GKJ
Global Moderator
- Feb 27, 2002
- 187,078
- 39,111
It's Championship Week, and you know what that means: the sad reality that we've come to the end of the Pac 12, at the very least in the form that we know it unless Oregon State and Wazzu can figure things out to keep the flag flying. Until then, they've got to determine final conference champion. And the stakes could not be higher, even if the game were to be played on Saturday.
But it's not, it's being played Friday night at 8pm on ABC. #5 Oregon will look to get the ultimate revenge on #3 Washington, after losing 36-33 in Seattle back in October, that has been the only loss between the two teams all season. Oregon dispatched the Beavs 31-7 last week, while Washington had to pull an escape act to beat Wazzu at home to stay undefeated. Washington has had the much more difficult schedule all season, but it's all for naught if they can't beat Oregon again, now at a neutral site in Las Vegas. To the winner, a trip to the college football playoff in all likelihood, and perhaps a Heisman Trophy to the quarterback of the winning team, Michael Penix, Jr. of Washington or Bo Nix of Oregon. Oregon is favored by 9.5
Also Friday night on CBS Sports Network, #24 Liberty (-11.5) will look to cap an undefeated regular season with a Conference USA championship if they beat 10-3 New Mexico State. And then they will wait and hope Tulane loses so they can get to the NY6.
There's still much on the line on Satruday, starting at noon on ABC. #18 Oklahoma State has emerged from the battle for second place in the Big 12 on the account of their win over Oklahoma breaking a 2-loss conference tie between them, so they will get the opportunity to spoil the season and the wait for #7 Texas in Dallas in the Big 12 Championship Game. It appears Texas is a 1-loss team in the wrong year, as it seems they will need help, most importantly likely from Louisville, to get into the College Football Playoff. Texas is favored by 15.5.
Also at noon, for degenerates like the Bear who is probably betting this game more than anyone on earth, ESPN has the MAC Championship Game, which sees 11-1 Toledo (who may bet the G5 NY6 spot with a win and losses by Tulane and Liberty), and 10-2 Miami of Ohio. Toledo's only loss was in week 1 to Illinois. This is a neutral site game at Ford Field in Detroit. Toledo is -8.
Fox has their first of two conference championship games at 3pm. The Mountain West Championship pits 7-5 Boise State and 9-3 UNLV. Despite the worst record and needing to make the trip (the game is in Las Vegas, but at neutral-site Allegiant Stadium), Boise is the 2.5-point favorite. The winner will head to the LA Bowl on December 16.
A trio of championship games begin at 4pm. Least of which, ESPN will air the Sun Belt Championship. 8-4 Appalachian State at 10-2 Troy. The winner will play in a bowl game, that someone presumably is going to watch. Troy gets the home field and are -6.
The American currently has the top ranked G5 team, so presumably, the conference is going to want #22 Tulane to win. They will get the money and the NY6 spot, and also will not suffer the indignity of having SMU spoil it as they split to the ACC next year. Tulane has the home field, and are favored by 3.5 on ABC.
OK, finally the big boys, and the real stakes in these final three championship games. The SEC on CBS will be sent out to pasture as that media rights deal ends with this game. #1 Georgia - probably - has their spot in the College Football Playoff locked in as the undefeated two-time defending national champions. But they still have to deal once again with #8 Alabama coming to Atlanta. Despite losing at home to Texas, looking hideous against USF, and cashing out a 4th & 31 miracle in Auburn, Nick Saban and friends ran the table in the SEC, and only have that one loss, which means they are in-play for the CFP as well if things break their way and causing all kinds of chaos. Nick Saban holding the trophy on the podium would be the most appropriate parting shot possible for SEC on CBS. Georgia is favored by 5.5, in a line that has come down as people love playing Saban as an underdog.
