Even despite the Alabama Crimson Tide not playing in a game, conference championship weekend is still an important one for the program going into Friday and Saturday night.
Currently sitting at No. 11 in the all-important CFP rankings, Alabama is at the moment the last team in the 12-team College Football Playoff field as the No. 11 seed, with the results from this weekend set to decide whether or not the Crimson Tide will play for a national championship over the next month or not.
So, what are those championship games set to be played this weekend, and how do each of them affect Alabama, if at all?
Here is who our Roll Tide Wire staff has winning each of the big conference championship games this weekend:
SEC Championship Game: No. 2 Texas Longhorns vs. No. 5 Georgia Bulldogs
- Matt’s Prediction: Georgia 27, Texas 23
- Sam’s Prediction: Georgia 28, Texas 21
- Steve’s Prediction: Georgia 31, Texas 28
The SEC Championship Game between the Texas Longhorns and Georgia Bulldogs does not affect whether Alabama gets in the CFP or not. Taking place Saturday afternoon in Atlanta, every member of the Roll Tide Wire staff has the Bulldogs to pick up their second win over Texas this season.
Big Ten Championship Game: No. 1 Oregon Ducks vs. No. 3 Penn State Nittany Lions
- Matt’s Prediction: Oregon 33, Penn State 24
- Sam’s Prediction: Oregon 35, Penn State 24
- Steve’s Prediction: Oregon 28, Penn State 20
Similar to the SEC, the outcome of the Big Ten title game does not affect whether or not Alabama makes the CFP or not. Our entire Roll Tide Wire staff has the Oregon Ducks topping the Penn State Nittany Lions in the Big Ten Championship Game on Saturday night in Indianapolis.
ACC Championship Game: No. 8 SMU Mustangs vs. No. 17 Clemson Tigers
- Matt’s Prediction: SMU 27, Clemson 24
- Sam’s Prediction: SMU 35, Clemson 34
- Steve’s Prediction: Clemson 30, SMU 20
Likely the matchup to watch for Alabama fans this weekend is the ACC title game Saturday night in Charlotte between the SMU Mustangs and Clemson Tigers. If the Mustangs win, then Alabama is in the CFP, but if Clemson were to win, then it’s likely the Crimson Tide and SMU for the final playoff spot in the committee’s hands.
Big 12 Championship Game: No. 15 Arizona State Sun Devils vs. No. 16 Iowa State Cyclones
- Matt’s Prediction: Arizona State 28, Iowa State 27
- Sam’s Prediction: Arizona State 30, Iowa State 27
- Steve’s Prediction: Iowa State 31, Arizona State 27
The Big 12 Championship Game on Saturday afternoon in Dallas will not affect Alabama in any way. Our Roll Tide Wire staff is split on this game where the winner is in the CFP as a conference champion, while the loser is out.
MWC Championship Game: No. 10 Boise State Broncos vs. No. 20 UNLV Rebels
- Matt’s Prediction: Boise State 33, UNLV 24
- Sam’s Prediction: Boise State 42, UNLV 28
- Steve’s Prediction: Boise State 34, UNLV 28
The first big matchup of conference championship weekend comes Friday night in the MWC Championship Game in Boise where the Boise State Broncos play host to the UNLV Rebels. In a game where our entire Roll Tide Wire staff has the Broncos, if Boise State wins on their home field, then they clinch a playoff spot, as well as a likely first round bye.
AAC Championship Game: No. 24 Army Black Knights vs. Tulane Green Wave
- Matt’s Prediction: Army 30, Tulane 28
- Sam’s Prediction: Army 24, Tulane 17
- Steve’s Prediction: Tulane 30, Army 14
Lastly, this game does not have CFP implications, but we might as well make a pick for this one also. Our Roll Tide Wire staff is currently split between Army and Tulane in the AAC Championship Game.