Scout's Eye - Conference Championship Games Preview
- John B. Everett
- 13 minutes ago
- 11 min read
As December dawns in the world of college football, conference championship games have arrived and the college football playoff field is just about to be finalized. There are several potential first-round draft picks playing this weekend including QBs Fernando Mendoza / Indiana (SNS #1 QB), Ty Simpson / Alabama (SNS #2 QB), RB LJ Martin / BYU (SNS #6 RB), WRs Carnell Tate / Ohio State (SNS #2 WR), Germie Bernard / Alabama (SNS #5 WR), Caleb Douglas / Texas Tech (SNS #8 WR), Zachariah Branch (SNS #9 WR), TEs Max Klare / Ohio State (SNS #5 TE), Oscar Delp / Georgia (SNS #7 TE), Carsen Ryan / BYU (SNS #9 TE), OTs Carter Smith / Indiana (SNS #1 OT), Kadyn Proctor (SNS #2 OT), McKale Boley / Virginia (SNS #7 OT), EDGEs David Bailey / Texas Tech (SNS #1 EDGE), Caden Curry / Ohio State (SNS #6 EDGE), Vincent Anthony / Duke (SNS #9 EDGE), Nadame Tucker / Western Michigan (SNS #10 EDGE), LBs Jacob Rodriguez / Texas Tech (SNS #2 LB), Arvell Reese / Ohio State (SNS #4 LB), Aiden Fisher / Indiana (SNS #6 LB), CBs Jermaine Mathews / Ohio State (SNS #1 CB), D’Angelo Ponds / Indiana (SNS #8 CB), Brice Pollock / Texas Tech (SNS #9 CB), and safeties Caleb Downs / Ohio State (SNS #1 S) and Bray Hubbard / Alabama (SNS #5 S).
Game of the Week
(2) Indiana v (1) Ohio State
Big Ten Conference Championship Game
Indianapolis, Indiana
Saturday, December 6. 8pm ET / 5 9m PT
For the first time in Big Ten Championship Game history, the undefeated and top-ranked Buckeyes square off with the undefeated, number two-ranked Hoosiers with the winner being the likely top seed, earning a first-round bye, in the college football playoffs that begin on December 19th and 20th. But to be honest, the stakes are not all that high since the loser of this game will also likely be a top four seed and earning a bye in the first-round of the 12-team playoff. This game also features two of the favorites for the Heisman Trophy, OSU QB Julian Sayin and IU QB Fernando Mendoza, the likely front runner for the award. Mendoza, SNS’ number five overall prospect, has led the Hoosiers to the greatest season in school history as he has completed 211/293 (72%) / 2,758 yds / 32 TDs / 5 INT through the air while adding 243 yards rushing (3.8 YPC) and 6 TDs on the ground. Mendoza (6’5” / 225 lbs) has yet to face a defense the quality of this Buckeye’s defense that has only allowed 7.7 PPG this season and is stacked with about a dozen defensive prospects that have earned draftable grades for next April’s draft. The knock on Mendoza entering the season was indecisiveness displayed when under duress which led to too many sacks and ill-advised passes under pressure when he was the QB at California. That issue has not returned this season in Bloomington and if it were to return, Saturday against the loaded OSU defense would be the day. LB Aiden Fisher has had an All-American-worthy season and is a leading contender to be named Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year later this month. Fisher (6’1” / 231 lbs) will be tasked with limiting freshman RB Bo Jackson and the Buckeye rushing attack Saturday night. Fisher has recorded 72 total tackles, 2.5 sacks, 7 TFL, and 2 INTs, including one returned for a TD against UCLA, this season. Fisher is highly instinctive, has light feet and good range, and is a very reliable tackler. Fisher is the heart and soul of the Hoosier defense and how he goes is how IU’s defense is likely to go Saturday night. OSU’s biggest advantage over the Hoosiers is the quality and the depth of the Buckeyes’ WR corps, led by sophomore All-American Jeremiah Smith, that will stress IU’s zone coverage schemes. WR Carnell Tate returned last Saturday against Michigan and made his presence known by catching 5 passes / 82 yds / 16.4 YPR / 1 TD in OSU’s 27-9 victory over the Wolverines. Tate (6’3” / 195 lbs), SNS’ #14 ranked overall prospect, has caught 44 passes / 793 yds / 18.0 YPR / 8 TDs is likely to be a first-round draft pick next April. EDGE Caden Curry is shooting up draft charts as the season has progressed and now stands a strong chance of being selected in the first-round next spring. Curry (6’3” / 260 lbs), who has recorded 49 total tackles, 9 sacks, 13.5 TFL, and 1 forced fumble this season, will be tasked with pressuring Mendoza and limiting his effectiveness in operating IU’s prolific offense that averages 44.3 points per game. Curry, EDGE Kenyatta Jackson, and IDL Tywone Malone and Kayden McDonald, need to get in Mendoza’s face – easier said than done considering the quality of the Hoosiers’ pass protection, led by potential first-round selection, OLT Carter Smith, SNS’ number two ranked prospect for the 2026 NFL Draft.
