How a Duke upset over Virginia could shake up CFP race
Could Duke derail the playoff race with an upset? The Before The Snap crew, breaks down the factors that could shift rankings and open new paths for contenders.
(Editor’s note: Texas Tech beat BYU, No. 11 in the College Football Playoff rankings, to win the Big 12 championship. This story has been updated to add new information and photos.)
It’s the last day before the College Football Playoff field gets finalized. And the last chance for someone to make room for the Miami Hurricanes.
But they’ll have to have others do the work since Miami failed to make the ACC championship once again. Virginia will face Duke — coached by former Hurricanes coach Manny Diaz — for a place in the 12-team CFP bracket. That invite likely goes only one way, though, as the Blue Devils aren’t likely to get ranked highly enough to bring their five losses into the playoff.
Miami fans will be rooting for the favorites to win the Big 12 and SEC championship games — and win convincingly, as Texas Tech did with a 34-7 throttling of BYU — for the ‘Canes to have a shot at getting into the CFP. Alabama can spoil UM’s hopes by sealing up a playoff berth with an automatic bid.
Watch conference championship games on Fubo (free trial)
The ACC shenanigans will cap Championship Saturday alongside Ohio State vs. Indiana, a battle of undefeated teams in the Big Ten championship. With Tulane beating North Texas to decide the American’s champion Friday, all that will be left after that is waiting for the final CFP rankings to be revealed Sunday.
Here’s what college football fans need to know about Championship Saturday:
What college football games are on today?
Five FBS conference championships will be played today. Here’s the college football schedule for today, including start time, TV schedule and streaming info (all times Eastern). Teams are listed with the most recent CFP rankings:
- Big 12 championship game: No. 11 BYU vs. No. 4 Texas Tech | Noon | ABC | Fubo (free trial)
- MAC championship game: Miami (Ohio) vs. Western Michigan | Noon | ESPN | Fubo (free trial)
- SEC championship game: No. 3 Georgia vs. No. 9 Alabama | 4 p.m. | ABC | Fubo (free trial)
- Big Ten championship game: No. 2 Indiana vs. No. 1 Ohio State | 8 p.m. | Fox | Fubo (free trial)
- ACC championship game: Duke vs. No. 17 Virginia | 8 p.m. | ABC | Fubo (free trial)
There’s even more action in the lower divisions. Jackson State is looking to win back-to-back HBCU national championships and get back to the Celebration Bowl if it beats Prairie View A&M in the SWAC championship. There are also eight second-round FCS playoff games today, as well as the Division II quarterfinals and the D-III third round. Here’s the FCS schedule (all times Eastern):
- Villanova vs. Lehigh | Noon | ESPN+
- South Dakota vs. Mercer | Noon | ESPN+
- Illinois State vs. North Dakota State | 1 p.m. | ESPN+
- North Dakota vs. Tarleton State | 1 p.m. | ESPN+
- SWAC championship game: Prairie View A&M vs. Jackson State | 2 p.m. | ESPN2 | Fubo (free trial)
- Abilene Christian vs. Stephen F. Austin | 2 p.m. | ESPN+
- Yale vs. Montana State | 2 p.m. | ESPN+
- South Dakota State vs. Montana | 2 p.m. | ESPN+
- Rhode Island vs. UC Davis | 10 p.m. | ESPN+
Do the Miami Hurricanes have a chance to make the playoffs?
Theoretically, yes, though a lot would have to happen. Miami finished the regular season 10-2 after losing two games in three weeks midway through the season, first against 8-4 Louisville and then at 8-4 SMU. The Hurricanes are No. 12 in the latest CFP rankings and would put them out of the playoff picture because at least two conference champions — three if BYU win the Big 12 title — will earn automatic bids into the 12-team field.
For Miami to get in, Georgia would have to pulverize No. 9 Alabama in the SEC championship game and Texas Tech must do the same to No. 11 BYU. That would set up Notre Dame and Miami for the last at-large bid, and it might be impossible for the selection committee to ignore the Hurricanes’ head-to-head win over the Irish at that point.
Texas Tech delivered with a 34-7 beatdown of BYU in the Big 12 championship game. Coy Eakin caught two touchdown passes, and Ben Roberts grabbed two interceptions as part of a four-takeaway day by the Red Raiders‘ dominating defense.
What time is the SEC championship game today? Where to watch
The SEC championship game between Georgia and Alabama kicks off at 4 p.m. ET from Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia. The Crimson Tide need a win to secure a CFP berth, while a Georgia wins gives Miami an opportunity to take their place. The game can be seen on ABC with streaming options including Fubo, which offers a free trial for new subscribers.
Who is in the ACC championship game? Start time, how to watch
The ACC title game will be between 10-2 Virginia, No. 17 in the latest CFP rankings, and 7-5 Duke at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, North Carolina. Virginia gets into the CFP with a win, while a Duke win would open the door for Sun Belt champion James Madison. The game kicks off at 8 p.m. ET on ABC. Streaming options include Fubo, which offers a free trial for new subscribers.
When is the Big Ten championship game? Start time, where to watch
The last game of the night pits undefeated No. 1 Ohio State (12-0) against undefeated No. 2 Indiana (12-0) in the Big Ten championship game at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis. The defending champion Buckeyes won 14-7 to open the season against Texas and haven’t won by less than 18 since. Led by Heisman hopeful quarterback Fernando Mendoza, the Hoosiers have the No. 2 scoring offense and No. 2 scoring defense in the nation.
The game kicks off at 8 p.m. ET on Fox with streaming options including Fubo, which offers a free trial for new subscribers.
Who won the Big 12 championship game?
No. 4 Texas Tech (12-1) asserted its dominance over the Big 12 with a 34-7 win at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas. They took down No. 11 BYU (11-2), whose only previous loss this season came Nov. 8 in a 29-7 shellacking at Texas Tech. The Red Raiders were presumably into the playoff win or lose, but the Cougars losing in blowout fashion opens a door for Miami to get in.
What is the College Football Playoff schedule?
The full 12-team CFP bracket will be revealed starting at noon Sunday, Dec. 7. The reveal will air on ESPN and can be streamed on Fubo.
The first round of the playoffs will be played at college campuses. One game will be played Friday, Dec. 19 with the other three taking place throughout the day Saturday, Dec. 20. The rest will take place as New Year’s Six bowl games. Here’s the schedule:
- First round: Dec. 19 and 20
- Quarterfinals: Dec. 31 and Jan. 1
- Semifinals: Jan. 8 and 9
- National championship: Jan. 19
When are bowl games announced?
Matchups for the rest of the bowl games will be announced after the CFP reveal Sunday, Dec. 7. The games will be released throughout the day.
Where was College GameDay?
ESPN’s popular “College GameDay” pregame show is live on location at the SEC championship game in Atlanta. No. 3 Georgia (11-1) will try to win its second straight SEC title when it takes on No. 9 Alabama (10-2), which is playing to hold onto its spot in the CFP. Bama won at Georgia 24-21 on Sept. 27.
