Championship Weekend: Why Auburn Fans Care and Our Picks

Dec 5, 2015; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Michigan State Spartans head coach Mark Dantonio celebrates with his team after defeating the Iowa Hawkeyes in the Big Ten Conference football championship game at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports

As we get ready for championship weekend, we look at why Auburn football fans should watch this weekend, and who we think will win.

Auburn football fans were certainly hoping to be a part of this championship weekend about a month ago, but now we can just watch as fans of college football.

First, here is why Auburn fans should care about this weekend’s game.

The SEC Championship game is certainly crucial if you want Auburn football to go to the Sugar Bowl. I really think Alabama has to crush Florida for Auburn to get the Sugar Bowl bid.

The fact that the committee didn’t move Florida down at all after getting stomped by Florida State tells me they aren’t comfortable putting Auburn in the Sugar Bowl.

If Florida plays Alabama better than we did last weekend, then I wouldn’t be surprised to see the committee swap us in the polls in order to put Florida in the Sugar Bowl over us.

So the issue is that Auburn fans not only have to cheer for Alabama to win, but they need the Crimson Tide to win big.

However, I’m sure Auburn fans will be just as happy to see Alabama lose the SEC Championship game and not go to the Sugar Bowl.

Outside of that, Auburn fans should care because they can root for chaos. When your team is out of it, you really just cheer for the underdogs and as much chaos as possible. You have to be rooting for Colorado, Navy, Oklahoma State, Florida (unless you want to go to the Sugar Bowl), Virginia Tech and Penn State.

If all of those teams win I have no idea what the committee would do at that point.

Now here are my picks:

Nov 25, 2016; Pullman, WA, USA; Washington Huskies quarterback Jake Browning (3) throws a pass against the Washington State Cougars during the second half at Martin Stadium. The Huskies won 45-17. Mandatory Credit: James Snook-USA TODAY Sports

Colorado vs. Washington – Friday – 8 p.m. CT – FOX

The Huskies are currently sitting at four in the College Football Playoff rankings, but there is a possibility they could be jumped by the Big 10 winner.

Jake Browning has led Washington all year at quarterback, and he’ll need to have another great game to not only keep his team in the playoffs, but also to get an invite to New York for the Heisman Trophy presentation.

I’ll be honest, last weekend was the first time I watched Colorado and I was not impressed. They don’t do anything that will blow you away, but they play good football.

If Colorado does win and Clemson and Washington lose, it’s still possible for the Buffs to join the playoff mix.

Prediction: Washington – 31 Colorado – 17

Temple at Navy – 11 a.m. – ABC

I’ll be honest and tell you I don’t know much about either of these teams, but if you want some chaos you’ll cheer for Navy Saturday morning.

You should always be cheering for our service men and women anyway, but if Navy wins this weekend it could delay the announcement of a lot of bowl games.

They would be the highest ranked group of five team and eligible for a New Year’s Six bowl game. The problem is, they also have a game the following weekend against Army like they always do.

Bowl officials would have to wait until after that game to decide where Navy would go for their bowl game.

Prediction: Temple – 34 Navy – 31

Nov 19, 2016; Morgantown, WV, USA; Oklahoma Sooners quarterback Baker Mayfield (6) celebrates with fans after beating the West Virginia Mountaineers at Milan Puskar Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Ben Queen-USA TODAY Sports

Oklahoma State at Oklahoma – 11:30 a.m. CT – FOX

The Big 12 doesn’t have a championship game still, but this is essentially the championship game. Whoever wins will be the Big 12 winner.

Either team would have to hope that there is a lot of chaos ahead of them in order to get into the playoffs, and even then they could be on the outside looking in.

It’s really a shame for Oklahoma State who shouldn’t have lost to Central Michigan and should just have one loss. If that were the case, they could very easily get into the playoffs with a win this Saturday.

Oklahoma has won eight games in a row after starting the season 1-2 with losses to Houston and Ohio State – bad losses.

They are still one of the scarier teams in the country right now with Baker Mayfield playing at a Heisman level again. If they dominate on Saturday it’s possible they could jump some teams and get into the playoffs, but I doubt it.

Prediction: Oklahoma State – 31 Oklahoma – 42

Alabama vs. Florida – 3 p.m. CT – CBS

A rematch from last year’s SEC Championship, I think the Gators had a better chance last season.

Alabama has been the most dominant team in college football all year, and they could lose this game and still make it into the playoffs, and perhaps remain number one.

Florida has just been too banged up this year. As I’ve written on here all season, Florida is a completely different team when they have a good quarterback.

With Will Grier and a healthy Luke Del Rio this is a top 10 team. But without a quarterback they are just average, and that’s because of their great defense that Will Muschamp helped build there.

Now their defense is even banged up, so I don’t expect to see Florida put up much of a fight in this one.

In fact, I would not be surprised to Alabama rest a lot of their starters in the second half of this game in order to stay healthy for the playoffs.

Prediction: Alabama – 31 Florida – 6

Sep 3, 2016; Auburn, AL, USA; Clemson Tigers quarterback Deshaun Watson (4) passes the ball during the first quarter against the Auburn Tigers at Jordan Hare Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Shanna Lockwood-USA TODAY Sports

Virginia Tech vs. Clemson – 7 p.m. CT – ABC

Another game this weekend with huge playoff implications. Some people are trying to make a case for Clemson not being in the college football playoffs, but I think they deserve it just as much as anybody with road wins against Auburn and Florida State.

A lot of people are overlooking the Hokies in this game, and that makes them a dangerous team. Virginia Tech had an usual season with losses to Syracuse and Georgia Tech. Those are two teams the Hokies probably should have beat, and then they would be in the playoff discussion.

It all just depends on what Virginia Tech team shows up this week. They have the playmakers on offense to keep up with Clemson, and a defense that can be dominating at times.

Clemson has the star power and the experience to not only win this game, but win big. However, they can’t get complacent and look ahead or the Hokies will give them a scare.

Prediction: Virginia Tech – 27 Clemson – 37

Wisconsin vs. Penn State – 7 p.m. CT – FOX