Conference Championship Features Four Games With Big-Time College Football Playoff Implications.
The regular season is over for a majority of college football teams. Some earned the right to prove that they are the top team in their conference.
Another interesting element is that there is still a lot of confusion around who will end up going to the college football playoff. This week will be the last chance for teams to prove they are one of the top-four teams in the country.
Here’s a breakdown of the four biggest conference championship games:
#11 TCU vs. #3 Oklahoma, 12:30 pm on Fox
These teams met once in the regular season and Oklahoma defeated TCU 38-20. Obviously TCU will be looking for revenge.
TCU will lean on quarterback Kenny Hill and running back Kyle Hicks to try to keep up with Oklahoma. Both of these players could potentially be late round draft picks.
Oklahoma has one of the best offenses in college football and it is led by quarterback Baker Mayfield (pictured above).
Mayfield has been outstanding this season, in fact he’s the favorite to bring home the Heisman trophy. He has passed for 4,097 yards 37 touchdowns and five interceptions and added 245 yards and five scores on the ground. Oklahoma’s signal caller has had some issues off the field and has shown some immaturity on it but has played well enough to become a legitiamate quarterback prospect this season.
#6 Georgia vs. #2 Auburn, 4 pm on CBS
This is another rematch, Auburn took down Georgia 40-17 a few weeks ago.
If Georgia wants to avoid losing to Auburn again then it will have to make sure they can get their running game going. Georgia’s star running back Nick Chubb and Sony Michel combined for 48 yards on 20 carries against Auburn the first time around. They are both NFL quality backs and are obviously major pieces in Georgia’s offense.
Georgia’s defense is led by linebacker Roquan Smith (pictured above). He’s one of the top linebacker prospects in this draft class.
Auburn runnign back Kerryon Johnson had a nice game agaisnt Georgia, rushing for 167 yards on 32 carries and caught two passes for 66 yards and a score. Johnson’s draft stock has been steadily rising this season and a another good game against a team like Georgia would boost it even further.
Quarterback Jarrett Stidham is another Auburn player whose stock is on the rise. He’s played well this year and although he isn’t necessarily a top quarterback prospect he could still come off the board in the early to mid-rounds of the draft.
#7 Miami vs. #1 Clemson, 8 pm on ABC
Miami has been one of this years most suprising teams in colleg football. Clemson is a simply one of the best teams in college football.
Because Miami is a young team they don’t have many high level draft prospects. Two players to watch are offensive tackle K.C. McDermott and wide receiver Braxton Berrios.
Clemson is loaded on the defensive line. Defensive tackle Christian Wilkins (pictured above) and defensive ends Clelin Ferrell and Austin Bryant all look like first round prospects. In order for Miami to have any chance in this game they will need to find a way to contain Clemson’s talented defensive front.
#8 Ohio State vs. #4 Wisconsin, 8 pm on Fox
This will be the first time that these teams face-off this season. Wisconsin is the only power-five conference team that remains undefeated.
Ohio State has been somewhat inconsistent this season but is one of the most talented teams in college football.
The Buckeyes have a lot of talent on the defensive line. Defensive ends Sam Hubbard (pictured above), Tyquan Lewis and Jayln Holmes are all early round draft prospects. The same goes for defensive tackle Dre’Mont Jones.
Ohio State’s best prospect will probably end up being cornerback Denzel Ward. He’s one of the best cover guys in college football.
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