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Championship Weekend Preview: Pac-12, Big East, CUSA, Big 12, ACC and B1G Picks

Since there aren't that many SEC games this weekend, I thought I'd take a stab at picking the winners of each of the games this weekend with BCS bid implications. If a game is an official conference championship game, instead of a de facto, I've designated it.

Pac-12 Championship Game: UCLA Bruins vs. Oregon Ducks, 8 p.m. ET Friday, FOX: This is going to be one of the most lopsided championship games in history if the Ducks play at full speed tonight. The benchmark is 70-3, the margin of the 2005 Big 12 Championship Game between Texas and Colorado -- a game in which Texas did not score in the fourth quarter. It is one of the most thorough demolitions I've ever seen in a football game. Oregon doesn't quite get there. Oregon 57, UCLA 3

Big East: Connecticut Huskies at Cincinnati Bearcats, 12 p.m. ET Saturday, ESPN: If you want to see all the scenarios play out, you can go here, but the game is no longer a fight for the Bearcats to get to the BCS. If Connecticut wins, Louisville will somehow end up in a BCS bowl despite losing to FIU. If the Bearcats manage to pull out the game, West Virginia will instead be the team causing a ratings disaster for the Orange Bowl. My guess is that Cincinnati is deflated and it's a Big East game, so the team that should have no chance wins. Connecticut 23, Cincinnati 20

Conference USA Championship Game: Southern Miss Golden Eagles vs. Houston Cougars, 12 p.m ET Saturday, ABC: That's right, ABC would rather air this game than the Big East game with conference title implications. That says something. At the same time, keep in mind that Houston is the best potential BCS-buster this season now that Boise is essentially out of it. In any case, a decent defense keeps Houston from completely lighting up the scoreboard, and Southern Miss has a decent defense. Houston 35, Southern Miss 23

Big 12: Oklahoma Sooners vs. Oklahoma St. Cowboys, 8 p.m. ET Saturday, ABC: I have come to the conclusion that Oklahoma is an incredibly overrated team. Not just when they were a consensus Top 3 back before the season started, but at their lower placement in the polls right now. The Sooners have had a couple of nice games, but they are otherwise kind of meh. Oklahoma State, on the other hand, is a team that I've been pretty high on throughout the year. The Iowa State game was ugly, but it doesn't change where I think this one is headed. Oklahoma State 45, Oklahoma 28

ACC Championship Game: Virginia Tech Hokies vs. Clemson Tigers, 8 p.m. ET Saturday, ESPN: I think they might actually sell this one out. When it comes to the game itself, these teams are almost mirror images of each other. Clemson has a solid passing attack but a mediocre defense; Virginia Tech has a great running game and a great defense. And while Virginia Tech couldn't go undefeated against one of the easiest schedules for a national title contender in years, Clemson has lost its last two games by a combined 71-26 margin. Virginia Tech 23, Clemson 13

B1G Championship Game: Wisconsin Badgers vs. Michigan St. Spartans, 8 p.m. ET Saturday, FOX: Again, Michigan State is representing the "Michigan-Nebraska" division and Wisconsin won the "Ohio State-Wisconsin" division, as you might surmise. I don't see Michigan State reprising their win against the Badgers the first time around -- despite the fact that I like what South Carolina alum Mark Dantonio has done with the program -- just because I don't think Russell Wilson and Co. can be shocked like that twice. Wisconsin 48, Michigan State 35

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That was awful generous of you to call our defense mediocre.

Also, I would guess the noon ABC time slot is written into the CUSA TV contract. That’s also why I’m guessing the ACCCG title game got the Musberger/Herbstreit crew instead of Bedlam getting it.

by OrangeBritches on Dec 3, 2025 6:36 AM EST via mobile reply actions  


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