NCAA FOOTBALL PREVIEWS & PICKS: CHAMPIONSHIP WEEK
BY ADAM GREENE 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.
BEST NCAA FOOTBALL GAMES OF WEEK 12
BY ADAM GREENE Well, after a couple of decent weeks, I’m back in the basement again. There’s basically one more week of college football left, after this one, and I’m well below .500 in both the straight up, and against the spread picks. Only the Bowl Games can save me. This is why I specialize in the NFL. But, hey, I’m in here and I’m giving it the old, if you’ll forgive the pun, college try. Thanks to BetOnline, I have the odds, lines and totals with which to use to achieve my goal for the season. Just breaking even. Frankly, if you see my picks and just bet the opposite, you’ve probably done pretty well, so, you are welcome. UCLA AT USC (-6.5, O/U: 65) Location: Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum, Los Angeles, Calif. Kickoff: Saturday, Nov. 18, 3:30 p.m., ABC Well, here’s something probably no one, and I count myself in there, expected to see when the season began. UCLA (6-4, 3-4 Pac-12) traveling to USC (7-3, 5-2 Pac-12) in a late season game where neither team is ranked. Still, it should be a good one and one of our last chances to see Caleb Williams play college football, because there is no way he’s suiting up for some Russell Athletics Walmart Sweatpants Bowl played on Christmas Eve. The Bruins come into this one on a two-game losing streak, both to Arizona teams. Last week they fell 17-7 to Arizona State. Collin Schlee was 11 of 18 passing for 117 yards and a touchdown in the loss. USC has also dropped two straight contests, but both to very highly ranked opponents. Last week they lost a wild one, 36-27 to No. 6-ranked Oregon. Caleb Williams was 19 of 34 passing for 291 yards and a TD with no picks in the defeat. Brendan Rice caught five passes for 81 yards and a score. The Trojans have limped to the finish line and while Williams was the season opening frontrunner for the Heisman Trophy, that is no longer the case. It’s why the only player to win it twice was Archie Griffin in 1974 and 1975. Still, this is his final chance to put on a show before shutting it all down before the NFL combine and I think he does it. USC 44, UCLA 27 OKLAHOMA STATE AT HOUSTON (+7, O/U: 59.5) Location: TDECU Stadium, Houston, Texas Kickoff: Saturday, Nov. 11, 4 p.m., ESPN2 Like the first game in the picks, both of these teams are coming off losses as Houston (4-6, 2-5 Big 12), being nowhere near the Top 25, has designs to take Oklahoma State (7-3, 5-2 Big 12) with them when they face off Saturday afternoon. The Beavers were downright embarrassed by USF last week, losing 45-3. Alan Bowman was 19 of 36 passing for 225 yards, no touchdowns and three interceptions in the loss. Houston wasn’t quite that bad in a 24-14 loss to Cincinnati. Donovan Smith finished his day 16 of 28 passing for a paltry 102 yards, two interceptions and three picks. Oklahoma State has had a rough season, but they should still be able to put it to the Cougars Saturday before they wrap their season next week. After all, this is the team that knocked off then No. 9 Oklahoma just a week before, right? Oklahoma State 34, Houston 20 KANSAS STATE AT KANSAS (+7, O/U: 55.5) Location: David Booth Kansas Memorial Stadium, Lawrence, Kan. Kickoff: Saturday, Nov. 18, 7 p.m., FS1 It’s a battle of relevance as No. 21 Kansas State (7-3, 5-2 Big 12) makes the trip to Lawrence to take on No. 25 Kansas (7-3, 4-3 Big 12) Saturday night. The Wildcats get to venture into this one off a win, 59-25 over Baylor last week. Will Howard went 19 of 29 passing for 235 yards, three touchdowns and no picks in the win. Avery Johnson got some snaps, finishing 2 of 5 passing for 33 yards and a TD pass. DJ Giddens rushed 18 times for 115 yards. Kansas, on the other hand, lost a heartbreaker, 16-13, to Texas Tech last week. Cole Ballard was mostly ineffective, going 9 of 20 passing for 124 yards, no touchdowns and a pick, which probably had every USFL exec’s attention. Devin Neal rushed 19 times for 137 yards and a TD. You know what, I know I’m still underwater in the NCAA picks, but I like the upset here. Kansas 