🏈 Rivalry Week Chaos: The Ultimate Guide to College Football's Championship Saturday
The final whistle is about to blow on the 2025 college football regular season, and what a wild, unpredictable ride it has been. Rivalry Week has delivered on its promise of high drama, stunning upsets, and heart-stopping finishes, setting the stage for a Championship Saturday that is absolutely loaded with consequence.
Whether you're a die-hard fan or a casual observer trying to make sense of the chaos, this is your one-stop guide to everything happening in the world of college football right now. We're breaking down the latest news, the updated college football schedule, and the high-stakes storylines that will define the College Football Playoff (CFP).
🗓️ Championship Week Schedule: Your Guide to the CFB Games Today and This Weekend
The NCAA football schedule for this final weekend is a masterpiece of tension and triumph. From the conference championship games that will crown the true kings of their leagues to the final regular-season rivalries with pride on the line, every game matters.
Here is the complete slate of must-watch college games today and through the weekend. All times are Eastern.
Friday, December 5th: The Prelude to Pandemonium
While the main event is Saturday, Friday night kicks things off with a critical conference championship.
| Matchup | Championship | Time (ET) | Network | Stakes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| #17 Boise State vs. #24 Tulane | AAC | 7:30 PM | ABC | Group of 5's CFP Auto-Bid. This is it for the G5. The winner gets the coveted New Year's Six bowl slot. Tulane is looking to cap a magical season, while Boise State aims to reclaim its place among the non-power elites. |
Saturday, December 6th: Championship Saturday
This is it. Ten conferences will crown their champions. For several teams, it's a direct ticket to the College Football Playoff.
| Matchup | Championship | Time (ET) | Network | Stakes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| #9 West Virginia vs. #21 Oklahoma State | Big 12 | 12:00 PM | ABC | Big 12 Supremacy. In a wide-open year, the Mountaineers and Cowboys battle for a conference crown and a likely spot in a New Year's Six bowl. |
| #1 Ohio State vs. #10 Oregon | Big Ten | 3:30 PM | FOX | A CFP Quarterfinal? Many believe the winner of this game is a lock for the playoff. Ohio State's historic offense vs. Oregon's resurgent, balanced attack is a can't-miss spectacle. |
| #4 Appalachian State vs. #25 Liberty | Sun Belt | 4:00 PM | ESPN | G5 Pride. App State looks to solidify its status as the "G5 Giant," while Liberty aims for a stunning conference title in a packed house. |
| #2 Georgia vs. #8 Alabama | SEC | 4:00 PM | CBS | The Game of the Year. The winner is in the playoff. The loser is likely out. Kirby Smart vs. the new-look Crimson Tide. It doesn't get bigger than this in the regular season. |
| UAB vs. UT San Antonio | Conference USA | 7:00 PM | CBSSN | Underrated Rivalry. Two of the most exciting programs in the G5 clash for conference bragging rights. |
| #5 Clemson vs. #15 NC State | ACC | 8:00 PM | ABC | ACC Anarchy. In the new, super-sized ACC, Clemson is back on top, but a hungry NC State team stands in their way of a potential CFP berth. |
| #6 Utah vs. #18 San Diego State | Pac-12 | 8:00 PM | FOX | The Pac-12's Last Stand? The conference may be changing, but the passion remains. Utah's powerful defense takes on SDSU's explosive playmakers in a classic West Coast battle. |
🏆 The College Football Playoff Picture: Who Controls Their Destiny?
After the dust settled on Rivalry Week, the CFP selection committee released its penultimate rankings, setting the stage for a dramatic Selection Sunday. The question on every fan's mind is simple: Who's in?
The Undisputed Locks (Win and You're In)
These teams have navigated their schedules and find themselves with a clear path: win their conference championship game, and they will be in the four-team playoff.
#1 Ohio State (12-0): The Buckeyes survived "The Game" against Michigan in a 34-31 instant classic. Their high-flying offense, led by Heisman front-runner QB James Thompson, is nearly unstoppable. A win in the Big Ten Championship solidifies them as the #1 overall seed.
#2 Georgia (12-0): The Bulldogs dismantled Georgia Tech, reminding everyone of their defensive prowess. Their showdown with Alabama is a playoff game in everything but name. The winner takes the SEC and a playoff spot.
