will earn conference championships when this is all said and done?
All odds are from BetMGM.
Last week against the spread: 5-3; Overall: 29-35
Conference USA Championship: Western Kentucky vs. UTSA; 7 p.m. Friday, CBS Sports Network
This has the makings of a good old fashioned shootout, pitting the top two scoring offenses against each other. For UTSA, it's been the run game, headlined by running back Sincere McCormick, who has nearly 1,300 yards on the ground with 12 all-purpose touchdowns for a team that's averaging 5.1 yards per carry. For Western Kentucky, it's the passing game, with one of the most electric quarterbacks in college football Bailey Zappe, who has 4,968 passing yards, 52 touchdowns and nine interceptions through 12 games and Jerreth Sterns and Mitchell Tinsley at wide receiver, who have combined for 22 receiving touchdowns. It's going to come down to if the defenses can stop the offensive strengths: Western Kentucky holds the No. 3 rush defense in Conference USA, allowing 3.3 yards per carry and nine touchdowns, while UTSA has allowed 219.8 passing yards per game and 14 passing touchdowns. UTSA won in a shootout earlier this season, as quarterback Frank Harris had the game of his life. Expect a shootout again, but for Western Kentucky to come out on top.
My pick: Western Kentucky -3.5
Outright: Western Kentucky
Pac-12 Championship: No. 10 Oregon vs. No. 17 Utah; 8 p.m. Friday, ABC
Utah's strategy against Oregon Nov. 21 was just running the ball down the Ducks throats and playing stout defense. It's a strategy that's worked all season long, leading the Pac-12 in total defense — allowing 325.4 yards per game — and in rushing offense: averaging 218.1 rushing yards per game and 5.7 yards per carry. With that combination, it was a beatdown at Utah, with the Utes earning the 38-7 win. Will it be that dramatic of a victory again? Probably not. Oregon still has the third-best scoring offense in the conference (33.2) and the No. 1 rush defense in the conference (124.3 yards per game). But if Utah RB Tavion Thomas can just continue to pound the ball forward against the Oregon defensive front, the Utes should be heading to the Rose Bowl.
My pick: Utah -2.5
Outright: Utah
Big 12 Championship: No. 9 Baylor vs. No. 5 Oklahoma State; 12 p.m., ABC
Oklahoma State shut down the dynamic Baylor offense the last time these two teams met, limiting a Bears team that averages over 30 points per game to two touchdowns and 283 yards of offense. Oklahoma State quarterback Spencer Sanders struggled in the pass game mightily, throwing three interceptions, but Jaylen Warren and the run game did enough to earn the 10-point victory. Expect a very similar game here, one where the Cowboys defense decides how this team's going to finish. And based on the last few weeks for the Bears, this seems like a championship for Oklahoma State to secure, leading to potentially a College Football Playoff berth.
My pick: Oklahoma State -5.5
Outright: Oklahoma State
MAC Championship: Kent State vs. Northern Illinois; 12 p.m., ESPN
Another game, another shootout. There's really no in-between for this Kent State team, which has the No. 1 offense in the MAC, with Marquez Cooper and Xavier Williams in the run game and Dustin Crum at quarterback, but with the worst defense, allowing 475 yards per game. However, while this offense is one Rocky Lombardi and the Northern Illinois could keep up with somewhat in their first meeting, falling 52-47 Nov. 3, it's not something it was able to do consistently all season long. Expect Kent State's offense to carry this team to a MAC title.
My pick: Kent State -3.5
Outright: Kent State
Mountain West Championship: Utah State vs. No. 19 San Diego State; 3 p.m., FOX
San Diego State has been all about defense this season, using one of the stingier run defenses in the country — allowing 78.7 yards per game 2.6 yards per rush and four rushing touchdowns — to help it become the No. 19 team in the country with an 11-1 record, including a triple-overtime win against Utah. Utah State's strength isn't in the run game though, but with Logan Bonner and the pass game, recording 3,236 yards, 32 touchdowns and 10 interceptions against an Aztecs defense that allows 235.7 passing yards per game with 19 touchdowns. San Diego State will allow Utah State to pass the ball, so expect this one to be a bit closer than expected, with San Diego State having a history of winning by one score.
