College Football Predictions: Projecting Conference Championship finalists, winners

With Media Days a thing of the past, talking season is over. We are officially counting down the days until college football is back on Aug. 23. Week 0 will provide a nice appetizer before getting into an incredible slate of Week 1 games.

The next few weeks will be filled with all kinds of predictions, including conference winners. On3’s JD PicKell decided to throw his hat into the ring, predicting conference championship finalists and who would wind up on top.

PicKell went through all four power conferences, where the winners will earn an automatic spot in the College Football Playoff. He threw in a bonus selection as well, choosing an interesting Group of Five program to be included in the 12-team field.

ACC: Clemson over Miami

Dabo Swinney has run the ACC since taking over at Clemson. Even in a year where some outside help was needed to get into the title game, the Tigers still took home another conference championship. Now, PicKell expects them to do the same in 2025.

Miami will have high expectations as well with Carson Beck coming in as QB1. Mario Cristobal was on the verge last season and will have a great shot to finally break through.

Big Ten: Ohio State over Oregon

Throughout 2024, we appeared to be on track for part two of the epic Ohio State-Oregon matchup. But the Buckeyes dropping a shocker to Michigan switched plans up. Instead, we had to wait until Jan. 1 for the Rose Bowl, where Ohio State dominated from start to finish.

No regular season game is on the 2025 agenda. If we are going to see Ohio State and Oregon, the earliest it could be would be in Indianapolis.

Big 12: Baylor over TCU

Of the four conference championship game projections from PicKell, this is the only rematch. TCU will host Baylor on Oct. 18 for the 121st edition of The Revivalry. Just a few weeks later, AT&T Stadium would be center stage for matchup No. 122.

Both programs have been in this position before in recent years but failed to hoist the trophy. PicKell has Dave Aranda getting on the winning end this go-round, sending Baylor to its first-ever College Football Playoff.

SEC: LSU over Texas

This game would produce quite the scene in Atlanta. Two of the SEC’s most passionate fanbases, coming to Mercedes-Benz Stadium for what would project as an all-time SEC Championship game.

Ultimately, PicKell is giving the edge to LSU. Garrett Nussmeier going up against Arch Manning would be quite the spectacle to possibly decide who gets a bye in the CFP.

G5 rep – James Madison

James Madison is entering just its third season at the FCS level. And after two years, Curt Cignetti left the program in favor of the Indiana job. Now, the Dukes are entering Year Two under Bob Chesney.

Outside of Sun Belt foes, a couple of potential high-profile games could boost James Madison up. Sept. 5 against Louisville will be a great opportunity, as will Nov. 22 when Washington State comes to town. Winning their conference is likely a requirement but JMU could seriously enhance its resume with those wins.