After a period filled with speculation and forecasts, the picture is now clear—the college football conference championship games are set.

The conclusion of the 2024 college football season was quite eventful, highlighted by captivating Week 14 games that delivered thrilling finishes and surprising outcomes, alongside plenty of midfield celebrations.

In a nail-biting encounter, No. 6 Georgia triumphed over Georgia Tech in a marathon eight-overtime battle. Meanwhile, No. 2 Ohio State faced an unexpected defeat against their rivals Michigan, despite coming in as three-touchdown favorites. No. 7 Miami, on the other hand, might have seen their playoff aspirations dashed after a loss to Syracuse.

These results, along with some less thrilling matches, brought much-needed clarity to the standings.

Fans have been educating themselves on the often complex tiebreaker rules across different leagues to determine which teams would play in the championship games. Now that the regular season is wrapped up, the matchups for next week’s games are officially confirmed.

So, which teams are heading to the conference championships, many of which are critical for securing spots in the inaugural 12-team playoffs?

Here’s what you need to know about the upcoming college football conference championship games:

2024 College Football Conference Championship Games

All nine major FBS conferences—excluding the two-team Pac-12—will host a championship game next week.

Check out each of the matchups below:

ACC Championship Game

• SMU vs. Clemson

The Mustangs, in their first season in the ACC, finished at the top with an undefeated record in conference play. Clemson secured their slot with a 7-1 ACC record, edging out Miami after the Hurricanes lost to Syracuse.

Big Ten Championship Game

• Oregon vs. Penn State

The Ducks enter this game undefeated, looking to preserve their perfect season against Penn State, who advanced to the championship thanks to Ohio State’s loss, which created a tie in the standings with Indiana. Penn State advanced because they had performed better against common opponents than the Hoosiers.

Big 12 Championship Game

• Arizona State vs. Iowa State

In a complex tiebreaker scenario, four teams finished with a 7-2 record in the Big 12. Arizona State and Iowa State emerged from this tight contest. The Sun Devils secured their title shot by defeating their rival, Arizona, while Iowa State’s victories ensured their qualification at the expense of Colorado.

SEC Championship Game

• Texas vs. Georgia

This marks the Longhorns’ first year in the SEC, where they accounted for the top spot with a 7-1 record, highlighted by a key victory over Texas A&M. Georgia finished second in the conference, also with a 6-2 record, but advanced based on their win against Tennessee earlier in the season. They will meet again following their previous clash that ended in favor of Georgia.

Mountain West Championship Game

• Boise State vs. UNLV

The outcome of this game is likely to influence playoff spots. If Boise State pulls off a win, they could secure a first-round bye if they remain ranked higher than the eventual Big 12 champion.

AAC Championship Game

• Army vs. Tulane

Unfortunately, the loss of both the Black Knights and the Green Wave earlier in the season has likely eliminated them from contention for the automatic playoff spot designated for the fifth highest-rated conference champion.

Sun Belt Championship Game

• Louisiana vs. Marshall

In a unique structure compared to other FBS conferences, the Ragin’ Cajuns will battle the Thundering Herd, with the game host decided based on average computer rankings to be calculated on Sunday.

MAC Championship Game

• Ohio vs. Miami (Ohio)

Both the RedHawks and Bobcats concluded the regular season with a strong 7-1 conference record, finishing ahead of Bowling Green and Buffalo.

Conference USA Championship Game

• Jacksonville State vs. Western Kentucky

The Gamecocks are in their second season in FBS, led by former Michigan coach Rich Rodriguez, and topped the league standings, setting the stage for a thrilling matchup against the Hilltoppers, who previously managed to defeat Jacksonville State.

On Saturday, during the regular-season finale, the teams faced off with a final score of 19-17.

2024 College Football Conference Championship Schedule

Here is the schedule for the upcoming conference championship games:

All times are in Eastern Time.

Friday, December 6

• Western Kentucky vs. Jacksonville State, 7 p.m.
• UNLV vs. Boise State, 8 p.m.
• Tulane vs. Army, 8 p.m.

Saturday, December 7

• Iowa State vs. Arizona State (Arlington, Texas), Noon
• Miami (Ohio) vs. Ohio (Detroit), Noon
• Georgia vs. Texas (Atlanta), 4 p.m.
• Louisiana vs. Marshall, 7:30 p.m.
• Oregon vs. Penn State (Indianapolis), 8 p.m.
• Clemson vs. SMU (Charlotte), 8 p.m.