After an eventful conclusion to the regular college football season, the matchups for championship week have been finalized. Below is an overview of the exciting showdowns lined up for the Power Four and Group of Five conferences. All championship games are scheduled for December 7, with the exception of those in the American Athletic, Conference USA, and Mountain West, which will take place on December 6.
**ACC Championship**
No. 9 SMU (11-1, 8-0 ACC, No. 9 CFP) will face off against No. 12 Clemson (9-3, 7-1, No. 12 CFP) in Charlotte, North Carolina. The Mustangs completed their first season in the ACC without any conference losses, securing their spot with a decisive 38-6 victory over California. SMU boasts a remarkable 17-game winning streak in conference play stretching back to their time in the American Athletic Conference. On the other side, Clemson secured their place in the title game after Miami fell to Syracuse, as they aim for their eighth ACC championship in the last decade.
**Big Ten Championship**
In Indianapolis, No. 1 Oregon (12-0, 9-0 Big Ten, No. 1 CFP) will take on No. 4 Penn State (11-1, 8-1, No. 4 CFP). The Nittany Lions have flown under the radar despite their one loss this season and have a key opportunity to enhance their playoff positioning with a win. They are set to challenge the only undefeated team left in college football, the Ducks, who completed the regular season without a loss for the first time in thirteen years.
**Big 12 Championship**
No. 14 Arizona State (10-2, 7-2 Big 12, No. 16 CFP) will face an unidentified opponent in Arlington, Texas. The Sun Devils secured their place in the title game after a thrilling victory against Arizona, led by Cam Skattebo, who rushed for 177 yards and three touchdowns. The identity of their opponent was not determined until the last weekend of games.
**SEC Championship**
In Atlanta, No. 3 Texas (11-1, 7-1 SEC, No. 3 CFP) will compete against No. 6 Georgia (10-2, 6-2, No. 7 CFP). The Longhorns, aiming for a national title, look to claim their first championship in the SEC after a successful inaugural season. They will also seek revenge on the Bulldogs, the only team to have defeated them this season, who advanced after a thrilling overtime victory over Georgia Tech.
**American Athletic Championship**
At West Point, New York, No. 25 Army (10-1, 8-0 AAC) will play against No. 18 Tulane (9-3, 7-1, No. 17 CFP). Tulane’s recent loss to Memphis took away any hopes for a playoff berth, but both teams are headed to bowl games. Army is also set for their traditional rivalry matchup against Navy prior to their bowl appearance.
**Conference USA Championship**
Jacksonville State (8-4, 7-1 CUSA) and Western Kentucky (8-4, 6-2) will meet once again in Jacksonville, Florida, just six days after they faced each other. In their last encounter, WKU handed the Gamecocks their first league defeat with a narrow 19-17 victory, and they must now secure another win to claim the title.
**Mid-American Championship**
In Detroit, Ohio (9-3, 7-1 MAC) will take on Miami (Ohio) (8-4, 7-1). Earlier this season, Miami defeated Ohio at home with a score of 30-20, while the Bobcats have bounced back by winning seven of their last eight games.
**Mountain West Championship**
No. 11 Boise State (11-1, 7-0 MWC, No. 11 CFP) will go up against No. 21 UNLV (10-2, 6-1, No. 22 CFP) in Boise, Idaho. The Broncos arrive at the championship game riding a 10-game winning streak and a record of 11 consecutive home wins, as they look to make a mark in the College Football Playoff race. This matchup serves as a rematch from last year’s title game, which Boise State won, as well as an earlier close game in October.
**Sun Belt Championship**
Louisiana-Lafayette (10-2, 7-1 Sun Belt) will go head-to-head with Marshall (9-3, 7-1) in Troy, Alabama. Louisiana earns its fifth championship appearance in seven years, while Marshall makes its debut in the championship game after a thrilling double-overtime victory over James Madison.
