On Sunday, every team in college football’s top division will learn its postseason fate. But before College Football Playoff berths and bowl destinations are determined, there is one more piece of business to be settled on the field.
So as December begins, it’s time to crown conference champions. Some are more meaningful than others, and even those that appear to be attractive matchups might not live up to their billing. But we’ll attempt to break them all down here in order of importance and interest.
We’ll begin with a battle of the last two unbeaten squads and work our way through the rest, many of which are encore presentations.
Big Ten: No. 1 Ohio State vs. No. 2 Indiana
Time/TV: Saturday, 8 p.m. ET, Fox.
Why watch: Ironically, the matchup involving the highest-ranked teams is the least consequential of the conference finales in terms of the actual value. The winner in Indianapolis will be the top overall seed, though the runner-up is unlikely to fall from the top four so both will get byes. But this contest could determine the Heisman winner, with numerous candidates on the field for both undefeated squads. Naturally, the quarterbacks are the headliners. Indiana’s Fernando Mendoza has delivered a couple game-winning moments, with WRs Omar Cooper and Elijah Sarratt providing many of the highlights. Buckeyes QB Julian Sayin has taken full advantage of his ultra-talented receiving corps, featuring Jeremiah Smith and Carnell Tate along with TE Max Klare, resulting in a lofty 78.9% completion rate. There will be plenty of star power on the defensive side as well, with veterans like Sonny Styles and Caleb Downs leading the charge for the Buckeyes and Aiden Fisher and Louis Moore making plays for the Hoosiers.
Why it could disappoint: Given Ohio State’s romp through the playoff last year, a one-sided affair is always a possibility. Then again, it’s fair to wonder how this year’s version of the Buckeyes will respond under pressure, which they haven’t faced in quite some time. The Hoosiers for their part still feel like they have a point to prove. Bottom line, both teams should give maximum effort even with playoff spots essentially locked up.
SEC: No. 3 Georgia vs. No. 10 Alabama
Time/TV: Saturday, 4 p.m. ET, ABC.
Why watch: It’s the SEC and thus indisputably a big deal, but it’s a rematch in Atlanta that neither party especially wanted. The Crimson Tide find themselves in the unenviable position of having to beat the Bulldogs again to guarantee a spot in the playoff, but Georgia is similarly not enthusiastic about having to face its annual nemesis for a second time. In the Bulldogs’ favor, they’ve been playing better defense since losing to the Crimson Tide back on Sept. 27 with LB CJ Allen as the centerpiece. Alabama QB Ty Simpson must get back to being decisive with the ball as he was during the Tide’s eight-game winning streak. Bulldogs QB Gunner Stockton has fewer deep targets but gets more ground support and can take off himself when needed, though he won’t want to meet up with Tide LB Justin Jefferson too often.
Why it could disappoint: Based on the past month, Georgia would be considered the stronger candidate to make this a runaway. But the Crimson Tide probably won’t be left in the dust, particularly because of their recent history with the Bulldogs.
Big 12: No. 6 Texas Tech vs. No. 11 Brigham Young
Time/TV: Saturday, noon ET, ABC.
Why watch: Saturday’s first so-called power conference finale has arguably the highest of stakes. The Red Raiders are likely in the playoff field win or lose but would have a strong case for a first-round bye with a victory in Arlington, Texas. The Cougars would have an argument for inclusion should they fall to Texas Tech for a second time, but their place in the committee’s penultimate rankings makes that an iffy proposition. BYU QB Bear Bachmeier was outshone by Red Raiders LB Jacob Rodriguez in their prior encounter. He’ll need help from RB LJ Martin to avoid a repeat performance. Texas Tech QB Behren Morton didn’t have a huge passing day but took better care of the ball, something Cougars DB Tanner Wall hopes to change.
Why it could disappoint: Many of BYU’s issues were self-inflicted in their first meeting with the Red Raiders, including several miscues in the kicking game. But even if the Cougars clean those up, Texas Tech could prove to be the more complete team. Should that be the case, at least there’s a viewing alternative (see below).
ACC: No. 17 Virginia vs. Duke
Time/TV: Saturday, 8 p.m. ET, ABC
Why watch: The ACC’s season of chaos culminated in a wild weekend that produced the messiest championship pairing among the power leagues. If the Cavaliers handle the Blue Devils in Charlotte, N.C., as they did three weeks ago, they’ll be off to the playoff with little controversy. A Duke win could result in the conference being omitted from the field altogether, though the lobbying would be loud. UVa’s backfield tandem of QB Chandler Morris and J’Mari Taylor set the tone early in the first meeting at Duke. The Blue Devils will need DE Vincent Anthony Jr. to make an impact in the Cavaliers’ backfield. Blue Devils QB Darian Mensah will have to be sharper and get better protection. UVa will need another big night from LB Maddox Marcellus as he fills the formidable shoes of injured mainstay Kam Robinson.
Why it could disappoint: It’s quite possible Virginia will dominate here as it did in Durham. The first few series for Duke will be critical to show this one might be different.
American: No. 20 North Texas at No. 21 Tulane
Time/TV: Friday, 8 p.m. ET, ABC.
