We have now hit the conference championship weekend of the college football season. That went by in a flash didn’t it? It is a very important betting weekend before the bowl games and College Football Playoff get here. Let’s take a look at the best bets to make for these games as Christmas looms near.
Big 12 Championship: Baylor vs. Oklahoma State (-6)
Oklahoma State has quietly been one of the country’s best teams, and with a quality win on Saturday they could find themselves in the CFP. The odds have shifted after opening at 6.5 as Baylor looks to be a popular underdog pick. The Cowboys have won their last five games by a combined score of 202 to 56 and are 9-1-1 against the spread their last 11 games. They are averaging 40 points per game and over 450 yards of total offense over the last five games. Baylor quarterback Gerry Bohanon is uncertain to go in the game with a hamstring injury, which puts freshman Blake Shapen in a tough spot. Oklahoma State has been somewhat overlooked this season, so let’s back them in this one. They still have something to prove after beating their rival Oklahoma last week.
Cap’n Kielar’s Best Bet: Oklahoma (-6)
SEC Championship: Georgia vs. Alabama over 48.5
As incredible a team Georgia has been this season, I’m still not confident in backing them at -6.5 against the Crimson Tide. On the other side, there isn’t much confidence in Alabama as they haven’t exactly looked like a top-four team all year. With that said, this has the makings of a shootout, even with the stout Bulldogs defense. The Heisman frontrunner Bryce Young is the toughest quarterback Georgia has faced all season and their latest matchups haven’t come close to even an average Crimson Tide offense. Alabama will put up some numbers, while Georgia can match in what will be one to remember. The Crimson Tide have won the last six matchups, dating back to 2008, and that winning streak could be snapped today.
Cap’n Kielar’s Best Bet: Over 48.5
American Athletic Conference Championship: Houston (+11.5) vs. Cincinnati
A win and Cincinnati is in, most likely. Unless Oklahoma State completely blows out Baylor and Cincinnati wins by, let’s say one point, it’s safe to say they are in with a win. With that said, the Bearcats haven’t run up the score in the second halves of games this season, while Houston has been on fire winning 11 games in a row. Cincinnati is 0-4 ATS their last four games and won’t be trying to blow the Cougars out. Houston may not win the game, but this will be a one-score game, so even going with Houston at as low as +7.5 wouldn’t be crazy.
Cap’n Kielar’s Best Bet: Houston (+11.5)
Big Ten Championship: Michigan (-11.5) vs. Iowa
Michigan shocked Ohio State last week, which was coach Jim Harbaugh‘s first win over the Buckeyes in six tries. Despite making it to this game, Iowa just doesn’t come close to matching the talent of the Wolverines. After once being ranked the second team in the country, the Hawkeyes have fallen hard. Once thwarted as one of the top defenses in the country, Iowa ended the season surrendering 22 points per game to Minnesota, Illinois, and Nebraska, three lower-tier teams in the Big Ten. On top of that, the Iowa offense is not very exciting to watch. Aidan Hutchinson will have a field day against the Iowa offensive line. Michigan will step on the throttle and not let off in this one, as they lock up their spot in the CFP.
Cap’n Kielar’s Best Bet: Michigan (-11.5)
ACC Championship: Pittsburgh vs. Wake Forest over 71
These two teams score like nobody’s business. Pitt, led by Heisman contender Kenny Pickett, scores 42.8 points per game, while Wake Forest, led by Sam Hartman, scores 42.9 points per game. On top of that, neither team plays very stout defense, so they won’t have trouble scoring. To close out Championship Saturday, this one will be a shootout.
Cap’n Kielar’s Best Bet: Over 71
Good luck!
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