Championship weekend in college football has taken on a whole new level of importance since the start of the 12-team College Football Playoff, as winning a Power Four conference crown can seriously boost a team’s playoff résumé and put them in strong contention for a top-four seed, rather than just earning a trophy or bragging rights. While a first-round bye isn’t guaranteed like it might have been last year, a league championship can be the difference between getting that coveted extra week of rest and having to play in the opening round. Every game throughout the weekend carries weight, storylines, and rivalry-driven intensity, with teams fighting for positioning and momentum in the playoff race rather than just a title, whether that’s a rematch between last year’s participants, a storied rivalry with added meaning this time around, or two of the conference’s best teams either playing again after meeting in the regular season or facing off for the first time that season. With that in mind, let’s take a look at which teams will be competing for conference crowns and automatic bids into the 2025-25 College Football Playoff:

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ACC Championship (Charlotte, NC)

SMU (10-2, 7-1) vs. Clemson (11-1, 7-1)

If the preseason hype holds, the ACC title game could feel like déjà vu. Clemson, reloaded on both sides of the ball and armed with Cade Klubnik in his final season, looks built to handle nearly anything the league throws its way. SMU, meanwhile, returns plenty of offensive firepower under Kevin Jennings but might not have quite the same roster depth as last year’s breakout run. There’s no shortage of motivation after the Tigers stunned the Mustangs in the final seconds of last year’s championship, yet Clemson’s combination of elite quarterback play, a stacked defensive front, and a manageable schedule gives them the inside track again. In the end, Dabo Swinney’s squad will be too much for the Mustangs again in their second meeting of 2025, and Clemson seals their 10th ACC crown in 15 years and earns themselves a first-round bye in the College Football Playoff.

Final Score: Clemson 38, SMU 24

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B1G Championship (Indianapolis, IN)

Penn State (11-1, 8-1) vs. Ohio State (10-2, 8-1)

While there are several teams in the B1G that might make some noise around the top of the standings this he B1G Championship should be a heavyweight rematch between Ohio State and Penn State, and this time, James Franklin’s squad looks ready to finally clear their biggest hurdle. The Buckeyes remain loaded even after massive roster turnover, but Penn State brings back one of the most experienced offenses in the country, a ferocious defensive front, and the added edge of Jim Knowles now calling their defense against his old team. After nine straight losses to Ohio State, the Nittany Lions’ balance, depth, and poise in big moments should shine through. Nicholas Singleton punches in a touchdown within the final couple minutes with the defense holding firm in the end to give Penn State their first B1G title since 2016 and a long-awaited breakthrough on the road to a national title shot.

Final Score: Penn State 27, Ohio State 23

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Big XII Championship (Arlington, TX)

Arizona State (10-2, 7-2) vs. Kansas State (11-1, 8-1)

If the Big XII unfolds as expected, the championship game in Arlington should feature Kansas State and Arizona State in a clash of two physical, disciplined teams with elite run defenses and enough offensive firepower to trade blows. Both must replace their star running backs, but each has the depth to keep the ground game productive, while veteran quarterbacks give them the ability to stretch the field. Kenny Dillingham has quickly turned Arizona State into a legitimate contender, but Chris Klieman’s proven big-game track record and head coaching experience gives the Wildcats a slight edge. In a high-energy battle, both offenses move the ball more than anticipated, setting up a tense fourth quarter, and while Arizona State mounts a furious late comeback bid, Kansas State is able to control the clock late behind the legs of Avery Johnson and Dylan Edwards, never giving the Sun Devils the possession they need to steal it. The Wildcats hold on for their second Big XII title in four years and punch their ticket to their first-ever College Football Playoff.

Final Score: Kansas State 31, Arizona State 27

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SEC Championship (Atlanta, GA)

Texas (11-1, 7-1) vs. Georgia (10-2, 7-1)

My 2025 SEC Championship is another high-stakes showdown between Georgia and Texas, marking the fourth meeting between the two powerhouses in just two seasons. Georgia may have taken the regular-season clash in Athens as well as both matchups last year in Austin and then Atlanta, but, the Longhorns will arrive this year in Atlanta with something to prove and a defense once again built to deliver. Both teams boast elite front sevens capable of wrecking drives, forcing each offense to work for every yard. Arch Manning will lean on his quick decision-making and Texas’s balanced attack, while Georgia’s physical ground game and play-action threats will test the Longhorns’ discipline. In a tense, field-position battle, it’s Texas’s defense and timely offensive execution that tilt the game late. The Longhorns avenge both last year’s title loss and this year’s regular-season defeat with a gritty victory, securing their first SEC championship and likely the top seed in the College Football Playoff.

Final Score: Texas 24, Georgia 17