Championship Week Previews

Conference Championships

Saturday, Dec. 6^th

 

SEC Championship- Atlanta, GA
No. 1 Alabama (11-1, 7-1 SEC) vs. No. 16 Missouri (10-2, 7-1 SEC), 4pm ET, CBS
Line: BAMA -14.5, O/U: 49

The Crimson Tide is a heavy favorite coming in to this game.  After a hard fought, 20-13 OT win at LSU, Alabama has looked dominant in their last three games.  Their second half against Auburn highlighted what this team is capable of.  Blake Sims will need to be sharp against a very good Missouri defense and I’d expect OC Lane Kiffin to call TJ Yeldon and Derrick Henry’s numbers early to try to slow down a hot Tiger pass rush.  If Sims settles in, Alabama should be able to run away here, especially given the struggles Missouri’s offense has had at times this year.

I like Missouri to keep the game close early and their ability to force turnover will force Sims and Alabama to be crisp.  However, I just don’t see Mizzou being able to keep pace with an Alabama offense that will put up points.  The Tide will pull away late. 

Jeremy- Alabama 34, Missouri 20

Nick- Alabama 27, Mizzou 24

 

ACC Championship- Charlotte, NC
No. 4 Florida State (12-0, 8-0 ACC) vs. No. 11 Georgia Tech (10-2, 6-2 ACC), 8pm ET, ABC/WatchESPN
Line: FSU -4, O/U: 61

This is a popular upset pick this week and it’s easy to see why.  FSU has started slow in almost every game they’ve played this season and the ‘Noles have struggled against ball-control offenses.  Plus, Jameis Winston and the Seminole offense has been turning the ball over like crazy the past few weeks and we’ve see Georgia Tech take advantage of turnovers.  The Yellow Jackets will see a defense that’s a little banged up and can be pushed around at the line of scrimmage.  If the Jackets can control the clock and convert third downs (FSU’s third down defense has been atrocious) they’ll put pressure on Winston and the FSU offense to have to score on every one of the few possessions they’ll get. 

Florida State’s made a living pulling wins out of the jaws of defeat.  Can they survive another week?

Jeremy- FSU 27, Georgia Tech 24

Nick- FSU 34, GT 28

 

B1G Championship- Indianapolis, IN

No. 5 Ohio State (11-1, 8-0 B1G) vs. No. 13 Wisconsin (10-2, 7-1 B1G), 8:17pm ET, FOX
Line: Wisc -4, O/U: 52.5

The Badgers come in as the favorite here with Ohio State’s starting quarterback JT Barrett sidelined with an ACL injury.  It’s a break for Wisconsin and this defense (ranked 4^th in overall defense) will look to completely bury Ohio State’s backup, Cardale Jones. 

While Jones against the Wisconsin defense will be a major storyline, the key for the Badgers will be getting their Heisman caliber running back, Melvin Gordon going early and often.  Wisconsin’s offense isn’t diverse and they’ve got limited options if Ohio State can bottle up Gordon. 

I want to take Wisconsin here but, I think this Buckeye team will circle the wagons and steal one from the Badgers.

Jeremy- Ohio State 30, Wisconsin 28

Nick- Wisconsin 31, Ohio State 24

 

Conference USA Championship

Marshall (11-1, 7-1 C-USA) vs. Louisiana Tech (8-4, 7-1 C-USA), 12pm ET, ESPN2/WatchESPN
Line: Marshall -11, O/U: 69

I can see Marshall coming out a little sluggish after a tough loss last week but I like this team and Rakeem Cato will lead the Herd past Louisiana Tech.

Jeremy- Marshall 37, LaTech 27

Nick- Marshall 31, LaTech 30

 

Mountain West Championship

No. 22 Boise State (10-2, 7-1 MW) vs. Fresno State (6-6, 5-3 MW), 10pm ET, CBS
Line: BSU -22, O/U: 69

This might be the ugliest conference championship of the weekend.  I like Boise State to make a statement against an overmatched Fresno team.  Broncos roll, big.

Jeremy- Boise 51, Fresno 24

Nick- Boise 49, Fresno 38

 

 

Best of the Rest

 

Houston (7-4, 5-2 AAC) vs. Cincinnati (8-3, 6-1 AAC), 12pm ET, ESPN/WatchESPN

Line: Cincy -7, O/U: 57.5

Interesting matchup with Cincy’s 14^th ranked passing offense against Houston’s 10^th ranked pass defense.  I like Gunner Kiel and this passing game to outpace Houston.

