Predictions for college football’s Championship Week

Group of Five Championship Week Predictions

American: No. 23 UCF at No. 19 Tulane (-3.5) 4 PM EST Saturday (ABC)

UCF knocked off the Green Wave earlier this season but after Willie Fritz decided to stick around and following a huge win at Cincinnati, the Green Wave will take the American Conference Title game. The defense didn’t show up in the first matchup and will do a better job against the run, which is essential since UCF has the sixth-best rushing attack in college football. Toldeo wins it 31-24.

MAC: Toledo (-3) vs Ohio 12 PM EST on Saturday (ESPN) 

It’s been 50 years since Ohio won the MAC championship. The Bearcats are without the MAC Offensive Player of the Year but have been the last two games and it hasn’t mattered. They won three games last year and nine this year and one reason is that they are averaging two takeaways per game. Both teams have injury issues at QB but Ohio has found a way to replace Kurtis Rourke and CJ Harris had four total touchdowns last week. The defense will get some takeaways and do just enough to win, 24-21.

C-USA: North Texas at UTSA (-8.5), Friday 7:30 PM EST (CBS Sports)

Head coach Jeff Traylor has UTSA rolling and it’s surprising his name wasn’t connected to more head-coach openings this offseason. Frank Harris has been stellar at the QB position with 27 touchdown passes, 293 yards per game, and a 70 percent completion rate. It’s a home game for the Roadrunners and while the Mean Green are a nice story, UTSA makes it two C-USA titles in a row during college football Championship Week. Roadrunners 38-17.

Sun Belt: Coastal Carolina at Troy (-8.5), Saturday at 3:30 PM EST (ESPN)

Jamey Chadwell is rumored to be leaving for Liberty and Grayson McCall is out for the reason. Troy is a big favorite in part due to this. The Trojans have a solid running game and haven’t lost this season when rushing for 90 yards or more. Coastal has a shot but the defense won’t be good enough against the run and neither will the offense without its star QB. Troy wins it 27-17.

MWC: Fresno State at Boise State (-3), 4 PM EST Saturday (Fox)

This game doesn’t have much national significance but is an old-school Mountain West Rivalry. Plus, conference championships always matter. The Fresno State offense is great at throwing but in November in Boise, the running game will rule the day. Boise State averages almost five yards per carry and 190 yards on the ground. The defense also ranks 17th nationally in points allowed and those two things will lead Boise State to a Mountain West title. Boise State 28-24.