The college football season has come and gone so fast my head is spinning. It’s finally championship week, so let’s get bold, breaking it down by game.
There has been quite a bit of excitement this season and it is now all coming to a head as the top teams go at it for their conference crowns. While we will break down some bold predictions for each of the Power Five championship games, let’s begin with those smaller conferences that are just as exciting and deserve just as much attention.
MAC: NIU (7-5) vs. Buffalo (10-2)
This is the first of the championship games, kicking off on Friday night on ESPN2, and it is setting up to be a great one. Northern Illinois has a perfect 10-0 record against Buffalo as of late, but now it is the Bulls who seem to be favored and shaping up to be the team to beat. Buffalo has put together a 10 win season, while Northern Illinois has only managed seven wins.
My bold prediction here? Buffalo puts on an offensive show in what will be the kick off to championship week. Look for a continuation of what quarterback Tyree Jackson has been able to put up this season, with the help of his running back duo in Jaret Patterson and Kevin Mark. The Bulls have out-gained six of their last seven opponents and out-rushed five of their last seven foes. That doesn’t happen on accident.
Sun Belt: App State (9-2) vs. ULL (7-5)
This conference championship is new to the scene. The game will be hosted by App State as they finished as champions of the East with the best record in the conference. Louisiana- Lafayette will make the trip to North Carolina to take on the surging Appalachian State Mountaineers starting right after the conclusion of College Game Day on ESPN Saturday morning.
My bold prediction here? This game makes history in more ways than one. Yes, this is the inaugural game for the Sunbelt Championship, but that isn’t the history making part. I’m going to go out on a limb here and say that ULL pulls off the upset and shows that while the West seems superior- the East came to play.
Conference USA: UAB (9-3) vs. Middle Tennessee (8-4)
This one is quite the interesting matchup, mostly because it happened on November 24th and will now happen again though this time with much bigger implications. This is about the conference title. For Middle Tennessee, while it would be their first C-USA title, it wouldn’t be their first championship rodeo. For UAB though, the ride has been crazy and hectic to get where they are today. To win the C-USA title would be a big deal for this Blazers team.
My bold prediction? The UAB offense will come out guns blazing. They fell flat during their first meeting about a week ago, but they won’t let that happen again. UAB for the C-USA title. The game will kick off Saturday at 1:30 pm ET on the CBS Sports Network.
American: Memphis (8-4) vs. No. 9 UCF (11-0)
This game is one that everyone has circled on their calendar. If you don’t you are either a failure as a football fan or you are lying to yourself. The UCF Golden Knights have fought all season long to get the recognition they deserve. They are looking at two straight undefeated seasons right now, provided they win the championship and their bowl game. That is something to be proud of, especially when you have had two different head coaches in that time.
These two teams faced off earlier this season, UCF obviously won that one- though it was only by a point. My bold prediction here? UCF blows Memphis out of the water. This team has a whole new motivation. The injury to QB McKenzie Milton is something this group can rally behind and once again prove to the College Football world that they belong. You can catch that one on ABC Saturday afternoon, 3:30 p.m. ET.
Mountain West: No. 22 Boise State (10-2) vs. No. 25 Fresno State (10-2)
This game will be a shoot out to end all shoot outs. Both of these teams have had strong seasons, finishing with 10 wins each. These two teams are playing for more than just a championship. They could be playing to push into those New Years Six spots. That is a big deal for team’s outside of those Power 5 that we all know so well.
My bold prediction? This one comes down to the last possession. These two teams have a lot to fight for and a lot of fight within them.
Now, onto the Power Five.