27, Kansas State 24 WASHINGTON AT OREGON STATE (-1, O/U: 63.5) Location: Reser Stadium, Corvallis, Ore. Kickoff: Saturday, Nov. 18, 7:30 p.m., ABC With the way No. 5 Washington (10-0, 7-0 Pac-12) has been showing out this season, it’s a shock to see them come into this one as an underdog, even by a single point against No. 11 Oregon State (8-2, 5-2 Pac-12). The Huskies have, obviously, knocked off everyone on their schedule this season. Last week they defeated then No. 18 Utah, 35-28. Michael (the most dangerous name in college football) Penix, Jr. was 24 of 42 passing for 332 yards, two touchdowns and no interceptions in the win. He also rushed for a TD. Dillon Johnson rushed 23 times for 104 yards and a TD. Rome Odunze caught three passes for 111 yards and two scores. Oregon State is coming off a 62-17 beat down over Stanford last week. DJ Oiagalelei was 12 of 19 passing for 240 yards, two touchdowns and no interceptions in the victory. Aiden Chiles got some reps, going 5 of 8 passing for 75 yards and a TD. Damien Martinez carried the ball 15 times for 146 yards and four scores. You know, I’ve picked against the Huskies this year and paid for it, so I’m going against all my instincts here. Washington 34, Oregon State 30 Last week Straight up: 2-2 Against the spread: 1-3 Season Straight up: 15-21 Against the spread: 14-22 Follow Adam Greene on Twitter @TheFirstMan. Connect with us our socials on Twitter and Instagram for the
BEST NCAA FOOTBALL GAMES OF WEEK 11
BY ADAM GREENE Well, I guess I deserved this. I got too cocky after a couple of solid weeks of NCAA football picks and shot for the moon last week, only to miss and careen off into space, never to be seen again. But, you know, a new week brings new opportunities and, as such, I’ve handpicked a selection of games you and, if you were to pick the opposite of what I’ve done here, I could hardly blame you. MICHIGAN AT PENN STATE (+4, O/U: 45) Location: Beaver Stadium, University Park, Pa. Kickoff: Saturday, Nov. 11, noon, FOX It’s the big game before the big game for the No. 3 Michigan Wolverines (9-0, 6-0 Big Ten) as they make the trip to the middle of Pennsylvania to take on No. 10 Penn State (8-1, 5-1 Big Ten). The Wolverines are firmly in the College Football Playoff picture with two specters looming before them. The first is their regular season finale meetup with No. 1 Ohio State and the other is an NCAA investigation into their head coach, Jim Harbaugh, and their entire coaching staff for stealing opponents’ signals. In spite of that, they’ve rolled. Last week they obliterated the Purdue Boilermakers, 41-13. JJ McCarthy was 24 of 37 passing for 335 yards, no touchdowns and no picks in the win. Roman Wilson caught nine passes for 143 yards. The Nittany Lions have piled up two straight victories after their lone loss, a 20-12 decision to the aforementioned Buckeyes. Last week they crushed Maryland, 51-15. Drew Allar was 25 of 34 passing for 240 yards, four touchdowns and no interceptions. Kaytron Allen rushed 14 times for 91 yards and a score. KeAndre Lambert-Smith hauled in eight passes for 95 yards. Dante Cephas had six grabs for 53 yards and two TDs. The Wolverines are a team on a mission this year — to win a national championship that they will be forced to vacate after Jim Harbaugh and the school are punished by the NCAA for cheating. As such, I’m not feeling great about the Nittany Lions’ chances. Michigan 34, Penn State 27 TEXAS TECH AT KANSAS (-3.5, O/U: 62) Location: David Booth Kansas Memorial Stadium, Lawrence, Kan. Kickoff: Saturday, Nov. 11, noon., FS1 No. 16 ranked Kansas (7-2, 4-2 Big 12) has won two straight, including a season-ruining victory over No. 17 Oklahoma that the Sooners have yet to recover from. Texas Tech (4-5, 3-3 Big 12) had experienced a rough season, hanging with the better teams, but piling up the losses. Last week the Jayhawks kept the good times rolling, knocking off Iowa State 28-21. Jason Bean was 14 of 23 passing for 287 yards, one touchdown and no interceptions in the win. Lawrence Arnold caught three passes for 112 yards and a score. The Red Raiders halted a two-game losing streak by knocking off TCU 35-28 in a