Welcome to conference championship weekend.
With the College Football Playoff field slated to be released on Sunday, all that remains is to determine the winners of each conference across the country. While teams like Georgia and Michigan appear locked in for a four-team berth, TCU needs to win its conference to ensure the national title. No. 4 USC may already be in trouble Lost to Utah in the Pac-12 title game on Friday.
Here’s a breakdown of each of today’s conference title games.
(Note: All times ET, odds from BetMGM)
Big 12: No. 3 TCU vs. no. 10 Kansas State
Time: Noon ET | TV: ABC | Tax: TCU -2.5 | A total of 62
A win assures TCU its first College Football Playoff berth in school history. The Horned Frogs could still be in the playoffs even with a loss to Kansas State, but we’re sure TCU fans don’t want to sweat it. The Wildcats are playing for their first Big 12 title since 2003 and their fourth conference title overall. No matter what happens on Saturday, KSU is headed to the Sugar Bowl.
SEC: NO. 1 Georgia vs. no. 14 LSU
Time: 4pm ET | TV: CBS | Line: Georgia -17.5 | A total of 51.5
Whatever happens on Saturday, the Bulldogs seem locked in the College Football Playoff. A conference title is the 14th in school history and first since 2017 after losing to Alabama in the title game a year ago. LSU, with three losses, is out of the playoff picture, but needs to win to go to the Sugar Bowl. Otherwise, let’s call for a citrus bowl. LSU last won the SEC en route to a national title in 2019.
Big Ten: Purdue vs. No. 2 Michigan
Time: 8 pm | TV: Fox | Line: UM -17 | Total: 51.5
The Wolverines are coming off two consecutive Big Ten titles. On top of that, a win guarantees Michigan a spot in the College Football Playoff. It’s hard to see Michigan being eliminated from the field with even one loss, but the seeding is certainly at stake for the Wolverines. This is also a big deal for Purdue. The Boilermakers have never reached the Big Ten championship game and have a chance to win the conference title for the first time since 2000. A win would give Purdue a trip to the Rose Bowl.
ACC: NO. 23 North Carolina vs. no. 9 Clemson
Time: 8 pm | TV: ABC | Line: Clemson -7.5 | Total: 63.5
Although neither team has a realistic shot at the playoffs in this game, Clemson is playing in its eighth ACC title game in 17 years. Clemson won six consecutive ACC titles between 2015 and 2020 before ending last year. Meanwhile, this is UNC’s second appearance in the ACC title game. North Carolina hasn’t won a conference championship since 1980 and hasn’t had a season with double-digit wins since 2015.
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