College Football championship week superlatives

Instead of a final week of my Games of Note column, I have decided to spice things up with a college football championship preview — superlative style because I firmly believe there is a game for every occasion and also because in the Bay Area, we just dance a little differently (lightweight Mac Dre reference).

So sit back, relax and enjoy your ultimate championship weekend watch guide — and throw on your favorite throwback high school senior year jam and vibe out to these sassy superlatives.

Most likely to succeed – No. 1 Alabama vs. No. 4 Georgia
This one is pretty straightforward: The winner (likely Alabama) will go on to win the national championship, making it the most successful team in college football, yet again. There is a chance Georgia upsets, but it’s slim and would require some risk-taking and trickery from head coach Kirby Smart and offensive coordinator Jim Chaney. Taking advantage of Alabama’s young defense with explosive plays will be high on the Bulldogs' offensive to-do list. Alabama’s quarterback Tua Tagovailoa is most likely to win the Heisman and most likely to ruin Georgia’s day with an arsenal of offensive weapons that includes sophomore receivers Jerry Jeudy, Henry Ruggs III and DeVonta Smith. Add freshman Jaylen Waddle to the mix and Bama appears virtually unstoppable. Plus Georgia’s offensive line will have to worry about nose guard Quinnen Williams plugging up the middle and trying to take down Jake Fromm. The difference maker in this game: special teams. Kicking and punting aren't Bama’s strong suit, but Georgia has “Hot Rod” Rodrigo Blankenship, who is one of the best kickers in the country. Plus, Smart prioritizes special teams, so the Dawgs might have an edge there.

Best entertainer – No. 9 Texas vs. No. 5 Oklahoma
This is the also the game most likely to turn into a track meet, something Texas head coach Tom Herman isn’t altogether comfortable with. But the Longhorns have shown they can hang, putting up 48 points in their prior win over Oklahoma and 42 points in their loss to West Virginia. The main reason this game will keep you entertained won’t be wearing burnt orange — his name is Kyler Murray, and he is the Oklahoma quarterback. Murray ranks fourth in the nation in completion percentages (70.6 percent), second in touchdowns responsible for (48) and second in total offense per game (377.3 yards) and yards per play (10.8). He also boasts the best completion percentage this season on passes at least 10 yards downfield (61 percent), according to ESPN Stats & Information. Plus if Murray starts running, there is no stopping him. The big question is can Oklahoma’s secondary stop Texas from racking up yards; the Sooners gave up 539 yards in their win over West Virginia last weekend. But Texas quarterback Sam Ehlinger will be limited due to an AC joint sprain in his throwing shoulder he suffered earlier this season. I think Oklahoma edges.

Most likely to win you over – No. 17 Utah vs. No. 10 Washington
Assuming the Utah Utes win, that is. Everybody loves a feel-good story, and there is none better in the Pac-12 than Utah’s path to its first conference championship game. From the head coach everybody loves to the Hunger Games-like Southern division they had to survive, the Utes give people something to believe in. They face a tough Washington team led by head coach Chris Peterson, quarterback Jake Browning and running back Myles Gaskin. The senior rusher is one of just five players in Pac-12 history to rush for more than 5,000 yards in his career and the first to rush for more than 1,000 yards in four straight seasons. But can he compete with Utah head coach Kyle Whittingham’s postseason magic? Whitt boasts an 11-1 bowl game record. Utah quarterback Jason Shelley will have his hands full with Washington’s stout secondary, but defensively the Utes should hold their own, led by former QB-turned LB Chase Hansen who ranks fourth nationally in tackles for a loss. I’m picking Utah with the upset.

Biggest Flirt – No. 6 Ohio State vs. No. 21 Northwestern
I say flirt because tease seemed inappropriate. But this game is primed to toy with your emotions. Where do you go after destroying your sworn enemy 62-39? Not to worry, Buckeye fans. Urban Myer is the man with a plan, always. And the plan’s name is Dwayne Haskins. The redshirt sophomore QB has set records all over the Big Ten and has become a real threat on the ground. Northwestern’s secondary is bruised, so Haskin’s arm will be on full display in Indy this weekend. But the Wildcats will attempt to drag Ohio State down in the mud, literally, as they try to limit the Buckeyes' possessions and keep them from scoring. I like Pat Fitzgerald-coached teams, and I like that the Wildcats have a lot less to lose than Ohio State has to gain. I’m picking Northwestern to upset in a back-and-forth, nail-biter of a game.

Best Shania Twain Impersonation – No. 2 Clemson vs. Pittsburgh
As in, Clemson, your schedule don’t impress me much. I like this matchup though because Pittsburgh is a run-first team with one of the best running back duos in the ACC (Qadree Ollison and Darrin Hall) going up against what people like to say is one of the best defensive lines in the country. I guess we will see… Most people try to beat Clemson in the air, but Pat Narduzzi isn’t most people. If Pitt’s offensive line can hold, then this will be a ball game. PS. — the last time the Panthers played Clemson, Pitt walked away with a 43-42 upset. History is neat and has a way of repeating itself. Clemson is a 27.5 favorite, thanks in large part to quarterback Trevor Lawrence who has led Clemson seamlessly since September. But Dabo Swinney’s squad is playing for everything and Pittsburgh is, well, not. I think Clemson comes out tight and the Panthers play loose, giving the Tigers a run for their money.

Most Likely to Induce Vertigo/Nausea – No. 25 Fresno State vs. No. 19 Boise State
The Smurf Turf is back in this Mountain West Championship matchup, so take your anti-nausea medication now. Field vertigo aside, this game should be one of the better bouts this weekend. Boise State is favored by 2.5, naturally given it’s a home game, but Fresno State will be out for blood. Hell hath no fury like a Jeff Tedford scorned — the Bulldogs fell 24-17 the last time the two teams met. People will never forget the first down awarded to Boise State that simply wasn’t. If Fresno State quarterback Marcus McMaryion can get the ball to KeeSean Johnson and Jamire Jordan, touchdowns will abound. Plus the Bulldogs defense will likely contribute to the scoring as well — Fresno State ranks second in the nation in defensive touchdowns with six this season. Bulldogs or bust.

Hall Over the Place

Over the course of the 2018 season, Emily Hall Van Buskirk will be traveling across the country, attending as many college football games as humanly possible. In this sacred section, she will share with you the details of her travels as she embarks on this adventure. Follow along as she makes her way across the country, bringing back tales of glory and memoirs of misfortune.

Last weekend, the Pac-12 matchup between Cal and Colorado did not disappoint. We saw back-to-back pick-six’s from the Golden Bear’s impressive secondary, and running back Patrick Laird broke the 2,000 career rushing yard mark. Not bad for a former walk-on. It was a tough day for the Buffaloes, who were without recently fired head coach Mike MacIntyre. The Buffs went home without that elusive bowl-eligible win and will begin the search for a new head coach. Check out our recap of the game!