shootout. Nehren Morton was 28 of 36 passing for 282 yards, two touchdowns and no interceptions in the win. Tahj Brooks rushed 31 times for 148 yards and a TD. Coy Eakin caught eight passes for 78 yards. Kansas has already spoiled Oklahoma’s season and they’re not done yet. Tech has made some good news recently but is due for a fall. Kansas 29, Texas Tech 23 UTAH AT WASHINGTON (-9.5, O/U: 50) Location: Husky Stadium, Seattle, Wash. Kickoff: Saturday, Nov. 11, 3:30 p.m., FOX No. 5-ranked Washington (9-0, 6-0 Pac-12) has everything to lose when they face off against 18-ranked Utah (7-2, 4-2 Pac-12) Saturday. The Huskies are right on the edge of the College Football Playoff rankings and all they need to do is keep winning and they’ll make it into the bracket thanks to the season ending matchup between Ohio State and Michigan. As much as you could argue that Michigan and Ohio State should remain in the Top Four even with a loss to each other, there’s no way you can keep an undefeated Washington team out of the playoff. The Utes, of course, hope to ruin that completely. The Huskies come into this one after a monster 52-42 win over No. 20 USC. Michael (the most dangerous name in college football) Penix, Jr. was 22 of 30 passing for 256 yards, two touchdowns and an interception in the win. Dillon Johnson rushed 26 times for a ridiculous 256 yards and four touchdowns. Rome Odunze caught five passes for 82 yards. I’m all in on the Huskies after last week. I’ve picked against them twice in big games and they’ve shoved it into my face. No more. Washington 41, Utah 27 TENNESSEE AT MISSOURI (+2, O/U: 57) Location: Memorial Stadium, Columbia, Mo. Kickoff: Saturday, Nov. 11, 3:30 p.m., CBS No. 13 Tennessee (7-2, 3-2 SEC) doesn’t have a shot at the College Football Playoff, but they still have a chance to land a New Year’s Six Bowl. To secure that, they need to stand strong against No. 14 Missouri (7-2, 3-2 SEC) a team that has been a nice surprise in the SEC East, in its last iteration, this season. The Volunteers came into this one off a glorified scrimmage, a 59-3 win over UConn. Joe Milton has put together a solid month of performances for UT. Last week, he was 11 of 14 passing for 254 yards, two touchdowns and no interceptions in the win. Future starter and the guy every Tennessee fan weeps over whenever they see him, Nico Iamaleava (I dread learning to spell that name out all the time next year) was 5 of 9 passing for 86 yards and a TD. Jaylen Wright had eight carries for 113 yards and a TD. Squirrel White caught two passes for 94 yards and a score. Ramel Keyton hauled in two for 81 yards and a touchdown. It was that kind of day. The Tigers lost, as everyone has, to No. 2 Georgia last week, 30-21. Brady Cook was 14 of 30 passing for 212 yards, one touchdown and two interceptions. Cody
BEST NCAA FOOTBALL GAMES OF WEEK 7
BY ADAM GREENE I have once again perused the week’s NCAA Football schedule to hand select four games to feature for your potential betting entertainment. It’s been a bad couple of weeks for your humble narrator. I thought adding another matchup to the picks would help me pull my record out of the basement. Instead, I just grabbed a shovel and put myself in a deeper hole. But, with every week comes a new hope. Here’s the four games I’ve handpicked for you this week. TEXAS A&M AT TENNESSEE (-3, O/U: 55) Location: Neyland Stadium, Knoxville, Tenn. Kickoff: Saturday, Oct. 14, 3:30 p.m., CBS Texas A&M (4-2, 2-1 SEC) has flirted with relevance all season, only to drop the ball, literally and figuratively when they have a shot to get back on the map. Last week they fell in a close one to Alabama, 26-20. Max Johnson had a solid day under center, going 14 of 25 passing for 239 yards, a touchdown and a pick. The defense held the Crimson Tide to 23 total yards on the ground and picked off Jalen Milroe once. No. 19 ranked Tennessee (4-1, 1-1 SEC) had a bye last week after what was probably their best game of the season. The Volunteers blasted South Carolina, 41-20, Much-maligned quarterback Joe Milton was 21 of 32 passing for 239 yards, one touchdown and two picks. The Vols rushed for 238 yards, with Jaylen Wright