Big 12 Conference Championship Game at Kansas City
Saturday, Dec. 6, 8 p.m. Eastern on ABC
Missouri (9-3) vs. Oklahoma (11-1)
After a wild season in the Big XII South Division, after all regular-season games have been played, and after four other tie-breaker scenarios were applied, the Big XII South Division winner is ... No. 2 Oklahoma, after it finished ahead of #3 Texas and #7 Texas Tech in the Nov. 30 BCS standings, which is the Big XII's fifth divisional tie-breaker rule. All three teams finished with identical 7-1 conference records, forcing use of a three-way tie-breaker. The North Division's Missouri limps into the title game, having lost three of its final seven games, including losses to both Oklahoma State and Texas. Missouri did not play Oklahoma or Texas Tech in the regular season. Missouri averaged more than 53 points in its first five games; over its last seven games, Missouri averaged 39. Although Missouri and Oklahoma did not play this season, OU has beaten Missouri three times during the previous two seasons, including in last year's Big 12 Championship Game.
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Southeastern Conference (SEC) Championship Game at Atlanta
Saturday, Dec. 6, 4 p.m. Eastern on CBS
Alabama (12-0) vs. Florida (11-1)
Both teams are ranked in the top four of the BCS standings, meaning the SEC Championship Game will have national championship implications as well. They did not play during the regular season. Alabama is the only undefeated team among BCS conference schools. The Crimson Tide dominate on defense; Alabama has allowed more than 14 points in only three games all season, and they've allowed just 37 points total over their last five games. Florida, meanwhile, can light up the scoreboard. Since a 31-30 home loss to Mississippi in September, Florida has won eight straight games, with no game closer than a 28-point margin. Florida has scored at least 42 points in seven straight games.
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Here is a list of the other Division I-A (Football Bowl Series) conference championship games.
Mid-American Conference (MAC) Championship Game at Detroit
Buffalo 42 - Ball State 24
Buffalo (8-5) pulled the huge upset, 42-24, Friday night, handing Ball State (12-1) its first loss of the season. Buffalo used two defensive fumble returns for touchdowns in the third quarter to overcome a 3-point halftime deficit. In three years, Buffalo Coach Turner Gill has turned around one of college football's least-successful football programs. Buffalo won 10 games in its first seven seasons as a D-1A program. Since Gill's arrival, Buffalo has won 15 games in three seasons. Buffalo will play in a bowl game for the first time in school history.
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Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) Championship Game at Tampa
Saturday, Dec. 6, 1 p.m. Eastern on ABC
Virginia Tech (8-4) vs. Boston College (9-3)
The ACC Championship Game will be a rematch, as Boston College defeated Virginia Tech 28-23 Oct. 18 in Boston, limiting the Hokies to 240 total yards and no offensive touchdowns. That loss snapped Virginia Tech's five-game win streak. Virginia Tech relies on its defense; the Hokies have allowed only 46 points over their last four games. Boston College, meanwhile, has won four straight games, needing all of them to win its division. The Eagles are no slouch on defense, either, allowing only 59 points in those four wins.
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Conference-USA (CUSA) Championship Game at Tulsa, Okla.
Saturday, Dec. 6, Noon Eastern on ESPN2
East Carolina (8-4) at Tulsa (10-2)
Tulsa and East Carolina did not play during the regular season. Tulsa hosts the CUSA Championship Game because it had the better conference record. East Carolina had a powerful start to the season, upsetting then-ranked West Virginia and Virginia Tech, but the Pirates lost three straight games mid-season. East Carolina won three conference games late in the year by a total of 10 points. Tulsa hasn't been the same team late in the year, either, after losing 30-23 to Arkansas and 70-30 to Houston. Tulsa is one of college football's most powerful offenses, scoring 49 or more points six times.
Kyle Schurman - null
