No. 8 Colorado vs. No. 4 Washington
Colorado and Washington are both ranked in the top 10. Feels like the old days, right? Well it’s 2016 and these two teams are playing in a very big game.
Colorado’s only two losses this season have come on the road to Michigan and to USC. If the Buffalo can win convincingly against Washington, don’t be surprised if they make a run at the final playoff spot.
Junior running back Phillip Lindsay has been a force for Colorado this year. He leads the team in rushing with 1,136 yards and 15 touchdowns. Lindsay has also been a threat in the receiving game, reeling in 44 passes for 371 yards.
Washington has been nearly perfect this year with its only loss coming to USC. Colorado would be the fifth ranked team the Huskies have beaten this year, but will that be enough to jump up to the final playoff spot?
Sophomore quarterback Jake Browning has been sensational this season. He’s thrown for 3,162 yards this season and 40 touchdowns. Browning has also shown a little mobility this year, finding the end zone four times on the ground.
The Pac-12 Championship game will kick off at 8 p.m. Friday.
No. 10 Oklahoma State vs. No 9. Oklahoma
Both these teams have been looking forward to this game all season, so expect to be in for a treat.
Oklahoma State started the season 2-2 with a controversial loss to Central Michigan and a loss to Baylor that looks worse and worse each week. Since then, though, the Cowboys have won seven straight.
Quarterback Mason Rudolph has taken the next step as a quarterback, having a great junior season. He’s thrown for 3,591 yards and 25 touchdowns to just four interceptions. Rudolph has also ran for five touchdowns.
Oklahoma looked like it was in trouble this year when it started the season 1-2, but in head coach Bob Stoops’ fashion, has gone on to win its next eight games and is looking to crash the playoff picture.
The ultimate competitor in college football might be Oklahoma junior quarterback Baker Mayfield. Every game, Mayfield just comes in and competes. He’s thrown for 3,381 yards and 35 touchdowns this season. Mayfield also knows when to run it, rushing for six touchdowns as well. The game will be quite the quarterback battle.
The de-facto Big 12 Championship game will kick off at 11:30 a.m. Saturday.
No. 6 Wisconsin vs. No. 7 Penn State
We all expected Wisconsin and Penn State to meet in the Big 10 Championship game, right? Yeah me neither, but now this game is a lot bigger than it was at the beginning of the year.
Wisconsin might have one of the better resumes of the year. The Badgers have only lost to Michigan and Ohio State by a touchdown each, and will be looking to pick up their fourth win against a team that was ranked in the top 10 at the time.
With questions at quarterback all season, senior running back Corey Clement has picked up the slack. He’s ran for 1,140 and 13 touchdowns this season, being reliable game in and game out. If the Badgers win and sneak into the playoffs, it will be in large part because of Clement’s play.
Penn State’s two losses came in its first two games: a three-point loss at Pitt and then a trouncing by Michigan. The Nittany Lions’ only win against a ranked team this season was a three-point win against No. 2 Ohio State.
Sophomore running back Saquon Barkley has been terrific for Penn State this year. Barkley has ran for 1,219 yards and 15 touchdowns this season. He also ranks fifth on the team in catches and in yards with 21 and 327, respectively. Barkley verses the Badger defense will definitely be something to watch.
The Big 10 Championship game will kick off at 7 p.m. Saturday.
