02.24.2025 // By:
College CoD
The first half of the season has come and gone in the blink of an eye. Now, with the divisions restructured to a Division 1 and Division 2 system, the best of the best will face each other going down the stretch. The top teams from each region will face off in a conference to be crowned regular season conference champions.
With that said, we asked our writers to submit predictions on who they think will face off in the conference championships at season’s end, which also means the teams they believe will win their region outright.
Northeast Conference
- Pali: #1 Fisher College vs #3 St. Clair Saints
- Zaarin: #1 Fisher College vs #3 St. Clair Saints
- Mikey: #1 Fisher College vs #3 St. Clair Saints
Starting things off with unanimous predictions across the board. This would surely be the most anticipated matchup of the season. The defending CCL champions going up against the best St. Clair team we’ve seen to date. Fisher would enter this matchup as favorites, but with how tight the top 4 in College COD is, it is impossible to count out the Saints and their team chemistry in this one.
Midwest Conference
- Pali: #4 Northwood University vs #15 Concordia St. Paul
- Zaarin: #4 Northwood University vs #15 Concordia St. Paul
- Mikey: #4 Northwood University vs #23 Southern Illinois University - Edwardsville
The sheer strength of Northwood shows here. Their roster of high level Challengers players has already impressed, solidifying themselves well within the top 4 in the power rankings. On the flip side, Zaarin and Pali both agree that a consistent CSP team will earn their shot at a conference title. Mikey goes with SIUe, a team built for post-season play in their history. Even with three new players, the precedent their alumni set lives strong in this new-look Cougars squad.
Southeast Conference
- Pali: #5 Mars Hill University vs #19 University of Central Florida
- Zaarin: #5 Mars Hill University vs #19 University of Central Florida
- Mikey: #5 Mars Hill University vs Kennesaw State University
The Deep South region could legitimately be a 4-6 team battle for first place. #19 UCF lead the charge as favorites, but teams like Kennesaw, Florida International, USF, and Nicholls could all be in contention to battle for that coveted conference title opportunity. Mars Hill has the likes of Cumberland and Newberry in their region, but on the backs of the strong Search & Destroy gamemode, each writer predicts they’ll secure the #1 seed in the Appalachian region.
West Conference
- Pali: #2 Oklahoma Christian University vs #11 California State University - Northridge
- Zaarin: #2 Oklahoma Christian University vs #11 California State University - Northridge
- Mikey: #2 Oklahoma Christian University vs #11 California State University - Northridge
Another unanimous vote to round out the regional winners and their potential fight in the conference championship. CSUN year after year has impressed and has consistently risen to the occasion in important matches. Cal State Fullerton has come on strong as of late, but it won’t be enough to take down the Matadors according to our writers. Oklahoma Christian has arguably the toughest region in the league, but their talent seems simply too much for their opponents.
The CCL playoffs are approaching ever so soon, and the competition will only get tighter from here forward, and it will certainly be interesting to see how things unfold in the final few weeks.