Current Standings
Kris - 43-46
Fongers - 45-44
Jim - 44-45
Drew - 49-40
Pac-12 Championship: #12 Stanford (9-3, 7-2 Pac-12) +4 vs #10 USC (10-2, 8-1 Pac 12)
The only conference championship game that has no playoff implications, and since the Rose Bowl is a College Football Playoff semi-final bowl, this game is all about pride. USC beat Stanford earlier this year in Los Angeles handedly. However, this game will be played at Levi Stadium, much closer to Stanford. The Cardinal are looking to show they’re an improved team from that early season game against the Trojan’s, after winning eight of their last nine games.
Kris - Stanford
Fongers - Stanford
Jim - Stanford
Drew - USC
Big 12 Championship: #11 TCU (10-2, 7-2 Big 12) +7 vs #3 Oklahoma (11-1, 8-1 Big 12)
My personal beliefs are that TCU is the only way the Crimson Tide find a way into the playoff, seeing as the rest of the playoff spots SHOULD be given to conference championship winners. Oklahoma is looking to prove their previous game against the Horned Frogs was not a fluke, and punch their ticket into the College Football Playoff.
Kris - Oklahoma
Fongers - Oklahoma
Jim - Oklahoma
Drew - Oklahoma
SEC Championship: #6 Georgia (11-1, 7-1 SEC) +1.5 vs #2 Auburn (10-2, 7-1 SEC)
An SEC championship WITHOUT Alabama? All I can say is… FINALLY. Auburn has double motivation to win this game, one they want to win the SEC championship, and two… They DON’T want to see Alabama in the playoff. Georgia needs to show that they’re worthy of being in the playoff, because even with a win, they could see themselves out of the playoff for Alabama.
Kris - Auburn
Fongers - Georgia
Jim - Auburn
Drew - Georgia
ACC Championship: #7 Miami (10-1, 7-1 ACC) +9.5 vs #1 Clemson (11-1, 7-1 ACC)
Another team that has to prove they belong is the Miami Hurricanes. After losing to Pitt in the last week of the regular season, they find themselves on the outside of the playoffs and looking in. Clemson is probably the only team this week that could find themselves in the playoff, even with a loss, as the committee set the precedent last year that you don’t HAVE to have won your conference to get in (See: Ohio State)
Kris - Miami
Fongers - Miami
Jim - Clemson
Drew - Miami
Big Ten Championship: #4 Wisconsin (12-0, 9-0 Big Ten) +6 vs #8 Ohio State (10-2, 8-1 Big Ten)
Wisconsin has the biggest chip on their shoulder, as the only Power 5 team that is undefeated, they find themselves ranked below two loss Auburn. The Badgers may have the biggest disrespect card to play this weekend, but the Buckeyes still have an outside chance to make it in the playoff. Whoever can pull out the win in this game SHOULD find themselves in the College Football Playoff at the end of the month.
Kris - Ohio State
Fongers - Wisconsin
Jim - Wisconsin
Drew - Wisconsin
Minnesota (9-2) +3 at Atlanta (7-4)
With the win against the Lions on Thanksgiving, the Vikings were able to all but lock up the NFC North, but now they’re playing to get a first round bye. The Falcons, playing in the NFL’s best division the NFC South, are trying to keep pace with the Panthers and the Saints. With a win this week, they’ll have the cards in their hand to win any tie-breakers that may come up.
Kris - Minnesota
Fongers - Atlanta
Jim - Atlanta
Drew - Atlanta
Detroit (6-5) +3 at Baltimore (6-5)
The Ravens have the second worst scoring offense in all of football, unfortunately for the Lions, they also have the second BEST scoring defense. The Lions will have to play a full 60 minutes, instead of starting to play in the third quarter. If this Baltimore defense is able to get a lead, it’s going to end up being a long day for Detroit.
Kris - Baltimore
Fongers - Baltimore
Jim - Detroit
Drew - Baltimore