Well, it’s over. After two more games, our college football regular season has reached its swift conclusion. Feels like just yesterday we were all agreeing Nebraska is back after that opening drive touchdown against Northwestern in Dublin. Feels like just yesterday Jalin Hyatt was dancing through the Alabama secondary. Feels like just yesterday Appalachian State was winning in College Station and Marshall was taking down Notre Dame. Feels like just yesterday half of the mainstream media was carrying water for Auburn’s cynical hiring of Hugh Freeze. Oh wait, that was yesterday.

The first wave of the postseason is here – the conference championship games. These aren’t going anywhere, but as leagues shift away from two division formats, we will have fewer lopsided games, so that is exciting. 

Below I’ve listed the nationally televised games this weekend, sorted by viewing window for you to keep track. All times are Eastern, because, well, duh. Included is each team’s rank in Bill Connelly’s SP+ rankings to give you a sense of the matchup.

Friday:

(127) Akron at (97) Buffalo – 1 PM on ESPN+

This might be the Sickos Game of the Century. If you’re watching this game – a MAC game with absolutely no implications in the standings, held 24 hours before the conference’s title game, featuring one of the worst FBS programs of the last five years, opposite World Cup action, during a workday – then you, dear reader, are my kind of people.

(73) North Texas at (48) UTSA – 4:30 PM on CBSSN

Last year this game was a blast, as Bailey Zappe set multiple NCAA records in an instant classic game in front of a raucous home crowd at the Alamodome. The Roadrunners ultimately prevailed in that matchup and should repeat again as champions. This is the first of two potential pointsplosions here on Friday night.

(11) USC vs. (10) Utah (in Las Vegas, Nev.) – 8 PM on Fox

And this is the other. Both of these games have over/under totals in the high 60s, which is actually a few touchdowns lower than what this game was played at in October. Caleb Williams is playing the best ball of his career, but USC has a forgiving defense on the other side. Utah will be without starting running back Tavion Thomas — he is opting out of postseason games to prepare for the NFL draft — but should still be able to take advantage of the Trojans’ porous stop unit. If USC wins, it will clinch a playoff berth in Lincoln Riley’s first year in Heritage Hall, fulfilling his potential in just one short season and doubling the torment of the spurned Oklahoma faithful. 

Saturday Noon: 

(9) Kansas State vs. (6) TCU (in Arlington, Tex.) – 12 PM on ABC

TCU needs to win to feel safe about its playoff future; I’m sure the committee is just aching to overlook a hypothetical one-loss Horned Frogs team in favor of one-loss blue blood Buckeyes. This game is a blast: yes, both running backs (Kendre Miller for TCU and Deuce Vaughn for K-State) are incredible, and explosive playmakers dot both of these rosters. These purple-clad powerhouses should deliver the best game of the day.

(85) Ohio vs. (81) Toledo (in Detroit, Mich.) – 12 PM on ESPN

Ohio lost starting quarterback Kurtis “The Maple Missile” Rourke for the season, and Toledo’s signal-caller Dequan Finn is questionable with his own injury. That robs this game of some of its intrigue, but it is still one of the most even matchups on the board and, like most MAC contests, should come down to the wire.

Saturday Midday: 

(69) Coastal Carolina at (44) Troy – 3:30 PM on ESPN

Speaking of injured star quarterbacks, Coastal Carolina will most likely be without Grayson McCall. The Chanticleers were completely shut down last week by James Madison, and without one of the best passers in the country, it’s hard to imagine they will find much offensive success against an excellent Troy defense. And if we factor in home field advantage for the Trojans and the distractions in the Coastal clubhouse as coach Jamey Chadwell is a candidate for almost every open job, it’s easy to think that everything is going to come up Troy in this one.

(36) UCF at (28) Tulane – 4 PM on ABC

These teams met about a month ago; UCF raced out to an early lead and then ran all over the Green Wave defense. Tulane has played sharp football since that matchup and won’t be caught flat-footed again in this rematch. The winner here is well-positioned to claim the New Year’s Six bowl game berth earmarked for the best AAC team, erm, I mean, best Group of Five team. 

(59) Fresno State at (52) Boise State – 4 PM on Fox

The Mountain West had a miserable year and was home to four of the worst overall teams in FBS. Eventually, the two favorites made it to the title game, although both had hiccups and were no sure thing along the way. The reason to tune in is simple: we are running out of chances to watch Fresno State’s Jake Haener and Jalen Moreno-Cropper play pitch-and-catch at the collegiate level.

(1) Georgia vs. (15) LSU (in Atlanta, Ga.) – 4 PM on CBS

This is the largest spread on the board, and if LSU’s veteran dual-threat quarterback Jayden Daniels is not at full strength, it will become a snoozer in a hurry. Georgia has punched its playoff ticket already, but it could essentially clinch the No. 1 seed with a victory. LSU’s defense has struggled to contain explosive pass plays, but Georgia rarely hits home runs, so it will be interesting to see if the Bulldogs are able to take advantage of this key LSU weakness.

(FCS) Southern at (FCS) Jackson State – 4 PM on ESPN2

The SWAC Championship pits these two archrivals, with the winner taking on MEAC champion NC Central in the Celebration Bowl. The story of this game will be Deion Sanders, who will likely be coaching his last game with the Tigers as he has multiple offers to coach at the FBS level next season. Coach Prime has made headlines with his recruiting and the energy he has brought to his program, his conference, and HBCU football in general, but his Jackson State team is legitimately awesome with a fantastic defense.

Saturday Primetime: 

(13) Clemson vs. (46) North Carolina (in Charlotte, N.C.) – 8 PM on ABC

We have absolutely no playoff stakes in this one, and both teams are reeling following embarrassing losses in rivalry week. North Carolina will be playing to end its 42-year ACC championship drought, and with Drake Maye, the Heels believe they have the man for the job. Carolina has a porous defense, but Clemson’s DJ Uiagalelei has struggled down the stretch and might not be able to capitalize. 

(2) Michigan vs. (47) Purdue (in Indianapolis, Ind.) – 8 PM on Fox

This is the Honorary Traditional Unwatchable Big Ten Network Noon Game of the Week. 

In all seriousness, much love for Purdue quarterback Aidan O’Connell, who will be playing in this game following the tragic loss of his brother Sean last week. Hopefully he can find peace and the competition can be an outlet of grief and healing for him.

Saturday, Dec. 10:

(75) Army vs. (94) Navy (in Philadelphia, Pa.) – 3 PM on CBS

Army has already surrendered the Commander-in-Chief’s Trophy to Air Force, but the Black Knights have worked all season for revenge after the Midshipmen scored an upset last year on an accidental fake punt conversion. And remember: bet the under!