Championship Week Predictions: Hoosiers vs. Buckeyes
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Mike: I kind of feel that the last two weeks took a lot of fun out of the game of football for most of us. But you know what? We can’t let Iowa, of all people, bask in Husker fans’ despair. So… ONWARD!
Andy: Are conference championship games going to survive as they become something to avoid where the CFP is concerned? A big win in the B1G battle today could knock the loser out of a top 4 seed and a 1st round bye. Georgia probably would’ve preferred an aTm victory over Texas to secure two extra weeks of rest by having a 1st round bye guaranteed plus missing the conference title game. They now need a win over Alabama just to have the former. BYU sits at 11th, but faces Texas Tech as a 12.5 point underdog – a loss by that margin could bounce them from the playoff. And if Duke upsets Virginia, the ACC is looking at zero teams in the CFP.
Big XII Championship at JerryWorld
Texas Tech (-12.5) vs. BYU
Mike: BYU has likely been a bit distracted this week by the Kalani Sitake-Penn State dalliance. But Tech is playing for a first round bye. But here’s a thought… if BYU wins, does that mean there’s THREE B1G teams getting byes in the CFP, with Oregon sliding up into the #4 slot? Not so fast, though. TT 38, Cougs 28
Jon: It will be interesting to see how far Texas Tech can start going in this new world of college football. I would love to see BYU win this game because I love chaos. You all know that. BYU 38, Texas Texas 35
Andy: The Red Raiders offense was slowed in the teams’ first meeting, but BYU’s was ground to a complete halt as they had no answers. Have they found any in the past month? I’ll say not enough. Also, I’m all for Texas Tech rolling, since it absolutely enrages Tejas and the aTm that another Texas school has the unmitigated gall spend as wildly as they do. Texas Tech 34 BYU 21
ACC Championship at Who Really Cares
Virginia (-4) vs. Duke
Mike: This one is an afterthought for just about everybody. Wahoos 28, Dookies 21
Jon: Egad. Mike is right. How did Florida State, Miami, and SMU let this happen? I’ve seen people talking about how Miami should be in the college football playoff, but honestly, if you can’t be in your championship game and you’re in the ACC, do you really belong in the playoff? Virginia 2, Duke 0
Andy: This is the conference championship version of the Purdue-Maryland game we’re expected to pick here each week. The spread feels low. Virginia has a functional defense and has already proven they can slow Duke’s offense. Wahoo-Neumann could put 30 on Duke as could anyone else who could roster 50 people not in assisted living or rehab facilities. Virginia 38 Duke 20.
SEC Championship
Alabama (+2.5) at Georgia
Mike: This one has some “win or else” tones for ‘Bama… especially if BYU upsets Texas Tech. There are two bids going to either Virginia/Duke and probably Tulane. If BYU wins, they take a third spot, and a ‘Bama loss probably knocks them out. Chaos theory says “Roll Tide”: Tide 38, Dawgs 37
Jon: I would love to see Alabama lose this so there’s more bitching from the SEC and the Alabama fans about how they’re the greatest things ever and didn’t get into the playoffs. Georgia 35, Alabama 28.
Andy: Bama jumped on Georgia early and held on in their 1st matchup in October – can they do it again? Motivation is high on both sides. Georgia almost certainly needs a win to stay in the top 4 and secure a bye. If Bama loses, they’re firmly on the bubble again with a 3rd loss & it might be up to SEC commish Greg Sankey’s empty threats and endless yowling to try & get them in. Screw Bama, Go Gunner Stockton with more 4th quarter magic. Georgia 27 Bama 26
The B1G Game
Ohio State (-4) at Indiana
Mike: The loser almost certainly still gets a bye. Some say a #4 seed, but it’s really hard to argue that Texas Tech could pass up the loser. And if Georgia and Tech both lose…well, they’ll both stay in the top two. My gut says that Ohio State expended a little more last week against TTUN than the Hoosiers needed against the Boilers. Google it: Fightin’ Cigs 35, Bucknuts 31. Rematch in Miami on MLK Day.
Jon: This is interesting. It’s the most interesting game in the history of games. I would love to see Indiana win this game. I don’t think anybody’s capable of beating Ohio State, though. I hope Curt Cignetti proves me completely wrong. I can name a few players from Ohio State. I can only name the quarterback from Indiana.I hope he has the game of his life and I hope he wins the Heisman Trophy. Hoosiers 31, Ohio State 30
Andy: Ohio State’s defense is elite; Indiana’s isn’t far behind. Indiana’s offense is tops in the B1G, Ohio State’s is 2nd. Everything tells me to take Ohio State in these matchups until Indiana wins a game like this. But didn’t they already do that when they handed then #3 Oregon their 1st Big Ten loss since joining up? I’m going there. Hoosiers 30 Bucknuts 28
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