My pick: Utah State +6
Outright: San Diego State
Sun Belt Championship: Appalachian State vs. No. 24 Louisiana; 3:30 p.m., ESPN
This was a beatdown in early October, with Louisiana shutting down Appalachian State, 41-13. But Appalachian State still comes in with the conference's No. 2 scoring offense behind Coastal Carolina and the conference's No. 2 scoring defense behind Louisiana. Running backs Chris Smith, Montrell Johnson and Emani Bailey proved to be too much for Appalachian State the first time. The game will be much tighter, but it seems like Louisiana will have head coach Billy Napier leave on a high note in the Sun Belt Championship.
My pick: Louisiana +3
Outright: Louisiana
SEC Championship: No. 1 Georgia vs. No. 3 Alabama; 4 p.m., CBS
This is the big one. Georgia's defense has been legendary this season, leading the country in total defense, allowing 230.8 yards per game, and offensive touchdowns allowed, seven, with Clemson as the next-closest team with 17. While it hasn't faced an offense like Alabama's yet, the Bulldogs shut down Tennessee, the No. 3 offense in the conference to 17 points and 387 yards of offense. LB Naokbe Dean, LB Channing Tindall, DL Jalen Carter and DL Jordan Davis have proven to be too much for any offense that it has faced this year. And while Alabama QB Bryce Young, RB Brian Robinson Jr. and WR Jameson Williams have been very good as a typical Alabama offense, the Crimson Tide have seen nothing like the Bulldogs. Georgia should secure a No. 1 spot in the College Football Playoff Saturday afternoon.
My pick: Georgia -6.5
Outright: Georgia
AAC Championship: No. 21 Houston vs. No. 4 Cincinnati; 4 p.m., ABC
While Cincinnati sits at No. 4 in the latest College Football Playoff rankings, nothing is guaranteed seemingly for the Bearcats. With Oklahoma State behind them vying for a conference championship, the Bearcats will have to continue to win convincingly seemingly to secure a spot in the top four. It's something Desmond Ridder and Cincinnati will have to work for against Houston: the only other team in the AAC that allows less than 20 points per game with a passing offense, led by QB Clayton Tune, that has helped the Cougars average 35.5 points per game. Facing Temple, the AAC's No. 2 pass defense, Tune completed 61.7% of his passes for 224 yards and two touchdowns. But Cincinnati is not only the best in the conference, but the best in the country. Combine that with the best scoring offense in the AAC with Ridder, RB Jerome Ford and WR Alec Pierce, and you have a game that should be no problem for the Bearcats.
My pick: Cincinnati -10.5
Outright: Cincinnati
Big Ten Championship: No. 2 Michigan vs. No. 12 Iowa; 8 p.m., FOX
What a matchup, pitting the No. 1 rushing offense in the Big Ten with the third-best rush defense in the Big Ten. The run game is Michigan's bread and butter, with Hassan Haskins, Blake Corum and Donovan Edwards all as legitimate options for QB Cade McNamara. But it was a run game that struggled to find its footing against the Big Ten's No. 1 rush defense in Wisconsin, recording 2.5 yards per rush and one score. Iowa's offense is dreadful and will be no match for the Michigan defense, but if the Hawkeyes can define the tempo of the game, keeping the clock moving, this should be a closer game than expected heading into the fourth quarter.
My pick: Iowa +10.5
Outright: Michigan
ACC Championship: No. 15 Pittsburgh vs. No. 16 Wake Fortest; 8 p.m. ABC
This could be another shootout, pitting (pun definitely intended) the top two offenses in the ACC against each other. The main question will be if Pitt can stop Wake Forest. The Panthers have the No. 5 defense in the ACC, allowing 23.3 points per game, and excel at stopping the run, allowing 92 yards per game and 2.8 yards per rush — which. is not Wake Forest's strong suit. Wake Forest, on the other hand, has the conference's fifth-best pass defense, with DB Traveon Redd and DB Caelan Carson out in the secondary, allowing 217.6 passing yards per game with opposing quarterbacks completing 58.7% of passes. Is this something Pitt QB Kenny Pickett can overcome, or will he be outbattled by Wake Forest QB Sam Hartman?
My pick: Wake Forest +3
Outright: Wake Forest
So in that time, why don't we go through and pick which teams will earn conference championships when this is all said and done?
