College Football Conference Championships: Scores, Highlights, and CFP Rankings

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As the dust finally settles on a wild weekend of college football, conference champions have been crowned. The postseason’s just around the corner, and fans are buzzing about what comes next.

The final rankings and those all-important playoff spots are almost here. Drama? Oh, there’s plenty, and the College Football Playoff is about to serve up even more.

Let’s dig into some of the biggest moments and outcomes from the conference championships. If you want play-by-play updates or more coverage, check out the NCAA’s live updates.

Table of Contents

Big 12 Championship: Texas Tech Dominates BYU

Texas Tech rolled over BYU 34–7 in Arlington to claim the Big 12 Championship. The Red Raiders looked right at home, controlling both sides of the ball pretty much all game.

That win didn’t just give them a trophy—it keeps them in the playoff conversation, too. Hard to argue with that kind of statement game.

Key Highlights

Offensive Prowess: Texas Tech’s offense was clicking, mixing up plays and keeping BYU off-balance.
Defensive Mastery: The Red Raiders allowed just a single touchdown, shutting down BYU’s attack.

SEC Championship: Georgia’s Commanding Win Over Alabama

Georgia handled Alabama 28–7 in Atlanta, grabbing another SEC crown. The Bulldogs didn’t really let up, controlling the tempo from the start.

Back-to-back SEC titles for Georgia—something that hasn’t happened for them since the early ’80s. They’re looking like a real threat in the playoff, and honestly, who’d bet against them right now?

Game-Changing Moments

Special Teams Impact: Cole Speer blocked a punt, setting up Georgia’s first touchdown and giving them an early edge.
Defensive Dominance: Georgia’s defense picked off Ty Simpson, turning it into more points.
Offensive Efficiency: Gunner Stockton led several scoring drives, including a big third-quarter touchdown pass.

ACC Championship: Duke’s Overtime Thriller Against Virginia

Duke pulled off a tense 27–20 overtime win against Virginia to take the ACC title. The Blue Devils showed real grit, coming through when it mattered most.

For Duke, this is a pretty historic moment. Not something fans will forget anytime soon.

Decisive Plays

Overtime Heroics: Darian Mensah hit a fourth-and-goal touchdown pass in OT for the win.
Defensive Stand: Luke Mergott intercepted Virginia on their first overtime possession—game over.
Special Teams Excellence: Duke’s special teams pulled off a textbook fake punt at a crucial moment.

Big Ten Championship: Indiana’s Stunning Upset Over Ohio State

Indiana shocked everyone by beating No. 1 Ohio State 13–10 for the Big Ten title. It’s the Hoosiers’ first conference championship since 1967, and it ended Ohio State’s long run at the top.

This win probably gets Indiana into the playoff. Honestly, who saw that coming?

Turning Points

Defensive Resilience: Indiana’s defense came up huge, especially with a fourth-and-1 stop inside their own 10.
Clutch Performance: Fernando Mendoza’s 51-yard pass to Charlie Becker set up the go-ahead score in the third quarter.
Special Teams Contribution: Jayden Fielding missed a field goal late, letting Indiana hang on to their lead.

Other Notable Conference Champions

Outside the Power Five, a handful of teams grabbed conference titles that really shook up the bowl and playoff picture. There’s a lot more depth in college football than people sometimes realize.

Championship Highlights

Western Michigan: The Broncos beat Miami (Ohio) 23–13 to win the MAC in Detroit.
Kennesaw State: The Owls edged Jacksonville State 19–15 for the CUSA crown.
James Madison: The Dukes kept rolling in the Sun Belt, topping Troy 31–14.
Tulane: The Green Wave came back to take the AAC title, beating North Texas 34–21.
Boise State: The Broncos are Mountain West champs again after a 38–21 win over UNLV.

Looking Ahead: The College Football Playoff Picture

With conference championships wrapped up, all eyes turn to the final playoff rankings. The top 25 will be revealed soon, setting up the new 12-team playoff field.

Who gets a first-round bye? Which teams sneak in thanks to last-minute chaos? There’s still plenty to debate, and honestly, that’s half the fun.

What’s Next?

Fans are on edge, waiting for those playoff announcements. You can just feel the buzz building.

This postseason? It’s shaping up to be wild—big upsets, jaw-dropping plays, the works.

Keep an eye on the NCAA’s live updates for any breaking news as the championship chase heats up.

Joe Hughes is the founder of CollegeNetWorth.com, a comprehensive resource on college athletes' earnings potential in the NIL era. Combining his passion for sports with expertise in collegiate athletics, Joe provides valuable insights for athletes, fans, and institutions navigating this new landscape.

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