With conference championship week fast approaching, contenders are more eager than ever to bolster their resumes and finish the season with a coveted conference title. Here are my picks.
Big XII: Baylor
Rhule’s smiling! (photo, Sports on Earth)
Oklahoma found themselves on the wrong side of the stick last Saturday, upset at the hands of Kansas State in Manhattan. One loss isn’t enough to eliminate a team, but OU’s loss now paves the way for 12th-ranked Baylor to make a serious push for a conference title and playoff spot.
The next two games for the Bears are winnable–against West Virginia and TCU. Two wins would give the Bears a 9-0 record entering the OU game.
Baylor has the talent to beat Oklahoma and win out. But even if that happens, will BU get in?
Big 10: Ohio State
Ohio State may be the best team in the country. The Wisconsin game was supposed to be a big test, but it just plain wasn’t.
Balance is the key for these Buckeyes. A stingy defense complements a prolific offense.
OSU still has tough games ahead–against Penn State and Michigan–but, let’s face it: OSU controls its fate. ESPN’s Allstate Playoff Predictor gives Ohio State an 85% chance of making the playoffs and a 35% chance to win the title.
SEC: LSU
LSU’s Joe Burrow (photo, CBS Sports)
For the better part of the decade, the SEC has been the deepest and strongest conference. Yet, like clockwork, ‘Bama rolls to another conference title and CFP slot.
Will this year be different? I say, yes! ESPN gives the Tigers a 63% chance of making the playoffs. Standing in their way is (who else?) the Tide. Win that game, and LSU will roll.
But even a loss doesn’t carry an automatic out for LSU. Rather than deal with hypotheticals should they lose, I think there’ll be a new king of the SEC–one that wears purple and gold.
Pac 12: Oregon
The CFP hasn’t been kind to the Pac 12. More often than not, Pac 12 teams end up beating either other, effectively eliminating the conference from playoff contention. Oregon may be the exception this year. UO’s only loss came to a highly-ranked Auburn, and the Ducks got a huge road win recently against Washington.
The problem now is UO’s nondescript schedule. With no ranked teams left to play, Oregon will need help to make the CFP.
ACC: Clemson
Trevor’s at the helm for CU (photo, Matthew Emmons-USA TODAY Sports & The Atlantic)
Clemson may not be as dominant as it has been, but that may be more a function of the ACC not making national news than Clemson dropping off.
Wake Forest is the only other ACC team making waves, and the Deamon Deacons are rarely frontpage news. A longshot, Westgate says that $1k bet on WFU to make the playoffs will make you a millionaire IF the Deacons get in.
What’s a better bet? Trevor Lawrence and CU will win out and make the CFP.
Best of the Rest: SMU
If UCF didn’t get in with an undefeated 2017 campaign, what are the odds of SMU making it this year? The undefeated Mustangs are an outstanding team.
But to have any chance, SMU must beat Memphis, win the AAC, end the season unbeaten, and … pray.
