Though the college football regular season hasn’t *officially* ended yet, we’ve reached the time of year where the nation’s heaviest hitters square off in their respective conference championships games.
This week, we’ll see ranked Group of Six rivals go head-to-head, a battle between two undefeated Big Ten powerhouses, and a classic matchup of the Southeastern Conference’s top dogs. So, the Northern Star’s sports writers joined forces for one last time to predict which programs will leave the weekend wearing their conference’s crown.
Conference USA: Jacksonville State vs. Kennesaw State
6 p.m. CT | Friday, Dec. 5 | CBS Sports Network
Kalin Schaefer, Sports Editor (40-30): Jacksonville State — The last time this matchup went down, a whole three weeks ago, Jacksonville State came out on top, so we’re just going to go with that and hope the momentum continues!
Skyler Kisellus, Senior Sports Reporter (47-23): Jacksonville State — The last time I picked Kennesaw State over Jacksonville State, it blew up in my face spectacularly. I’m not falling for that one again.
Joseph Segreti, Sports Reporter (47-23): Jacksonville State — Jacksonville State helped me gain a game back on Skyler when they played Kennesaw State earlier this season. They helped me get a correct pick before so I’m picking them again.
Claire Valenti, Sports Reporter (36-34): Jacksonville State — I think I’ve seen this film before, and I really liked the ending because I picked Jacksonville State and I was right.
Eric Avila, Sports Reporter (43-27): Jacksonville State — They won the first game, and they’re at home.
Logan Whittington, Sports Reporter (41-29): Kennesaw State — The Owls have won 9 of their last 10 games and ranked third in their conference in total offense, so I of course am picking them.
Abel Naranjo, Sports Reporter (33-24): Jacksonville State — The Gamecocks dominated this matchup just last month and if it wasn’t for a poor 3rd quarter, the result would’ve been worse for the Owls. I don’t think Kennesaw State has improved much since Jacksonville State has my pick.
Sun Belt: No. 25 James Madison vs. Troy
6 p.m. CT | Friday, Dec. 5 | ESPN
Schaefer: James Madison — JMU are the heavy favorites in this game for a reason, and who am I to go against that?
Kisellus: James Madison — The Dukes have been one of the nastiest teams in the Group of Six this season, so this game is basically a formality. Sorry, not sorry, Troy
Segreti: James Madison — JMU has been one of the best Group of Six teams in college football this season and deserve a spot in the CFP if they can take care of Troy.
Valenti: James Madison — Listen, I’m trying really hard to finish this thing with a winning record. I’m following the herd on this one.
Avila: James Madison — What the heck is a Troy?
Whittington: James Madison — The Dukes are currently undefeated in conference play and they’ve handled business against their 10 last unranked teams. This is an easy decision.
Naranjo: James Madison — The Dukes’ rushing ability, which is top 10 in the nation with 239.8 yards per game is just going to be too much for the Trojans to handle.
American Athletic: No. 20 Tulane vs. No. 24 North Texas
7 p.m. CT | Friday, Dec. 5 | ABC
Schaefer: North Texas — The Mean Green against the Green Wave is a mascot matchup for the ages. I have to go with the Mean Green, not only for mascot purposes, but also because the offense has been on a roll this season.
Kisellus: North Texas — Yee haw.
Segreti: North Texas — The Mean Green have one of the most high powered offenses this season and are another Group of Six team that should make their way into the playoffs if they can win their conference championship game. The Mean Green face a tall task in the Green Wave but the power of Stone Cold Steve Austin will power UNT to a win.
Valenti: North Texas — The Mean Green has a meaner offense than the Green Wave, and that’s good enough for me. *Stone Cold Steve Austin’s glass shatter*
Avila: North Texas — Only one of these teams has Stone Cold Steve Austin as an alumni, let’s go Mean Green.
Whittington: North Texas — Both teams have really good offenses but Texas is a lot better at scoring touchdowns in the red zone.
