Ranking Every Conference Championship Game: Best-to-Worst Matchups This Weekend

Conference championship weekend is upon us as we are in store for another exciting week of college football. I thought it would be fun to rank the games based on my interest each week. Between big-time matchups, total duds, and everything in between, here are my best-to-worst games for the weekend.

#4 Texas Tech vs #11 BYU (Big 12)

You knew I was going to put this game at number one being a Big 12 guy. While it may be the only power four conference championship game with a double-digit spread, there is still a lot at stake. Both teams are seeking their first Big 12 championship and Texas Tech is fighting for a first-round bye in the playoff while BYU needs to win this one just to get it. Plus, it’s a sell out crowd in Jerry World, so that place will be electric.

#1 Ohio State vs #2 Indiana (Big Ten)

If we were in the days of the four-team playoff, this game would have been No. 1 because so much would have been on the line in Indianapolis. Even with both teams being a lock for a first-round bye, I am very interested to see how the Hoosiers match up with Ohio State. It feels like the Buckeyes haven’t been truly tested against an elite team in ages (sorry, Michigan doesn’t count).

#20 Tulane vs #24 North Texas (American)

Who wants to go to the College Football Playoff? This is the only game where it feels like it’s do-or-die for either team. Outside of the power four conferences, the AAC will be the final conference represented in the postseason due to their ranking. The winner of this game will move on while the loser will go home. This will be a nice little Friday appetizer before the other games on Saturday.

#17 Virginia vs Duke (ACC)

Make no mistake, the game itself doesn’t intrigue me, but the result of this game matters a lot. Somehow, a 7-5 Duke team snuck their way into an ACC championship game, which is probably the last thing the ACC wanted. Why? Because if Duke pulls off the upset against Virginia, then there is a good chance of the ACC being left out of the playoff completely which would be absolutely wild.

#3 Georgia vs #9 Alabama (SEC)

It feels like we have seen this game 100 times and these two have already played earlier this year. For Georgia, they have a chance to secure a first-round bye and even if they lose, they will still get into the Field of 12. However, keep your eyes on Alabama. Committee chairman Hunter Yurachek said that teams could move up or down on championship weekend, so I am curious to see if he is telling the truth or lying through his teeth. I guess we will find out, if Alabama goes down.

#25 James Madison vs. Troy (Sun Belt)

This is the final conference championship game on the list with playoff implications. The Dukes have cruised their way through the Sun Belt and are a 23.5-point favorite on Friday night. Barring a miracle, they will win with ease, but all eyes will be on the ACC game for James Madison because if Duke wins then they could find themselves in the Playoff.

Boise State vs. UNLV (Mountain West)

The only reason I have a slight interest is because of two things: One is Dan Mullen, who has done a great job this season in Vegas. If he wins this game, would it be enough to draw interest from a bigger school? UNLV doesn’t have much money as they even admitted to only having enough to pay him through the first two years of his contract. The other thing is the blue field in Boise; gosh I love that Smurf turf.

Western Michigan vs. Miami Ohio (MAC)

This game really doesn’t do much for me. I feel like I don’t pay attention to the MAC at all until November during those Tuesday and Wednesday night games that I do typically enjoy. As for this championship game, it’s just kind of meh and honestly, I wish they played this game outside instead of inside Ford Field in Detroit. Imagine playing a conference championship in the snowy Michigan weather. I’d watch that.

Jacksonville State vs. Kennesaw State (Conference USA)

For a second there, I almost forgot that this conference still existed, and when I saw the matchup here, I didn’t even know that these two schools were in Conference USA. Jacksonville State beat Kennesaw State earlier this year by double digits and there is nothing about this game that necessarily makes me want to stop what I am doing and watch it.