College football fans are gearing up for one of the most anticipated weekends of the season—Conference Championship Weekend. With playoff berths, first-round byes, and national seeding on the line, multiple title games will determine not just conference champions but who makes the College Football Playoff (CFP). The spotlight is firmly on the Big Ten Championship, where No. 1 Ohio State and No. 2 Indiana collide in a blockbuster showdown that could crown the CFP’s top seed.
Big Ten Championship: Ohio State vs. Indiana
The two top-ranked teams in the AP Poll will meet in Indianapolis in a game that has been building all season. After Indiana defeated Oregon earlier in the year, both teams appeared destined for this moment. The winner will likely claim the No. 1 seed in the College Football Playoff, while the loser remains strongly positioned for a first-round bye.
Power Conference Championship Matchups
| Conference | Matchup | Key Storyline |
|---|---|---|
| Big Ten | Indiana vs. Ohio State | No. 1 vs No. 2 showdown with top playoff seeding at stake |
| SEC | Georgia vs. Alabama | Rematch after Alabama snapped Georgia’s 33-game home win streak |
| Big 12 | Texas Tech vs. BYU | Red Raiders handed BYU its only loss earlier this November |
| ACC | Virginia vs. Duke | Duke grabs a spot at 7-5 thanks to tiebreakers; loser eliminated |
SEC Championship: Georgia vs. Alabama
A heavyweight rematch defines the SEC title showdown. Alabama shocked Georgia earlier by breaking the Bulldogs’ 33-game home winning streak. Now, both look to secure a playoff spot in a game with historic implications.
Big 12 Championship: Texas Tech vs. BYU
Texas Tech cruised to a 22-point win over BYU in their first meeting earlier this season. BYU will seek redemption and a title in one of the more evenly matched games.
ACC Championship: Virginia vs. Duke
The ACC brings drama and unpredictability as 7-5 Duke earns a spot thanks to conference tiebreakers. Neither team is expected to secure an at-large bid, making this a must-win for both programs.
Group of Five Championship Games: A Path to the Playoff?
The American Athletic Conference Championship between North Texas and Tulane is the marquee matchup among Group of 5 conferences. The winner is expected to be the highest-ranked Group of 5 champion and will likely earn a College Football Playoff bid.
But there’s a twist.
If James Madison beats Troy in the Sun Belt Championship, the Dukes would rise to 12-1 and could be seriously considered for a playoff position—especially if Duke upsets Virginia in the ACC. Under the CFP format, the playoff committee selects the five highest-ranked conference champions, meaning Power Five status does not guarantee inclusion.
Group of 5 Title Games:
- MAC: Miami (Ohio) vs. Western Michigan
- American: North Texas vs. Tulane
- C-USA: Kennesaw State vs. Jacksonville State
- MWC: UNLV vs. Boise State
- Sun Belt: Troy vs. James Madison
What’s at Stake This Weekend?
- Top Playoff Seeds: Ohio State vs. Indiana winner likely earns No. 1 seed.
- Playoff Berths: SEC, Big Ten, Big 12, and potentially the American and Sun Belt champions.
- Group of 5 Chaos: James Madison could disrupt the CFP picture with a Sun Belt title and favorable rankings.
- Elimination Games: ACC Championship is win-or-go-home for both Duke and Virginia.
Final Thoughts
Conference Championship weekend is more than just crowning champions. It will define the College Football Playoff field, determine first-round byes, and possibly deliver a historic opportunity for a Group of 5 team to crash the playoff for the first time in the expanded era.
This weekend promises high drama, high stakes, and potentially historic outcomes as teams battle for conference glory and a shot at the national title.