#5 Clemson (11-1): After a early-season loss to NC State, the Tigers have been on a tear, avenging that loss in the final week of the regular season. A win in the ACC Championship should be enough to vault them back into the top four.
The Win-and-Pray Club
These teams need a victory and likely some help from chaos in other conference title games.
#4 Appalachian State (12-0): The darlings of college football. An undefeated season and a Sun Belt title would make a compelling case, but their strength of schedule is a major hurdle. They need not only to win but for chaos (like a Clemson loss) to unfold elsewhere to have a real shot.
#10 Oregon (10-2): The Ducks have two losses but are playing their best football. A win over #1 Ohio State in the Big Ten title game would be the most impressive victory of any team this season. Could a 2-loss conference champion jump a 1-loss non-champion? It's possible, but they would need style points and help.
The Hopefuls on the Bubble
#8 Alabama (10-2): Their only path is through Georgia. A win over the #2 Bulldogs would be a season-defining moment and would make it impossible for the committee to leave out the SEC Champion Crimson Tide.
#15 NC State (10-2): A win over Clemson would give them a season sweep over the Tigers and an ACC crown. It would be hard to deny them, but their two losses might keep them just outside the top four.
🔥 The Biggest Storylines Shaping the Final Weekend
Beyond the playoff race, several fascinating narratives are unfolding across the sport.
The Group of Five's New Year's Six Bid
The American Athletic Conference (AAC) Championship is the de-facto play-in game for the Group of Five's automatic spot in a New Year's Six bowl. #24 Tulane has been the story, but #17 Boise State stands in their way. The winner will likely face a Power 5 powerhouse in the Fiesta or Peach Bowl, a massive financial and prestige boost for their program.
Coaching Carousel in Overdrive
The coaching market is as chaotic as the playoff race. The biggest name on the board remains Lane Kiffin. After leading Ole Miss to a 10-2 record, Kiffin is the top target for several major openings, including the vacant LSU job. His decision, expected in the next 48 hours, will send shockwaves through the SEC.
Other major jobs to watch:
Florida: Who will take over in Gainesville to restore the Gators to prominence?
Auburn: After a disappointing season, the Tigers are looking for a new leader to compete in the brutal SEC West.
USC: The Trojans are back on the market after a middling season in the Big Ten.
Heisman Trophy Watch: A Two-Man Race
The Heisman ceremony is set to be a thrilling one, primarily featuring a duel between two quarterbacks:
James Thompson, QB, Ohio State: The stats are video-game-like: 4,200 passing yards, 48 TDs, 3 INTs. His performance against Michigan sealed his status as the favorite.
Marcus Jones, RB, Georgia: In an era of pass-happy offenses, Jones is a throwback. He has rushed for over 1,800 yards and 25 touchdowns, carrying the Bulldogs' offense at times.
A spectacular performance in their respective conference championships could be the final argument for either player.
❓ College Football FAQ: Your Questions Answered
Q: When are the College Football Playoff semifinals?
A: The semifinals will be played on Thursday, January 1, 2026. The Rose Bowl and Sugar Bowl will host this year's games.
Q: Where can I find a full, live NCAA football schedule?
A: The NCAA official website and major sports outlets like ESPN and CBS Sports maintain live, updated schedules for all college football games.
Q: What are the biggest CFB games today (Saturday)?
A: Without a doubt, the two biggest games are the SEC Championship (#2 Georgia vs. #8 Alabama) at 4:00 PM on CBS and the Big Ten Championship (#1 Ohio State vs. #10 Oregon) at 3:30 PM on FOX.
Q: Can a two-loss team like Oregon make the playoff?
A: It's unlikely but possible. They would need to not only beat Ohio State convincingly but also have Clemson lose to NC State and potentially have Appalachian State lose as well. The chaos would need to be maximum.
Q: What channel are the college games on today?
A: The main networks for Championship Saturday are ABC, FOX, CBS, and ESPN. See the full schedule table above for specific channel information for each game.
🎯 Conclusion: Buckle Up for a Saturday to Remember
This is what we live for as college football fans. For months, we've debated, cheered, and suffered through every snap. Now, it all comes down to one glorious, chaotic Saturday. Conference titles, historic rivalries, playoff dreams, and legendary legacies are all on the line.
From the hallowed turf of the Big Ten and SEC to the passionate fanbases of the Group of Five, every game has a story. So clear your schedule, grab your remote, and get ready. This Championship Saturday promises to be one for the ages.
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