Skip to main content

ESPN College GameDay: Picks for Conference Championship Weekend

Stephen Samraby:Steve Samra12/07/24

SamraSource

College GameDay
© Brianna Paciorka/News Sentinel / USA TODAY NETWORK

After an incredible regular season campaign, ESPN brought College GameDay to Atlanta ahead of the SEC Championship Game to celebrate Conference Championship Weekend across the college football landscape.

Major College Football Playoff implications are on the line throughout the day, and being on-hand for GeorgiaTexas was an easy call. Joining the fun as this week’s Celebrity Guest Picker was actor Timothee Chalamet. The star of the Dune franchise, Wonka and the upcoming work based on musician Bob Dylan called A Complete Unknown, he’s ready to put his college football knowledge to the test.

With so much on the line on Saturday, the College GameDay crew has locked in their predictions ahead of the afternoon slate. Check them out in full below, and see if you agree with their picks for a myriad of conference title showdowns.

ESPN College GameDay Picks for Conference Championship Weekend:

SEC Championship — Georgia vs. Texas: Can the Longhorns get some revenge tonight in the SEC title game? Herbstreit is calling the game, so he’s not making a pick. However, the rest of the crew had to put their money where their mouth is — Howard, Saban, Chalamet are on Texas, while McAfee flipped the script and chose the Bulldogs.

Big Ten Championship — Penn State vs. Oregon: Everyone believes the Ducks complete their undefeated season and win the Big Ten title.

Top 10

  1. 1

    Lane Kiffin

    Ole Miss HC calls out CFP committee

    Hot
  2. 2

    Notre Dame vs. Georgia odds

    Early Sugar Bowl line released

    New
  3. 3

    Nick Saban

    Fed up, calling for change

  4. 4

    Desmond Howard

    CGD host calls out Ryan Day

    Trending
  5. 5

    Kirby Smart reacts

    Notre Dame fans chant 'We want Georgia'

View All

ACC Championship — Clemson vs. SMU: Can SMU clinch the ACC in their first season in the conference? Only Saban and Herbstreit believe in Dabo Swinney and company to pull the upset.

Big 12 Championship — Iowa State vs. Arizona State: Howard and Herbstreit believe in the Cyclones, while the rest of the crew are on the Sun Devils.

Sun Belt Championship — Marshall vs. Louisiana: Howard, McAfee and Herbstreit are on the Thundering Herd, while Saban and Chalamet chose the Ragin’ Cajuns.

MAC Championship — Ohio vs. Miami (OH): Only the the Lisan al Gaib is taking the Bobcats on Saturday.

SWAC Championship — Jackson State vs. Southern: Saban is the only one riding with the Jaguars.

Full CGD analyst picks for Conference Championship Weekend:

Desmond Howard: Texas, Oregon, SMU, Iowa State, Marshall, Miami (OH), Jackson State

Nick Saban: Texas, Oregon, Clemson, Arizona State, Louisiana, Miami (OH), Southern

Pat McAfee: Georgia, Oregon, SMU, Arizona State, Marshall, Miami (OH), Jackson State

Celebrity Guest Picker(s) – Timothee Chalamet: Texas, Oregon, SMU, Arizona State, Louisiana, Ohio, Jackson State

Kirk Herbstreit: No pick for Texas-Georgia, Oregon, Clemson, Iowa State, Marshall, Miami (OH), Jackson State