Conference Championship Weekend 3×3

Dec 6, 2024 | Uncategorized

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Washington v Oregon
Photo by Ali Gradischer/Getty Images

College football heads into league title games, playoff selections, coaching carousel, signing day, and the portal — oh my! Let’s preview the big weekend with three things each to watch from Mizzou, in the SEC, and around the nation.

Each Friday, I will grace these electronic pages to preview the weekend ahead in college football with my “Three by Three.” I’ll take a gander at three interesting things each in the Mizzou world, in the SEC, and around the nation. I’ll try to hit some under-the-radar things, too.

Mizzou’s Weekend

1.) Recruiting Dreams

What a finish to the early ‘crootin period by Eli Drinkwitz and his staff. If you were out of the loop, a few players defected late from the class, only for Drink to close hard and replace them with other blue-chippers.

With a top-20 class nationally, and 10 out of 17 signees projected to enroll early, the foundation of future talent continues to elevate. Now is the time to learn about the stars of tomorrow, like WR Donovan Olugbode and DE Javion Hilson, and many others.

2.) Portal Hot Stove!

It’s one of the best times of the year to be a college football roster nerd. Mizzou has already made waves by being connected with some big names in the portal, like Miller Moss and Thomas Castellanos. On Monday, December 9th, the portal officially opens for all, and I’m excited to see Drink with a shopping list and a loaded NIL wallet.

3.) Bowl selection

Sunday afternoon will bring about the announcement of Mizzou’s bowl placement. Current rumors indicate the Music City Bowl, which is a fun town for those that attend. But 1:30 in the afternoon on a workday is a bummer; I hope the Tigers land in a weekend or primetime game. I am also hoping for a more fun opponent than a team from the division formerly known as the Big Ten West.

In the SEC

Texas vs Georgia (in Atlanta) — 3 PM Saturday on ABC

The Mouse has moved heaven and earth — or, well, just a few other games — in order to put the crown jewel in an island spot in the midday window. For four glorious hours, the championship bout of God’s Own Conference will be the only FBS college football on your screen.

Both of these defenses had strong outings in the first match, which Georgia won in Austin. Texas has been playing great football down the stretch, and Georgia gets healthier each week. Sarkisian vs Smart is about as high level as a coaching matchup can get these days. And of course, the biggest unknown of all: whither Arch Manning?

The Portal

It’s portal madness in the SEC. Quarterback musical chairs. Bidding wars for starting linemen. Players fleeing losing programs like rats off a sinking ship (sorry Purdue and Kentucky). Bizarre On3 graphics on social media. Guys hopping in the portal, then withdrawing. Quarterback + playcaller package deals. “With that being said,” season. This is the best.

Coaching Carousel

Does the entire SEC really escape the coaching carousel this off-season? At this time, it seems like that might be the case. Mark Stoops at Kentucky is probably on the hottest seat in the league, but no one seems to be doing anything about it. Sam Pittman and Billy Napier both coached themselves into another year. No one is happy with Hugh Freeze and Brent Venables, but they are not going to pull the trigger yet. You know what that means, don’t you: half the league is going to open next year.

Around the Nation

UNLV at Boise State — 7 PM Friday on FOX

Or old pal Barry Odom looks to crash the playoff by upending Boise’s dream season and Ashton Jeanty’s Heisman run. His Rebs gave the Broncos hell in their midseason matchup from Sin City, and even slowed down Jeanty; this one will be a stiffer test on the chilly cold of the Smurf Turf.

Penn State vs Oregon (in Indianapolis) — 7 PM Saturday on CBS

After years and years of the worst conference championship game in the sport — either Ohio State or Michigan demolishing an overmatched 8-4 type team from the West — the league finally gets a good title match to deliver to CBS. Ah, media rights horse races.

Penn State back-doored into this game thanks to the Buckeyes colossal chokejob, but make no mistake, they absolutely have the ability to win this outright. Tight end Tyler Warren and edge Abdul Carter are the class of their positions. Will James Franklin’s generally conservative school of game management give away plays on the margins to Dan Lanning’s hellraising go-for-it mentality?

Marshall at Louisiana — 6:30 PM Saturday on ESPN

There are no playoff stakes here. It’s just a really fun matchup between two quality small school outfits. Marshall has been wanting to fire head coach Charles Huff for months, but then he just went out and won the dang division. Former Tulsa QB Braylon Braxton is a ton of fun for the Herd, and edge Mike Green is one of the best pass rushers in the game and a certain Sunday player; he will look to add to his nation-leading 16 sacks by getting after Louisiana backup QB Chandler Fields. This one might not have the postseason stakes, but it’s a close matchup, and should have some good action. Consider this my letter of recommendation.

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