With the last weeks of the 2024 College Football season closing in on fans and committees alike, the end is still in doubt.
Games are close, results are surprising, nothing is set in stone and final rankings are undecided – it truly is a great time to be a college football fan.
With the finish line in sight, many teams are vying for that coveted conference title, but nothing is guaranteed. This is how The Kent Stater’ sports department thinks the conferences will shake down to end the season.
John Hilber – Sports Editor
Big Ten winner – Indiana
This pick is more based on hope rather than logic – I like Indiana’s story and the surprise the team has unleashed on the football world. Led by new head coach Curt Cignetti, the Hoosiers will win out, including a big win on the road against No. 2 Ohio State to solidify itself at the top of the Big Ten.
Indiana will beat Oregon in the championship game and will set themselves up for a spot at the top of the polls.
Southeastern Conference winner – Texas
Texas is coming in at No. 3 this week, and I expect them to stay near the top come the end of the season. The Longhorns should pick up a couple wins before heading down the road to play Texas A&M in the last regular season game of the season.
Even though A&M is No. 15, Texas walks away victorious, and the momentum carries the Longhorns all the way through the SEC championship game.
Big 12 winner – BYU
This one is pretty cut and dry – BYU runs the table, beating out the final three unranked opponents of the season before playing Colorado in the championship game, most likely.
BYU’s games have been getting uncomfortably close for a team in the top 10, but quarterback Jake Retzlaff picks it up in the final games to beat Travis Hunter, Shedeur Sanders and the Buffs.
Atlantic Coast Conference winner – Miami
Miami has some ground to make up, as the Hurricanes are third in the conference before the week’s games are played. Nonetheless, a No. 17 Clemson loss against No. 23 South Carolina opens the door for “The U” on the last day.
The Hurricanes sneak into the championship game and knock off SMU for the crown, cementing themselves in the expanded playoffs. Quarterback Cam Ward’s game has been undeniable this season, and he continues his tear to lead the Hurricanes to the big dance.
John Engoglia – Reporter
Big Ten winner – Ohio State
I may be biased as an Ohio State fan, but I believe the Buckeyes are neck and neck with the best programs in the NCAA. The team has already overpowered a tough Penn State group and was a second away from having a chance to take down No. 1 Oregon on the road.
I expect the Buckeyes to finish strong and avenge their loss to Oregon in the Big Ten Championship.
Southeastern Conference winner – Texas
Out of all the Power Four conferences, the SEC definitely has the most parity. There are several teams who have a realistic shot at winning the conference, so naturally, I’ll go with the most proven out of the group. Outside of an out-of-pocket loss to Georgia, the Longhorns have looked the most steady of all other contenders, as the team has mostly cruised through its schedule thus far.
A showdown with Alabama in the championship seems like it’s on the horizon.
Big 12 Winner – Colorado
In my opinion, this is the weakest conference out of the four with each contender looking extremely beatable and unserious. I do think Colorado is the best team out of this group simply because its offense hosts several weapons including Heisman contender Travis Hunter.
The Buffaloes only real competition is BYU, who have begun to cool off after a hot start.
Atlantic Coast Conference winner – Miami
Another team I’m not very high on – Miami also has the benefit of playing in a very weak conference. Outside of Heisman favorite Cam Ward, “The U” boasts a hit-or-miss offense reliant on explosive plays from their quarterback and a mediocre defense that only performs in desired situations.
I expect them to win out and beat a sneaky good SMU team in the championship.
Gage Wellman – Reporter
Big Ten winner – Ohio State
My good friend John Hilber would tell you the Indiana Hoosiers have a real shot at the Big Ten title, which is very nice and diplomatic of him, but here’s my problem with that – they don’t.
Rule of thumb says if two teams meet for a second time during the course of a college football season, the team that lost the first time wins the second.
That’s exactly what will happen when the Ohio State Buckeyes, led by a more confident and comfortable quarterback Will Howard than what we saw in week seven at Autzen Stadium, trounce the Oregon Ducks in Lucas Oil Stadium for OSU’s first conference championship in nearly five years.
Southeastern Conference winner – Ole Miss
Here’s my chance to be bold. Mississippi quarterback Jaxon Dart said the team would have to win out to make it to the College Football Playoff, and that is exactly what I see them doing.