Jeremy- Cincinnati 37, Houston 20

Nick- Cincy 35, Houston 28

 

SMU (0-11, 0-7 AAC) vs. Connecticut (2-9, 1-6 AAC), 12pm ET, CBS Sports Network
Line: Uconn -11.5, O/U: 43.5

UConn’s bad.  SMU is worse.

Jeremy- UConn 28, SMU 10

Nick- SMU 24, UConn 21

 

No. 3 TCU (10-1, 7-1 XII) vs. Iowa State (2-9, 0-8 XII), 12pm ET, ABC/WatchESPN
Line: TCU -34, O/U: 69

Iowa State has a history of playing up to their competition in games like this and knowing they can ruin TCU’s season is a huge motivator.  That said, TCU is too talented and too well-coached.  Don’t be surprised if this one is close at half but the Horned Frogs will run away late.

 
Jeremy- TCU 41, ISU 17
Nick- TCU 45, ISU 17

 

No. 20 Oklahoma (8-3, 5-3 XII) vs. Oklahoma State (5-6, 3-5 XII), 3:30pm ET, FOX Sports 1
Line: OU -21, O/U: 60

Oklahoma State is a complete mess, from the coaching staff down to the players on the field.  Their poor quarterback play will be exposed by an attacking Sooners defense.  The Sooners, banged up as well, are still a far superior football team here and being in Norman makes a big difference.

Jeremy- Oklahoma 37, OK State 17

Nick- Oklahoma State 41, Oklahoma 37

 

Temple (5-6, 3-4 AAC) vs. Tulane (3-8, 2-5 AAC), 7:30pm ET, ESPN2/WatchESPN
Line: Temple -3, O/U: 44

Thank you AAC for giving us a game we’re not the least bit tempted to flip to today.  That’s why conferences like you exist.

Jeremy- Temple 24, Tulane 16

Nick- Temple 24, Tulane 17

 

No. 6 Baylor (10-1, 7-1 XII) vs. No. 9 Kansas State (9-2, 7-1 XII), 7:45pm ET, ESPN/WatchESPN

Line: Baylor -7.5, O/U: 66.5

The big question in this game will be the health of quarterback Bryce Petty.  Petty suffered a concussion against Texas Tech last week and though he’s expected to play, how effective he’ll be is a question.  If Petty’s good to go and plays well, I like Baylor to win big here.  K-State is a really solid team and as well-coached as anyone in college football but Baylor is more talented and if they get rolling, will blow by the Wildcats. 

The Baylor defense is another question mark.  As good as they’ve looked at times, Jake Waters and Tyler Lockett could do some serious damage if the Bears play like they did against Tech last week. 

Ultimately, I think Baylor’s got everything to play for and Art Briles will have this team ready to roll.  The Bears win a nail-biter.

Jeremy- Baylor 40, K-State 38

Nick- K-State 38, Baylor 37

 

 

Thursday, Dec. 4th

 

UCF 32, East Carolina 30
Line: ECU -7, O/U: 54
As I finished the recap of this game just before ECU gave the ball back with 10 seconds left in the game, a thought crossed my mind.  How crazy would it be if UCF somehow pulls this out?  Well… The Pirates roared back from a 26-9 fourth quarter deficit, taking the lead on a 13 yards touchdown from Shane Carden to Justin Hardy with 2:17 to play.  UCF’s 51 yard Hail-Mary attempt was hauled in by Rashad Perriman, stifling one of the best comebacks of the season for ECU.  The win gives UCF a share of the AAC title.

 

 

Friday, Dec. 5th

 

MAC Football Championship- Detroit, MI
Northern Illinois 51, Bowling Green 17
Line: NIU -6.5, O/U: 62.5
NIU avenged last year’s MAC Championship loss to Bowling Green in style.  The Huskies shot out to a 20-10 lead at half and completely ran away in the second have, outscoring the Falcons 31-7.

Jeremy- NIU 34, Bowling Green 27

 

Pac-12 Championship- Santa Clara, CA
No. 2 Oregon 51, No. 7 Arizona 13
Line: Oregon -14.5, O/U: 74.5
Oregon was on point and in control from the get go.  Marcus Mariota’s performance in this route should seal the deal for his Heisman campaign, finished the game with an efficient 313 passing and four total touchdowns.  As good as Mariota was, it was the Oregon defense that was the real story in Friday’s game.  The Ducks defense, which has been mostly average all season, was aggressive and completely shut down Arizona, limiting the Wildcats to 11 first downs, 224 total yards and 3 of 15 on third downs.

Jeremy- Oregon 34, Arizona 27

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