Now that the dust has settled for the conference Championship games, we have a better idea of how the committee could vote for the final four for the College Football Playoff. We have recaps of the conference championship games and what impact the outcome has on the College Football Playoff, and then we will list who we think will be selected in the final four, and where they are playing.

PAC-12 Championship Game – Oregon 37 – Utah 15

What happened

Utah looked like one of the most complete teams in the country, and were forgiven for their loss to USC because they were without their running back Zack Moss. The Playoff Committee put that game in consideration, and still rewarded Utah but placing them in the 5th spot in the penultimate rankings, just below Georgia. Oregon suffered its second loss just a few weeks before, and dropped to 13th, thus eliminated a chance for them to make the playoff. Oregon looked like the better team, and was able to hold on to a 20-0 lead at halftime, and never really let the Utes get close, winning 37-15 thanks to some big turnovers from Utah, and widened the lead. Oregon wins its 3rd PAC-12 Championship game, its first since 2014.

What it means

With the Ducks winning the PAC-12 Championship, and being a 2 loss champion, the Ducks will be the PAC-12 representative in the Rose Bowl/ With the loss, Utah and the PAC-12 is eliminated from the playoff, and might get in a New Years 6 bowl as an at-large team. The loss opens up the chance for the Big-12 Champion to make the 4th spot for the playoff.

Big 12 Championship Game – Oklahoma xx – Baylor xx

What happened

Utah looked like one 

What it means

With the Ducks 

SEC Championship Game – LSU xx – Georgia xx

What happened

Utah looked like one 

What it means

With the Ducks 

ACC Championship Game – Clemson xx – Virginia xx

What happened

Utah looked like one 

What it means

With the Ducks 

Big 10 Championship Game – Ohio State xx – Wisconsin xx

What happened

Utah looked like one 

What it means

With the Ducks 

Playoff Predictions

The job fr the committee should be pretty easy now, and this is how we expect the to 4 teams to look, and where they will play.

(1) Ohio State – (4) Oklahoma – Peach Bowl, Atlanta, GA

With the Buckeyes clinching the Big Ten, and the Sooners winning the Big 12, the Committee will place these two teams in Atlanta, GA to give Ohio State a location advantage, and not in Tempe which could favor the Sooner faithful.

(2) LSU – (3) Clemson – Fiesta Bowl, Glendale, AZ

LSU took care of business against Georgia and Clemson won another ACC Championship with ease. With similar resumes, the committee favored the Buckeyes as the most complete team, and why they will keep the Buckeyes in the first place spot. With the Buckeyes and Sooners heading to Atlanta, the Tigers battle will square off in the desert. 

Photo Credit: The Ringer