College Football Conference Championship Predictions vs. Spread 12/2/17
With one conference championship already in the books, here are my predictions for Saturday’s college football title matchups.
AAC Conference Championship Prediction, 12:00 p.m. ET
According to oddsmakers, Central Florida is a 7-point favorite to beat Memphis. I like taking underdogs that can either score or play defense and while the Tigers don’t play much defense, they can score. Memphis is averaging 47.0 points per game, which is second in the nation. Since losing to UCF earlier this season, the Tigers have won seven straight games in which they’ve averaged a whopping 53.0 points per contest. The Knights, meanwhile, have been out-gained in two of their last three games. It’s difficult to stay unbeaten all year and even if UCF accomplishes the feat, I still like Memphis to cover today.
Prediction: Memphis Tigers +7
Big 12 Conference Championship, 12:30 p.m. ET
Oklahoma is currently a 7-point favorite over TCU in the Big 12 title game. Seeing as how the Horned Frogs were only a 6.5-point underdog in Norman just a few weeks ago, there’s some value in taking TCU. Gary Patterson is an excellent defensive coach so it’s unlikely the Sooners score 38 points in the first half like they did in the first matchup between these two teams. That said, while TCU held OU scoreless in the second half of that game, the Frogs offense scored just six points themselves. The bottom line: I don’t trust TCU’s offense and Patterson’s defense is susceptible to the big play this year. I see Baker Mayfield and Co. pulling away in the second half.
The Prediction: Oklahoma Sooners -7
SEC Conference Championship, 4:00 p.m. ET
The point spread has gone from Auburn -1.5 to Georgia -1.5 in the course of a week. That gives me some pause when it comes to backing the Tigers but I’m going to anyway. Auburn doesn’t have the benefit of playing in front of its home crowd this time but the Tigers’ defense travels. Auburn ranks ninth in the nation in scoring defense, 13th in total yards, 18th in passing yards and 21st in rushing yards allowed. Kerryon Johnson’s injury scares me, but offensively, the Tigers have a hot quarterback in Jarrett Stidham, who can test opponents through the air. If AU can make UGA one-dimensional again offensively, I like the Tigers to win a close one.
The Prediction: Auburn Tigers +1.5
ACC Conference Championship, 8:00 p.m. ET
If there’s one blowout this weekend, I bet it’s in this conference title game. Clemson is a 10-point favorite over Miami, which is worn down. This will be the 11th game the Hurricanes play in as many weeks and their defense has played the 12th-most minutes in the nation. The Hurricanes are not efficient on offense and reliant on turnovers defensively. The Tigers are balanced on offense and suffocating on defense. This one could get ugly early.
The Prediction: Clemson Tigers -10
Big Ten Conference Championship, 8:00 p.m. ET
Ohio State opened as a 6.5-point favorite but the line is all the way down to 4 at most sportsbooks. Wisconsin is unbeaten on the season and while many people don’t buy the Badgers as one of the top four teams in the nation, they should hang with the Buckeyes tonight. Ohio State is talented but inconsistent on both sides of the ball. Plus, quarterback J.T. Barrett just had minor knee surgery so who knows what the Buckeyes will get out of him. The Badgers haven’t been tested all year but that doesn’t mean their defense and running game isn’t good. It just means they haven’t been tested. I like Wisky with the points, but wouldn’t be surprised to see an outright upset.
The Prediction: Wisconsin Badgers +4