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College Football: Previewing every conference championship game

By Grant Britton

ATLANTA, GA - DECEMBER 03: Rashaan Evans #32 and Da'Shawn Hand #9 of the Alabama Crimson Tide celebrate their 54 to 16 win over the Florida Gators during the SEC Championship game at the Georgia Dome on December 3, 2016 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)
ATLANTA, GA - DECEMBER 03: Rashaan Evans #32 and Da'Shawn Hand #9 of the Alabama Crimson Tide celebrate their 54 to 16 win over the Florida Gators during the SEC Championship game at the Georgia Dome on December 3, 2016 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images) /
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Pac-12 Championship Game

Friday, Dec. 1 – No. 12 Stanford v No. 10 USC, 7:00 p.m. CT, Levi’s Stadium, ESPN

Last time these two teams met, USC came away with a 42-24 victory in Los Angeles. But this was Week 2, and a very different Stanford team. The Cardinal, this time around, are more complete. They began to come together, almost like Arkansas has done the past few years, and become a force in the Pac-12, even defeating Notre Dame in their previous game.

As it is on Friday, there are no other games to compete with it, and it satisfies a few rules I have made up about fun college games. First, it is a weekday game, on the West Coast. Second, it is a night game on the West Coast. Lastly, there are no Playoff implications on the line. Things are going to get crazy in this game, and it will be worth a watch.

USC Quarterback Sam Darnold has been on fire this season, trying to prove that he is worth a high NFL draft pick. But he has been plagued by the turnover bug, and has tended to remind everyone that he is a sophomore.

This would be the first championship game he has played in college, and a good stage to prove his mettle. Also look for Stanford running back Bryce Love, who ran 17 times for 160 yards and a score in their last game (an unreal 9.4 yards per carry!). He has averaged 8.6 yards per carry all year, and should have a chance to once again run through a Trojan defense.