Previewing The Conference Championship Weekend

Is there a better time of the year in the sports weekend than this, seriously? With the college football season hitting week 14 -- or in other words, Conference Championship week, the four-team College Football Playoff race is heating up and as hot as we've seen it get during this new era in the sport.

While one team, Alabama, has probably locked up a spot in the semi-finals on New Years' eve, the other three spots are still very up-in-the-air as the other three teams that currently own a spot play for their conference title this weekend. With all of that said, here is a short preview for each of the major Conference Championship game, as well as my prediction for them too.

Pac-12 Championship Game - Friday (8 pm Central Time, FOX)
(8) Colorado [10-2] vs. (4) Washington [11-1]
A win for the fourth-ranked Huskies may be enough to get them in to the College Football Playoff -- but then again, maybe not, depending on what happens in the Big Ten Championship game and how the committee feels about the two if all of the favorites hold their own ground this weekend. Washington held their ground last weekend to win the North, defeating Washington State in impressive fashion. Colorado held off USC's late-season surge in the South, and will be looking to not only play spoiler for the Huskies, but also for a small, outside chance for themselves if all hell breaks loose in the other conferences.
Tyler's Prediction: Washington gets it done in impressive fashion. While I do think Colorado has more than a good chance at winning, this is a huge spot for a Washington team that pretty much does everything really well. Huskies cover the 7.5 point spread.

SEC Championship Game - Saturday (3 pm Central Time, CBS)
(15) Florida [9-3] vs. (1) Alabama [12-0]
The SEC Championship game will be a rematch of last seasons' conference title -- and much like that game, the Gators are huge underdogs and the Tide will be looking to punch their ticket to the College Football Playoff -- even though that is probably happening no matter what happens in this game. Alabama will be looking to win their third straight SEC title, which would make them the first team to do so since Florida did from 1993 to 1996.
Tyler's Prediction: With Alabama being favored by 24 points, I certainly like the defensive-minded Gators to keep it within that spread -- but in the end, I can't see a way that Jalen Hurts and the Tide don't win this game in a comfortable fashion. If Florida has any shot, it'll be from making some big plays early on, while holding Bama to field goals and winning both the field position battle, as well as the turnover battle. Good luck with that though.

ACC Championship Game - Saturday (7 pm Central Time, ABC)

(3) Clemson [11-1] vs. (23) Virginia Tech [9-3]

When it comes to the ACC Championship game, it comes down to the question of which two teams will show up? Clemson, the team with a spot in the College Football Playoff on the line, has played in some very close calls down the stretch -- including their 43-42 loss to Pittsburgh on home grass just a few short weeks ago. As for Virginia Tech, they've had some huge wins on their path here, such as North Carolina and Miami -- but then some bone-headed losses to Syracuse and Georgia Tech. Watching this one play-out will be quite the thrill.
Tyler's Prediction: To be honest, I do believe we will see at least one big upset in these title games, I just can't pull the trigger on it being against Deshaun Watson and these Tigers -- they simply know how to play with the bright lights. The Hokies will keep it close throughout and give them a scare, but in the end, Clemson gets the dub. I do think Tech covers the 10-point spread though, if that helps at all. These two teams are a combined 9-1 away from their home fields, respectively -- and I expect a game that shows us all why that is.

Big Ten Championship Game - Saturday (7 pm Central Time, FOX)
(6) Wisconsin [10-2] vs. (7) Penn State [10-2]
In what is certainly one of the biggest show-down's of the weekend, with two teams both still alive for the College Football Playoff's, the Big Ten title game will be quite the game to see. Despite winning their respective divisions', the committee still has this a battle between the third-and-fourth best teams in the conference -- and while the winner looks to need some sort of help to slip in to final four, both teams will be looking to make a huge statement. Penn State enters on an eight-game winning streak, while the Badgers come in on a six-game winning streak.
Tyler's Prediction: This is one of them games where I don't feel very confident picking either side, as I feel they're both pretty even. Judging off their wins and losses though, it makes sense as to why Wisconsin would come in to this one as the three-point favorites. In the end, I think it'll come down to the final possessions with the Badgers pulling it off -- don't hold me to that though, as nothing would be a surprise when these two go at it.

Other Notable Games:
-(17) Western Michigan vs. Ohio [MAC Championship Game, Friday, 6 pm, ESPN2]
Predicted Winner - Western Michigan covers the spread of -17
-(10) Oklahoma State at (8) Oklahoma [Saturday, 11:30 am, FOX]
Predicted Winner - Oklahoma gets the W; Oklahoma State covers the +11 spread
-Temple vs. (19) Navy [AAC Championship Game, Saturday, 11 am, ABC]
Predicted Winner - Navy gets the W and covers the 3 point spread