Conference Championship Week is upon us. Three matchups in the Big 12, ACC and Big Ten conferences will determine who will play for some of the nation's top bowl games.
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No. 10 Oklahoma at No. 3 Oklahoma State
As the Big Ten doesn't have a championship game this season, this matchup in Stillwater, Okla. will serve as a fair alternative, as two of the nation's top offenses compete for a trip to the Cotton Bowl.
Last week, the Cowboys let a berth to the National Championship game slip through their fingers as they lost 37-31 in double overtime at Iowa State. Oklahoma State relinquished a 17-7 lead at halftime, while star quarterback Brandon Weeden gave up three interceptions throughout the game. Weeden has been spectacular this year with 4,111 yards, 34 touchdowns and 73 percent passing.
Oklahoma has all the tools of a National Championship team: a true quarterback in Landry Jones (4,052 yards and 28 TDs), a dynamic rushing duo, an impressive defense and a strong head coach. However, two losses to Texas Tech and Baylor shot those dreams down. The Sooners have given up a lot of points recently, allowing 26.8 points per in their last five matchups compared to 15.8 in the season's first six games. Keeping Weeden uncomfortable in the pocket will remain vital for another Sooners win in the Bedlam Series.
In the teams' last eight matchups against each other, Oklahoma is 8-0. And coming off the devastating loss last week, Oklahoma State's chances are dismal.
Prediction: Oklahoma over Oklahoma State
No. 5 Virginia Tech vs. No. 20 Clemson (ACC Championship)
Virginia Tech may be the least talked about team in the nation. The Hokies' week five loss to then-No. 13 Clemson 23-3 at home didn't serve Virginia Tech's national image well. Nevertheless, a bid for the Orange Bowl sits on the line.
The Hokies operate on three factors: sophomore quarterback Logan Thomas (2,525 yards and 18 TDs), junior tailback David Wilson (1,595 yards and 9 TDs) and the nation's seventh-ranked defense (15.5 points against). When all three are working together, VT sees results like last week's 38-0 beat down of the University of Virginia, in which Thomas and Wilson combined for five touchdowns and the defense forced four turnovers.
For Clemson, quarterback Tajh Boyd has been inconsistent all season. In his past four games, Tajh has thrown seven interceptions resulting in a 1-3 record. Despite some big early season victories and one of the nation's top freshman wide receivers in Sammy Watkins (1,073 yards and 10 TDs), Clemson is overmatched.
Virginia Tech's Wilson can't be stopped over four quarters.
Prediction: Virginia Tech over Clemson
No. 15 Wisconsin vs. No. 13 Michigan St. (Big Ten Championship)
Back on Oct. 22, Michigan State stunned then-No. 6 Wisconsin with a hail-mary winner as time expired. The momentum from this win will still be present come this Saturday.
The Badgers have the fourth-ranked offense (44.8 points per game) and the fourth-ranked defense (15.2 points against) in the country. Their star quarterback transfer from North Carolina State was off to a torrid start, but over the past few weeks Russell Wilson (2,692 yards and 28 TDs) has certainly slowed down. The Badgers live on the rushing game headlined by Montee Ball, who has 29 touchdowns and over 1,600 yards on the ground. Ball will definitely be the Spartans' top priority.
Led by senior quarterback Kirk Cousins, Michigan State (10-2) is a bland team built on their sixth-ranked defense (15.4 points against). In their earlier matchup with Wisconsin, the Spartans held Ball to 115 yards and only one touchdown. If Michigan State intends to capture its eighth conference championship and a bid to the Rose Bowl, it will need to stop Ball from surpassing 100 yards and force a struggling Wilson to make plays.
Ball will not be stopped with this much on the line.
Prediction: Wisconsin over Michigan State