Other Power Five Conference Championship Games
(11) BYU v (5) Texas Tech
Big 12 Championship Game
Arlington, Texas
Saturday, December 6. 12 noon ET / 9 am PT
The Big Ten and SEC are multi-bid leagues that should have three Big Ten teams (Ohio State, Indiana, Oregon) and at least four SEC teams (Georgia, Ole Miss, Texas A&M, Alabama) be invited to the 12-team playoff field. The Big 12 seems to have one lock – Texas Tech, and any hope of getting a second team in the field comes down to BYU getting revenge for their lone loss, a 29-7 road loss in Lubbock on November 8th. BYU’s chances likely hinge on the return to health of RB LJ Martin, who left the game against the Red Raiders with an injury. Martin (6’2” / 220 lbs), who is expected to enter the 2026 NFL Draft, has rushed for 1,229 yds / 5.7 YPC / 11 TDs on the ground while adding 29 receptions / 244 yds / 7.7 YPR in the passing game. Martin has improved as a pass receiver this year and his running skill makes him a potential starting RB in the NFL and grades out as a potential top 50 prospect next April. Senior LB Jack Kelly has put together a great season in Provo and has become a game changing playmaker for the Cougar defense. Kelly (6’2” / 242 lbs), a transfer from Weber State, has recorded 46 total tackles, 7 sacks, 10 TFL, and 1 forced fumble this season and has put himself firmly on draft radars for next April. Kelly is a big hitter who profiles as a fantastic special teams player in the NFL and will be in an NFL training camp next summer. If Texas Tech hopes to earn a season sweep over BYU, the Red Raiders will need more production from WR Caleb Douglas, the senior transfer from Florida whose combination of size and speed creates mismatches in space over overwhelmed and undersized CBs. Douglas (6’4” / 210 lbs) had limited impact in the Red Raiders’ victory over BYU, catching only 2 passes for 12 yards and 1 TD last month. Douglas, who has caught 53 passes / 823 yds / 15.5 YPR / 7 TDs on the season, is Tech’s best WR and looks likely to be a top 75 prospect for next year’s draft. LB Jacob Rodriguez has earned Heisman Trophy buzz this season, putting up monster numbers – 101 total tackles, 1 sack, 9.5 TFL, 7 forced fumbles, 1 fumble recovery, 4 INTs, and 6 passes defensed – in leading the Red Raiders to the cusp of the playoffs and a first-round bye. On November 8th, Rodriguez recorded 14 total tackles, 1 TFL, and 1 INT in the Red Raiders victory over the Cougars. Rodriguez has an excellent chance to be drafted in the first-round next April and currently grades out as the 13th best prospect available in the 2026 NFL Draft.
(10) Alabama v (4) Georgia
SEC Championship Game
Atlanta, Georgia
Saturday, December 6. 4 pm ET / 1 pm PT
Things start to get interesting when it comes to the playoff field if Georgia defeats Alabama. Georgia appears to securely be in the playoff field, regardless of what happens Saturday afternoon. But what about the Crimson Tide? Alabama, in that case, would have three losses on the year. Would the Crimson Tide fall out of the playoff field? Would two loss Miami move into the field ahead of Bama? How about three loss Texas, the only team in the nation to defeat three top ten teams this season. Would they move ahead of the Crimson Tide and squeeze Bama out of the playoff field? So, a lot is on the line Saturday afternoon at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Alabama QB Ty Simpson started off the season as a major question mark and ends the season as the second-ranked QB prospect for the 2026 NFL Draft. Simpson (6’2” / 208 lbs) has proven to have the intelligence, maturity, and field vision that NFL teams covet in their field generals. Simpson is having a productive first season as the starter in Tuscaloosa, going 256/389 (65.8%) / 3,056 yds / 25 TDs / 4 INTs through the 2025 regular season and needs to be on his game Saturday afternoon against the fast and aggressive Bulldogs defense. Alabama EDGE LT Overton has finally put it all together as a senior, finally fulfilling the promise that followed him as a 5-star recruit. Overton (6’5” / 278 lbs) has always been a quality run defender but he has started to show promise as a pass rusher, especially when he slides inside and rushes from DT where his speed and quickness can overmatch IOL. Overton has recorded 33 total tackles, 4 sacks, and 6 TFL this season. The Bulldogs have most likely already secured a playoff berth but need to win on Saturday to get a bye to the quarterfinals. WR Zachariah Branch is the highest ranked slot receiver that could potentially declare for the 2026 NFL Draft, and he gives the Bulldogs a mismatch piece to deploy in the short and intermediate zones of the defense. Branch (5’10” / 180 lbs) operates as Gunner Stockton’s favorite target, is exceedingly quick, and gets open easily against both man and zone coverage. Branch has recorded 68 receptions / 691 yds / 10.8 YPR / 4 TDs through 12 games this season. LB CJ Allen is in his second year as a starter for Georgia and has taken his game to the next level this season as he has recorded 80 total tackles, 3.5 sacks, 8 TFL, 2 forced fumbles, 1 fumble recovery, and 3 passes defensed on the season. Allen’s combination of size, speed, and hitting ability could make him a top 100 prospect for next April’s draft.
