We’re officially halfway through the college football season, and by now we have a good idea of who each team is. Sure, this is college football and it can change as fast as Brian Kelley developed a southern accent, but there are some things I feel certain predicting. Here are my predictions for who will be playing in each Power-5 conference championship game come December.
ACC
Clemson (Atlantic) vs UNC (Coastal)
Clemson has turned me back into a believer as their season continues on. DJ Uiagalelei made the necessary adjustments in the offseason and his completion percent is up almost ten percent from last season. The defense is a force to be reckoned with and is not facing an offense the rest of the season that should be able to put up a significant amount of points on them. Clemson is the favorite in the rest of their games, and I would expect the Tigers to arrive in Charlotte undefeated.
While Clemson clearly has a hold on the Atlantic division, the Coastal, like usual, is up for grabs. I think that North Carolina is going to return to Charlotte for the first time in the Mack Brown era. The Tar Heels have a horrible defense, but Drake May and the offense can make each game a track race, and many of their remaining opponents will not be able to keep up. If they beat Pitt next weekend, the Tar Heels should have a clear path to a matchup with Clemson.
Big 12
TCU vs. Texas
I will likely look back in a few months and sound like a fool, but I am completely buying the Texas hype. There is an argument to be made that without Quinn Ewer’s injury, the Longhorns could very well be 7-0 and be the number one team in the country. Quinn Ewers can make any throw and Bijon Robinson is averaging 5.7 yards per game behind their strong offensive line. The rest of the schedule allows for plenty of possible slip-ups, but Texas feels like a different team with Quinn Ewers back under center.
TCU was picked to finish towards the bottom of the Big 12 in their first season under coach Sonny Dykes. Seven weeks later, the Horned Frogs are the only undefeated team left in the conference. The offense is ranked third in the country and is averaging 526 yards a game. This weekend's trip to Manhattan, Kansas will be the best defense they’ve faced, but from what we have seen so far, the Wildcats should be able to ride their offense to Dallas.
Big Ten
Ohio State (East) vs. Illinois (West)
I can say with certainty that the team representing the East is going to come down to the Michigan-Ohio State game. Both teams are dismantling their Big Ten opponents with ease. While both teams have been good, Ohio State has one of the best offenses in the country, despite having many players out with injury. Whoever wins this game will likely be undefeated and a lock for a playoff spot.
With the current state of Iowa’s offense, it’s safe to assume a new Big Ten West team will be making their way to Lucas Oil Stadium. My pick is going to be with the Fighting Illini. Bret Bielema has taken this team from the joke of the Big Ten to a team that is bowl bound halfway through October. Illinois has a very strong defense and uses running back Chase Brown to just keep pounding the ball through opponents. The only game Illonis won’t be favored in is when they play Michigan, but since the Wolverines aren’t in their division, a loss here wouldn't affect their path to the Big Ten title game.
Pac 12
USC vs. Oregon
There are four teams in the Pac-12 who I think are real, equal contenders who could make it to the Pac-12 title game. It is a toss up between Oregon, UCLA, USC, and Utah and I think it will come down to tiebreakers. My current picks are USC and Oregon, but I wouldn’t be surprised if it’s any combination of the four.
I think that USC will beat UCLA in their crosstown meeting later this season, and therefore get a spot in the Championship game. Caleb Williams is a great quarterback, and if Jordan Addison recovers from his injury, the two as a duo is pretty hard to stop.
It is hard to look at Oregon as a legit team after their absolute thumping to Georgia to open the season, but the Ducks have improved since then, and the Pac-12 competition is much different than Georgia. The rest of Oregon’s big games come at home, and Bo Nix is notoriously much better at home than on the road.
SEC
Alabama vs. Georgia
Once again, I believe we’ll be seeing Georgia and Alabama meet in Atlanta. Although Tennessee is the hottest team in the conference at the moment, I think Georgia will beat them in a close game when they meet in Athens. As a result, Georgia will be the only undefeated team in the East, sending them to the conference title game.
Alabama is not the Alabama we are used to seeing, but I don’t believe there is another team in the west that is really going to threaten them. Ole Miss is undefeated, but they seem a bit fraudulent and not capable of going through the rest of conference play without messing up. Bryce Young really is a great quarterback, and should get the Tide to Atlanta.
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