Thursday Tailgate: Championship weekend undercard
Remember when every college football team just played the games on their schedule, then a few lucky ones got to take their fans to a warm-weather destination for a bowl game and that was that?
Of course this is America, and we couldn't just leave it like that. Somebody had to decide who was the best. To paraphrase Dire Straits — then came the rankings, then came the polls, then came the arguments, then came the goals.
The system we have now to officially declare a champion at college football's highest level, with the ultimate goal of the playoff, is an improvement on the old bowl-and-poll method and the more recent — though much-maligned — Bowl Championship Series. But there remains a two-tiered structure that favors the established powers.
Still, the accomplishments of teams from leagues with limited access to the adult table should not be overlooked. Four of the Group of Five conferences will stage championship games this weekend, and they all figure to be more watchable than a lesser bowl game with a 5-7 team. Here's a quick glance at the matchups.
American: No. 21 Temple at No. 18 Houston
Noon ET Saturday, ABC
This one has the highest stakes as far as national prestige is concerned, with the winner ticketed for one of the big-money bowls. That would simply be icing on the cake for the Owls, who are enjoying their first 10-win season since 1979.
Temple clinched the AAC East by throttling the same Connecticut squad that handed Houston its only loss. But The Cougars showed how dynamic their offense can be with QB Greg Ward Jr. at the helm, effectively beating Navy at its own game with ball control and long scoring drives to lock up the West. Ward must beware of Temple LB Tyler Matakevich, who leads the Owls in both total tackles (118) and interceptions (five).
Conference USA: Southern Mississippi at Western Kentucky
Noon ET Saturday, ESPN2
This one might be the most entertaining of any of the title games, power conference or not. Southern Miss is one of the best turnaround stories of the season, improving from just three wins in 2014 to 9-3. They're putting up 41.7 points a game, but that still trails the Hilltoppers' 44.2.
WKU was expected to contend for its division, and senior QB Brandon Doughty and his high-octane offense didn't disappoint. Looking to keep pace for Southern Miss will be Nick Mullens, who has 35 TD passes himself.
Mid-American: Bowling Green vs. Northern Illinois in Detroit
8 p.m. ET Friday, ESPN2
MACtion gets the Friday spotlight to itself, and the leagues' reputation almost dictates that matters won't be decided until the closing moments. The Falcons, however, will be favored this time with prolific QB Matt Johnson looking to add to his 41 TD throws.
The Huskies are accustomed to this setting as they're appearing in their sixth consecutive MAC title game. They needed help to get here this time, however, as they lost their regular-season finale to Ohio but watched Western Michigan take down Toledo later in the week. It hasn't helped NIU that QB Drew Hare was lost for the season with a torn Achilles tendon and top WR Tommylee Lewis (knee sprain) has also missed time and remains questionable.
Mountain West: Air Force at San Diego State
7:30 p.m. ET Saturday, ESPN2
The perception of the MWC takes a hit when usual standard bearer Boise State has an off year. It hasn't been a banner season for the league as a whole for that matter, but SDSU has a chance to post a clean conference mark nonetheless.
The driving force for the Aztecs is the backfield duo of QB Maxwell Smith and TB Donnel Pumphrey. The Falcons, whose road win against the afore-mentioned Boise State helped them secure the Mountain Division, will try to use their option ground game to keep the defense fresh. QB Karson Roberts has stepped in capably for veteran starter Nate Romine, who went down with a season-ending knee injury in September.