Duke v (17) Virginia
ACC Championship Game
Charlotte, North Carolina
Saturday, December 6. 8 pm ET / 1 pm PT
After Georgia Tech, SMU, and Pittsburgh all stumbled down the stretch, Duke backed their way into a fantastic opportunity and are one win away from possibly earning a bid to the college football playoff (if the Blue Devils are one of the top five conference champions – and that is far from a sure thing). The Blue Devils (7-5 / 6-2 ACC) have been inconsistent all season long, dropping games to Illinois, Tulane, Georgia Tech, UCONN, and Virginia, but find themselves with essentially a home game against the Cavaliers Saturday night in Charlotte. Duke gets a shot at redemption against Virginia (10-2 / 7-1 ACC), who handled the Blue Devils 34-17 last month. Duke WR Cooper Barkate, a senior transfer from Harvard where he was an FCS All-American last season, has put himself firmly on draft radars after a solid season at Duke. Barkate (6’1” / 195 lbs) is smooth, has excellent body control, and is QB Darian Mensah’s favorite target, going for 63 receptions / 978 yds / 15.5 YPR / 6 TDs. Barkate looks like a sneaky late round pick who could move up several rounds with a quality postseason that starts this Saturday. EDGE Vincent Anthony has been on NFL draft radars for the last few seasons because his length and athleticism are prototypical for an NFL EDGE. Anthony (6’6” / 250 lbs) has a nice combination of agility and movement skills desired in a modern-day NFL EDGE. Anthony has set a career-high of 6.5 sacks and 11.5 TFL with 1 forced fumble and 2 passes defensed as a senior. Anthony should go off the board somewhere between the third and fifth rounds next April. Virginia is one of the best stories of the 2025 season and head coach Tony Elliott has become one of the hottest names in college coaching. Virginia is well-coached, fundamentally solid, and is led by senior QB Chandler Morris. But the best prospect on the Cavaliers is OT McKale Boley, a dark horse candidate to get selected in the first-round next April. Boley (6’5” / 316 lbs) is a very good athlete with the feet and bend desired on the QB’s blindside. Boley is having an outstanding season and should hear his name called within the first two rounds of next April’s draft. Virginia EDGE Fisher Camac has a year of eligibility remaining but sees himself as a potential NFL draft pick after his second solid campaign on the gridiron. Although his numbers are not as good as what he put up last year at UNLV, the impact Camac (6’7” / 248 lbs) has had on the Cavaliers defense has been immense. Camac is surprisingly effective when he drops into a zone in pass coverage but is most effective being a disruptive presence near the LOS. Camac has recorded 38 total tackles, 4.5 sacks, 6.5 TFL, 1 forced fumble, 1 fumble recovery, and 4 passes defensed on the season. If Camac enters the draft, he would most likely hear his name called late on day three or be a high priority UDFA next spring.
Draft Prospects Playing in Group of Five Conference Championship Games
Kennesaw State at Jacksonville State
Conference USA Championship Game
Friday, December 5. 7 pm ET / 4 pm PT
Gabriel Benyard / WR / Kennesaw State
Caleb Offord / CB / Kennesaw State
Cam Cook / RB / Jacksonville State
Brock Rechsteiner / WR / Jacksonville State
Trevor Woods / S / Jacksonville State
Troy at (25) James Madison
Sun Belt Conference Championship Game
Friday, December 5. 7 pm ET / 4 pm PT
Jah-Mal Williams / EDGE / Troy
Devin Lafayette / S-LB / Troy
Nick DeGennaro / WR / James Madison
Pat McMurtrie / OT / James Madison
Immanuel Bush / IDL / James Madison
Jacob Thomas / S / James Madison
(24) North Texas at (20) Tulane
American Athletic Conference Championship Game
Friday, December 5. 8 pm ET / 5 pm PT
Cameron Dorner / WR / North Texas
Jimto Obidegwu / OT / North Texas
Da’Veawn Armstead / CB / North Texas
Jake Retzlaaf / QB / Tulane
Shazz Preston / WR / Tulane
Derrick Graham / OT / Tulane
Sam Howard / LB / Tulane
Bailey Despanie / S / Tulane
UNLV at Boise State
Mountain West Conference Championship Game
Friday, December 5. 8 pm ET / 5 pm PT
Jalen Lee / IDL / UNLV
Marsel McDuffie / LB / UNLV
Aamaris Brown / CB / UNLV
Latrell Caples / WR / Boise State
Matt Lauter / TE / Boise State
Kage Casey / OT / Boise State
A’Marion McCoy / CB / Boise State
Miami, Oh v Western Michigan
MAC Conference Championship Game
Detroit, Michigan
Saturday, December 6. 12 noon ET / 9 am PT
Dequan Finn / QB / Miami, Oh (Will not play)
Adam Trick / EDGE / Miami, Oh
Dom Dzioban / K / Miami, Oh
Blake Bosma / TE / Western Michigan
Nadame Tucker / EDGE / Western Michigan
Tate Hallock / S / Western Michigan
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