Champ Week is Here: Ranking All the Match-Ups

The last stop before the College Football Playoffs is here and there are still some significant games to be played before the final four is set. Here's a look at all the conference championship games and how they'll effect the playoffs by most important to least important.

1.)Georgia (11-1) vs Alabama (12-0)
The most important conference championship game when it comes to the CFP, Alabama and Georgia will go for a re-match of last year's National Title Game. The Crimson Tide look unstoppable, but could the Bulldogs bring anarchy to the Top 4 and sneak in for a second year?
2.)Texas (9-3) vs Oklahoma (11-1)
The Sooners can avenge the one blemish on their record this season and possibly make it into the CFP. Texas however, has other plans and would love to extend their reign of terror over the Oklahoma 2018 season. Beckyn Hager already gave Oklahoma bulletin board material when earlier this week he was reprimanded by the Big 12 for saying "It's 11:12 and OU still sucks." As for any Sooners who have trash to talk, I'll refer to an alleged Tom Herman text, "OK, cool. Hook 'Em."

3.)Ohio State (11-1) vs Northwestern (8-4)
The Wildcats lost to Akron, nearly beat Michigan, and became the first Power 5 team to lose all their non-conference games and appear in a conference championship game (their first Big Ten title game). Meanwhile the Buckeyes pretended to be so inept at playing football, including a drubbing at Purdue, merely as a ruse to lull Michigan into overconfidence and complacency. They then annihilated the Wolverines with their Death Star as the rebels were crushed by the Empire for the seventh year in a row.
4.)Clemson (12-0) vs. Pitt (7-5)
An ugly match-up as Pitt comes out of a terrible half of the ACC while Clemson looks to take the weekend off in Charlotte to get ready for their late December trip. If the Panthers can stun the Tigers, this game carries major significance in the CFP.

5.)Memphis (8-4) vs. UCF (11-0)
Can UCF maintain their 24-game winning streak without Mackenzie Milton, who suffered a leg injury that was only slightly less gruesome than the one Alex Smith had in Washington. The Knights will also have to deal with one the nation's top rushers in Darrell Henderson.  These two met in the AAC Championship last year that had a thrilling finish with UCF winning 62-55 in double overtime. Memphis has lost 12 straight to UCF with their lone win coming in 1990 when the Knights were not part of the FBS.
6.)Fresno State (10-2) vs Boise State (10-2)
The Broncos won seven straight to make a return appearance in the Mountain West Championship after defeating Utah State. Fresno State has just a loss to Minnesota and...Boise State. A revenge match for the Bulldogs who look to get their hands on a MW Title since 2013 after losing to the Broncos last year and in 2014.
7.)Washington (9-3) vs. Utah (9-3)
Apparently snow is the kryptonite for Gardner Minshew and Mike Leach. A whiteout in Pullman helped the Huskies mush their way to the PAC-12 Championship on Friday night. The South will be represented by the Utes, who worked their way around an injury to quarterback Tyler Huntley to get to their first PAC-12 Title Game. Washington won their only other trip since it grew from ten to twelve teams in 2016. Had Washington State won, it would've marked their first appearance since the conference expanded. The North is 6-1 all-time in PAC-12 Championship games.
8.)Louisiana (7-5) vs. Appalachian State (9-2)
The Mountaineers knocked off Troy and the Ragin' Cajuns defeated rival Louisiana Monroe in what turned out to be a de facto semi-final. Now Louisiana will head to Appalachian State in the first ever Sun Belt Championship Game. The game heavily favors the Mountaineers who were briefly ranked in the Top 25, but the Fun Belt can produce some crazy things.
9.)UAB (9-3) vs. Middle Tennessee State (8-4)
The Blazers are having a season to remember in just their second year back from the football program being cut. If they want to win Conference USA for the first time, they'll have to do better than they did on Saturday as the Blue Raiders pummeled UAB 27-3 to make their way into the championship game. The Blazers could just hang out all week in Murfreesboro as the game will once again take place at Middle Tennessee State.
10.)NIU (7-5) vs. Buffalo (10-2)
Friday night in Detroit doesn't carry quite the excitement it once did. The Bulls were throttled by Ohio to nearly blow their MAC East lead two weeks ago, while the Huskies won the MAC West and then decided to mail it in the last two weeks. The way to beat Buffalo as Army and Ohio did, is to control the ball and keep Tyree Jackson and the Bulls passing game grounded. The NIU defense is the heartbeat of this team and has been so stingy at times, they held BYU to just six points in a 7-6 victory in Provo. The only thing on the line in this one is bowl placement.
Bonus:Marshall at Virginia Tech
While this has no indication for the playoffs or even if Marshall can become bowl eligible, it's all about the Hokies. Virginia Tech owns the longest active streak for a bowl appearance, dating back to 1993. Luckily for Justin Fuente, he was able to stay bowl eligible by rallying against Virginia to prevent the Cavaliers from winning for the first time since 2003. Side note, any fan that left while the Hokies were only down 31-24 with 2:41 left to play are not allowed to come back and watch this game. Out here acting like Heat fans in 2013. That game is set for noon on Saturday and will serve as a replacement game for both teams as they lost a game due to Hurricane Florence.