The congress championship took place over the weekend with 10 matches closing in on the 2021 annual football season.
The SEC Championship Game is the main event. No.1 Georgia takes on No.4 Alabama in another clash between programs in national championship hopes. This is the fourth top 10 showdown between the teams since 2018.
THAN: AP Update, Coach Polls After Week 13
There are more conspiracies. Oklahoma State No. 5 and No. 9 Baylor meet in the Big 12 championship game, and the Cowboys still have a shot outside to get in. No. 3 Cincinnati may have become the first of a Group of 5 to win a CFP, but they took the AAC championship ahead of No. 16 Houston to do so.
2 Michigan will close tonight with a chance to make it to the playoffs for the first time, but must first overcome No. 15 Iowa in the Big Ten championship game.
Each week Sporting News makes spread-based picks for each Top 25 game. A look back at our track record:
- Straight: 191-62 (June 17 in Week 13)
- Against the spread: 112-118 (November 12 in Week 13)
With that in mind, check out this week’s conference championship picks:
13 week pick against disparity
Friday, December 3
- Western Kentucky (-1.5) at UTSA (7pm, CBSSN)
The Hilltoppers are on a seven-game winning streak, and their last loss was a 52-46 penalty shootout to the Roadrunners on October 9. UTSA had a perfect season that was marred by North Texas last week, but Roadrunners are played at home. West Kentucky quarterback Bailey Zappe added to FBS’s total of 52 best TD passes, and the Hilltoppers avenged in another Conference-USA shootout.
Pick: Western Kentucky won 42-38 and COVERS by difference.
- Number 14 Utah (-2.5) vs Number 10 Oregon (8 p.m., ABC)
Didn’t we just watch this? Utah beat Oregon 38-7 at home on November 20. The Utes have won five games in a row and now the Ducks will have a rematch on a neutral field. Utah rushes 208 yards and dominates on ball time, but in the rematch, Oregon will make adjustments to its running game. Anthony Brown played better in the Pac-12 championship game, and the Ducks won without feeling pressured into the Playoffs.
Pick: Oregon wins 30-27 in a UPSET.
Saturday, December 4
- Northern Illinois vs. Kent State (-3.5) (12 p.m., ESPN)
Golden Flashing won four of their past five games to reach the MAC championship game, and they beat the Huskies in a 52-47 shootout on Nov. 3. Michigan State transfer Rocky Lombardi kept the Huskies in the game. play, but Golden Flashing rallied after Dustin Crum’s fourth-quarter game win. Kent State won its first MAC championship since 1972.
THAN: Chaos is here for championship week
Pick: Kent State won 41-38 but could NEVER make a difference.
- No. 5 Oklahoma State (-3.5) vs No. 9 Baylor (12 p.m., ABC)
The Cowboys beat the Bears 24-14 on October 2, and now Oklahoma State can make a CFP case with wiping out the Bears for the second straight game in the top 10. Oklahoma State is 9- 3 ATS. Jaylen Warren had 125 yards and two TDs in the first encounter, and that helped offset three interceptions by Spencer Sanders.
Pick: Oklahoma State wins 30-23 and LETS the spread.
- 19 San Diego State (-6.5) vs Wyoming (3pm, FOX)
Brady Hoke could lead the Aztecs to the Mountain West Conference championship and slow a Wyoming foul by an average 457.9 yards per game against Logan Bonner. The Aztecs can slow it down a bit, and they won their first congress championship since 2016.
Pick: San Diego State Wins 28-24 and FAIL HOW MUCH difference.
- No. 20 Louisiana vs Appalachian State (-2.5) (3:30 p.m., ESPN)
Louisiana coach Billy Napier will attempt to hit the road to Florida for the Sun Belt championship match. The Appalachian State took down the Ragin’ Cajuns 41-13 on October 12, and the Climbing Team had five of their previous six wins. The Appalachian State is holding a tighter competition this time around.
Pick: Appalachian State wins 30-24 and COVERS difference.
- No. 1 Georgia (-6.5) vs No. 4 Alabama (4 p.m., CBS)
This is Georgia’s chance to beat the Crimson Tide in the SEC championship game, and perhaps the College Football Round. The Bulldogs only allow 6.9 points per game in the regular season, but the Crimson Tide have won in their previous six meetings. Alabama has the best offense Georgia has faced, and Bryce Young might have a Heisman moment here. This looks like the year that the Bulldogs broke out.
Pick: Georgia wins 27-22 and NEVER gets a difference.
- 3 Cincinnati (-10.5) vs. 16 Houston (4 p.m., ABC)
The Bearcats could have almost earned a Playoff spot with a win over the Cougars, and it must have been a good match. Houston has scored at least 30 points in eight straight games, and they will test the Bearcats’ defense. However, Cincinnati has been active for the past two weeks and is being watched. The Bearcats have won their previous two meetings with an average of 17.5 points per game.
Pick: Cincinnati won with a score of 34-21 and COVERS by a margin.
- Number 17 Pitt (-3.5) vs Number 18 Wake Forest (8 p.m., ABC)
The ACC Championship match will not be a playoff, but it will be an entertaining match between two of FBS’s top 10 passers. Kenny Pickett’s Pitt (4,066 yards, 40 TD, 7 INT) and Wake Forest’s Sam Hartman (3,711 yards, 34 TD, 10 INT). The Panthers have taken precedence in every game this season and are 9-3 ATS.
Pick: Pitt won 38-33 and COVERS difference.
- No. 2 Michigan (-10.5) vs No. 15 Iowa (8 p.m., FOX)
The Wolverines have finally crossed the Ohio State hurdle and will provide a lot of momentum for the Big Ten championship in Indianapolis. That said, Iowa poses an interesting challenge to the physical styles of both sides. Kirk Ferentz is 1-1 in two games against Jim Harbaugh, and both games are old fashioned killers. However, Michigan will be patient and the Hawkeyes will push out of their comfort zone in the second half. Michigan won its first playoff berth.
Pick: Michigan wins 27-19 but CANNOT cover the spread.
