Alright, it’s time to stop messing around. After selecting between three and four of the best games every week and falling flat on my face, I’m picking everything here on out. You got a bowl named after a table condiment or a brand of Walmart sweatpants, I’m picking it. Is it happening at 11 a.m. on the Tuesday before Christmas? Oh, I will absolutely break that down.
But before I can do that, we’ve got to pick all the conference championship games this week.
FRIDAY
CONFERENCE USA CHAMPIONSHIP
NEW MEXICO STATE AT LIBERTY (-10.5, O/U: 54.5)
Location: Williams Stadium, Lynchburg, Va.
Broadcast: 7 p.m., CBS Sports Network
This is a rematch from Week 2 of the season when New Mexico State (10-3, 7-1 CUSA) was obliterated, 33-17, by No. 24 Liberty (12-0, 8-0 CUSA). The Flames have obviously blasted through their Conference USA and non-conference schedule, but the Aggies are legitimately their only quality opponent. Meanwhile New Mexico State delivered a 31-10 beat down on Auburn three weeks ago. Fun fact: The Aggies were my final team on the old EA Sports NCAA14 game before my disc completely crapped out, so I’m going with my heart here. New Mexico State 24, Liberty 23
PAC-12 CHAMPIONSHIP
OREGON AT WASHINGTON (+9.5, O/U: 67)
Location: Allegiant Stadium, Las Vegas, Nev.
Broadcast: 8 p.m., ABC
Our second Friday game is also a rematch as No. 5 Oregon (11-1, 8-1 Pac-12) vies for its last possible Pac-12 title against fellow departing team, No. 3 Washington (12-0, 9-0 Pac-12). In that first match up back in October, the Huskies won a wild 36-33 shootout in Oregon, which makes this spread a real mystery to me. I picked Oregon then and I was wrong. I won’t make that mistake again. Washington 34, Oregon 30
SATURDAY
BIG 12 CHAMPIONSHIP
OKLAHOMA STATE AT TEXAS (-14.5, O/U: 55)
Location: AT&T Stadium, Arlington, Texas
Broadcast: Noon., ABC
With No. 7 Texas (11-1, 8-1 Big 12) leaving for the Southeastern Conference next season, this is their last shot at a Big 12 title. All they have in their way is No. 18 Oklahoma State (9-3, 7-2 Big 12). This game looks lopsided on paper, or your computer or mobile device screen, but the Cowboys beat Oklahoma, 27-24, four weeks ago, the only team to defeat Texas this year. Will that make a difference Saturday? Nope. Texas 38, Oklahoma State 20
MAC CHAMPIONSHIP
MIAMI (OH) AT TOLEDO (-7.5, O/U: 44)
Location: Ford Field, Detroit, Mich.
Broadcast: Noon, ESPN
Congratulations Miami (OH) (10-2, 7-1 MAC) and Toledo (11-1, 8-0 MAC). More people will watch the occasional highlight break-in of your game during the Texas vs Oklahoma State game than probably watched your broadcasts all season. So, you know, kudos. This game too is a rematch, one that the Rockets won 21-17 back in October. I’m feeling as if this one will likely end in with a similar score. Toledo 27, Miami (OH) 20
MOUNTAIN WEST CHAMPIONSHIP
BOISE STATE AT UNLV (+2, O/U: 59)
Location: Allegiant Stadium, Las Vegas, Nev.
Broadcast: FOX, 3 p.m.
Watching Boise State (7-5, 6-2 Mountain West) play an away game at any time feels like a waste, but here they are, playing for the Mountain West title against UNLV (9-3, 6-2 Mountain West). UNLV is also a team I had some great success with on NCAA14 and, if you can’t tell, my goal with that game was to take garbage schools and turn them into football powers. As such, I got to roll with my old boys. UNLV 23, Boise State 20
SEC CHAMPIONSHIP
GEORGIA AT ALABAMA (+6.5, O/U: 55)
Location: Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta, Ga.
Broadcast: 4 p.m., CBS
Here it is. Our chance for No. 8 Alabama (11-1, 8-0 SEC) to screw up the current four-team bracket in the College Football Playoff and open up all the cans of worms available before we go to a 12-team field next season. All they have to do is defeat No. 1 Georgia (12-0, 8-0) who has won two consecutive national titles and 29 games in a row. Their last loss? It was to Alabama in the 2021 SEC Championship. The Bulldogs did get their revenge when they beat the Crimson Tide 33-18 in the national title game. Will Georgia win again cruise to their second consecutive SEC title and compete for their third straight national title? Yep. Georgia 34, Alabama 30
AMERICAN ATHLETIC CHAMPIONSHIP
SMU AT TULANE (-5.5, O/U: 48)
Location: Yulman Stadium, New Orleans, La.
Broadcast: 4 p.m., ABC
While the biggest game of the evening is happening on CBS, ABC counterprograms with SMU (10-2, 8-0 AAC) taking on No.22 Tulane (11-1, 8-0 AAC) for the right to, I don’t know, get free crawfish boils forever. I’m not sure what the American Athletic Conference hands out for winning its title. Maybe a book of Arby’s coupons? Either way, I say the Green Wave take it. Tulane 27, SMU 20
SUN BELT CHAMPIONSHIP
APPALACHIAN STATE AT TROY (-6.5, O/U: 51)
Location: Veteran Memorial Stadium, Troy, Ala.
Broadcast: 4 p.m., ESPN
If you think that ABC is hurting showing the AAC title game against the SEC Championship, ESPN has Appalachian State (8-4, 6-2 Sun Belt) facing off against Troy (10-2, 7-1 Sun Belt) for the Sun Belt title. Which, honestly, should actually be a belt. They should base it on Rick Flair’s old WCW title belt. And the winning team should all get one instead of a ring. I’m just trying to help here. Troy 31, Appalachian State 24
BIG TEN CHAMPIONSHIP
MICHIGAN AT IOWA (+23.5, O/U: 35.5)
Location: Lucas Oil Stadium, Indianapolis, Ind.
Broadcast: 8 p.m., FOX
If there’s hope Alabama can mess up the final four in the College Football Playoff bracket Sunday morning, there’s pretty much none here as No. 16 Iowa (10-2, 7-2 Big Ten) has to hold off No. 2 Michigan (12-0, 9-0 Big Ten) and the return of Jim Harbaugh to the sidelines. Hopefully he left his binoculars and notepads at home. The Wolverines enter this one after winning the biggest game of the year, 30-24, over previously undefeated Ohio State. The Hawkeyes? Well, you know, I’m sure their moms love them very much. Michigan 38, Iowa 17
ACC CHAMPIONSHIP
LOUISVILLE AT FLORIDA STATE (-2.5, O/U: 48.5)
Location: Bank of America Stadium, Charlotte, N.C.
Broadcast: 8 p.m., ABC
This is it. Our final chance to avoid any controversy or garment rending as No. 4 Florida State (12-0, 8-0 ACC) attempts a return to prominence, ironically in the year its former coach, Jimbo Fisher, was fired for sucking at Texas A&M by defeating No. 14 Louisville (10-2, 7-1 ACC). This line is a mystery to me. The Cardinals just lost to Kentucky, for God’s sake. There’s disrespect, then there’s giving the Seminoles less than a field goal favorite in the ACC title game. Florida State 34, Louisville 24
Last week
Straight up: 1-3
Against the spread: 1-3
Season
Straight up: 18-26
Against the spread: 17-27
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