Fox and ABC will be competing in prime time, games starting at 8pm. On Fox, #2 Michigan is in a similar position as Georgia, even with a loss, most think they should still make the College Football Playoff. They went 3-0 on Jim Harbaugh's second suspension of the season, beating Penn State, Maryland, and Ohio State, so their spot in the Big Ten Championship Game in Indianapolis is well-earned. With Harbaugh back, their final hurdle is #16 Iowa, who are 10-2, and how the f*** did that happen? Iowa can't score worth a shit, and have been consistently coming in on absurdly low unders. Only 4-8 (2-7) Michigan State have scored fewer points on the season among B1G teams, and within the conference as well. They only average 18 points per game (way below the contract-stipulated 27.5 needed to guarantee Brian Ferentz his job as offensive coordinator - he's already not returning). It's going to have to be a very small needle to thread for Iowa to find enough plays to win. Get this - Michigan is favored by 21.5, but the over/under is 34.5. The inevitable Iowa safety will be a dangerous game.
Finally, the championship game on Saturday with the most stakes is being played in Charlotte for the ACC crown on ABC. #14 Louisville gagged last week at home vs. Kentucky costing them any discussion about a CFP miracle appearance, so they are resorted to spoiling things for #4 Florida State, who are undefeated, obviously still with backup QB Tate Rodemaker, who got past their tough rivalry game with Florida last week. But unlike Georgia and Michigan, they're definitely not going to the playoff with a loss, and on the account of not having Jordan Travis, have detractors who think a win shouldn't even get them in if Texas or Alabama (both?) win. Florida State is favored by only 2.5 points, so Vegas is expecting this to get fun.
Also, #6 Ohio State will be watching closely, as they are the only team in the top 8 not playing, and if chaos reigns supreme, they could get into the playoff following a loss to Michigan for the second year in a row. They seem like the most unlikely team to get in, but you just never know.
We'll keep this thread going next week as, the Army/Navy game is next Saturday at 3pm on CBS at Gillette Stadium on Foxborough. I respect the people, but hate that they do this in it's own week, and I'm wondering if this changes next year as CBS' schedule would open up. It's the first time ever this iconic rivalry game is being played in New England (much less Boston metro). Just in case anyone wants to see an absurd amount of triple option offense. The two teams on the season combined have attempted 320 passes, which actually seems like a lot for these two service academies. Vegas isn't expecting many points, Army is favored by 2 and the over/under is just 28.5. Both teams are also 5-6, so the winner would be bowl-eligible, I'd imagine a spot would be kept open for one of them. Then we'll get the Heisman Trophy show next Saturday night.
But it's not, it's being played Friday night at 8pm on ABC. #5 Oregon will look to get the ultimate revenge on #3 Washington, after losing 36-33 in Seattle back in October, that has been the only loss between the two teams all season. Oregon dispatched the Beavs 31-7 last week, while Washington had to pull an escape act to beat Wazzu at home to stay undefeated. Washington has had the much more difficult schedule all season, but it's all for naught if they can't beat Oregon again, now at a neutral site in Las Vegas. To the winner, a trip to the college football playoff in all likelihood, and perhaps a Heisman Trophy to the quarterback of the winning team, Michael Penix, Jr. of Washington or Bo Nix of Oregon. Oregon is favored by 9.5
Also Friday night on CBS Sports Network, #24 Liberty (-11.5) will look to cap an undefeated regular season with a Conference USA championship if they beat 10-3 New Mexico State. And then they will wait and hope Tulane loses so they can get to the NY6.
There's still much on the line on Satruday, starting at noon on ABC. #18 Oklahoma State has emerged from the battle for second place in the Big 12 on the account of their win over Oklahoma breaking a 2-loss conference tie between them, so they will get the opportunity to spoil the season and the wait for #7 Texas in Dallas in the Big 12 Championship Game. It appears Texas is a 1-loss team in the wrong year, as it seems they will need help, most importantly likely from Louisville, to get into the College Football Playoff. Texas is favored by 15.5.
Also at noon, for degenerates like the Bear who is probably betting this game more than anyone on earth, ESPN has the MAC Championship Game, which sees 11-1 Toledo (who may bet the G5 NY6 spot with a win and losses by Tulane and Liberty), and 10-2 Miami of Ohio. Toledo's only loss was in week 1 to Illinois. This is a neutral site game at Ford Field in Detroit. Toledo is -8.