In a year of craziness and upsets, I don’t think it’s insane to have Tennessee lose to Vanderbilt, Texas lose to TAMU and Alabama lose to a hapless Auburn team they couldn’t possibly lose to – right?
In an SEC Championship Game where the Aggies are favored over the Rebels, I have Ole Miss taking home the title for the deep south.
Big 12 winner – BYU
I just don’t view the Colorado Buffaloes as serious title contenders. Coach Prime and CU would have to go through the Utah Utes to get to the championship game, a team they haven’t beat in eight years.
The Brigham Young University Cougars have looked absolutely dominant all year and have easily dispatched teams that Colorado has either lost to or struggled to beat.
Atlantic Coast Conference winner – SMU
This was the toughest conference to pick, with about three or four teams having a legitimate chance at making the ACC championship game. I think Miami’s loss to unranked Georgia Tech was very revealing, as they have struggled against conference opponents, and I can’t pick them in good conscience.
SMU is undefeated in conference play and will finish undefeated with a win over the Hurricanes in the title match.
Demetri Manousos – Reporter
Big Ten winner – Oregon
The Big Ten has come down to three teams – Oregon, Ohio State and Indiana. Penn State has a glimmer, but they would need some massive help they are very unlikely to get. Oregon is essentially a lock for a Big Ten Championship appearance, so barring exterior chaos, the second spot will come down to the Nov. 23 matchup between Indiana and Ohio State.
Indiana is just not that good.
They have a fast offense and all that, but a lot of offenses would look fast with their schedule. They have yet to play a ranked team, and typically when a team like Indiana comes out of nowhere and gets a shot against a top-five team, reality smacks them in the face. An Ohio State victory would set up a rematch with the Ducks.
Now, if you told me there was a rematch between two teams and the team that lost the first time went on the road and lost by one, I’d say give me that team the second time around.
However, even when they were ahead in that game, it felt like Ohio State was always down due to the speed of Oregon. They could not keep up with them defensively, and I think Oregon’s speed on offense, paired with coach Dan Lanning’s adjustments on defense, will get the Ducks the win and the top seed in the playoff.
Should they play a third time in the playoffs, give me the Buckeyes.
Southeastern Conference winner – Texas
The SEC is a mess this year, not in that there is a lack of quality, but there is an abundance of it, and they are all eating each other alive.
Texas has been the beneficiary of an incredibly weak schedule. Though they lost at home to Georgia, I think that was less about who’s a better football team, and more about Kirby Smart getting his Bulldogs prepared to dominate and be more physical.
I believe in a rematch, should there be one, Texas would be able to create more explosive plays. However, there is still so much to sort out in the SEC. Georgia first has to take care of business against Tennessee this weekend. Tennessee is a team who could make the conference title game as well.
It is really anyone’s guess, but Texas will probably enter the SEC Championship the least beat up, though they do finish the season at Kyle Field against the Aggies, another team in the running.
Big 12 winner – Colorado
As much as some people, myself included, don’t want to say it, Colorado is playing good football right now.
Iowa State was in a good spot, but dropped two straight. They have no ranked wins and will be fighting for their lives the rest of the season. BYU – man, BYU just looks not good. I can’t say bad, but they just don’t look that good. I think they will make the conference championship, but Colorado will be ready for their moment and put up too many points for the Cougars.
The question for BYU, should they go 12-0 then lose the conference championship, would be if they could still make the playoffs. I believe they can and should.
Atlantic Coast Conference winner – Miami
Another one that pains me to say. Two weeks ago, I would have said Clemson. They lost the opener to Georgia, but had looked dominant since. Then they got manhandled at home by Louisville and struggled at Virginia Tech, causing me to lose confidence. SMU looks good, and I would love for them to win the conference, but they haven’t really been here before.
New conference and high stakes – I’m not sure they could handle the pressure. I also think Miami’s offense would be too much for the Mustangs.
I chose Texas in the SEC because I didn’t see a better option, not because I thought they were going to go take it. Same thing here.
Miami has been awful at times, but they’re still standing, and I don’t see a team good enough in the ACC to beat them.
John Hilber is sports editor. Contact him at [email protected].
