As we close in on Week 1 of college football, I had plenty of time to look, research, and think the whole thing through on which top four teams could make the playoffs this season. Instead of just announcing the four, I’ll progressively announce it through the conference championship version of it. I’ll run down all 10 conference championships, pick the winner, and see who makes the playoffs and wins the whole thing. Let’s get started!

AAC CONFERENCE CHAMPIONSHIP

TULANE AT UTSA

The Green Wave returns for an encore while UTSA prospers in a new conference. They both played just a week ago in the regular season finale in New Orleans. They meet up again in San Antonio, which it’ll be a high scoring affair (probably again) between Michael Pratt and Frank Harris. Tulane is favored, but their defense isn’t good and losing Tyjae Spears to the NFL hurts their production at some point. UTSA takes home the title in their first season in a new conference.

WINNER: UTSA

ACC CHAMPIONSHIP

CLEMSON VS. FLORIDA STATE

Clemson’s no doubt in the ACC title game. Florida State survived a four-way race with UNC, Louisville, and NC State. Florida State likely ends up with two regular season losses, but one ACC loss will be to that very team they rematch two months later. It should be as good as the first meeting, but Clemson redeems themselves as the better team while FSU was nothing but hype, but they proved themselves that they are finally returning to competitive form.

WINNER: CLEMSON

BIG TEN CHAMPIONSHIP

MICHIGAN VS. WISCONSIN

Michigan defeats Ohio State again, but the game was probably much closer than the last two meetings. Luke Fickell and quarterback Tanner Mordecai leads the Badgers to a surprising finish at the top of the Big Ten West. The matchup is physical, but dynamic at the same time. However, Michigan escapes a potential upset and wins their third straight Big Ten title.

WINNER: MICHIGAN

BIG 12 CHAMPIONSHIP

TEXAS VS. KANSAS STATE

Texas survives Big 12 play to appear in the Big 12 championship. Kansas State wins the tie breaker in conference play against Oklahoma without even playing them this season. There could be plenty of big plays back and forth, and it likely comes down to one possession. Fortunately, Texas has a slight edge over Kansas State and finally wins the Big 12 championship after a decade-plus drought.

WINNER: TEXAS

C-USA CHAMPIONSHIP

LIBERTY AT WESTERN KENTUCKY

This is the obvious matchup based on experience. Liberty and Western Kentucky dominated their schedule. They met up earlier, which Western Kentucky edged them in the first meeting. This championship matchup should have similar results. Liberty’s defense may be good, but Western Kentucky quarterback Austin Reed does enough to carve them up with good quarterback play.

WINNER: WESTERN KENTUCKY

MAC CHAMPIONSHIP

OHIO VS. TOLEDO

Toledo dominates their schedule and aims for a 10-win season. Ohio survives a 3-way battle between Buffalo and Miami (OH) thanks to healthy quarterback Kurtis Rourke. Ohio finally has Rourke ready against Toledo and it should be a good one. It leads to a potential high-scoring affair, but Ohio’s still droughting in MAC championships. Quarterback Dequan Finn and company does enough to escape Ohio’s grasp.

WINNER: TOLEDO

MOUNTAIN WEST CHAMPIONSHIP

SAN JOSE STATE AT BOISE STATE

Boise State should leverage their schedule in the Mountain West with experience in their favor. Coach Andy Avalos has things figured out. San Jose State, on the other hand, survived theirs, overcoming battles against San Diego State and Fresno State to win the West division. This makes for a great Mountain West title matchup, but Boise State has leverage at home. San Jose State has yet to win at Boise. Boise State defeated San Jose State the first go around on the blue turf in October and will do it again in the conference title game.

WINNER: BOISE STATE

PAC-12 CHAMPIONSHIP

OREGON VS. USC

USC lights it up early, survives the Pac-12, and likely affords a loss to return to the conference title game for another playoff opportunity. Oregon does the same and affords a loss to challenge USC for their third title in five seasons. Both compete for the last playoff spot, but only one comes away a winner. There’s physicality from Oregon and finesse from USC and makes it one of the most exciting games of the weekend. USC fortunately outplays Oregon towards the end and claims the Pac-12 title.

WINNER: USC

SEC CHAMPIONSHIP

ALABAMA VS. GEORGIA

Georgia runs through their schedule with slight skepticism. So does Alabama, but they eventually realize what’s at stake and wakes up at the right time. This is the classic matchup of the weekend where the winner goes to the playoffs while the loser holds their breath hoping for a way in. It goes back and forth. Big plays, impact plays, and game-changers are all involved. However, Alabama knows their identity is running the football, and it eventually punishes Georgia’s defense in the second half with no response. Alabama takes down Georgia in surprising, but not surprising fashion.

WINNER: ALABAMA

SUN BELT CHAMPIONSHIP

SOUTH ALABAMA AT APPALACHIAN STATE

The Jaguars look better and more confident after a 10-win season last year. They repeat their performance and jumps Troy for their first Sun Belt title appearance. Appalachian State responds from a 6-6 season in 2022 and wins out their division for a Sun Belt title return. While Appalachian State is favored to win, the East division takes another surprisingly loss to another West division foe in South Alabama. They have a more established quarterback with balance on both sides of the ball.

WINNER: SOUTH ALABAMA

COLLEGE FOOTBALL PLAYOFF TEAMS

ROSE BOWL

#1 MICHIGAN VS. #4 USC

Michigan makes their third straight appearance and hopes to end their skid of horrible performances that led to an 0-2 record in playoff appearances. USC finally makes their playoff debut after opportunities and expectations in the playoff era. Caleb Williams, Lincoln Riley, J.J. McCarthy, and Jim Harbaugh headlines the Grand Daddy of Them All. It’s likely a classic because Caleb Williams and the Michigan squad compete in all four quarters. However, Caleb Williams comes through and marches the Trojans out of Southern California victorious.

WINNER: USC

SUGAR BOWL

#2 ALABAMA VS. #3 CLEMSON

The last time Alabama and Clemson faced each other was in 2019, where Trevor Lawrence’s Tigers clobbered Tua Tagovailoa’s Crimson Tide while Jalen Hurts was the backup. This is a wholly new roster with new quarterbacks and new opportunities, but with the same two head coaches. It’s probably shaky for both before things open up. Alabama and Clemson fight to the very last possession of the game. The Crimson Tide wins on the last possession to advance to the Championship just five hours west of New Orleans.

WINNER: ALABAMA

2023 COLLEGE FOOTBALL NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP

HOUSTON, TEXAS

USC VS. ALABAMA

This matchup is headlines galore for both known programs. A star-studded quarterback alongside an army of transfers vs. the future College Football Hall of Fame coach and the Taj Mahal of Tuscaloosa. In my opinion, this has the 2005 National Championship feeling. Alabama’s the favorite because of their championship consistency, but Caleb Williams will carry his Trojans knowing they’re on a mission for the ultimate goal. The game is exciting from start to finish, and it’s likely both offenses ruling the night. Ultimately, USC has the final possession and comes in the clutch to become National Champions in one of the best games in college football history in the final season of the 4-Team Playoff era.

2023 CHAMPIONS: USC