UPDATE: Major college football and NFL matchups are set for Saturday, December 20, with pivotal playoff implications on the line. The College Football Playoff (CFP) kicks off with three high-stakes games, while the NFL features a crucial NFC North clash between the Green Bay Packers and Chicago Bears.
In college football, the action begins at 12 p.m. ET in College Station, Texas, where the Miami Hurricanes face the Texas A&M Aggies. This matchup is critically important as the winner will advance to play Ohio State in the next round. Both teams boast a previous victory over Notre Dame, making this a highly competitive game. The SportsLine model projects Texas A&M to win outright 66% of the time while also covering the spread nearly 60%.
At 3:30 p.m. ET, Ole Miss hosts Tulane in Oxford, Mississippi, with the Rebels favored to win by 17.5 points. Ole Miss’s new head coach, Pete Golding, steps in as they look to capitalize on their earlier victory over Tulane by 35 points back in September. This game also marks a significant moment with coaching changes impacting both teams.
The final CFP matchup starts at 7:30 p.m. ET as the James Madison Dukes travel to face the Oregon Ducks. Despite being heavy underdogs with a spread of 20.5 points, the Dukes are projected to cover in nearly 60% of simulations.
As college football heats up, the NFL playoff race intensifies with two critical games on this Saturday. At 5 p.m. ET, the Philadelphia Eagles aim to clinch a postseason spot against a struggling Washington Commanders team, missing star quarterback Jayden Daniels. The Eagles are heavily favored to win, but the Commanders are considered a potential upset at home.
Later, at 8:20 p.m. ET, the Packers and Bears face off in a battle for NFC North supremacy. With the Bears currently at 10-4 and the Packers at 9-4-1, the stakes couldn’t be higher. The winner will take control of the division with only two weeks left in the regular season. The last meeting saw Jordan Love throw three touchdowns, but both teams are dealing with injuries that could impact the outcome. The SportsLine model gives the Packers a 54% chance to win outright.
As fans gear up for an action-packed Saturday, the excitement surrounding the possibility of upsets in both college and professional football is palpable. With so much on the line, every moment counts. Stay tuned for live updates and analysis as these games unfold throughout the day.
