The College Football regular season is officially over, and now it’s onto Championship Week as we lead into the postseason. Big 12, SEC, Big Ten, and ACC titles are up for grabs highlighted by a Georgia vs Alabama rematch and No. 1 Ohio State vs No. 2 Indiana. Let’s pick ‘em!
Odds provided by our partners over at FanDuel Sportsbook.
Stava: 35-14
Deck: 26-14
Gustafson: 27-12
Hurst: 27-8
Matejka: 24-11
No. 11 BYU Cougars vs No. 4 Texas Tech Red Raiders in Arlington (-12.5) (11:00 a.m. CST on ABC)
Sammy Stava:
BYU has had a great season led by their freshman QB Bear Bachmeier, but they were exposed in their lone loss earlier of the season in Lubbock. Red Raiders will have the more explosive offense led by Behren Morton and this is basically a home game for Texas Tech. 35-30, Wreck ‘Em.
True Deck:
Matthew Gustafson: Texas Tech is going to be a real threat in the playoffs, and I think they’re pretty clearly the best team in the Big 12. Give me the Red Raiders, 31-17.
Nathan Hurst:
Josh Matejka: Congrats on keeping your coach, BYU. But we’ve already seen what happens when these two teams meet. Texas Tech wins, 34-27.
No. 9 Alabama Crimson Tide vs No. 3 Georgia Bulldogs in Atlanta (-2.5) (3:00 p.m. CST on ABC)
Sammy Stava: A highly motivated Georgia team will be seeking revenge after their loss earlier in the season to Bama. Bulldogs are certainly comfortable playing in Atlanta as well. 24-20, UGA.
True Deck:
Matthew Gustafson: Georgia’s the better team, but they’ve also got a guaranteed spot in the playoffs. Bama’s spot should be guaranteed, too, but a blowout loss could make the selection show an extremely uncomfortable experience in Tuscaloosa. This one should be close — I’m picking the Bulldogs to get their revenge in Atlanta with a 27-24 win.
Nathan Hurst:
Josh Matejka: Smart money says don’t pick against Alabama when they’re playing Kirby Moore, but I think Georgia is just the better team. And it’s hard to beat the same team two times in the same season, especially when you’re not as good as they are. Georgia squeaks out an SEC Championship, 24-21.
No. 2 Indiana Hoosiers vs No. 1 Ohio State Buckeyes (-4.5) (7:00 p.m. CST on FOX)
Sammy Stava: Hard to believe Ohio State hasn’t won a Big Ten Championship since the COVID year, but that changes here. Buckeyes just look like the best team in the country by far. 30-21, tOSU.
True Deck:
Matthew Gustafson: Indiana has been truly great this season, and it wouldn’t shock me to see these teams meet up again in the national championship. But the Buckeyes have been an absolute steamroller this season, and if the Hoosiers are going to beat Ohio State, I don’t think it will be this week. Ryan Day’s squad takes the Big Ten title with a 28-24 win.
Nathan Hurst:
Josh Matejka: I hate picking against Indiana, and I’m pretty sure I haven’t had to do it yet this season. And I think they’ll give Ohio State all they can handle. But the Buckeyes are the best team in the country and haven’t really sweated much on their way to earning that distinction. Maybe Indiana can start to break them down ahead of the playoff, but OSU shouldn’t falter this early. Buckeyes win 30-24.
Duke Blue Devils vs No. 17 Virginia Cavaliers (7:00 p.m. CST on ABC)
Sammy Stava: A 7-5 team in a conference championship game? Yikes, ACC. I think Virginia will be able to handle a mediocre Duke team. 21-17, UVA.
True Deck:
Matthew Gustafson: If I was in the CFP committee, I’d turn into a Cavaliers superfan for this game. Duke can create pure chaos with a win here and force a controversial debate over the final playoff team — and yet another discussion about the structure of the playoff itself. I don’t think they will, though; Virginia already manhandled the Blue Devils in Durham, and I’d expect more of the same in Charlotte. Give me the ‘Hoos, 31-21.
Nathan Hurst:
Josh Matejka: Duke isn’t good. Virginia is. Cavaliers win 28-17.
