2025 College Football Conference Championship Recap

This wasn’t just another conference championship weekend—it was one loaded with high stakes and playoff implications.

For some programs, a victory meant securing a coveted spot in this year’s College Football Playoff, while a loss could spell elimination from contention. When the dust settles, there will undoubtedly be more questions than answers about who truly belongs.

Until then, here’s a recap of the action that unfolded.

BIG TEN Championship - Indiana Takes Down Ohio State

In what proved to be an unusual yet highly competitive clash between the nation’s top two programs, Ohio State’s loss to Indiana was defined more by missed opportunities than outright mistakes.

As for the Hoosiers, one thing became crystal clear: quarterback Fernando Mendoza possesses the poise and patience of a seasoned NFL veteran—punctuated by his memorable postgame interview. Indiana’s offseason addition of Mendoza has already paid massive dividends, elevating the program to new heights.

The Buckeyes will undoubtedly be hungry for redemption if and when these teams meet again. Until then, congratulations to Indiana on capturing its first Big Ten title since 1945.

Big 12 Championship -Texas Tech Dominates BYU

Make no mistake—this game was never close. The only glimmer of hope BYU found came in the first quarter, when they struck first with a touchdown. From that moment on, however, Texas Tech’s defense seized control and smothered the Cougars for the rest of the contest. Linebacker Ben Roberts set the tone with two interceptions, but truthfully, the Red Raiders’ defense as a whole proved overwhelming.

With the victory, Texas Tech has all but locked in a top seed for the 2025 College Football Playoff. As for BYU, their fate will be revealed on Selection Sunday.

SEC Championship - Georgia Dominates Alabama

Coach Kalen DeBoer will never escape the shadow of this defeat. After opening the season with ten wins and a shot at redemption, Alabama saw it all unravel in humiliating fashion against Georgia.

Simply put, the game was never competitive. Kirby Smart’s Bulldogs struck early on offense and left the Crimson Tide with little to work with. To put it in perspective, quarterback Ty Simpson managed just two completions of more than 20 yards the entire night. Georgia’s dominance was decisive, and the quality of Alabama’s collapse should be enough to keep them out of the College Football Playoff conversation.

ACC Championship - Duke Upsets Virginia

Virginia’s playoff dreams came to a crashing halt—at the hands of Duke, of all teams.

It was an ugly game on both sides, but the difference proved to be Chandler Morris tossing one more interception than Darian Mensah. In many ways, this matchup highlights why teams with playoff aspirations often dread the unpredictability of conference championship weekend.

For the Cavaliers, the sting of this loss will linger, as their hopes of reaching the College Football Playoff are pushed back at least another year. The big thing though is that the Blue Devils' win may have completely skewed the whole

College Football playoff picture.

From The Group of Five -

• Boise State quarterback Maddux Madsen single-handedly dismantled the UNLV defense in the first half, leading the Broncos to their third straight Mountain West Championship. Unfortunately for them, the College Football Playoff is not in their future—perhaps instead, Snoop Dogg’s “Gin & Juice” Bowl.

  
  

• At 12–1, with the Sun Belt Championship secured, James Madison has made a compelling case for a spot in the College Football Playoff. Their defense, which racked up eight sacks and 14 tackles for loss in the victory over Troy, looks every bit as dominant as any unit in the nation.

  
  

• Freshman quarterback Drew Mestemaker has been outstanding for North Texas this season, but his three interceptions proved costly in the American Conference Championship. Tulane capitalized, raising the question: will the Green Wave emerge as the Group of Five representative in this year’s playoff?

  
  

• Meanwhile, Kennesaw State’s defense held star running back Cam Cook in check, grinding out a narrow win over Jacksonville State to claim the Conference USA Championship.

  
  

• Junior running back Jalen Buckley had one of the finest games of his college career, finishing with 193 yards and two touchdowns, as Western Michigan took this year's MAC Championship over Miami Ohio.

Conference Championship Weekend Top Performers

Offense -

RB Wayne Knight - James Madison

WR Jeremiah Smith - Ohio State

QB Maddux Madsen - Boise State

RB Jalen Buckley - Western Michigan

QB Caden Creel - Jax State

QB Charlie Becker - Indiana

RB Jamauri McClure - Tulane

QB Fernando Mendoza - Indiana

QB Julian Sayin - Ohio State

QB Behren Morton - Texas Tech

Defense -

DL Sahir West - James Madison

DB Tyler Brown - James Madison

LB Ben Roberts - Texas Tech

DL Santana Hopper - Tulane

DL Caden Curry - Ohio State

DL Xavier Holmes - James Madison

S Jack Tchienchou - Tulane

DL Isaiah Jones - Indiana

EDGE David Bailey - Texas Tech

LB Chris Rodgers - Tulane

DL Elijah Hill - Kennesaw State

DB Joshua Franklin - Western Michigan

LB Mac Sanders - Jax State

DL Talan Carter - Jax State