College Football: Predicting the Winners for Each Conference

College football conference championship week is upon us. It has been a roller coaster of a season this year and this weekend will not disappoint. Here are my predictions for each of the conference championship games.

All odds are according to WynnBET.

Conference USA: Western KY vs UTSA Fri, 12/3 7:00 PM EST CBSSN

WKU -3.0

Bailey Zappe will be the difference-maker in this game. He is leading the nation in both passing yards and touchdowns. Although this weekend he will have his hands full with a hungry and tough UTSA team, he will be the one to lead WKU to victory.

Conference USA Champion: Western Kentucky

Pac 12: Oregon vs Utah Fri, 12/3 8:00 PM EST ABC

Utah -2.5

This game is a rematch of a blowout by Utah from only a few weeks ago but this time around I expect it to be much closer. Playing at a neutral field in Las Vegas at Allegiant Stadium, it will be a close one down to the end. Utah currently has a 61% chance to win the game and is favored by 2.5. However, in this game, I am picking Oregon to pull it off.

Pac 12 Champion: Oregon

Big 12: Baylor vs Oklahoma St Sat, 12/4 12:00 PM EST ABC

OKST -5.5

If you were to tell me at the beginning of the season that Baylor and Oklahoma State would be playing for the Big 12 championship this year I would have laughed at you. However, both teams are having impressive seasons and deserve to be playing in this game. Currently, Oklahoma State is favored to win and has a 63.7% chance to pull it off. Spencer Sanders will need to lead his team out of the gates and stay on top I predict that they do and control the game in a thrilling finish.

Big 12 Champion: Oklahoma State

Mac: Kent State vs N Ilinois Sat, 12/4 12:00 PM EST ESPN

KENT -3.5

Northern Illinois is a team that had little to no expectations at the beginning of the year but is putting together quite an impressive season. Sitting at 8-4 with a chance to make it 9-4 and play for a bowl game, I predict them to finish off the year with double-digits in the victory column.

Mac Champion: Northern Illinois

Mountain West: Utah State vs San Diego State Sat, 12/4 3:00 PM EST FOX

SDSU -6.0

San Diego State is one of those teams that is quietly having an incredible year. Losing only one game during the regular season to Fresno State, they’ve handled their schedule well. Utah State is an up-and-down team so it will depend on which team shows up. This one could be close but could also be a blowout. Either way, I predict San Diego State to control the game from the opening kickoff.

Mountain West Champion: San Diego State

Sun Belt: App State vs Louisiana Sat, 12/4 3:30 PM EST ESPN

APP -3.0

The storyline headlining this game is Billy Napier coaching in his last game with Louisiana before heading off to take over as head coach at Florida. This one will be full of emotion and will be exciting to watch. Both teams are having great seasons and will be prepared to play tough football. It will be close all the way to the final possession. Whoever has the ball last will be crowned the champion.

Sun Belt Champion: Louisiana

SEC: Georgia vs Alabama Sat, 12/4 4:00 PM EST CBS

UGA -6.5

The SEC Championship is the headliner and for obvious reasons. Georgia is having the best season the Bulldogs could’ve asked for while Alabama is having a bit of a disappointing season compared to how they’ve played in recent years. I expect Nick Saban to have the Crimson Tide prepared and ready but at the end of the day, Georgia’s defense will be the reason why the Bulldogs win.

SEC Champion: Georgia

AAC: Houston vs Cincinnati Sat, 12/4 4:00 PM EST ABC

CIN -10.5

Houston and Cincinnati are meeting for the first time this season and it will be one that will keep you on the edge of your seat the entire way. Cincinnati needs to make one more lasting impression on the committee to make history as the first Group of 5 team to make it to the playoffs. My recommendation is to flip back and forth between this game and the SEC Championship. Both of these games you will not want to miss.

AAC Champion: Cincinnati

Big Ten Championship: Michigan vs Iowa Sat, 12/4 8:00 PM EST FOX

MICH -10.5

If I were a betting person, I would not touch this game whatsoever. This game smells like an upset to me. Michigan is coming off an emotional upset victory a week ago against Ohio State and I fear that may play against the Wolverines in this game. However, what Harbaugh has done this year with his team is nothing short of impressive. I predict Iowa’s defense to give Michigan trouble. It will be a low-scoring victory for Iowa in the end.

Big Ten Champion: Iowa

ACC Championship: Pittsburgh vs Wake Forest Sat, 12/4 8:00 PM EST ABC

PITT -3.0

If you love high-scoring, defense optional, non-stop entertainment, this is the game for you. With the Heisman race still up in the air, I expect Kenny Pickett to take advantage of the opportunity and come out with a vengeance. This one will be nothing short of exciting.

ACC Champion: Pittsburgh