Ohio State punches ticket to Big Ten title game, SEC and ACC await Saturday night results

By Canadian Press on November 29, 2025.

The final day of the regular season is full of crucial games that will set the conference championship matchups and influence the rankings that will determine the postseason.

Among the Power Four, only the Big 12 entered the weekend with its championship game set. Texas Tech and BYU are preparing for a rematch.

Ohio State solidified a perfect 12-0 season and spot in the Big Ten championship with a win over Michigan on Saturday. The Buckeyes will meet Indiana in the title game.

The playoff picture and title games for the ACC and SEC are still taking shape along with several other Bowl Subdivision leagues.

ACC

No. 17 Virginia played Virginia Tech on Saturday night, and No. 25 SMU was at California. If they win, the Cavaliers and the Mustangs advance to the conference championship Dec. 6 in Charlotte, North Carolina.

No. 24 Pitt was next in line for the title game and could have gotten in with a win against Miami and a loss by either Virginia or SMU. But the Panthers lost 38-7 to the Hurricanes. If Virginia or SMU loses, it could come down to a tiebreaker in the ACC between two-loss teams.

CFP: The ACC playoff picture is complicated with five teams in the College Football Playoff Top 25 ahead of Tuesday’s rankings from the selection committee. But Miami is the only one inside the top 12, and it is on the bubble when it comes to an at-large bid. A win against Pitt helps, but the Hurricanes still need some help.

Big 12

No. 7 Texas Tech will play No. 11 BYU next Saturday in Arlington, Texas, for the conference championship. It’s a rematch after the Red Raiders beat the Cougars 29-7 on Nov. 8.

CFP: The Big 12 is hoping to be a two-bid league with its title game participants and No. 14 Utah (No. 13 CFP) on the doorstep if there is any turmoil.

Big Ten

No. 1 Ohio State checked a major box for its season when it knocked off No. 15 Michigan for a 27-9 victory. The Buckeyes punched their ticket to the Big Ten title game and an anticipated matchup with No. 2 Indiana next Saturday in Indianapolis.

Indiana is going for its first conference crown since 1967. It heads to the title game with the nation’s second-best scoring offense and scoring defense and a Heisman Trophy contender in quarterback Fernando Mendoza.

CFP: Ohio State, Indiana and Oregon appear to be locks for the playoff, with the Buckeyes looking to win back-to-back national championships.

SEC

If No. 10 Alabama beats archrival Auburn, then the Crimson Tide will play No. 4 Georgia in the SEC title game next Saturday in Atlanta. If the Crimson Tide lose, then No. 6 Ole Miss will play the Bulldogs.

Georgia has won eight in a row since its only loss of the season, to Alabama, on Sept. 27.

CFP: Texas A&M, Georgia, Ole Miss, Oklahoma and Alabama were all ranked in the CFP top 10 going into Saturday’s games. The Sooners (vs. LSU) and Crimson Tide can strengthen their cases with wins.

American Athletic

No. 21 North Texas is in the AAC title game on Friday. No. 22 Tulane will join the Mean Green with a win over Charlotte. If Tulane loses, Navy gets in.

Conference USA

Western Kentucky plays Jacksonville State for a spot in the Conference USA title game on Friday as well as hosting rights. Kennesaw State clinches a spot with a win over Liberty. If Kennesaw State and Jacksonville State both lose, Jacksonville State would win the tiebreaker and reach the title game. If Kennesaw State and WKU both lose, Kennesaw State would win the tiebreaker and reach the title game.

Mid-American

Western Michigan and Miami (Ohio) will meet in the MAC title game next Saturday in Detroit. The RedHawks clinched their third straight conference championship appearance with a 45-24 win against Ball State on Saturday.

Mountain West

There will be either a three-way or four-way tie for first — depending on how UNLV does Saturday at Nevada — and the deadlock will be broken by computer metrics. San Diego State, Boise State and New Mexico all have 6-2 conference records. The title game is Friday at the home of the higher seed.

Sun Belt

No. 20 James Madison is hosting Friday’s title game and will play the winner of the Troy-Southern Miss game Saturday.

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AP Sports Writer Noah Trister contributed to this report.

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Maura Carey, The Associated Press