College Football Conference Championship Weekend Preview: Betting Odds & Best Bets
Pac-12 Championship Game – No. 11 Utah vs. No. 4 USC
Friday 2nd December – Allegiant Stadium, Las Vegas, Nevada – 8 p.m. ET
Game Lines:
Moneyline: Utah +125 | USC -150
Spread: USC -2.5
Points Total: 67.5 | Over -110 | Under -110
Sam’s Picks
Moneyline: USC
Spread: USC -2.5
Over/Under: Over 67.5
It’s pretty simple for USC – win and you’re in. LSU’s collapse against Texas A&M last weekend has meant a playoff berth is fully in the hands of Lincoln Riley and Caleb Williams. Utah stands in the Trojans’ way, who is the only team to have beaten USC this season. The Utes won the previous matchup on October 16th in a thriller, 43-42, but have since lost to UCLA and Oregon to go along with their Week 1 loss to Flordia, which has not aged well. The Trojans will get their revenge tonight though, and secure their date with destiny (and a probable beatdown from Georgia or Michigan) in the playoff semi-final.
Matt’s Pick of the game:
The job Lincoln Riley has done in year one at USC has gone beyond everyone’s expectations and he deserves an immense amount of credit for that. It’s a well-known thing in college football that it is extremely hard to beat a team twice, and I expect Riley and his staff to make the adjustments required to win this game comfortably. Caleb Williams is going to wrap up his Heisman trophy here too.
Points Spread: USC -2.5
Big 12 Championship Game – No. 10 Kansas State vs. No. 3 TCU
Saturday 3rd December – AT&T Stadium, Arlington, Texas – 12 p.m. ET
Game Lines:
Moneyline: Kansas State +115 | TCU -140
Spread: TCU -2.5
Points Total: 62 | Over -110 | Under -110
Sam’s Picks
Moneyline: TCU
Spread: TCU -2.5
Over/Under: Over 62
It’s been a magical season for TCU and Sonny Dykes. Following his controversial departure from SMU, Dykes arrived at the Horned Frogs under scrutiny, but has exceeded even the wildest of expectations. Max Duggan is a great college quarterback, whilst wide receiver Quentin Johnston and running back Kendre Miller are going to make two NFL teams very happy on Sundays. The previous criticism of the Horned Frogs entering last week was whilst they were undefeated, they’d salvaged wins in close games that could have gone either way. They put that narrative to rest on Saturday with their demolition of Iowa State, putting up 62 points on the Cyclones. Whilst Kansas State are no slouches and will frustrate TCU at times, bringing with them a mean defence, the Horned Frogs will have enough offensive firepower to clinch their undefeated season and make their first appearance in the playoffs.
Matt’s Pick of the game:
I do think TCU will win here and secure their place in the playoff, but the under is my favourite bet here. Kansas State has a very good defense and while Max Duggan and TCU improved on offense last week after spluttering over the finish line for a few weeks running, I can see this being a defensive battle. It was 38-28 the last time these two met, but I can see the nerves getting to them on offense a bit, and the coaching staffs on each sideline having prepared a bit better.
Points Total: Under 62
SEC Championship Game – No. 14 LSU vs. No. 1 Georgia
Saturday 3rd December – Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta, Georgia – 4 p.m. ET
Game Lines:
Moneyline: LSU +625 | Georgia -1000
Spread: Georgia -17
Points Total: 52.5 | Over -110 | Under -110
Sam’s Picks
Moneyline: Georgia
Spread: LSU +17
Over/Under: Under 52.5
Even if they picked up a loss, Georgia’s presence in the CFB playoff was never in doubt. On the other hand, it seemed LSU did have a way in the past couple of weeks, provided they won out. Even if it was a big task which meant upsetting Georgia in the Championship Game, it was technically still in the Tigers’ hands. That all ended in a disappointing performance on Saturday in College Station, as the Tigers fell to a struggling Texas A&M. Nothing went the Tigers’ way, from 50-50 balls, to penalties, to replay reviews – everything went for A&M, and nothing went for the Tigers. It was one of those days, but the Tigers have still vastly overachieved in Brian Kelly’s first season as Head Coach. Jayden Daniels picked up a foot injury this week and has spent time walking in a boot, but the Tigers are confident he’ll still play on Saturday. Even with a 100% healthy Daniels, the Bulldogs would rightfully be favoured heading into this one. If Daniels can play, the Tigers have a chance of covering the spread and keeping this to a one-score game. If Daniels is out, this could be a blowout. Either way, Georgia will be SEC Champs.
