2023-24 College Football: Conference Championship Week Review

With ten games on the slate for Conference Championship Week, it was a lot easier to focus on specific games than it is during a full weekend. This week always features teams making their final cases to the College Football Playoff Committee as to why they should be included in the playoffs. Some teams rose to the occasion. Others fell hard, killing their chances of being among the Top 4. Regardless of the results, some teams are going to be hurt by the final decisions.  

Game of the Week- PAC-12 Championship- #3 Washington 34, #5 Oregon 31 (Las Vegas, NV)

The final title game in PAC-12 history lived up to the hype. It was so big that it couldn't wait until Saturday. Of the games on the slate for the weekend, this had the largest playoff implications. Early, it looked like Washington was going to run away with it. The Huskies jumped out to a 20-3 lead thanks to a touchdown run and pass from Dillon Johnson. Bo Nix got Oregon into the endzone late in the half on a beautiful catch by Terrance Ferguson. The Ducks stormed out to the lead in the third quarter on another touchdown pass to Ferguson and a short run by Jordan James. Johnson regained the lead for Washington with his third touchdown of the game. Then, Michael Penix Jr. seemingly iced the game with a touchdown pass to put Washington up by ten. Nix wouldn't go quietly. Traeshon Holden scampered 63 yards to respond 30 seconds later, bringing the Ducks back within a field goal. That's as close as they'd get. Johnson's long run on third down sealed the deal, ensuring the Huskies would be in the College Football Playoff. 

Upset of the Week- SEC Championship- #8 Alabama 27, #1 Georgia 24 (Atlanta, GA)

The playoff picture was turned on its head after the 4 p.m. window. The nightmare scenario for most people became a reality. Alabama was able to halt Georgia's 29-game winning streak to win the SEC Championship and keep their playoff hopes alive. After giving up a touchdown on Georgia's first drive of the game, the Crimson Tide kept them off the boards for the rest of the first half. Meanwhile, they scored 17 unanswered to take a ten-point lead into halftime. Carson Beck used his legs to get the Bulldogs within a field goal early in the fourth quarter, but Roydell Williams punched one in to regain the ten-point lead. Georgia didn't go away quietly, but their comeback wouldn't be enough, as their bid for three-straight championships likely went with it. 

The Rest of the Slate

ACC Championship- #4 Florida State 16, #15 Louisville 6 (Charlotte, NC)

With their third-string quarterback starting the game, Florida State managed to survive. A field goal was all that was on the board when the teams went in for halftime. There was only one touchdown in the entire game, coming on a short run by Lawrance Toafili in the third quarter. The Seminoles' defense held Louisville to a pair of field goals and 188 yards of offense. The committee will have a lot to consider when looking at Florida State, but 13-0 with a conference title should be enough to get them in. 

Big 12 Championship- #7 Texas 49, #19 Oklahoma State 21 (Arlington, TX)

Quinn Ewers put up video game numbers against the Cowboys in the home of the Dallas Cowboys. Oklahoma State couldn't stop Texas in the first half. Almost every time they touched the ball, it was going into the endzone. Ewers threw four touchdowns in the first half, then let Keilan Robinson do the scoring in the second half with two scoring runs of his own. It was an emphatic statement that left Texas thinking they should be the first team to jump in if something bad were to happen at the top of the rankings. 

Big Ten Championship- #2 Michigan 26, #18 Iowa 0 (Indianapolis, IN)

With Jim Harbaugh back on the sideline for Michigan, the Wolverines were in a prime position to snag the top spot in the rankings. Iowa's defense was as advertised, holding Michigan to 213 yards. The problem was that Iowa's offense was also as advertised. The Hawkeyes turned the ball over three times, and it led to ten points for Michigan. Blake Corum only had 52 yards, but he scored twice. Michigan made the most of their chances and remained perfect heading into the playoffs. 

AAC Championship- #25 SMU 26, #17 Tulane 14 (New Orleans, LA)

Even if the playoffs weren't attainable for anyone in the "Group of 5," there was still plenty to play for. The top matchup from the rest of the schedule this weekend was in the AAC Championship. Tulane and SMU both went undefeated in conference play, leading to their first collision this season. Tulane had a little extra to play for as the top-ranked "Group of 5" team. The Mustangs had other plans. While they turned the ball over three times, their defense sacked Michael Pratt seven times. The Mustangs made their case en route to an AAC Championship. 

Sun Belt Championship- Troy 49, Appalachian State 23 (Troy, AL)

Technically, Appalachian State finished second in their division to James Madison, but archaic rules kept the Dukes out of the Sun Belt Championship. To the Mountaineers' credit, this game was close until it wasn't. Through three quarters, Troy's lead was only four points. Then, it got ugly. Two touchdowns six seconds apart extended the lead to 18, and it was over from there. Troy picked up its 11th win behind a 28-point fourth quarter. 

C-USA Championship- #20 Liberty 49, New Mexico State 35 (Lynchburg, VA)

While the undefeated teams at the top of the rankings will get all of the love, there was another undefeated team on the field this weekend. Liberty was given a tough test, and they managed to pass it. Kaidon Salter accounted for 484 yards and three touchdowns, including an impressive 35-yard run to put the game away for the Flames. Liberty is still in the fight for the "Group of 5" slot in the New Year's Six and likely has a strong case to earn it. 

