CFB conference title game scenarios
It seemed like just yesterday Georgia Tech shocked Florida State in Ireland to open the 2024 college football schedule, yet here we are with only a week left in the regular season.
The move from a four-team playoff to 12 participants has certainly raised the stakes and numerous teams are still alive for both the conference championship and a postseason spot.
Here are conference title game scenarios for the six leagues that could all send teams to the College Football Playoff.
Big Ten: Oregon vs. Ohio State/Penn State/Indiana
Oregon is set for the Big Ten title game as the only undefeated FBS team left. The Ducks face Washington in the regular-season finale with a couple of clear objectives: stay healthy and beat the Huskies. You can decide what the order of importance is on those.
It'll be a rematch in the title game provided Ohio State can avoid an embarrassing loss to Michigan on Saturday. The Buckeyes have fallen to the Wolverines in three straight meetings, but Jim Harbaugh won't be on the sideline this year. Should Michigan somehow shock the world, it'll be Penn State facing Oregon, as long as the Nittany Lions handle Maryland at home. If Ohio State and Penn State both suffer embarrassing losses, Indiana would get the nod provided it beats Purdue on Saturday.
SEC: Georgia vs. Texas/Texas A&M
A few weeks ago, Georgia was beaten handily by Ole Miss and found itself on the outside looking in at the CFP rankings. Fast forward a couple weeks and the Bulldogs have already clinched a berth in the SEC title game.
Meanwhile, if the return of the Battle of Texas isn't spicy enough, it also serves as a play-in game for the conference championship. The Longhorns and Aggies haven't met since 2011 and will light up Kyle Field in the final weekend's most-anticipated game.
ACC: SMU vs. Miami/Clemson
SMU breezed through the ACC in its first season as a member, clinching a title game with a perfect mark. The other side will be decided by Miami's trip to Syracuse on Saturday in the always-dangerous JMA Wireless Dome. A Hurricanes victory will see Mario Cristobal's program face SMU, while a loss puts Clemson back in the ACC championship. The loser of the conference championship receiving an at-large playoff berth is far from guaranteed, so the stakes in the eventual matchup will be heightened.
Big 12: LOL
The Big 12 has been the chaos conference all season, so why would the last weekend be any different? Technically nine teams are still alive, and there are actually still 256 possible scenarios at play. However, the final participants will almost certainly come from the Arizona State, Iowa State, BYU, and Colorado quartet.
The Cougars and Buffaloes lost control of their own destinies after Week 13 road losses. Should all four teams win this weekend, we're in for a stunning Sun Devils-Cyclones matchup in the Big 12 title game. However, Iowa State faces the toughest test in the Farmageddon rivalry against Kansas State, while Arizona State gets Arizona, BYU hosts Houston, and Colorado hosts Oklahoma State.
While we recommend watching the games and the chaos unfold, you can dive into all nine teams' full chances on the Big 12's website.
MWC: Boise State vs. UNLV/Colorado State
Ashton Jeanty and Boise State already beat UNLV in Las Vegas earlier this year, and it looks like they'll get a chance to claim the rematch at home in the MWC title game. Jeanty's brilliant season continued in a narrow win over Wyoming on Saturday as he topped 2,000 yards rushing.
Colorado State's late-night loss to Fresno State puts the Runnin' Rebels in the title game if they beat Nevada at home Saturday. While UNLV did lose the earlier contest to the Broncos, the defense held Jeanty to just 3.9 yards per carry, by far his lowest output of the season. Should Nevada stun UNLV this weekend, Colorado State would get the surprise bid for the title game if it wins its finale vs. Utah State.
A Boise State win would also essentially lock up a playoff spot for the Broncos as the highest-rated Group of 5 team. Boise State was actually placed as the fourth highest-rated conference champion in the CFP rankings Tuesday, meaning it would grab the No. 4 seed and a first-round bye if those held through next weekend.
AAC: Tulane vs. Army
Tulane and Army have been on a collision course all season for the AAC title game and it's going down regardless of what happens to either team this weekend. Both have very outside chances at making the College Football Playoff, as well, though Boise State would have to implode for that to happen.