Matt’s Pick of the game:
This spread is completely dependent on Jayden Daniels’ injury status. He has been so good at picking up first downs and getting out of trouble with his legs all season, that if he is completely ready to go he could keep it relatively close against the best team in the nation. However, he was in a walking boot earlier this week and there still hasn’t been complete confirmation he’s even going to play, let alone be at 100%. For those reasons, I’m laying the points with the Bulldogs. Daniels has been impressive for LSU for vast swathes of the season and has played above expectations, but he is not a polished enough passer to dominate this defense entirely through the air, and if he isn’t at full fitness, this could be a long, long day for the Tigers.
Points Spread: Georgia -17
AAC Championship Game – No. 22 UCF at No. 18 Tulane
Saturday 3rd December – Yulman Stadium, New Orleans, Louisiana – 4 p.m. ET
Game Lines:
Moneyline: UCF +150 | Tulane -185
Spread: Tulane -4
Points Total: 56.5 | Over -110 | Under -110
Sam’s Picks
Moneyline: Tulane
Spread: Tulane -4
Over/Under: Over 56.5
A lot of UCF fans will be the first to admit their ranking in the top 25 is questionable, especially following their loss to Navy and close call against 1-11 USF. It seems their initial win over Tulane in the regular season is still propping up that ranking, but the Green Wave will get their revenge this weekend to clinch the AAC.
Matt’s Pick of the game:
What a week for Tulane fans. They received the news that Head Coach Willie Fritz is staying despite rumours of him going to Georgia Tech, they’re playing in the AAC Championship game, and they are well set for a big NY6 bowl, currently projected to be against Tennessee in the Cotton Bowl, which would be an incredible way to finish the season. With that on the line, it’s tough to see them struggling to get by a UCF team that has been poor in recent weeks.
Points Spread: Tulane -4
Big Ten Championship Game – Purdue vs. No. 2 Michigan
Saturday 3rd December – Lucas Oil Stadium, Indianapolis, Indiana – 8 p.m. ET
Game Lines:
Moneyline: Purdue +550 | Michigan -800
Spread: Michigan -17
Points Total: 51.5 | Over -110 | Under -110
Sam’s Picks
Moneyline: Michigan
Spread: Michigan -17
Over/Under: Under 51.5
It was a picture-perfect ‘The Game’ for Michigan last week at Ohio State, aside from one blemish. Star running back Blake Corum is now officially out for the season and will have knee surgery following his injury against Illinois. Whilst Michigan will easily have enough to get past Purdue and make the CFB playoffs, Corum will be a big loss in the quest for a national championship. JJ McCarthy will have to step up once again if Michigan is going to seriously challenge Georgia, TCU or USC.
Matt’s Pick of the game:
It’s easy to think Michigan will romp through this game en route to the CFP and swat aide Purdue in a similar fashion to how they beat Ohio State last week, but Jeff Brohm’s team aren’t nicknamed ‘The Spoilermakers’ for nothing. Purdue is 3-0 against top-3 teams under Brohm, and has gone on a nice three-game winning streak. I think they could keep this one mighty close.
Points Spread – Purdue +17
ACC Championship Game – No. 9 Clemson vs. No. 23 North Carolina
Saturday 3rd December – Bank of America Stadium, Charlotte, North Carolina- 8 p.m. ET
Game Lines:
Moneyline: Clemson -300 | North Carolina +240
Spread: Clemson -7.5
Points Total: 63.5 | Over -110 | Under -110
Sam’s Picks
Moneyline: Clemson
Spread: Clemson -7.5
Over/Under: Under 63.5
It’s been a down year for the ACC, with Clemson only really threatening to make the playoffs this season (and even then, they faded away with a whimper). Whilst UNC have a chance at a 10 win season, they’ve flattered to deceive this year and have lost to the decent teams they’ve faced. Despite the loss to South Carolina on Saturday, Clemson will overcome the Tar Heels to claim their 21st ACC Title through the strength of their ground game and Will Shipley.
Matt’s Pick of the game:
The big wigs at the ACC office won’t be happy that this game is a meaningless finish to conference play, with no chance of a playoff appearance at stake. That said Clemson will want to finish strong, particularly after their shock loss to rivals South Carolina last week. The Clemson defense should cause UNC and Drake Maye some problems, and Will Shipley could have a big game.
Points Spread: Clemson -7.5
