How to Watch This Weekend's College Football Conference Championship Games

Newsweek

29 November 2023

How to Watch This Weekend's College Football Conference Championship Games

With the end of the 2023 college football regular season last week, conference championships are the final hurdle for teams looking to make the field of four in this season's College Football Playoff (CFP).

All four of the remaining undefeated teams are in action, with their spot likely on the line. Other teams are playing to stay in contention for the CFP or a New Year's Day bowl game. Each Power Five conference game holds significant implications for determining which teams will be in the mix to compete for the national championship.

Here's a look at the games this weekend, and how their outcomes affect the playoff field. Rankings are listed from the most recent CFP data. All odds are via DraftKings on Wednesday.

Pac-12 Championship: (5) Oregon vs. (3) Washington

How to Watch: Friday, Dec. 1, 8 p.m. ET on ABC
Location: Allegiant Stadium, Las Vegas, Nevada
Betting Odds: Oregon -9.5, Over/Under 66

Playoff Implications: A significant game for both teams, with Oregon and Washington both having strong playoff aspirations. If Washington wins, the Huskies will cement their spot. But that's a big "if." Oddsmakers put Oregon at a 9.5-point favorite, likely due to both teams' performances since their October 14 meeting. If Oregon pulls out the victory, the Ducks could lay claim to a playoff position, with their only loss coming on the road against another one-loss team by just three points.

Big 12 Championship: (18) Oklahoma State vs. (7) Texas

How to Watch: Saturday, Dec. 2, 12 p.m. ET on ABC
Location: AT&T Stadium, Arlington, Texas
Betting Odds: Texas -15, Over/Under 55

Playoff Implications: Texas, currently ranked No. 7, has a strong chance to solidify its playoff position with a victory. It may be hard for the committee to choose the Longhorns without a loss from Florida State, Georgia or Michigan.

SEC Championship: (1) Georgia vs. (8) Alabama

How to Watch: Saturday, Dec. 2, 4 p.m. ET on CBS
Location: Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta, Georgia
Betting Odds: Georgia -5.5, Over/Under 54.5

Playoff Implications: Both Georgia and Alabama are in contention for playoff spots, making this one of the most crucial games of the weekend. A win for the Bulldogs, and they'll likely lock up the top seed. An upset from Nick Saban's squad, and the Crimson Tide could avoid missing the field for a second straight year.

ACC Championship: (14) Louisville vs. (4) Florida State

How to Watch: Saturday, Dec. 2, 8 p.m. ET on ABC
Location: Bank of America Stadium, Charlotte, North Carolina
Betting Odds: Florida State -2.5, Over/Under 47.5

Playoff Implications: Louisville's hopes of a playoff bid were dashed last week when they fell to in-state rival Kentucky. Now they can play the role of spoiler en route to a near-certain Orange Bowl appearance. FSU will need help from junior Tate Rodemaker, who stepped in after starting quarterback Jordan Travis suffered a season-ending injury against North Alabama.

Big Ten Championship: (16) Iowa vs. (2) Michigan

How to Watch: Saturday, Dec. 2, 8 p.m. ET on FOX
Location: Lucas Oil Stadium, Indianapolis, Indiana
Betting Odds: Michigan -23.0, Over/Under 35

Playoff Implications: After serving a three-game suspension at the end of the regular season, Jim Harbaugh returns to the sidelines for Michigan. The game will be a rematch of the 2021 championship, when the Wolverines handed the Hawkeyes a 42-3 loss.

Group of Five Football Championship Schedule

CUSA Championship: New Mexico State vs. (25) Liberty

How to Watch: Friday, Dec. 1, 7 p.m. ET on CBS Sports Network
Location: Williams Stadium, Lynchburg, Virginia
Betting Odds: Liberty -10.5, Over/Under 55.5

MAC Championship: Miami (Ohio) vs. Toledo

How to Watch: Saturday, Dec. 2, 12 p.m. ET on ESPN
Location: Ford Field, Detroit, Michigan
Betting Odds: Toledo -8.0, Over/Under 44

Mountain West Championship: Boise State at UNLV

How to Watch: Saturday, Dec. 2, 3 p.m. ET on FOX
Location: Allegiant Stadium, Las Vegas, Nevada
Betting Odds: Boise State -2.5, Over/Under 59

American Championship: SMU at (23) Tulane

How to Watch: Saturday, Dec. 2, 4 p.m. ET on ABC
Location: Yulman Stadium, New Orleans, Louisiana
Betting Odds: Tulane -5.0, Over/Under 47

Sun Belt Championship: Appalachian State at Troy

How to Watch: Saturday, Dec. 2, 4 p.m. on ESPN
Location: Veterans Memorial Stadium, Troy, Alabama
Betting Odds: Troy -6, Over/Under 52.5

Heisman Odds Update

Saturday also marks the last chance to make a case for the Heisman Trophy. Finalists will be announced Monday and the award ceremony will be held December 9.

All but two of the nine players with listed odds on DraftKings will be in action this weekend, with LSU's Jayden Daniels and Ohio State's Marvin Harrison Jr. only able to watch.