All odds are from BetMGM.
Last week against the spread: 5-3; Overall: 29-35
Conference USA Championship: Western Kentucky vs. UTSA; 7 p.m. Friday, CBS Sports Network
This has the makings of a good old fashioned shootout, pitting the top two scoring offenses against each other. For UTSA, it's been the run game, headlined by running back Sincere McCormick, who has nearly 1,300 yards on the ground with 12 all-purpose touchdowns for a team that's averaging 5.1 yards per carry. For Western Kentucky, it's the passing game, with one of the most electric quarterbacks in college football Bailey Zappe, who has 4,968 passing yards, 52 touchdowns and nine interceptions through 12 games and Jerreth Sterns and Mitchell Tinsley at wide receiver, who have combined for 22 receiving touchdowns. It's going to come down to if the defenses can stop the offensive strengths: Western Kentucky holds the No. 3 rush defense in Conference USA, allowing 3.3 yards per carry and nine touchdowns, while UTSA has allowed 219.8 passing yards per game and 14 passing touchdowns. UTSA won in a shootout earlier this season, as quarterback Frank Harris had the game of his life. Expect a shootout again, but for Western Kentucky to come out on top.
My pick: Western Kentucky -3.5
Outright: Western Kentucky
Pac-12 Championship: No. 10 Oregon vs. No. 17 Utah; 8 p.m. Friday, ABC
Utah's strategy against Oregon Nov. 21 was just running the ball down the Ducks throats and playing stout defense. It's a strategy that's worked all season long, leading the Pac-12 in total defense — allowing 325.4 yards per game — and in rushing offense: averaging 218.1 rushing yards per game and 5.7 yards per carry. With that combination, it was a beatdown at Utah, with the Utes earning the 38-7 win. Will it be that dramatic of a victory again? Probably not. Oregon still has the third-best scoring offense in the conference (33.2) and the No. 1 rush defense in the conference (124.3 yards per game). But if Utah RB Tavion Thomas can just continue to pound the ball forward against the Oregon defensive front, the Utes should be heading to the Rose Bowl.
My pick: Utah -2.5
Outright: Utah
Big 12 Championship: No. 9 Baylor vs. No. 5 Oklahoma State; 12 p.m., ABC
Oklahoma State shut down the dynamic Baylor offense the last time these two teams met, limiting a Bears team that averages over 30 points per game to two touchdowns and 283 yards of offense. Oklahoma State quarterback Spencer Sanders struggled in the pass game mightily, throwing three interceptions, but Jaylen Warren and the run game did enough to earn the 10-point victory. Expect a very similar game here, one where the Cowboys defense decides how this team's going to finish. And based on the last few weeks for the Bears, this seems like a championship for Oklahoma State to secure, leading to potentially a College Football Playoff berth.
My pick: Oklahoma State -5.5
Outright: Oklahoma State
MAC Championship: Kent State vs. Northern Illinois; 12 p.m., ESPN
Another game, another shootout. There's really no in-between for this Kent State team, which has the No. 1 offense in the MAC, with Marquez Cooper and Xavier Williams in the run game and Dustin Crum at quarterback, but with the worst defense, allowing 475 yards per game. However, while this offense is one Rocky Lombardi and the Northern Illinois could keep up with somewhat in their first meeting, falling 52-47 Nov. 3, it's not something it was able to do consistently all season long. Expect Kent State's offense to carry this team to a MAC title.
My pick: Kent State -3.5
Outright: Kent State
Mountain West Championship: Utah State vs. No. 19 San Diego State; 3 p.m., FOX
San Diego State has been all about defense this season, using one of the stingier run defenses in the country — allowing 78.7 yards per game 2.6 yards per rush and four rushing touchdowns — to help it become the No. 19 team in the country with an 11-1 record, including a triple-overtime win against Utah. Utah State's strength isn't in the run game though, but with Logan Bonner and the pass game, recording 3,236 yards, 32 touchdowns and 10 interceptions against an Aztecs defense that allows 235.7 passing yards per game with 19 touchdowns. San Diego State will allow Utah State to pass the ball, so expect this one to be a bit closer than expected, with San Diego State having a history of winning by one score.
