College Football Conference Championship Odds, Picks & Predictions (Week 15)
Gear up for another awesome weekend of college football action with BettingPros! We’ll have you covered with all of our top picks for the week along with our projected spreads and totals to help guide your college football bets. Below are our top picks and predictions for Week 15 Conference Championship college football games.
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Top College Football Odds & Picks: Week 15 (Conference Championship)
Iowa State vs. Arizona State
At some level both of these teams have to feel snubbed. Playing for a major conference title, only one of these teams will end up in the CFP. After a 2-2 start in the Big 12, the Sun Devils needed five straight wins to find themselves in Arlington. Although they ranked closer to middle of the pack in the conference as far as YPG and PPG, EPA per play rates them as the best offense in the Big 12. So now they get the best defense in Iowa State per EPA. The Cyclones’ defense has been predicated on stopping air attacks which worked well for them in the Big 12, but Arizona State averaged nearly 200 yards per game on the ground this season. This is a game where star RB Cam Skattebo should be able to feast. I like the Sun Devils to overpower the Cyclones on the ground and run their way to the College Football Playoff.
Pick: Arizona State -1.5
-Ryan Rodeman
Ohio vs. Miami (OH)
Championship Saturday gets started at Ford Field in Detroit for the MAC Championship. In-state rivals Ohio and Miami (OH) square off. These two met on October 19th in Oxford where the Redhawks defeated the Bobcats 30-20. Ohio QB Parker Navarro had his worst game of the season against Miami throwing for only 88 yards and tallying two interceptions. This was a far cry from the potent offense that ran through the MAC. The 394.3 yards that the Bobcats averaged this season paced the MAC. However, both of these defenses were elite as well. Both schools ranked in the top three in both YPG allowed and points allowed amongst MAC schools. But Miami has already shown that they can slow down this Ohio attack. I think they can do so again on Saturday and score enough to pull off the conference title.
Pick: Miami (OH) -2.5
-Ryan Rodeman
Georgia vs. Texas
When these teams met in October, the game was dominated by Georgia. Texas simply had no answer for the Bulldogs defense. They couldn't run or pass the ball and only turned one of Carson Beck's three picks into points. Despite the loss, Texas is favored to win. While Georgia has gotten off to slow starts lately, once Carson Beck warms up, the offense has been unstoppable. But the Texas offense has improved since that October game. Can the Georgia defense hold them back and give Beck time to find his groove? I'm going to say yes, but that this will be a close game that could very well come down to who has the ball last. However, as good as Georgia has been, they seem to trip on the biggest stage. The Bulldogs have played in seven of the last SEC title games but only won twice.
Pick: Texas -2.5
-Travis Pulver
Clemson vs. SMU
When two top-20 scoring offenses take the field, it’s safe to assume there will be some points. The Mustangs have scored at least 33 points in eight of their last nine games. The only time they failed to hit that number, they scored 28. The Tigers’ offense hasn’t been as impressive, especially recently. They’ve scored 24 or fewer in four consecutive games against Power 4 schools, but they’re still averaging 34.3 points per game. Both of these defenses are solid and allow fewer than 22.3 points per game. But both teams would prefer to get up and down the field. While I could see either of these teams winning, I think we’re in line for a high-scoring game, as Cade Klubnik and Kevin Jennings take over. I expect both teams to get into the high 20s and, potentially, the low 30s.
Pick: Over 55.5
-Phil Wood
Penn State vs. Oregon
The Nittany Lions have the fourth-ranked scoring defense in the nation. They’re allowing an average of 14.0 points per game, and in their only loss of the season, they gave up just 20 to Ohio State. Are they good enough to slow down the Ducks’ ninth-ranked scoring offense? I think they are. What this will come down to is whether the Nittany Lions’ offense can put up points against a defense allowing just 16.4 per contest. Ultimately, I believe the Nittany Lions’ defense will keep the game close, and Drew Allar will do enough to potentially pull off the upset. Getting this above the key number is just too good to pass up.
Pick: Penn State +3.5
-Phil Wood
Marshall vs. Louisiana
The Marshall Thundering Herd will take on the Louisiana Ragin' Cajuns for the Sun Belt Championship. Unfortunately, Marshall and Louisiana didn't play a game in the regular season. This will ultimately be the first meeting between the two teams this year. That said, both teams finished 7-1 in the conference. Marshall won the East division, and Louisiana won the West division. Since Louisiana won the tiebreaker, they'll have a home championship game and welcome Marshall to Cajun Field. While Marshall is on a six-game winning streak, Louisiana is still favored at home. However, I'm not sure I agree. Louisiana has a very solid secondary, yet the pass rush is a bit weak, and the missed tackles have piled up recently. Marshall is the more fundamentally sound defense, despite what the actual statistics and numbers might suggest. On the other hand, Marshall won't find a ton of success in the passing game. But the Thundering Herd can be very versatile, with Braylon Braxton running the show. Braxton has had multiple games with 140 rushing yards and averages 4.6 yards a carry. He'll lead Marshall to the promised land. Back the Thundering Herd at +6.
Pick: Marshall +6
-Jason Radowitz