Football

College Football Game of the Week: Championship Saturday

By Justin Adams Dec 2, 2017
Auburn Tigers head coach Gus Malzahn gets his team ready for the 2013 SEC Championship Game. (Photo by Auburn University - CC License https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0/legalcode)

The conference championships are up for grabs this weekend in college football. USC punched their ticket to the Rose Bowl after beating Stanford 31-28 on Friday night.

Saturday brings us the SEC and ACC Championship Games. The winner not only takes home the conference trophy, but will also have a spot in the College Football Playoff.

Here’s our predictions:

Jason Romano: SEC Championship: Auburn 30 – Georgia 28 – An SEC Championship without Alabama seems odd but this game should be a classic. I like War Eagle to take home the victory.

ACC Championship: Clemson 40 – Miami 28 – The Tigers know how to win big games and they do it again here, ending the title hopes of the U.

Justin Adams: SEC Championship: Auburn 27 – Georgia 24 – The first time these two teams met, Auburn held Georgia’s offense to only 199 yards. In the rematch, I see the Tigers’ defense having a repeat performance, while quarterback Jarrett Stidham and tailback Kerryon Johnson leads Auburn to the SEC title.

ACC Championship: Clemson 37 – Miami 31 – Miami lost both star tight end Chris Herndon and wide receiver Ahmmon Richards to injuries this week. That will be too much for the Hurricanes to overcome as Clemson will capture the ACC Championship in Charlotte.

Jon Ackerman: SEC Championship: Georgia 33 – Auburn 28 – Auburn took out No. 1 Alabama last week, and also beat Georgia when it was No. 1. It’s too tough to beat a great team twice, so I think Georgia gets this one in Atlanta and moves into the playoffs.

ACC Championship: Clemson 38 – Miami 24 – All was looking great until the Hurricanes hit Pitt last week, sending Miami from the ranks of the unbeaten. Clemson, the defending national champs, will capitalize and take the ACC title into the playoffs.

Last Week’s Picks: Ohio State vs Michigan, Alabama vs Auburn, Washington State vs Washington

Jason: Ohio State 30 – Michigan 23
Alabama 41 – Auburn 27
Washington 34 – Washington State 28

Justin: Ohio State 31 – Michigan 17
Auburn 30 – Alabama 28
Washington State 34 – Washington 31

Jon: Ohio State 38 – Michigan 17
Alabama 28 – Auburn 27
Washington 35 – Washington State 30

Actual Result: Ohio State 31 – Michigan 20

Auburn 26 – Alabama 14

Washington 41 – Washington State 14

Season Record: (Upset Picks in Parentheses) 

Jason: 9-8 (4-5)

Justin: 10-7 (1-8)

Jon: 9-7 (3-6)