Naranjo: North Texas — North Texas leads the nation in yards per game; with an average of 511.8, I just don’t think Tulane’s defense is capable of slowing them down. The Green Wave were completely outmatched by another top #5 offense earlier against Ole Miss so I see this playing out the same way.
Mountain West: Boise State vs. UNLV
TBD | Friday, Dec. 5 | FOX
Schaefer: Boise State — UNLV may have the better record, but Boise State is favored in this game. And I really love potatoes, so gimme the Broncos.
Kisellus: UNLV — Choosing between potatoes and gambling is always a difficult task. But if push comes to shove, I’m picking the Rebels and letting it ride.
Segreti: UNLV — I won $800 the last time I went to Vegas so I have been extremely lucky in Vegas. Also the last time we picked a UNLV game, I was in Vegas to witness their win over Hawai’i.
Valenti: UNLV — UNLV hasn’t let me down yet this season. I think. I don’t remember, actually. Either way, go Rebels!
Avila: UNLV — You hear people say all the time “I want to go to Las Vegas.” When do you hear anyone for whatever reason say “I want to go to Boise, Idaho?” The only exception was the potato bowl last year when NIU won.
Whittington: UNLV — Vegas has done everything Boise has done but a lot better. I’d wager they would win this one.
Naranjo: Boise State — It is just not looking good for UNLV; they are winless in 10 games against the Broncos with the last win coming all the way 1976. Plus, the Rebels have never won the Mountain West while Boise State has claimed the title 4 times in the past decade. I’m going with history on this one.
Camargo: pick — reason
Big 12: No. 4 Texas Tech vs. No. 11 BYU
11 a.m. CT | Saturday, Dec. 6 | ABC
Schaefer: Texas Tech — Texas Tech is ranked No. 5 for a reason, and the Red Raiders wiped the floor with BYU the last time they faced them.
Kisellus: Texas Tech — I enjoy Crumbl cookies far more than tortillas, but I can’t support a team that lets its quarterback wear No. 47.
Segreti: Texas Tech — When we picked this matchup earlier this season, I had faith in BYU to remain undefeated and they got embarrassed by Texas Tech. I will never believe in the Mormons again.
Valenti: BYU – This is my last pity pick of the week. If BYU loses, tomorrow is a latter day.
Avila: Texas Tech — Everything is bigger in Texas, let’s go Texas Tech.
Whittington: Texas Tech — The Red Raiders blew BYU out last time they met. They have also looked like the more sustainable team so I gotta pick Texas Tech.
Naranjo: Texas Tech — Just last month, the Red Raiders just toyed with BYU 29-7 and if it wasn’t for a late touchdown, it would’ve been a shut out. Texas Tech is a top 10 offense and defense so the Mormons can only pray on this one.
MAC: Western Michigan vs. Miami (Ohio)
11 a.m. CT | Saturday, Dec. 6 | ESPN
Schaefer: Western Michigan — This was an interesting one, as Western Michigan has lost to one MAC team this season. I’ll give you a second to guess…corect, it is in fact Miami! However, Miami had their quarterback then, which they no longer have.
Kisellus: Western Michigan — NIU had a two-score lead over both of these teams this season, and promptly choked it away in both of those games. However, Western Michigan didn’t have its quarterback ditch the team midseason.
Segreti: Western Michigan — Miami is Western Michigan’s only MAC loss but the Redhawks had quarterback Dequan Finn before he abandoned his team like a coward. I think the Mustangs should easily handle Miami in Detroit.
Valenti: Western Michigan — Let me say it again, Michigan is a superior midwestern state.
Avila: Western Michigan — Deep down I want to pick Miami (Ohio) for obvious reasons, but after their quarterback abandoned them for the CFL, I think their odds went down a little bit. Should still be a close game, but I think the Mustangles will take it, shoutout Kalin Schaefer.
Whittington: Western Michigan — Miami has been the better team this season, but their starting quarterback quit a few weeks ago. I can’t see them winning a tight matchup with a backup quarterback.
