Championship weekend has arrived in college football, and with it comes a slate of nine title games that will shape the postseason picture - and in some cases, rewrite program legacies. Some of these matchups carry massive College Football Playoff implications, while others are about pride, momentum, and the chance to hoist a trophy to cap off a long season.
Here's a full breakdown of each conference championship game, ranked from least to most impactful - and yes, there's plenty to chew on from top to bottom.
9. Sun Belt - Troy (8-4) vs James Madison (11-1)
James Madison enters this one with a clear edge - not just in record, but in dominance. The Dukes have steamrolled through Sun Belt play, winning by an average margin of nearly four touchdowns.
They’re favored by more than three scores here, and it’s not hard to see why. This is a team that’s played with purpose all season, and unless Troy finds a way to slow down the Dukes’ high-octane attack, this could be another lopsided finish.
8. ACC - Duke (7-5) vs Virginia (10-2)
This year’s ACC title game is a bit of an oddity. Duke has five losses overall, but only one in conference play - though none of those wins came against teams with a winning ACC record.
Virginia, meanwhile, has had a strange path to this point, and might not even be here if a particular loss had counted toward their league record. Still, the quarterback duel between Chandler Morris and Darian Mensah gives this game a spark, even if the overall matchup lacks the usual heavyweight feel.
If Duke pulls off the upset, it could open the door for two Group of Five teams in the playoff. Yes, really.
7. Mountain West - UNLV (10-2) vs Boise State (8-4)
This one’s got layers. A four-way tie at the top of the Mountain West standings meant the conference had to break out the advanced metrics - think SP+, Strength of Record, and more - to decide who would play.
In the end, it's UNLV and Boise State, squaring off for the third straight year in the title game. Boise has taken the last two convincingly, but UNLV is no pushover this time around.
Expect a physical, unpredictable battle between two programs that know each other all too well.
6. Conference USA - Kennesaw State (9-3) vs Jacksonville State (8-4)
This is the kind of matchup that makes college football special. Jacksonville State lost its head coach and several key players after last year’s title run - and still found a way back, led by a punishing ground game and the emergence of Cam Cook.
On the other side, Kennesaw State is making its first appearance in the CUSA title game - and it’s only their second year in the conference and the FBS. This one’s about grit, growth, and two teams that weren’t supposed to be here but refused to be counted out.
5. MAC - Miami (OH) (7-5) vs Western Michigan (8-4)
MACtion wraps up at Ford Field with a matchup few saw coming. Miami returns to the championship game under unusual circumstances, including the midseason departure of quarterback Dequan Finn.
Western Michigan, meanwhile, is back in the MAC title mix for the first time since the P.J. Fleck era, and they’ve done it with a defense that’s been quietly tough all season.
It might not be flashy, but this one could be a grinder - and a big moment for two programs looking to reassert themselves in the conference hierarchy.
4. Big 12 - BYU (11-1) vs Texas Tech (11-1)
The Big 12 title game has a habit of delivering chaos, and this year’s edition has the ingredients for more of the same. Texas Tech handled BYU by 22 earlier this season, but don’t expect a repeat.
The Cougars are still in the playoff hunt and will come in with something to prove. The Red Raiders, meanwhile, have been steady and explosive on both sides of the ball.
If BYU can clean up the mistakes that plagued them in the first meeting, this could turn into a thriller with major postseason stakes.
3. American - North Texas (11-1) vs Tulane (10-2)
This one’s got fireworks written all over it. Both offenses can light it up, and both head coaches have already accepted new jobs for next season - but they’ll stick around to coach in the playoff if their team makes it.
That’s how high the stakes are here. The winner is almost certainly headed to the CFP, and with two of the most dynamic attacks in the Group of Five, we could be looking at a shootout that goes down to the wire.
Buckle up.
2. SEC - Georgia (11-1) vs Alabama (10-2)
It just wouldn’t feel like championship weekend without a Georgia-Alabama showdown. As much as the SEC felt different this year, here we are again - two powerhouses, one title on the line.
Georgia head coach Kirby Smart is still looking to flip the script against the Tide, holding a 1-7 record all-time and 0-2 against Kalen DeBoer. Alabama may need this win to punch their playoff ticket, while Georgia could be playing for seeding.
Either way, expect a heavyweight slugfest with all the usual SEC dramatics.
1. Big Ten - Indiana (12-0) vs Ohio State (12-0)
This is the main event - No. 1 vs No. 2 under the lights in Indianapolis. In the BCS era, this would’ve been the national title game.
Now, it’s a battle for the Big Ten crown and a likely first-round bye in the playoff. Both teams are already in, but don’t expect either to take their foot off the gas.
Ryan Day and Curt Cignetti know what’s at stake, and with two undefeated teams that have looked dominant all year, this is the kind of game that defines a season. Expect fireworks, physicality, and a finish worthy of the spotlight.
Final Thoughts
From the Sun Belt to the Big Ten, this weekend is loaded with storylines - playoff dreams, program-defining moments, and plenty of unpredictability.
Some games will shape the national title race, others will lay the foundation for future success. But one thing’s for sure: championship weekend is here, and college football fans are in for a ride.