CFB Conference Championship Games: Early Matchup, Winner Predictions for 2015

Dec 7, 2013; Houston, TX, USA; Marshall Thundering Herd quarterback Rakeem Cato (12) is chased by Rice Owls linebacker Alex Lyons (41) during the first half at Rice Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brendan Maloney-USA TODAY Sports

Conference-USA

Predicted Matchup: Marshall Thundering Herd vs. Louisiana Tech Bulldogs
Likely Winner: Marshall
Playoff Implication Scale: Low to Medium

Marshall was right in the thick the playoff hunt until the last couple of weeks of the season, and they’ll be back to shake things up in 2015. The Thundering Herd could probably hold their own in a Power-5 conference.

In the other division, Louisiana Tech looks to be the cream of the crop again, and unless Rice has an even bigger resurgence than last season, there won’t be much of anyone to challenge the Bulldogs.

Last year’s conference C-USA championship game was a classic, with the Herd coming out on top, 26-23 over a very tough LaTech squad. Don’t expect any less of a close affair in this season’s game, regardless of who meets Marshall.