Previewing the conference championships
It is one of the best weeks in college football. Most of the teams that are dead weight have been sent home for the campaign, left to think about what could have been. The schools remaining are the best of the best, with all of the conference championships taking place on Friday and Saturday.
There are some quality matchups with major College Football Playoff implications. Let’s go over each….
No. 12 Florida vs. No. 2 Alabama
This game should be a massacre. Florida has two losses after blwoing a game at home last week to the Florida State Seminoles. The Gators have not been able to generate much offense, being held scoreless for long stretches of time in multiple games. Now, Florida has to face the Crimson Tide, which has perhaps the scariest defense in the NFL.
Alabama has been able to get the job done since losing to Ole Miss in the fall. As the winter has approached, quarterback Jake Coker has gotten better with the week while running back Derrick Henry has battered his way into the Heisman Trophy conversation. Alabama is heavily favored to win this contest and should roll into the College Football Playoff.
No. 5 Michigan State vs. No. 4 Iowa
Without question, this is the most intriguing game of Saturday. It is the only conference championship game that virtually guarantees the winner a spot in the College Football Playoff, and the loser left with nothing but broken dreams.
Michigan State comes into the game as a heavy favorite despite having a loss. The Spartans should have two losses after a crazy game in Ann Arbor against the Michigan Wolverines, but a miracle saved their season. With Connor Cook at the helm, Iowa will have its hands full. Speaking of the Hawkeyes, they come into the tilt with a zero in the loss column. Yet, few respect them as a serious contender because of their insanely easy schedule.
Should Iowa find a way to get the job done, it will finally earn the attention it has been seeking for months.
No. 14 North Carolina vs. No. 1 Clemson
Clemson is undefeated but it has not ben without some tough moments. The Tigers were playing the three-win South Carolina Gamecocks last week and should have rolled, but the contest was close throughout and they barely held on, winning by five points.
North Carolina may not be playing for a shot at the national title, but it could win an ACC title and play itself into a terrific bowl game. Additionally, the Tar Heels would love to knock off Clemson, which has not won a national championship since 1981.
Clemson should win this game, but it would not be stunning to see North Carolina pull the upset.
