Exciting Thanksgiving Weekend Sets Up College Football Conference Championship Games

Some of the mighty fell over the course of the Thanksgiving weekend college football schedule, while others strengthened their positions for the four team College Football Playoff field, or at least a top tier bowl game in the post season.

Miami, undefeated and #2 in the College Football Playoff (CFB) poll, was upset at Pittsburgh 24-14. The Hurricanes (11-1) will play #3 Clemson for the ACC title on December 2nd. The Tigers beat South Carolina 34-10 to finish the regular season 11-1. The winner of the ACC Championship game will no doubt be in the CFP.

In the annual Iron Bowl, #6 Auburn knocked off previously unbeaten and #1 Alabama 26-14. The Crimson Tide fell to 11-1, while Auburn (10-2) strengthened its case to be in the final four even with two losses.

Auburn will play #7 Georgia (11-1) in the SEC Championship on December 2nd. Georgia’s only loss was a 40-17 shellacking by Auburn earlier in November. If Georgia wins, it’s possible we could see both Alabama and Georgia in the CFP, though that would likely only be possible with some other top teams getting beat in their conference title games.

Oklahoma (11-1, #4 in CFP) will play TCU (9-2) for the Big 12 Title. The Sooners should be in with a win. Wisconsin (12-0, #5) will play Ohio State (9-2) in the Big Ten championship game. The Badgers are finally getting some respect, having garnered 10 first place votes in the AP Poll, and are ranked third there behind Clemson and Oklahoma. Wisconsin will need to beat Ohio State to get in the Playoff. Losses by either or both of Oklahoma or Wisconsin will make things really interesting. This week’s updated College Football Playoff poll will be out in the afternoon of November 28th.