Nine thrilling conference championship games are set to unfold this weekend, marking the grand finale of the 2024 college football regular season. As teams vie for glory, the stakes couldn’t be higher. With automatic berths in the College Football Playoff on the line, fans are in for a treat!
Exciting Matchups to Watch
One of the most anticipated clashes is the Big 12 championship game featuring No. 16 Iowa State against No. 12 Arizona State. This showdown, taking place at AT&T Stadium, is a true nail-biter. According to the PoolGenius college football data grid, the Sun Devils hold a slim 55.4% chance of victory. Both teams are eager to secure their spot in the playoff, making this matchup a must-watch.
In the Group of 5 realm, the Mid-American Conference championship game between rivals Ohio and Miami, Ohio, promises to be equally riveting. The RedHawks are slight favorites, boasting a 54.7% chance of winning. Sporting News has even picked the Bobcats to clinch their first MAC championship since 1968. Will they rise to the occasion?
Data-Driven Insights
Throughout the 2024 season, Sporting News has teamed up with PoolGenius to deliver top-notch pool strategy tips, expert picks, and updated data grids. The goal? To help you emerge victorious in your college football endeavors. The PoolGenius college football data grid not only predicts winners for every game but also highlights discrepancies between their model and public betting trends. This presents a golden opportunity to uncover hidden gems across the entire schedule.
Friday Night Lights
As the weekend kicks off, let’s dive into the Friday matchups.
Western Kentucky at Jacksonville State (-4) (7 p.m., CBSSN)
This game is a rematch of a nail-biting Week 14 encounter where Western Kentucky edged Jacksonville State 19-17. The Jaguars are riding high with seven consecutive wins under coach Rich Rodriguez. Their star running back, Tre Stewart, leads Conference USA with 1,403 rushing yards and 20 touchdowns. On the other side, Hilltoppers quarterback Caden Veltkamp is a force to be reckoned with, having thrown 22 touchdowns this season.
Pick: Western Kentucky wins 28-27 in an UPSET.
PoolGenius pick: Jacksonville State.
No. 19 UNLV at No. 10 Boise State (-4) (8 p.m., Fox)
This matchup will determine the Group of 5 playoff berth and the Mountain West Conference champion. Boise State narrowly defeated UNLV 29-24 earlier this season, and both teams are primed for another close contest. With standout performances expected from both sides, the Broncos are looking to secure their playoff spot.
Pick: Boise State wins 31-21 and COVERS the spread.
PoolGenius pick: Boise State.
Tulane (-4) at No. 24 Army (8 p.m., ABC)
In the American Athletic Conference championship, Tulane faces Army in a battle of contrasting offensive styles. Tulane’s balanced attack averages 216.4 passing yards and 212.9 rushing yards per game, while Army leads the FBS with 312.5 rushing yards. Will the Black Knights capitalize on their home-field advantage?
Pick: Tulane wins 28-20 and COVERS the spread.
PoolGenius pick: Tulane.
Saturday Showdowns
Saturday brings even more excitement, with several high-stakes games on the docket.
No. 16 Iowa State at No. 12 Arizona State (-2.5) (12 p.m., ABC)
The Big 12 championship is a win-and-in scenario for both teams. Arizona State’s running back Cam Skattebo has been a standout performer, and Iowa State’s defense will need to step up. This matchup features intriguing coaching strategies as well, with both coaches looking to outmaneuver each other.
Pick: Arizona State wins 32-25 and COVERS the spread.
PoolGenius pick: Arizona State.
Ohio at Miami, Ohio (-2.5) (12 p.m., ESPN)
Ohio is on a quest to end a 56-year championship drought, but they’ll have to get past their rivals, Miami. The RedHawks won the first meeting, and Ohio will need a stellar performance from their key players to turn the tide.
Pick: Ohio wins 24-19 in an UPSET.
PoolGenius pick: Miami, Ohio.
No. 2 Georgia at No. 5 Texas (-3) (4 p.m., ABC)
In a rematch of their earlier encounter, Georgia and Texas will clash once more. With both teams boasting formidable defenses, the quarterbacks will be under the spotlight. Can Texas’s defense hold strong against Georgia’s offensive prowess?
Pick: Texas wins 26-24 but FAILS TO COVER the spread.
PoolGenius pick: Texas.
Marshall at Louisiana (-4) (7:30 p.m., ESPN)
The Sun Belt championship features Marshall, riding a six-game winning streak, against Louisiana. With both teams showcasing impressive performances this season, expect a hard-fought battle.
Pick: Louisiana wins 27-24 but FAILS TO COVER the spread.
PoolGenius pick: Louisiana.
No. 3 Penn State at No. 1 Oregon (-3.5) (8 p.m., CBS)
In a clash of top-10 defenses, Oregon faces off against Penn State. With both teams looking to assert their dominance, this matchup promises to be a thrilling contest.
Pick: Oregon wins 30-20 and COVERS the spread.
PoolGenius pick: Oregon.
No. 18 Clemson at No. 8 SMU (-2.5) (8 p.m., ABC)
Clemson’s path to the playoff hinges on an upset against SMU. With both teams boasting explosive offenses, this game could turn into a shootout.
Pick: SMU wins 34-31 and COVERS the spread.
PoolGenius pick: SMU.
With so much at stake, this weekend’s championship games are sure to deliver unforgettable moments and intense competition. Buckle up, college football fans—it’s going to be a wild ride!
