Conference championships game previews: Josh Pate predicts marquee matchups in college football

All eyes remain on the College Football Playoff, with Selection Sunday on the horizon. Before then come conference championships. Some automatic bids can get punched, potentially earning a first-round bye with a top-four seed.

Josh Pate decided to preview three of them on Tuesday’s episode of Josh Pate’s College Football Show. He started in Atlanta before heading up to Indianapolis. Pate’s final stop came in what will be the first major game on Saturday, taking place in AT&T Stadium.

Alabama vs. Georgia (Atlanta)

“I cannot emphasize this enough,” Pate began. “I have no feel on this game. I’ve watched every snap of both of these teams, maybe outside of the FCS games. We have arrived in December and I have no feel on the game. The injury situation really muddies it up for me. So, when I don’t have a feel all that much on the game, I’ll just go with the model. The model says Georgia wins and covers. I’ll say Georgia wins and covers.”

Pate mentioned a couple of key factors for this one, outside of injured players. First, both teams potentially moving back to the mean on third down — an area Alabama thrived and Georgia struggled back in September. And then Pate is also looking at the Bulldogs’ pass rush, seeing if they can get any pressure on Ty Simpson after previously failing to do so.

Ohio State vs. Indiana (Indianapolis)

No. 1 vs. No. 2 to decide the Big Ten Championship and possibly the top spot in the College Football Playoff bracket. A lot has changed since last year’s matchup, one where Ohio State earned a blowout victory. While Pate is not expecting the same margin of victory, he is going with the Buckeyes.

“There is still a little more in the tank,” Pate said of Ohio State despite massive wins. “They geared up last year in the perfect time. Until further notice, I have to assume they’re going to do that again. So, I’ll doubt Indiana, that’ fine… But until further notice, Ohio State is the best team in the country, and I’m taking them to win.”

Texas Tech vs. BYU (Arlington)

“I remember watching the game,” Pate said. “And I remember telling myself, leaving Lubbock that day, ‘If these teams play again, just remember, as dominant as it was, it could have been worse. And the next time they would play will be in Arlington, Texas. And that turf isn’t going to slow Texas Tech down any.’ I can’t get over that.”

Pate is going with Texas Tech in this one, predicting them to sweep the two-game set between these two. A historic win for the Red Raiders only brings more flowers when it comes to the College Football Playoff, earning a first-round bye.