Fox has their first of two conference championship games at 3pm. The Mountain West Championship pits 7-5 Boise State and 9-3 UNLV. Despite the worst record and needing to make the trip (the game is in Las Vegas, but at neutral-site Allegiant Stadium), Boise is the 2.5-point favorite. The winner will head to the LA Bowl on December 16.
A trio of championship games begin at 4pm. Least of which, ESPN will air the Sun Belt Championship. 8-4 Appalachian State at 10-2 Troy. The winner will play in a bowl game, that someone presumably is going to watch. Troy gets the home field and are -6.
The American currently has the top ranked G5 team, so presumably, the conference is going to want #22 Tulane to win. They will get the money and the NY6 spot, and also will not suffer the indignity of having SMU spoil it as they split to the ACC next year. Tulane has the home field, and are favored by 3.5 on ABC.
OK, finally the big boys, and the real stakes in these final three championship games. The SEC on CBS will be sent out to pasture as that media rights deal ends with this game. #1 Georgia - probably - has their spot in the College Football Playoff locked in as the undefeated two-time defending national champions. But they still have to deal once again with #8 Alabama coming to Atlanta. Despite losing at home to Texas, looking hideous against USF, and cashing out a 4th & 31 miracle in Auburn, Nick Saban and friends ran the table in the SEC, and only have that one loss, which means they are in-play for the CFP as well if things break their way and causing all kinds of chaos. Nick Saban holding the trophy on the podium would be the most appropriate parting shot possible for SEC on CBS. Georgia is favored by 5.5, in a line that has come down as people love playing Saban as an underdog.
Fox and ABC will be competing in prime time, games starting at 8pm. On Fox, #2 Michigan is in a similar position as Georgia, even with a loss, most think they should still make the College Football Playoff. They went 3-0 on Jim Harbaugh's second suspension of the season, beating Penn State, Maryland, and Ohio State, so their spot in the Big Ten Championship Game in Indianapolis is well-earned. With Harbaugh back, their final hurdle is #16 Iowa, who are 10-2, and how the f*** did that happen? Iowa can't score worth a shit, and have been consistently coming in on absurdly low unders. Only 4-8 (2-7) Michigan State have scored fewer points on the season among B1G teams, and within the conference as well. They only average 18 points per game (way below the contract-stipulated 27.5 needed to guarantee Brian Ferentz his job as offensive coordinator - he's already not returning). It's going to have to be a very small needle to thread for Iowa to find enough plays to win. Get this - Michigan is favored by 21.5, but the over/under is 34.5. The inevitable Iowa safety will be a dangerous game.
Finally, the championship game on Saturday with the most stakes is being played in Charlotte for the ACC crown on ABC. #14 Louisville gagged last week at home vs. Kentucky costing them any discussion about a CFP miracle appearance, so they are resorted to spoiling things for #4 Florida State, who are undefeated, obviously still with backup QB Tate Rodemaker, who got past their tough rivalry game with Florida last week. But unlike Georgia and Michigan, they're definitely not going to the playoff with a loss, and on the account of not having Jordan Travis, have detractors who think a win shouldn't even get them in if Texas or Alabama (both?) win. Florida State is favored by only 2.5 points, so Vegas is expecting this to get fun.
Also, #6 Ohio State will be watching closely, as they are the only team in the top 8 not playing, and if chaos reigns supreme, they could get into the playoff following a loss to Michigan for the second year in a row. They seem like the most unlikely team to get in, but you just never know.
We'll keep this thread going next week as, the Army/Navy game is next Saturday at 3pm on CBS at Gillette Stadium on Foxborough. I respect the people, but hate that they do this in it's own week, and I'm wondering if this changes next year as CBS' schedule would open up. It's the first time ever this iconic rivalry game is being played in New England (much less Boston metro). Just in case anyone wants to see an absurd amount of triple option offense. The two teams on the season combined have attempted 320 passes, which actually seems like a lot for these two service academies. Vegas isn't expecting many points, Army is favored by 2 and the over/under is just 28.5. Both teams are also 5-6, so the winner would be bowl-eligible, I'd imagine a spot would be kept open for one of them. Then we'll get the Heisman Trophy show next Saturday night.
