Whatcha Drinkin, Who Ya Watchin Championship Week?

It’s championship weekend, and alas, the Hawkeyes are not playing. And while this may not be heaven, there is certainly still beer in championship week. Let’s take a look at the matchups around the country and discuss beverages, shall we?

The action kicks off on Friday with Western Michigan and the magical, boat-rowing Broncos fighting for a chance at a New Year’s Six bowl game. They are currently ranked #17 and should be able to take home a MAC championship as they face an 8-4 Ohio squad at 6pm CT on EPSN2. The wild card here is I don’t think a MAC team has played on any night other than Tuesday in roughly 2 months. It could be mayhem.

The real prize of Friday night is the PAC-12 Championship between #8 Colorado and #4 Washington. They kick off at 8pm CT on FOX. There are big time playoff implications to this one. It’s nice to get some real action, not just MACtion, on Friday evening and have a clearer picture heading into Saturday’s slate.

Speaking of Saturday, let’s get down to it. Temple and #19 Navy start things off at 11am on ABC. There’s also a slew of garbage games (looking at you, Troy at Georgia Southern somehow on ESPN2) in this time slot. The Big 12 tries to act like the big boys with their schedule of non-championship games and that kicks off at 11 with K-State at TCU.

Ben Queen-USA TODAY Sports

At 11:30, we actually get their de-facto championship game as Bedlam will determine the Big 12 winner, not that it matters to anyone outside the conference. Oklahoma is sitting at #9 and OK-State is right behind them at #10. The winner is highly unlikely to end up in the playoff. That one’s on FOX.

At 2:30, the Big 12 tries to keep it going with Baylor is at #16 West Virginia on FS1. Then we get back to meaningful games at 3pm CT. #1 Alabama and #15 Florida face off in the SEC Championship on CBS.

ESPN keeps up their effort of not showing you any meaningful games by airing the Mountain West Championship at 6:45. I’m sure you’re waiting with baited breath for San Diego State and Wyoming.

At 7 CT, we round things out with a pair of games, one of which is meaningful. ABC has #3 Clemson and #23 Virginia Tech in the ACC Championship. The main event is #6 Wisconsin and #7 Penn State on FOX in the Big Ten Championship.

Image via sierranevada.com

That’s it for Championship Weekend. To celebrate both this glorious day and the official start to the month of December, I’ll be drinking a Sierra Nevada Celebration. Let’s celebrate people.

As always, you can find the entire slate of games, including the garbage ones that aren’t for a championship, listed below. Reminder the times here are EASTERN. Complain to our overlords.