Because the 2024 season is the first-ever campaign with a 12-team College Football Playoff, grand statements are not hyperbole.

This is the most consequential week of conference championships in the history of the sport. Several teams aiming for a league crown are already unofficially locked into the CFP, but six others—Clemson, Arizona State, Iowa State and presumably either Boise State or UNLV, along with maybe SMU—are fighting to protect a shot at a national title.

Again, these stakes have never existed at such a deep level.

While that storyline understandably reigns over the weekend, though, every game matters. It's important to Jacksonville State, a second-year FBS program. It's important to Army, a first-year member of the AAC. It's important to in-state rivals Ohio and Miami.

Champions will be crowned. Automatic bids to the Playoff will be sealed. And we'll be busy watching it all together.

Friday's Group of 5 Championships

C-USA: Western Kentucky (8-4) at Jacksonville State (8-4), 7 p.m. ET

Hello, rematch! Last weekend, Western Kentucky hit a last-second field goal to clip Jax State 19-17. That meeting was at WKU, however, and JSU quarterback Tyler Huff exited with an ankle injury. Even if he's unable to play, the backup is former Nebraska QB Logan Smothers. Give him a full week to prepare, and Jax State can withstand a solid WKU squad.

Prediction: Jax State 29, WKU 24

MWC: UNLV (10-2) at Boise State (11-1), 8 p.m. ET

Boise State star Ashton Jeanty has a final chance to sway Heisman Trophy voters in this championship. UNLV, though, is responsible for Jeanty's least-efficient game of the year and should be a thorn yet again. The bigger problem for UNLV is Boise's defense has yielded no more than 24 points in seven straight games; unless that trend gets broken, the Jeanty-led Broncos will repeat as Mountain West champs.

Prediction: Boise State 31, UNLV 23

AAC: Tulane (9-3) at Army (10-1), 8 p.m. ET

Army is easily one of the season's best stories, and winning a conference title in its debut AAC campaign would be remarkable. Tulane's defense isn't as strong against the run, so that's a key advantage in Army's favor. But will Army be able to contain Tulane's outstanding balance on offense? I'll lean toward no.

Prediction: Tulane 24, Army 17

Saturday's Group of 5 Championships

MAC: Ohio (9-3) vs. Miami (Ohio) (8-4), Noon ET (in Detroit)

In mid-October, Miami notched a 30-20 victory in the Battle of the Bricks. Neither one has dropped a game since then, so the MAC title game features two sizzling teams. The rematch should be tighter than a 10-point margin, especially given how well Ohio has played in November. But the result may be the same because Miami's stubborn defense is built to stop a run-heavy Ohio approach.

Prediction: Miami 23, Ohio 19

Sun Belt: Marshall (9-3) at Louisiana (10-2), 7:30 p.m. ET

Which defense do you trust less? That feels like a more accurate question than figuring out the offense you like better. Marshall prefers a ground-focused style yet is efficient through the air, while Louisiana's balance skews a little more toward the passing game. I'm inclined to take Louisiana at home, but this should be a fun, high-scoring championship.

Prediction: Louisiana 34, Marshall 31

Saturday's Power 4 Championships

Big 12: Iowa State (10-2) vs. Arizona State (10-2), Noon ET (in Arlington)

Winner goes to the CFP, loser misses out. Arizona State has been a better team lately, but losing wide receiver Jordyn Tyson to an unspecified injury is a huge problem. His mid-year emergence was a key part of ASU's surge. Behind running back Cam Skattebo, the next-best wideout has 291 receiving yards. I'd pick the Sun Devils if Tyson was healthy, but his absence shifts my pick to Iowa State.

Prediction: Iowa State 27, Arizona State 22

SEC: Georgia (10-2) vs. Texas (11-1), 4 p.m. ET (in Atlanta)

During the October game, the first-half drives after turnovers shaped the result. Georgia's two giveaways led to zero Texas points, but UGA scored 17 points on three Texas turnovers. Georgia built a 23-0 halftime lead, and Texas couldn't recover in a 30-15 loss. I expect a similar type of matchup—a real defensive slog—in which UGA takes advantage of a familiar environment and a key turnover to outlast an elite UT defense.

Prediction: Georgia 20, Texas 17

ACC: Clemson (9-3) vs. SMU (11-1), 8 p.m. ET (in Charlotte)

While the ACC stews over Alabama leaping Miami in the CFP rankings, Clemson has an opportunity to calm the league's frustration. If the Tigers win, they and SMU should make the Playoff. SMU is favored, but Clemson's ability to create turnovers—a plus-16 margin this season compared to SMU's plus-two—can swing the game toward the Tigers.

Prediction: Clemson 24, SMU 20

Big Ten: Penn State (11-1) vs. Oregon (12-0), 8 p.m. ET (in Indianapolis)

Penn State's defense is awesome. But the narratives exist for a reason. James Franklin holds a 1-13 record opposite top-five competition while at PSU, and Drew Allar has consistently been quiet in marquee games. No, that doesn't mean Penn State cannot win. This defense is good enough to carry the team! I'm also unwilling to pick against these two clearly defined trends until Penn State proves it.

Prediction: Oregon 23, Penn State 16