Storyline: It’s Championship Week with many important games to be played this weekend. Here are my picks for the best (and most important) games to watch. Written by Brian Schneider, Pennsylvania.
Marathon MAC Football Championship, Friday 7:00 PM ET
WMU may row its boat to a New Year’s Six Bowl (photo, Locker Dome)
The undefeated Western Michigan Broncos take on the Ohio Bobcats (8-4). The Broncos are led by star wide receiver, Corey Davis. Davis set the FBS record in receiving yards (5,068) in last week’s win against Toledo. Davis also has 17 touchdowns on the year. The Broncos QB Terrell is also having a great season with 30 touchdowns and only 1 interception. Terrell and Davis are very exciting to watch, so I suggest you tune in on Friday night.
Don’t be surprised if this game is close, but I think the Broncos will win. That should put the Broncos in a New Year’s Six Bowl game.
Pac-12 Championship, Friday 9:00 PM ET
Washington and its stifling defense (photo, ESPN.com)
The Colorado Buffaloes (10-2) take on the Washington Huskies (11-1) in a game that has playoff implications. The Washington Huskies are currently at #4. With a win, the Huskies should earn themselves a playoff spot. In all likelihood Colorado won’t get in with a win, but a New Year’s Six bowl could be in the offing. A Colorado win could help Michigan or the B1G Champion get in the playoff.
This game will be a battle of two great quarterbacks. CU’s Sefo Liufau has had a great season. Jake Browning has had an excellent year, too, putting up 3,162 yards passing, 40 touchdowns, and only 7 interceptions. He will have to have a great game for Washington to get the win.
Big Ten Championship, Saturday 8:00 PM ET
The Wisconsin Badgers (10-2) will battle the Penn State Nittany Lions (10-2) for the Big Ten Championship. Penn State is looking for its first Big Ten Championship since 2008. Wisconsin won it in 2012. The winner could get into the College Football Playoff, but that team will need help from Colorado or Virginia Tech.
Few picked PSU to win the Big Ten East. But they did. (photo, Daily Collegian)
Penn State has had a breakout season, starting 2-2, but then winning out, including getting a pivotal win over Ohio State at home. Penn State’s RB Saquon Barkley has been the star of this team. He has 1,219 rushing yards and 15 touchdowns. Penn State’s QB Trace McSorley has been very good with 2,976 passing yards, 21 touchdowns, and only 5 interceptions.
Wisconsin’s starting QB is questionable right now. Alex Hornibrook is a freshman with 1,243 passing yards and 8 touchdowns. If Hornibrook isn’t ready to go, then most of the work will go to the RB Corey Clement. Clement has been very good. He has for 1,140 rushing yards and has 13 touchdowns.
With Penn State’s high-powered offense and Wisconsin’s stout defense, this should be a great game to watch. I think the Nittany Lions will pull out the win, 32-21.
