CHAMPIONSHIP WEEKEND IS SET

It took until the final seconds of a west coast thriller to get to our full allotment of Conference Championship Games. A missed field goal in Berkeley, CA pushed Duke into the ACC Championship game against Virginia, an hour after Auburn WR Cam Coleman fumbled in Alabama territory to set an Alabama-Georgia SEC Championship battle. We have a 1 v. 2 overall matchup in the B1G and two Group of Five Championship games that could provide an opening for BOTH winners to get a berth in the 2025 CFP. So, let’s dive into last week’s Rivalry Weekend and then preview what should be an INTENSE and FANTASTIC Championship Weekend.

Week 14 Players of the Week

Kinder’s Texas Bowl Player of the Week - Vanderbilt QB Diego Pavia - The Straw that Stirs the Commodores’ Drink is BACK for Player of the Week honors yet again. We were on the road and when I got to the hotel room in Indianapolis the Dores trailed 21-14. But, over the next 35 minutes of game action, the ‘Dores went OFF following Pavia’s lead, outscoring Tennessee 31-3 for a 45-24 win in Knoxville. The super senior threw for 268 yards and one TD and ran for 165 yards and one TD. He certainly earned a trip to New York and would have my Heisman vote for many reasons. 

National Player of the Week - Miami, FL WR Malachi Toney - All the true freshman did in a 38-7 win over #22 Pitt was catch three passes for 126 yards, including a one hander for the ages and a 39-yard touchdown. He also ran for 23 yards and threw a touchdown pass to TE Elija Lofton. He’s not only been the best freshman in America in 2025 but one of the top five receivers in the nation, no questions asked. He saved his best performance for last and I’d love to see him get a shot at the CFP for the nation to see him perform at this level again.

Week 14 Teams of the Week

Kinder’s Texas Bowl Team of the Week - Texas - The last 30 minutes of this vicious rivalry were colored Texas orange and white…and it wasn’t even close. The Longhorns played like a playoff team for really the first time all year in the 2nd half of the win over Texas A&M. Texas head coach Steve Sarkisian’s squad showed up when it mattered most and the Longhorns rode a 24-7 2nd half to a 27-17 win, their ninth of the season, ending the Aggies undefeated season in Austin.

National Team of the Week - Cal - The Golden Bears had their head coach Justin Wilcox fired heading into the matchup with SMU, just a few days after losing in embarrassing fashion to rival Stanford. All SMU had to do to go to the ACC Championship game was win, yet interim coach Nick Rolovich had his Golden Bears ready for the upset. The Mustangs came from behind to take a late fourth quarter lead, but the Golden Bears drove down the field for a game winning touchdown to put Duke in the ACC Championship game on the other coast. 

Kinder’s Texas Bowl Projections

SEC

Missouri (8-4) - The Tigers solidified an eight win season all the while inking head coach Eli Drinkwitz to a contract extension. With one of the best RB duos in America, the Tigers are a strong candidate to return to Houston for the first time in a few years.

LSU (7-5) - The Tigers have one of the best defenses and a new head coach, but they were just in Houston last year, so I’m not sure they’d be a better candidate than Missouri.

Tennessee (8-4) - There’s no telling how many SEC teams get bids to the CFP, but if Texas and Vanderbilt don’t get CFP bids, maybe even a three loss Alabama team, Tennessee could be available for Houston.

Big 12

Houston (9-3) - The Cougars beat Baylor 31-24 for their ninth win and they’d be a GREAT candidate to be the Big 12’s representative in Houston. I’d LOVE to see Willie Fritz’s Cougs in the Texas Bowl.

TCU (8-4) - If Houston gets snatched up before my man David Fletcher gets to select the Big 12 rep, the Horned Frogs would be a great candidate. They were supposed to be in Houston in 2020, but COVID shut down a TCU-Arkansas contest. Maybe this year…Missouri v. TCU? LSU v. TCU in the Battle of the Purple? 

Arizona State (8-4) - The Sun Devils lost QB Sam Leavitt and they struggled as a result down the stretch of the season. But, a Kenny Dillingham team will definitely SHOW UP in Houston and certainly compete.

Cincinnati (7-5) - The Bearcats lost four straight to finish the season, but give them a month or so to get healthy and self-correct and Scott Satterfield’s Bearcats will come to compete for sure.

Kansas State (6-6) - It was an up and down season for the Wildcats, but they’re dangerous as all get out in a bowl situation. The Cats have shown up in Houston in a big way many times in the past.

Iowa State (8-4) - Current Texans Jayden Higgins and Jaylin Noel would love to see their Cyclones down in Houston and I’d love to see Matt Campbell’s Iowa State team in H-Town as well. 

Championship Week Preview

#1 (12-0) Ohio State v. #2 (12-0) Indiana (Indianapolis)

After a stellar, CFP season in 2024, Indiana was even better in 2025. After a CFP National Championship in 2024, Ohio State was even better in 2025. Now, the two best teams in the country meet in Indianapolis where Hoosier and Buckeye fans will bombard Lucas Oil Stadium for the first 1 v 2 meeting in B1G Championship game history. The winner will lock up the overall #1 ranking in the CFP and a trip to the Rose Bowl. The loser will still get into the CFP, but the loss opens the loser up to a potential first round home game, instead of the opening week bye.

#3 (11-1) Georgia v. #9 (10-2) Alabama (Atlanta)

The one in Georgia’s right hand column came courtesy of the Dawgs’ opponent in Atlanta. The Crimson Tide walked into Sanford Stadium back in October and beat down the Bulldogs for their lone loss of the season. But, since stopping Auburn QB Jackson Arnold at the goal line just before halftime back in early November, the Dawgs have taken their performances to a different level. On the other hand, Alabama suffered an inexplicable loss to Oklahoma two weeks ago, but held on for a win at Auburn to ensure another trip to the SEC Championship game.

#11 (11-1) BYU v. #4 (11-1) Texas Tech (Arlington)

Three weeks ago, the Red Raiders dominated BYU in Lubbock, but each team won out to create a second matchup in the Big 12 Championship. Sitting at number four in the most recent CFP rankings, Texas Tech is seemingly assured of a CFP bid, but BYU will need to beat Tech to get into the CFP. That’s going to be a tall order for the Cougars, but head coach Kalani Sitake signed an extension to stay in Provo, which could give the Cougars a shot of excitement and momentum heading to Jerry World. 

#24 (11-1) North Texas at #20 (10-2) Tulane

This one is for a berth in the CFP. Whichever team wins will finish ahead of #25 James Madison, making it the highest ranked G5 conference champion. Now, the Dukes can get in the CFP with a decisive win over Troy in the Sun Belt Championship and a Duke win in the ACC Championship, leaving the ACC without a bid. But, this matchup in New Orleans features the two best Group of five teams in the nation. North Texas head coach Eric Morris will coach UNT until the season is over as will Jon Sumrall for Tulane before heading to Oklahoma State and Florida, respectively. When 60 minutes expire, one head coach will immediately head to his new job, while one will lead his team to the CFP for the first time.