The conference championship games have arrived, offering the College Football Playoff committee a final opportunity to evaluate contenders for the 12-team playoff field. Coaches and players from bubble teams are feeling the pressure, but the Big Ten has a unique sense of calm as Ohio State and Indiana prepare to face off in Indianapolis.
Both teams enter the game undefeated and are considered locks for the playoff. Even the losing team is likely to secure a top-four seed, which comes with a crucial first-round bye. Additionally, Oregon is expected to represent the Big Ten as a third playoff team.
Georgia is also assured a playoff spot regardless of the outcome against Alabama in the Southeastern Conference championship. Should Alabama stumble—having previously defeated Georgia during the regular season—the committee will have the challenging task of deciding whether to include a three-loss Crimson Tide alongside Georgia, Mississippi, and Texas A&M from the SEC. Other teams, including Oklahoma, Texas, and Vanderbilt, will present their cases for playoff inclusion.
If Texas Tech secures a victory against BYU for a second time this season in the Big 12 championship, they should lock in a top-four seed. Conversely, a BYU win could pave the way for two playoff teams from the Big 12.
The Atlantic Coast Conference game featuring Virginia and Duke carries significant implications for the Group of Five. A win for Virginia would guarantee a playoff spot, while a loss would eliminate them. Furthermore, if James Madison can defeat Troy in the Sun Belt, they will be rooting for Duke to triumph over Virginia. A victory for Duke could allow JMU to secure a playoff berth as the fifth highest-ranked conference champion, potentially ahead of the five-loss Blue Devils.
Despite this, the ACC might not be entirely excluded from the playoff picture, as the committee could consider granting an at-large bid to Miami. The first Group of Five playoff spot will be contested between North Texas and Tulane in the American Conference.
Lastly, independent Notre Dame remains an intriguing contender. Despite losing their first two contests of the season to ranked teams by a narrow margin, they have bounced back with ten consecutive victories but recently dropped to No. 10 in the CFP rankings.
The marquee matchup of the weekend features Indiana squaring off against Ohio State on Saturday at 8 p.m. ET, marking the first 1-2 matchup in the nation in two years. This clash pits Indiana”s potent offense against a Buckeyes defense that is on track to be regarded among the greatest in history. Although Indiana has not defeated Ohio State since 1988, this year”s team is not the same as in the past. The Hoosiers were 10-0 last year and on the verge of the CFP when they lost to Ohio State 38-15 in a top-five showdown, the only meeting since Indiana hired coach Curt Cignetti following the 2023 season.
As the weekend unfolds, the voting window for the Heisman Trophy opens, and early indications suggest a three-man race among quarterbacks: Fernando Mendoza from Indiana, Julian Sayin from Ohio State, and Diego Pavia from Vanderbilt. Notre Dame running back Jeremiyah Love is also expected to be a finalist.
In summary, championship week is set to deliver high-stakes matchups that will ultimately shape the College Football Playoff landscape for the 2023 season.