MAC Championship- Miami (OH) 23, #23 Toledo 14 (Detroit, MI)

It felt almost wrong to have the MAC Championship on a Saturday since most of their games are played earlier in the week. Toledo came into the game with a lot to lose, and it looked like Miami was going to beat them down early. However, the Rockets stuck around in the first half before taking the lead going into the fourth quarter. Their defense could hold the RedHawks in the fourth as Miami completed the upset to take the MAC crown. 

Mountain West Championship- Boise State 44, UNLV 20 (Las Vegas, NV)

It wasn't long ago that Boise State fired their head coach. The Broncos rode into the game with momentum on their side after four straight wins and a lucky coin toss to put them in this position. After trading touchdowns with UNLV in the first 16 minutes, the Broncos scored 17 unanswered points to take a commanding lead into halftime. The defense held the Rebels to a field goal in the second half as they ran away with it, earning their fifth Mountain West title. 

My Top 6

1. Michigan (13-0, W 26-0 #18 Iowa) (+1)

2. Washington (13-0, W 34-31 #5 Oregon) (+1)

After Saturday, there are only two teams who can confidently say they're in the College Football Playoff. Michigan handled its business with a shutout win over Iowa, and Washington held off Oregon to beat the Ducks for the second time this season. Honestly, I don't care what order they're in because both teams are deserving of the top spot. I'll stick with Michigan at #1. This will allow them to pick which bowl game they want to play in. Part of that will be determined by who their opponent is in the semifinals. Washington will get whatever is left. 

3. Florida State (13-0, W 16-6 #14 Louisville) (+1)

There's a world where Florida State doesn't get in despite going 13-0 and winning the ACC Championship. I'm choosing to believe the committee won't use the injury to Jordan Travis against them. Despite not playing against Louisville, I'd bet there's a chance Tate Rademacher would play in the semifinal if Florida State were to make it. Regardless, the Seminoles are deserving of a spot. They've done what the committee asked of them. This spot should be theirs. 

4. Texas (12-1, W 49-21 #19 Oklahoma State) (+2)

5. Alabama (12-1, W 27-24 #1 Georgia) (+2)

The final spot should come down to Texas and Alabama. Texas is 3-1 against teams ranked in the most recent College Football Playoff Rankings. Their lone loss was a neutral site loss to Oklahoma, who is currently #12. Alabama is 4-1, with wins over Georgia, Tennessee, Ole Miss, and LSU. The problem is that Alabama lost to Texas. Not only did they lose to Texas, but they lost to Texas in Tuscaloosa. The Alabama faithful and SEC fanatics will be quick to point out that it was the second game of the season and that Alabama is a different team now. I agree that the Crimson Tide are better now than they were at the beginning of the season. However, it doesn't change the fact that Texas beat them by ten on their field. The Longhorns had some close calls during conference play, but they finished the season with a 50-point win over Texas Tech and a 28-point win in the Big 12 Championship Game against Oklahoma State. Alabama had their fair share of tight games, too. They squeaked by Texas A&M and Arkansas and needed a Hail Mary against Auburn to win the Iron Bowl. There isn't much that separates them statistically. Texas has the more prolific offense, but Alabama scores .7 more points per game than them. Alabama is better defensively, but Texas allowed fewer points per game. The committee may put them both ahead of Florida State, which would be a mistake. I still believe Texas is more deserving of the spot, even if Kirby Smart thinks it should be the four best, not the most deserving. 

6. Georgia (12-1, L 27-24 #8 Alabama) (-5)

Speaking of Kirby Smart and the Bulldogs, they have a very slim chance of making it after losing the SEC Championship. I won't consider them done until the committee says otherwise. They were arguably the best team in the country for 13 weeks. None of that matters now. They don't have a conference title, and the committee says they care about that sort of thing. It would be a cruel way to end your bid for a third straight title, but they couldn't win when it mattered the most. Now, they'll get to experience things from the other side. They'll still be in a primetime bowl game around New Year's. The only problem is that it'll be just one game instead of the possibility of two. 

The Rest of My Top 25

7. Oregon (11-2, L 34-31 #3 Washington) (-2)

8. Ohio State (11-1) (-)

9. Missouri (10-2) (-)

10. Oklahoma (10-2) -)

11. Penn State (10-2) (-)

12. Ole Miss (10-2) (-)

13. LSU (9-3) (-)

14. Arizona (9-3) (-)

15. Notre Dame (9-3) (+3)

16. NC State (9-3) (+4)

17. SMU (11-2, W 26-14 #17 Tulane) (+7)

18. Liberty (13-0, W 49-35 New Mexico State) (+3)

19. Iowa (10-3, L 26-0 #2 Michigan) (-4)

20. Oregon State (8-4) (+3)

21. Troy (11-2, W 49-23 Appalachian State) (+8)

22. Louisville (10-3, L 16-6 #4 Florida State) (-5)

23. Tennessee (8-4) (+2)

24. James Madison (11-1) (+2)

25. Tulane (11-2, L 26-14 #25 SMU) (-9)

The Next 5

26. Oklahoma State (9-4, L 49-21 #7 Texas) (-4)

27. Miami (OH) (11-2, W 23-14 #23 Toledo) (+3)

28. Clemson (8-4) (-1)

29. Kansas State (8-4) (-1)

30. Toledo (11-2, L 23-14 Miami (OH) (-11)