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ScoopDuck Roundtable: Other Games Worth Watching

On3 imageby: Justin Hopkins12/06/24
Dabo Swinney
(© Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images)

It’s championship weekend and I know most of college football is really excited for Oregon’s matchup with Penn State in the Big Ten championship. We’ll be ready for that one.

But the action gets started Friday night with Boise State and UNLV playing for the Mountain West championship. It rolls right into Saturday morning with several other big games ahead of Oregon’s 5 PM PST game.

Here are the games we’re excited to watch.

Linden Hile: Clemson vs SMU (ACC Championship)

With the exception of Oregon, all eyes will be on the SEC Championship between Georgia and Texas but the ACC’s title game will impact the playoff picture just as much. Miami lost to Syracuse last week, punching Clemson’s ticket to the show while SMU has had an outstanding year with an 11-1 record.

There’s a big talent disparity in this game and while the Mustangs have been a great story this year, I’m calling for a Clemson win as I think the program’s big-game chops are time-tested and no one’s ever really doubted coach Dabo Swinney as a game manager.

Max Torres: SMU vs. Clemson: (ACC Championship)

SMU is having one of the best seasons in college football, but it feels like it’s been relatively quiet because they play in the ACC. Clemson has had a pretty up and down year, but has shown flashes, especially playing South Carolina close. I’m leaning toward taking SMU here but also just hoping for a great game since we only have so many left.

Collin King: Clemson vs SMU (ACC Championship) 

I’m really excited for this matchup because it doesn’t involve Miami, and SMU has a chance to win the conference in year one, similar to Oregon. SMU went through some early troubles with a QB controversy but since has been smooth sailing. On the other sideline, Dabo Swinney gets a chance at the ACC chip thanks to Fran Brown and Syracuse upsetting Miami. Cade Klubnik has been much improved this season and I’m curious to see if he can propel them forward into the playoffs. 

Jhop: Boise State vs UNLV (Mountain West Championship)

How am I the outlier and why is everyone so interested in SMU and Clemson? Well there is no doubt Georgia and Texas is going to be a good one. And I’m 100000% pulling for Dilly to win the Big12. But this game here seems to have the most implications, besides Oregon’s own outcome from the B1G champ, of who Oregon might face in the second round assuming a win over Penn State. I also just want to watch this game on a Friday night over some cold beers. So here it is. It would appear if Boise State wins they are in the top four and a loss pushes them out of the playoffs completely. A brutal must-win scenario later tonight.

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