#Alabama-Florida goes beyond College Football Playoff impact

The ACC championship game, pitting No. 2 Notre Dame against No. 3 Clemson, is the game of the day, a rematch of the Fighting Irish’s dramatic double overtime victory on Nov. 7. It is just one of many intriguing matchups on the eve of the College Football Playoff announcement.

SEC Championship

No. 1 Alabama vs. No. 7 Florida

It’s hard to envision Alabama falling out of the playoff even if it suffers an unexpected upset. But Florida still has a shot to become the first two-loss participant, after the committee dropped the Gators only one spot following their upset loss to LSU. This showdown could also determine the Heisman Trophy. The two quarterbacks, Alabama’s Mac Jones and Florida’s Kyle Trask, are the heavy favorites. A big performance could determine the winner.

Big Ten Championship

No. 4 Ohio State vs. No. 14 Northwestern

It feels like the committee has already determined the Buckeyes belong despite playing just five games. Now Justin Fields and company, healthy 18.5-point favorites, have to take care of business in a rematch of the 2018 Big Ten title game, which Ohio State won going away. The Wildcats’ 13th-ranked defense will have to play the game of its life to give Northwestern a chance.

Big 12 Championship

No. 6 Iowa State vs. No. 10 Oklahoma

The Cyclones have already made program history by reaching the Big 12 title game for the first time. They can make even more of it by snapping the Sooners’ run of five straight league championships. In a related note, coach Matt Campbell’s agent’s phone won’t stop ringing for weeks.

AAC Championship

No. 9 Cincinnati vs. No. 24 Tulsa

Cincinnati hasn’t played since Nov. 21 due to COVID-19 cancellations and has fallen two spots in the CFP rankings, while Ohio State hasn’t been punished for similar inactivity. It’s just the latest reminder that this current system will never include a non-power-conference team. The Bearcats have to win big and pray for multiple upsets.