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Conference championship week in football!
Really had a nice week going in picking the winners of rivalry games (nailed Florida, Georgia and Ohio State against the spread) and had the UCF, Oklahoma winner, but then the Canes let me down in a non-rivalry game and Sunday’s NFL games brought me back to reality.
Oh well, as I stated in the past, these picks are for entertainment purposes only and when I screw up, I will give you next week’s picks free of charge.
Hey, it’s conference championship week, so let’s get down to it.
Utah (-6.5) vs. Oregon (PAC 12 Championship -Friday)
These two teams are seldom seen by East Coast fans, but both are pretty impressive teams.
Utah seems to be peaking at the right time, and have blown out their last three opponents. Will take them to win and cover to keep their slight national championship playoff hopes alive: Utah 28, Oregon 21.
LSU (-7.5) vs. Georgia (SEC Championship)
There are a lot of moving parts here in relationship to the national championship game.
Assuming Clemson and Ohio State cruise in their title games (not a stretch by any means), the only way the mighty SEC gets two teams in the playoff is if Georgia defeats LSU.
Although it is technically a neutral site game, it is played in Atlanta. That said, the Dawgs have some injury issues, as well as a key player having to sit out the first half for getting into a fight last week.
Although I think SEC honchos would like to see the Dawgs win for the extra $6 million it would receive, but still see LSU winning this one but maybe not covering. LSU 31, Georgia 24
Oklahoma (-8) vs. Baylor (Big XII Championship)
Baylor jumped out to a three-touchdown lead over the Sooners a couple of weeks ago in a regular season game and couldn’t hold the lead at home.
With a possible playoff berth on the line for Oklahoma and a neutral site crowd that will be dominated by Sooner fans, this one will not be close. Oklahoma 41, Baylor 19
Ohio State (-16) at Wisconsin (Big 10 Championship)
In another championship game for a conference that has trouble counting its members (Big 10 has 14 fulltime members, Big 12 has 10), Ohio State will face Wisconsin in a rematch.
OSU has dominated every team on its schedule this year, with only a really good Penn State team staying within shouting distance of them all year (28-17).
The Buckeyes laid a 31-point beat down on Wisconsin earlier this season, and I see nothing changing this time around. Ohio State 45, Wisconsin 17
Clemson (-28) at Virginia (ACC Championship)
Clemson has won four and a row, and is undefeated again this season.
While I do see them rolling in this game, four touchdowns is just a little too rich for my blood against a team that does have some ability to put points on the board.
Again, it won’t be close, but in a take the points special: Clemson 45, Virginia 20
Cincinnati (+8.5) at Memphis (AAC Championship)
This game was a barn-burner last week, and because of scheduling quirks, the same two teams will meet on the same field exactly seven days later for the AAC Championship.
There are numerous distractions on both sides, including the fact that one or both head coaches (Cincinnati’s Luke Fickell and Memphis Head Coach Mike Norvell) could be leaving for bigger opportunities right after the game.
In a reversal of fortunes, I like Cincinnati to both cover and win outright in an upset special: Cincinnati 31, Memphis 30
Notre Dame, Ohio (+10) at Slippery Rock (Div. 2 Quarterfinal Bonus Game)
The Rock (12-0) is off to its best ever and can win a 13th game for the first time in school history but Notre Dame (12-1) is a formidable opponent.
My inside source at the Rock tells me their defense will stack the box and hope to neutralize Jaleel McLaughlin (2,190 rushing yards this season) and Ladennyawn Green (504 yards rushing). Still, this has the makings of a real shootout.
The Rock will Roll but barely: Slippery Rock 45, Notre Dame (OH) 42.
THE PROFESSIONALS
Indianapolis at Tampa Bay (-3)
The Colts have lost four of five, and are a couple of games out of playoff contention right now. Although Tampa Bay is not in any better shape, their offense has been putting up points and they have won three of four.
In the momentum continues pick: Tampa Bay 27, Indianapolis 20
LA Chargers (-3) at Jacksonville
Minshew-mania returns to TIAA Bank Field and the Chargers are just 4-8 on the season. But so are the Jags.
In an “I have no earthly idea what is going to happen when these two trains fly off the rails, so the wise guys who make the odds must know something,” prediction…LA Chargers 26, Jacksonville 20
Miami (+5.5) at New York Jets
A “battle” of the 4-9 Jets and 3-9 Dolphins….not exactly “much watch” TV is it?
The question is which Jets team shows up, the one that lost to the lowly Bengals (22-6 last week) or one that punched the Raiders in the mouth (34-3) the week before?
Of course you can ask which Dolphins team shows up, the one who upset the Eagles last week (37-31) or the one that gave up 41 for Cleveland the week before? Will take the cold weather Jets, New York 31, Miami 20
San Francisco (+2.5) at New Orleans
Without question, this is the Game of the Week. Both teams are 10-2, and this game means a ton to both teams both teams for potential home field advantage.
A field goal may decide this one, New Orleans 27, San Francisco 24
Season Scoreboard: A 7-3 week straight up, but 5-5 against the spread. If I was gambling, I would be in the red, but not terribly so.
For the year, last week makes it a solid 96-40 (.706) straight up; but a losing 61-73-2 (.456) against the spread.