Why watch: The winner here will be headed to the College Football Playoff, though the joy will be tempered somewhat as both coaches will be off to new jobs when the season concludes (Tulane’s Jon Sumrall to Florida and North Texas’ Eric Morris to Oklahoma State). In a refreshing change, this is one of the few title tilts that is not a rematch. It could also feature plenty of excitement with both teams sporting high-octane attacks, though the Mean Green’s aerial assault is more prolific. North Texas QB Drew Mestemaker enters the game with 3,835 passing yards and 29 TDs with just four picks. He spreads the ball among a variety of targets, though WR Wyatt Young and RB Caleb Hawkins get their share of touches. Tulane DB Jack Tchienchou figures to have a busy night. Green Wave QB Jake Retzlaff has 14 TDs each by air and on the ground, though he puts the ball in harm’s way on occasion. He has four reliable targets with over 400 receiving yards each, though one of them, WR Bryce Bohanon, has missed the last two games with a lower-body injury and remains questionable. The Mean Green secondary features numerous takeaway threats, including Will Jones II and Quinton Hammons.
Why it could disappoint: It probably won’t. The Green Wave can cause heart palpitations for their fans even when they win. North Texas can score in bunches, but both teams should have enough firepower to stage a comeback if needed.
Sun Belt: Troy at No. 19 James Madison
Time/TV: Friday, 7 p.m. ET, ESPN.
Why watch: The Dukes host this event for the first time, continuing their meteoric ascent from Football Championship Subdivision contenders to regular bowl participants. There’s a chance a win might even mean a playoff bid, though that would require some help – in short, Dukes’ fans will become big Duke fans should their team prevail. The Trojans seek their third SBC crown in four years, though their spot in this contest wasn’t secured until they finished off Southern Mississippi on the final weekend of the campaign. The driving force for James Madison is QB Alonza Barnett III, who gets plenty of help in the backfield from RB Wayne Knight. The Trojans will counter with QB Goose Crowder, who missed time with a shoulder injury but has been effective when needed in the team’s two-game closing stretch.
Why it could disappoint: There’s definitely mismatch potential here. JMU is unscathed in Sun Belt play, and only one of the wins was by a single digit margin. The Trojans were blanked a few weeks ago at Old Dominion, whom the Dukes demolished 63-27 earlier.
Mountain West: UNLV at Boise State
Time/TV: Friday, 8 p.m. ET, Fox.
Why watch: This is the third consecutive year the Broncos and Rebels meet for the MWC title, although their appearance here this time was anything but inevitable. Computer rankings broke a four-way tie to determine the finalists over New Mexico and San Diego State. The Broncos also won this year’s regular-season clash with UNLV in a 56-31 romp back on Oct. 18. The Boise State offense has struggled since then, but QB Maddux Madsen is expected to return from a leg injury for this rematch, and RB Dylan Riley has contributed over 1,000 yards on the ground. UNLV will counter with the offensive triad of dual-threat QB Anthony Colandrea, RB Jai’Den Thomas and WR Jaden Bradley.
Why it could disappoint: The Broncos usually have their way of things on the blue turf. It might take some time for Boise to regain its offensive rhythm, which could help the Rebels avoid a rerun of their previous encounter.
MAC: Miami (Ohio) vs. Western Michigan
Time/TV: Saturday, noon ET, ESPN.
Why watch: It will be up against the Big 12, but it might be worth a look if history repeats itself and that game is mismatch. This is the third consecutive appearance in the MAC title game for the RedHawks, who seek their second crown in that stretch. The Broncos are here for the first time since their most recent league championship in 2016, which was P.J. Fleck’s final season in Kalamazoo before he rowed his boat to Minnesota. Miami is responsible for WMU’s single conference loss, a 26-17 decision on Oct. 25, but the Broncos have since rattled off four consecutive wins. Broncos QB Broc Lowry has accounted for 21 total TDs, 14 of them by land. The RedHawks offense is in the hands of freshman QB Thomas Gotkowski, who has led back-to-back victories in the aftermath of the midseason departure of starter Dequan Finn.
Why it could disappoint: #MACtion rarely does, though the Broncos might have the edge in offensive continuity here. WMU has also exhibited better ball security, so a turnover-filled contest might not go Miami’s way.
Conference USA: Kennesaw State at Jacksonville State
Time/TV: Friday, 7 p.m. ET, CBSSN.
Why watch: The Gamecocks seek a second consecutive C-USA title, though this year’s squad looks quite different with both staff and roster largely rebuilt. Charles Kelly did more than just keep Jax State afloat after Rich Rodriguez answered the call back to West Virginia. But what Jerry Mack accomplished at Kennesaw State might be even more impressive. The Owls are here for the first time in just their second year in the league after winning just two games in 2024. The Gamecocks won the regular-season meeting with Kennesaw State 35-26 on Nov. 15 on this same field, which was the Owls’ lone league loss that ultimately earned the Gamecocks hosting privileges. Jax State does most of its damage on the ground, led by RB Cam Cook with both QBs Caden Creel and Gavin Wimsatt able to step in and take snaps. The Owls feature a more conventional aerial attack with QB Amari Odom at the controls. His primary targets are WRs Gabriel Benyard and Christian Moss.
Why it could disappoint: Again, things could unfold largely as they did the first time. But there shouldn’t be any surprises between these familiar opponents, and both teams should be ready for the big moment.