leading the way with 16 carries for 123 yards and a score. The defense shut down Spencer Rattler, holding him to 169 passing yards, no TDs and an interception. The only thing the Volunteers can do consistently is run and it’s bad news that the Aggies were able to shut down the Bama running game so thoroughly. I’m feeling an upset in Neyland here, Texas A&M 27, Tennessee 23 OREGON AT WASHINGTON (-3, O/U: 66.5) Location: Husky Stadium, Seattle, Wash. Kickoff: Saturday, Oct. 14, 3:30 p.m., ABC No. 8-ranked Oregon (5-0, 2-0 Pac-12) has answered the bell this season in a big way once the “difficult” part of their schedule hit. They’ve had one tight shootout win over Texas Tech in week 2 and no other game has even been close. Two weeks ago, they obliterated No. 19 Colorado, 42-6 and then put up that same score in a 42-6 victory over Stanford last week. Bo Nix was dealing, going 27 of 32 passing for 290 yards and four touchdowns. Two Ducks running backs went for 88 yards and a touchdown, Jordan James and Bucky Irving. The defense held the Cardinal to just 222 yards of total offense. No. 7 Washington (5-0, 2-0 Pac-12) took a week off after taking their turn knocking off Arizona. Michael Penix, Jr. was 30 of 40 passing for 363 yards, no touchdowns and no picks in the win. All the Huskies TDs came on the ground, with Dillon Johnson leading the way with 16 carries for 91 yards and two scores. There’s a good chance this will be the best game of the day. The Ducks just look way too strong at this point and could be cruising into the College Football Playoff. This will definitely be their toughest test to date, but I think they’ll pass it. Oregon 45, Washington 27 USC AT NOTRE DAME (-3, O/U: 60.5) Location: Notre Dame Stadium, Notre Dame, Ind. Kickoff: Saturday, Oct. 14, 7:30 p.m., NBC/Peacock Caleb Williams and No. 10-ranked USC (6-0) have been on an offensive roll that’s kept its record perfect. The defense hasn’t been much help in that. While the Trojans have scored 42 or more in every single game this season, the defense has given up 41 in consecutive weeks to Colorado and Arizona. In last week’s 43-41 win over the Wildcats, Williams was 14 of 25 passing for 219 yards and a touchdown. He rushed 12 times for 43 yards and two scores. The defense surrendered 506 total yards of offense, including 203 on the ground. Excessive offensive production has not been an issue for No. 21 Notre Dame (5-2) this season. They’ve not scored more than 21 points in a game in the past three weeks and gone 1-2 in that span. Last week they fell 33-20 to No. 25 Louisville. Sam Hartman was 22 of 38 passing for 254 yards, two touchdowns and three interceptions. The Fighting Irish rushed for just 44 yards as a unit while surrendering 185 yards on the ground to the Cardinals. I have no idea why the Irish are still ranked, let alone favored in this game. Sure, the Trojans basically leave their defense on the bus every game, but Caleb Williams is putting up Steph Curry basketball numbers at QB. I don’t think this one will be close. USC 38, Notre Dame 23 MISSOURI AT KENTUCKY (-2.5, O/U: 50.5) Location: Kroger Field, Lexington, Ky. Kickoff: Saturday, Oct. 14, 7:30 p.m., SEC Network Missouri’s stint in the Top 25 lasted all of a week. The Tigers (5-1, 1-1 SEC) played toe-to-toe with LSU for a while, losing 49-39. Brady Cook was 30 of 47 passing for 411 yards, two touchdowns and two interceptions in the loss. The defense surrendered 533 yards on offense. No. 24 Kentucky (5-1, 2-1 SEC) ran into a brick wall last week, taking their first loss of the season, 51-13, to No. 1 Georgia. Devin Leary had a rough day at quarterback, going 10 of 26 passing for 128 yards and two touchdowns, but he did not throw an interception. The Wildcats rushed for just 55 yards and were held to a pitiful 188 total yards of offense. There was a time in SEC play that this game would be all but forgettable. While neither Mizzou or the Wildcats could keep their record spotless before this one, somebody’s falling completely out of the final SEC East race after this contest. I think it’ll be the Tigers. Kentucky 31, Missouri 27 Last week Straight up: 1-3 Against the spread: 1-3 Season