Naranjo: Miami (Ohio) — The RedHawks spoiled a perfect MAC record for the Broncos which included a 4th quarter collapse from WMU earlier in the season for a 26-17 victory. Despite missing their starting QB, I have faith Miami can repeat the upset.
SEC: No. 9 Alabama vs. No. 3 Georgia
3 p.m. CT | Saturday, Dec. 6 | ABC
Schaefer: Georgia — Gunner Stockton is going to wipe the floor with Ty Simpson.
Kisellus: Georgia — Gunner’s a pretty cool name, so the Bulldogs seem like a pretty safe bet.
Segreti: Georgia — The Crimson Tide have been a strong team this season, but quarterback Ty Simpson has not played his best over the last stretch of the season, going 19/35 for 122 yards against 5-7 Auburn. Georgia quarterback Gunner Stockton will lead the Bulldogs to an SEC crown.
Valenti: Alabama — Did we all just forget that Alabama beat Georgia in Georgia this season? Is that not relevant anymore? Am I missing something? Also my cousin Olivia loves Alabama, so why not?
Avila: Georgia — My cousins live in Georgia, so my pick is Georgia, let’s go Bulldogs!
Whittington: Georgia — Both teams have solid offenses but I like the Bulldogs defense better.
Naranjo: Georgia — Yes, the Bulldogs fell to Alabama 24-21 back in week 4 but there is no way Bama pull it off again. Georgia have only gotten better and beaten tougher opponents including #6 Ole Miss, #13 Texas and #22 Georgia Tech. I think Georgia gets their lick back.
Big Ten: No. 1 Ohio State vs. No. 2 Indiana
7 p.m. CT | Saturday, Dec. 6 | FOX
Schaefer: Ohio State — I really don’t like Ohio, but I don’t like Indiana even more.
Kisellus: Ohio State — As much as I’d love to watch Indiana finally knock off the Buckeyes, I just can’t see it happening this year unless Fernando Mendoza has his Heisman moment.
Segreti: Ohio State — I’m not convinced that Indiana can beat Ohio State despite how good the Hoosiers have looked. Indiana will have an advantage playing at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indiana but I still don’t think they can pull out a win.
Valenti: Indiana — Either way, I’m unhappy. My auntie Coop lives in Indiana, not that she likes football or anything. I’d rather see Ohio lose, I think.
Avila: Indiana — I have nothing to lose at this point, let’s go Hoosiers!
Whittington: Ohio State — I’ve been high on the Buckeyes since they won the Natty last year. Indiana has had an outstanding year but I don’t see Ohio losing this game.
Naranjo: Ohio State — Indiana has had a stellar year with Mendoza being in serious Heisman talks but Ohio State has looked perfect. Sure, Indiana’s strength of schedule has been tougher but they came close to losing against unranked Penn State just a few weeks ago. In a matchup this close, I’m going to have to nitpick.
ACC: No. 17 Virginia vs. Duke
7 p.m. CT | Saturday, Dec. 6 | ABC
Schaefer: Virginia — I think this one is Virginia’s to lose, if the 34-17 victory the last time they faced Duke is anything to go off of.
Kisellus: Virginia — I’m not just picking Virginia to win. I *need* Virginia to win. I need to banish Joey to second place once and for all.
Segreti: Duke — I want chaos and if the Blue Devils win the ACC championship it is very likely that they miss the CFP and two group of six teams will make the playoff.
Valenti: Virginia — Skyler and Joey are tied right now and they have conflicting opinions here, so I don’t know who to pick. Virginia has a number, though, so them I guess.
Avila: Virginia — This will be a matchup, but I think Virginia will take it, but if Duke wins I wouldn’t be mad at that either.
Whittington: Virginia — Duke has lost each of their last 10 games against ranked opponents so I don’t see how it changes at all in this matchup.
Naranjo: Duke — You just never know what you’re going to get from Duke this season but they have beaten both Wake Forest and NC State, who are Virginia’s only losses all season. Plus, I think the Blue Devils will be motivated to avenge the 34-17 loss against the Cavaliers last month.
