ESPN College GameDay: Picks for Saturday's Conference Championship Games
ESPN College GameDay is ready for Saturday’s conference championship games, and they’re in Atlanta ahead of the SEC title game between Alabama and Georgia.
After Friday’s PAC-12 title game got the weekend started right, where Washington vanquished the Oregon Ducks, the Huskies now have an inside track to the College Football Playoff.
With so many additional loose ends to tie up, Kirk Herbstreit, Desmond Howard, Pat McAfee, Lee Corso and Rece Davis tried to make sense of it all.
Moreover, ESPN brought comedian Theo Von to town as their Celebrity Guest Picker. Will he be able to rise through the ranks and correctly select Saturday’s conference champions? It remains to be seen.
Alas, there’s a ton of hype for Saturday’s showdowns, with some fantastic clashes in each conference. The College GameDay crew has locked in their picks. Here’s who they’re riding with on Saturday.
CGD Predictions for Conference Championship Weekend:
SEC Championship — Georgia Bulldogs vs. Alabama Crimson Tide: The biggest game of the weekend is taking place in Atlanta, when Kirby Smart and Nick Saban face off once again. An Alabama victory would chance everything as it pertains to the College Football Playoff.
Howard and McAfee are screaming “Roll Tide,” while Von, Herbstreit and Corso are believing in the Bulldogs to get the win.
Big 12 Championship — Texas Longhorns vs. Oklahoma State Cowboys: In their final Big 12 clash, Texas has drawn the Cowboys, who will be looking to spoil the Longhorns’ College Football Playoff hopes. However, the College GameDay crew isn’t believing in their role of spoiler, as they’re all on the Longhorns.
Big Ten Championship — Iowa Hawkeyes vs. Michigan Wolverines: With the return of Jim Harbaugh, Michigan is a three-touchdown favorite over the Hawkeyes. Shockingly, McAfee, Von and Corso are on the Hawkeyes, but Howard and Herbstreit are with the Wolverines.
ACC Championship — Louisville Cardinals vs. Florida State Seminoles: Without Jordan Travis, can Florida State capture the ACC title and make it hard on the committee to leave them out of the College Football Playoff?
Von, Corso and Herbstreit are on the Seminoles, but Howard and McAfee are riding with the Cardinals.
Sun Belt Championship — Troy Trojans vs. Appalachian State Mountaineers: Von is riding with the Trojans, but he’s the only one.
American Athletic Championship — SMU Mustangs vs. Tulane Green Wave: Both teams have enjoyed phenomenal seasons, with the Mustangs at 10-2, while the Green Wave have amassed an 11-1 record. Corso and Herbstreit believe in SMU, but the rest are on Tulane.
Mountain West Championship — Boise State Broncos vs. UNLV Rebels: Von abstained at first, but everyone sans Howard is on the Broncos.
MAC Championship — Miami (OH) Red Hawks vs. Toledo Rockets: Only Howard is a believer in the Red Hawks.
Full CGD analyst picks for Conference Championship Weekend:
Desmond Howard: Alabama, Texas, Michigan, Louisville, Appalachian State, Tulane, UNLV, Miami (OH)
Pat McAfee: Alabama, Texas, Iowa, Louisville, Appalachian State, Tulane, Boise State, Toledo
Celebrity Guest Picker — Theo Von: Georgia, Texas, Iowa, Florida State, Troy, Tulane, Boise State, Toledo
Lee Corso: Georgia, Texas, Iowa, Florida State, Appalachian State, SMU, Boise State, Toledo
Kirk Herbstreit: Georgia, Texas, Michigan, Florida State, Appalachian State, SMU, Boise State, Toledo