6 games to watch on college football championship game weekend

Ohio State doesn’t play, but there are plenty of reasons for Buckeye fans to be interested.

Let us be your guide to squeeze as much football watching out of the weekend as you can.

FRIDAY

The festivities start at 7 p.m. with No. 17 Western Michigan taking on Ohio in the MAC Championship Game on ESPN2.

The Broncos are closing in on a big-time bowl bid, but the Bobcats would like to ruin their perfect season in a league where crazy stuff is not unusual.

Caption

Head coach Frank Solich of the Ohio Bobcats motions from the sidelines during the second half against the Penn State Nittany Lions at Beaver Stadium in 2012.

Caption

Head coach Frank Solich of the Ohio Bobcats motions from the sidelines during the second half against the Penn State Nittany Lions at Beaver Stadium in 2012.

At 9, No. 8 Colorado plays No. 4 Washington in the Pac-12 Championship Game on Fox. Yes, you read that right, and yes, it is still 2016, not 1996.

This game has the dual possibility of assuring Ohio State makes the playoff while greatly raising Michigan’s chances of getting in, too. A Colorado victory would eliminate Washington while also giving the Wolverines two wins over major conference champions.

SATURDAY AFTERNOON

The first consequential game of the last day of the season kicks off in Norman, Okla., at 12:30 on Fox when No. 10 Oklahoma State plays at No. 9 Oklahoma.

The Sooners are 11-point favorites and could also bolster Ohio State’s resume with a win. Is Bob Stoops’ team finished as far as the CFP? It hardly seems like this game is enough to make OU look substantially better on paper compared to the Big Ten teams in the top 10 than it already does.

Caption

Oklahoma wide receiver Dede Westbrook (11) takes a Baker Mayfield pass for a touchdown against Kansas State. The former Cameron Yoe star and his teammates will face rival Oklahoma State for the Big 12 title. CREDIT: Sue Ogrocki/AP

Credit: Sue Ogrocki

Caption

Oklahoma wide receiver Dede Westbrook (11) takes a Baker Mayfield pass for a touchdown against Kansas State. The former Cameron Yoe star and his teammates will face rival Oklahoma State for the Big 12 title. CREDIT: Sue Ogrocki/AP

Credit: Sue Ogrocki

Credit: Sue Ogrocki

At 4, the SEC will crown the winner of the game between No. 1 Alabama and No. 15 Florida its champion on CBS, but otherwise this looks pretty much like an exhibition game as far as the playoff is concerned. The case for the Crimson Tide looks too strong to see Nick Saban’s team falling out of the top four even with a loss.

SATURDAY NIGHT

At 8, the Big Ten Championship Game will pit No. 6 Wisconsin against No. 7 Penn State (also on Fox) in what could be a play-in game for the playoff… unless both teams end up being left out because they both lost to Michigan and lack the overall resume of Ohio State.

At the same time, ABC will have No. 3 Clemson against No. 23 Virginia Tech.

The Tigers are 10-point favorites and in with a win, but the Hokies could hold the keys to chaos.