Conference Championship Weekend: Matchups, Kickoff Times, TV, Betting Lines, What’s at Stake
The regular season is done, and now fans turn their attention to championship Saturday as college football transitions to the postseason.
There is still a lot of critical football left to be played, especially in the Power-5 conferences, as TCU and USC hope to make the College Football Playoff semifinal and Georgia and Michigan move toward their respective conference title games as heavy favorites.
Schedule:
Friday, Dec. 2
Pac-12 Championship: USC vs. Utah. Win this game, and USC is in the College Football Playoff. But Utah is a tough matchup, and the only team to have beaten USC this season. Despite that fact, the Trojans are favored by 3 points. 5 p.m. on Fox
Conference USA Championship: North Texas vs. UTSA. The Roadrunners are looking at clinching their second-straight conference championship this season, coming off an undefeated league schedule. UTSA is favored by 8 points. 4:30 p.m. on CBSSN
Sat., Dec. 3
Big 12 Championship: Kansas State vs. TCU. One last challenge for the Horned Frogs, who are one of three undefeated teams in college football and needing this win to qualify for its first playoff berth. TCU is favored by 2.5 points. 9 a.m. on ABC
MAC Championship: Toledo vs. Ohio. The Rockets are looking to win their second conference championship since the 2016 season, while Ohio is shooting for its first league crown since 1968. Toledo is favored by 1.5 points. 9 a.m. on ESPN
Sun Belt Championship: Coastal Carolina vs. Troy. Coastal comes in without star quarterback Grayson McCall thanks to an injury and coming off a 40-point loss to James Madison, while Troy looks like one of the most improved outfits in all college football this year. Troy is favored by 10 points. 9:30 a.m. on ESPN
AAC Championship: UCF vs. Tulane. A shot at the Group of Five’s New Year’s bowl bid is likely on the line here, as the Green Wave hasn’t won a conference championship since 1998, but is playing the best defense in this league right now. Tulane is favored by 3 points. 1 p.m. on ABC
Mountain West Championship: Fresno State vs. Boise State. A strong second half to the season for Fresno State, which lost four straight early on and won its final seven in a row, while the Broncos are a perfect 8-0 in conference play. Boise State is favored by 3.5 points. 1 p.m. on Fox
SEC Championship: Georgia vs. LSU. Even a loss by Georgia here might not affect its College Football Playoff hopes, but few are going so far as to predict an upset here. Especially after LSU, the surprise West champ in Brian Kelly’s first season, just lost their third game coming into Atlanta. Georgia is favored by 17.5 points. 1 p.m. on CBS, coverage begins at 12:30 on 750 The Game
ACC Championship: Clemson vs. North Carolina. This game may not have College Football Playoff implications anymore after Clemson dropped two games late in the season, but a New Year’s bowl is still on the line as the Tigers line up against quarterback Drake Maye and the Tar Heels. Clemson is favored by 7.5 points. 5 p.m on ABC
Big Ten Championship: Purdue vs. Michigan. Even with a loss here, it’s hard to see Michigan not making the playoff, but nobody is expecting that to happen. Purdue can take some shots deep with Aidan O’Connell working behind center, but the Wolverines are coming off a second-straight win over Ohio State, taking charge of that rivalry, and eager to get back to the semifinal to prove they’re a national contender. Michigan is a 15 point favorite. 5 p.m. on Fox
