The chaotic nature of college football is on full display during championship weekend, a period marked by high-stakes games and even higher-stakes coaching changes. Lane Kiffin’s recent departure from a playoff-contending Ole Miss team to conference rival LSU, and James Madison coach Bob Chesney’s move to UCLA, highlight a turbulent “silly season” where team loyalties often take a backseat to individual opportunities.
This backdrop of off-field drama sets the stage for a series of conference title games with significant national implications.
Friday’s Games
Sun Belt Conference: No. 19 James Madison (11-1) vs. Troy (8-4), 7 p.m., ESPN
Making its first appearance in the title game, James Madison can bolster its College Football Playoff resume with a victory. The Dukes’ defense, which leads the Sun Belt in nearly every major category, will be the deciding factor. Troy, which has won this game in both of its previous appearances, struggles to run the ball and has allowed the most sacks in the conference, creating a difficult matchup against JMU’s formidable defensive front.
Prediction: James Madison 34, Troy 12
Conference USA: Kennesaw State (9-3) at Jacksonville State (8-4), 7 p.m., CBSSN
Defending champion Jacksonville State hosts Kennesaw State, a newcomer to FBS, in a rematch of a game the Gamecocks won 35-26 on Nov. 15. The key matchup will be Jacksonville State’s running back, who leads the FBS with 1,588 rushing yards, against a Kennesaw State offense powered by its star wide receiver, the C-USA leader in receiving yards.
Prediction: Kennesaw State 30, Jacksonville State 24
American Conference: No. 20 North Texas (11-1) at No. 21 Tulane (10-2), 8 p.m., ABC
Tulane aims for a title in its fourth consecutive championship game appearance, while North Texas makes its first trip since joining the conference in 2013. The game pits the nation’s top offense against a seasoned opponent. North Texas leads the FBS in scoring (46.8 points per game) and total offense (511 yards per game), driven by its prolific quarterback and a running back with 23 rushing touchdowns. Tulane won last year’s meeting 45-37.
Prediction: North Texas 45, Tulane 40
Mountain West: UNLV (10-2) at Boise State (8-4), 8 p.m., FOX
After a four-way tie for first place was settled by metrics, Boise State will host UNLV. The Broncos are seeking a league-high sixth championship, while the Rebels are still searching for their first. Boise State dominated the regular-season meeting 56-31, fueled by a 201-yard performance from its sophomore running back. UNLV will rely on its quarterback, a former Virginia transfer who threw for 3,050 yards and 22 touchdowns this season.
Prediction: UNLV 31, Boise State 17
Saturday’s Games
Big 12: No. 5 Texas Tech (11-1) vs. No. 11 BYU (11-1), noon, ABC
With a College Football Playoff berth on the line for BYU and a potential first-round bye for Texas Tech, this is a high-stakes debut for both programs in the Big 12 title game. The Red Raiders, who won the regular-season matchup 29-7, field a balanced team that led the conference in scoring while allowing just 11.2 points per game. Their defense is anchored by a dominant pass rusher with 12.5 sacks, who will be tasked with stopping the Big 12’s leading rusher.
Prediction: Texas Tech 37, BYU 12
Mid-American: Western Michigan (8-4) vs. Miami (OH) (7-5), noon, ESPN
Miami makes its third straight appearance in the MAC championship, while Western Michigan seeks its first conference title since 2016. The RedHawks won the regular-season meeting 26-17 after a 17-0 fourth-quarter surge. This game is expected to be a defensive struggle, featuring two of the conference’s top defensive players. Western Michigan’s defensive end tied for the conference lead with 12 sacks, while Miami’s linebacker recorded 83 tackles and three interceptions.
Prediction: Miami (OH) 28, Western Michigan 20
SEC: No. 3 Georgia (11-1) vs. No. 10 Alabama (10-2), 4 p.m., ABC
Georgia is playing for a first-round playoff bye, while Alabama needs a win to secure its spot. The Crimson Tide have dominated this rivalry, winning 10 of the last 11 games, including all four previous SEC Championship matchups. Alabama won the regular-season meeting 24-21 in Athens, where its quarterback accounted for three touchdowns. The Bulldogs’ offense was stifled in that game, converting just two of eight third downs.
Prediction: Alabama 20, Georgia 16
Big Ten: No. 1 Ohio State (12-0) vs. No. 2 Indiana (12-0), 8 p.m., FOX
The last two undefeated teams in FBS face off for the Big Ten title. Ohio State has five championships in the title game era but hasn’t won since 2020. Indiana is chasing its first conference crown since 1967. The game will feature a duel between two standout quarterbacks—a Cal transfer for the Hoosiers and a redshirt freshman for the Buckeyes—who will face the top two defenses in the nation. Ohio State allows an FBS-low 7.8 points per game, while Indiana ranks second at 10.9.
Prediction: Ohio State 23, Indiana 14
ACC: No. 16 Virginia (10-2) vs. Duke (7-5), 8 p.m., ABC
Virginia is playing for its first-ever College Football Playoff berth, while a Duke victory would likely eliminate the ACC from contention. Both teams are making their second appearance in the championship game. The Cavaliers defeated the Blue Devils 34-17 just three weeks ago and have won nine of the last 10 games in the series. In that November matchup, Virginia’s defense sacked Duke’s quarterback four times, while its offense excelled against a Blue Devils defense that has allowed 34 points per game since the start of November.
Prediction: Virginia 31, Duke 16
