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The weekend is loaded with college football’s conference championship games and the noon E.T. Sunday announcement of the final College Football Playoff rankings. This one is the biggie …

But first, before we pop the tops on our six-pack, a quick review of the NFL’s Thursday night game. … The Green Bay Packers, who trailed by as many as 20 points, beat the Detroit Lions 27-23 when Aaron Rodgers connected with Richard Rodgers on a 61-yard Hail Mary on the final play. The Packers are 8-4, the Lions 4-8.

And now, the six-pack …

COLLEGE FOOTBALL

Stick with those conference championship games. They will influence who makes the final four for the playoffs. Oklahoma (11-1) is already a lock from the Big 12, which has no conference championship game.

No. 5 Michigan State (11-1) vs. No. 4 Iowa (12-0) at Indianapolis: This is for the Big Ten title. Michigan State is the better team.

No. 10 North Carolina (11-1) vs. No. 1Clemson (12-0) at Charlotte: UNC padded its record with a soft schedule but has a potent offense. There is a chance of an upset in the ACC title game.

No. 18 Florida (10-2) vs. No. 2 Alabama (11-1) at Atlanta. Florida can’t score and Bama’s defense wouldn’t the Gators do it if they could. Florida’s overachieving ways stop here in the SEC championship meeting.

NFL

Seattle Seahawks (6-5) at Minnesota Vikings (8-3): The Seahags are 2-3 on the road and the Vikings are 4-1 at home.

Carolina Panthers (11-0) at New Orleans Saints (4-7): The undefeated tour rolls into the Superdome. The Saints can atone for many of their sins this season by upsetting their NFC South Division rival.

COLLEGE BASKETBALL

No. 3 Notre Dame (6-0) at No. 1 Connecticut (4-0): UConn, the women’s defending champion, beat the Irish 63-53 in April to earn their second straight crown. UConn had also defeated the Irish the previous year in the championship game. This one is at 5:15 p.m. on Saturday.
 
 
Post By: Larry Weisman, a longtime sportswriter for USA TODAY, blogs for Twistity.com. Follow him on Twitter @MrLarryWeisman .