My pick: Utah State +6
Outright: San Diego State
Sun Belt Championship: Appalachian State vs. No. 24 Louisiana; 3:30 p.m., ESPN
This was a beatdown in early October, with Louisiana shutting down Appalachian State, 41-13. But Appalachian State still comes in with the conference's No. 2 scoring offense behind Coastal Carolina and the conference's No. 2 scoring defense behind Louisiana. Running backs Chris Smith, Montrell Johnson and Emani Bailey proved to be too much for Appalachian State the first time. The game will be much tighter, but it seems like Louisiana will have head coach Billy Napier leave on a high note in the Sun Belt Championship.
My pick: Louisiana +3
Outright: Louisiana
SEC Championship: No. 1 Georgia vs. No. 3 Alabama; 4 p.m., CBS
This is the big one. Georgia's defense has been legendary this season, leading the country in total defense, allowing 230.8 yards per game, and offensive touchdowns allowed, seven, with Clemson as the next-closest team with 17. While it hasn't faced an offense like Alabama's yet, the Bulldogs shut down Tennessee, the No. 3 offense in the conference to 17 points and 387 yards of offense. LB Naokbe Dean, LB Channing Tindall, DL Jalen Carter and DL Jordan Davis have proven to be too much for any offense that it has faced this year. And while Alabama QB Bryce Young, RB Brian Robinson Jr. and WR Jameson Williams have been very good as a typical Alabama offense, the Crimson Tide have seen nothing like the Bulldogs. Georgia should secure a No. 1 spot in the College Football Playoff Saturday afternoon.
My pick: Georgia -6.5
Outright: Georgia
AAC Championship: No. 21 Houston vs. No. 4 Cincinnati; 4 p.m., ABC
While Cincinnati sits at No. 4 in the latest College Football Playoff rankings, nothing is guaranteed seemingly for the Bearcats. With Oklahoma State behind them vying for a conference championship, the Bearcats will have to continue to win convincingly seemingly to secure a spot in the top four. It's something Desmond Ridder and Cincinnati will have to work for against Houston: the only other team in the AAC that allows less than 20 points per game with a passing offense, led by QB Clayton Tune, that has helped the Cougars average 35.5 points per game. Facing Temple, the AAC's No. 2 pass defense, Tune completed 61.7% of his passes for 224 yards and two touchdowns. But Cincinnati is not only the best in the conference, but the best in the country. Combine that with the best scoring offense in the AAC with Ridder, RB Jerome Ford and WR Alec Pierce, and you have a game that should be no problem for the Bearcats.
My pick: Cincinnati -10.5
Outright: Cincinnati
Big Ten Championship: No. 2 Michigan vs. No. 12 Iowa; 8 p.m., FOX
What a matchup, pitting the No. 1 rushing offense in the Big Ten with the third-best rush defense in the Big Ten. The run game is Michigan's bread and butter, with Hassan Haskins, Blake Corum and Donovan Edwards all as legitimate options for QB Cade McNamara. But it was a run game that struggled to find its footing against the Big Ten's No. 1 rush defense in Wisconsin, recording 2.5 yards per rush and one score. Iowa's offense is dreadful and will be no match for the Michigan defense, but if the Hawkeyes can define the tempo of the game, keeping the clock moving, this should be a closer game than expected heading into the fourth quarter.
My pick: Iowa +10.5
Outright: Michigan
ACC Championship: No. 15 Pittsburgh vs. No. 16 Wake Fortest; 8 p.m. ABC
This could be another shootout, pitting (pun definitely intended) the top two offenses in the ACC against each other. The main question will be if Pitt can stop Wake Forest. The Panthers have the No. 5 defense in the ACC, allowing 23.3 points per game, and excel at stopping the run, allowing 92 yards per game and 2.8 yards per rush — which. is not Wake Forest's strong suit. Wake Forest, on the other hand, has the conference's fifth-best pass defense, with DB Traveon Redd and DB Caelan Carson out in the secondary, allowing 217.6 passing yards per game with opposing quarterbacks completing 58.7% of passes. Is this something Pitt QB Kenny Pickett can overcome, or will he be outbattled by Wake Forest QB Sam Hartman?
My pick: Wake Forest +3
Outright: Wake Forest
