The 2024 college football playoff season kicks off this weekend with conference finals. A total of nine championship games will take place, highlighted by the showdown between No. 1 Oregon and No. 3 Penn State for the Big Ten championship, along with No. 2 Texas battling No. 5 Georgia for the SEC crown. Continue reading […]
The 2024 college football playoff season kicks off this weekend with conference finals. A total of nine championship games will take place, highlighted by the showdown between No. 1 Oregon and No. 3 Penn State for the Big Ten championship, along with No. 2 Texas battling No. 5 Georgia for the SEC crown.
Continue reading for the complete schedule, timings, viewing options, and participating teams.
Friday
Western Kentucky vs. Jacksonville State (CUSA Championship)
- When: Friday, Dec. 6 @ 7 p.m. ET
- Where to watch: CBSSN
- What to expect: This matchup is anticipated to be closely contested, as the teams recently met last weekend, with Western Kentucky narrowly winning 19-17. Both teams ended the regular season with an 8-4 record, but the game will take place at Jacksonville State’s venue thanks to their strong 7-1 conference performance.
No. 20 UNLV vs. No. 10 Boise State (Mountain West Championship)
- When: Friday, Dec. 6 @ 8 p.m. ET
- Where to watch: Fox
- What to expect: Reigning Mountain West champions Boise State are the favorites, yet they will face a solid challenge from UNLV. A spot in the College Football Playoff is at stake, with the winner securing one of the five guaranteed spots for conference champions in the new 12-team playoff setup. Their previous encounter in late October saw Boise State triumph, 29-24. An upset by the Rebels could notably disrupt the CFP landscape.
Tulane vs. No. 24 Army (AAC Championship)
- When: Friday, Dec. 6 @ 8 p.m. ET
- Where to watch: ABC
- What to expect: Despite Army’s rank and single loss, Tulane holds a slight edge in this matchup with their three losses. The Black Knights have home-field advantage, and their only defeat this season came from current No. 4 Notre Dame, a substantial 49-14 loss two weeks ago. Tulane’s hopes for the CFP were diminished after a loss to Memphis last week.
Saturday
No. 16 Iowa State vs. No. 15 Arizona State (Big 12 Championship)
- When: Saturday, Dec. 7 @ 12 p.m. ET
- Where to watch: ABC
- What to expect: This encounter features two 10-2 teams, with the victor guaranteed a playoff spot. Arizona State has shown remarkable resilience after predictions placed them last in their newly-formed conference (having gone 3-9 in the Pac-12 last year). Iowa State has also impressed, recovering from a 7-6 performance in 2023. Arizona State enters this contest with a slight advantage, yet like many fixtures this weekend, it’s projected to hinge on the fourth quarter.
Ohio vs. Miami (OH) (MAC Championship)
- When: Saturday, Dec. 7 @ 12 p.m. ET
- Where to watch: ESPN
- What to expect: The historical rivalry between Ohio’s oldest universities, known as the Battle of the Bricks, meets the MAC Championship. This matchup is yet another rematch from the regular season; in their mid-October meeting, Miami emerged victorious, 30-20. Miami leads the series at 56-42-2, with the defending MAC champions being slight favorites. Since their defeat against the RedHawks, the Bobcats have gone 5-0, driven by a potent offense and a defense that hasn’t conceded a rushing touchdown in their last four outings.
No. 5 Georgia vs. No. 2 Texas (SEC Championship)
- When: Saturday, Dec. 7 @ 4 p.m. ET
- Where to watch: ABC
- What to expect: Likely the most eagerly awaited rematch this weekend, Georgia and Texas will meet again in a “neutral” site at Mercedez-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, roughly 70 miles from Athens. If you missed it in October, the No. 5 Bulldogs handed No. 1 Longhorns their sole season loss, winning 30-15 on the road. Texas is slightly favored once more. The pressing question remains: which version of Georgia will take the field?
Marshall vs. Louisiana (Sun Belt Championship)
- When: Saturday, Dec. 7 @ 7:30 p.m. ET
- Where to watch: ESPN
- What to expect: Louisiana Ragin’ Cajuns enter this game as favorites after only two losses this season (one by a single possession to Tulane). Marshall has shown determination throughout their three-loss season, recently overcoming a 17-point halftime deficit to defeat James Madison in double overtime last weekend. Louisiana has had success against Marshall in their previous two encounters and will benefit from home-field advantage.
No. 3 Penn State vs. No. 1 Oregon (Big Ten Championship)
- When: Saturday, Dec. 7 @ 8 p.m. ET
- Where to watch: CBS
- What to expect: Another weekend highlight featuring top 5 teams, sees Nittany Lions and Ducks square off in Indianapolis. Oregon holds a slight edge and remains the only undefeated team in FBS. Penn State’s only defeat came by a touchdown against now-No. 6 Ohio State in early November. Given the rankings, both teams are closely matched and will advance to the playoffs regardless, making this face-off about gaining a first-round bye and bragging rights for the year.
No. 17 Clemson vs. No. 8 SMU (ACC Championship)
- When: Saturday, Dec. 7 @ 8 p.m. ET
- Where to watch: ABC
- What to expect: The revamped ACC still faces a strong contender looking to disrupt the expected results. With three losses, Clemson’s season has been anything but flawless, yet the Tigers remain just one upset away from yet another CFP appearance. SMU, being the higher seed, is technically the “home team,” but Charlotte is more likely to provide a home-field atmosphere for the Tigers. The Mustangs are favored, and should they exploit a relatively weaker Clemson defense, they stand a good chance to edge past the ACC’s traditional powerhouse.
