By: Nick Radivoj

A sad tear drops from my eye as we look towards Championship weekend to close out what was an exciting regular season for College Football. Plenty of Top 10 upsets occurred throughout the year which is exactly why us fans watch the sport. It seems for the first time in a while there has been plenty of parody to look forward to in the College Football atmosphere and I can’t wait to do it all over again next College Football regular season. The final regular season week brought us an unfortunate wash as we end up going 5-5 bringing our season total to 69-59-2 (54%) on the year. We still have some great Championship matchups to look forward to so let’s not dwell on what’s gone but be happy with what’s still in front of us!

#11 Utah (9-3) at #4 USC (11-1)

When: 8 PM on 12/2

Line: USC -3

O/U: 67

An exciting rematch for the Pac 12 Championship as USC looks for redemption from a loss to Utah earlier in the season. I expect more of the same as the last time these 2 played with offensive explosion as USC won’t be able to stop Utah and USC will do what they’ve been doing all year on the offensive side of the ball. I expect this game to come down to the wire and maybe even the last second as this game will most likely determine if USC makes the College Football Playoff or not. Utah brings a certain type of toughness to Pac 12 football which USC isn’t as accustomed to but should still find their way on offense as this goes over the total as we start Championship weekend 1-0.

The Play: Over 67

#10 Kansas State (9-3) at #3 TCU )12-0)

When: 12 PM on 12/3

Line: TCU -2.5

O/U: 62

Another title game and another redemption story as Kansas State is looking to take down undefeated TCU. In their first contest, Kansas State was up 28-10 before allowing a 28-0 run to occur as TCU ended up winning 38-28 in that game. What the average fan may not know is that Kansas State was without their starting QB in this game after he helped them build up a 28-10 lead. After he went down the Wildcat offense turned stagnant and unable to move the ball like they had earlier in the game. I see Kansas State getting their redemption in this game health permitting. Kansas State has found explosion on offense as of late and bolster a tough defensive line which should make it hard for Max Duggan and company to make explosive plays over the course of the afternoon. Kansas State upsets TCU as they are left waiting to see if they will make it into the College Football Playoff.

The Play: Kansas State +2.5

#14 LSU (9-3) at #1 Georgia (12-0)

When: 4 PM on 12/3

Line: Georgia -17.5

O/U: 51

Georgia ends up winning this game and adding another SEC Championship trophy to their collection here as they have their eyes still set on the biggest prize of them all. They win this game but don’t end up covering as LSU will keep this one within 17. Several times throughout the 2022 campaign Georgia has looked rather lost on offense and LSU will be able to contain them for a good part of this game. Georgia will have their explosive plays with Brock Bowers but the key is to keep those explosive plays to a minimum. With a loss last weekend, LSU may have found themselves on the outside looking in on the College Football playoff but still have a lot to play for in Brian Kelly’s first year as HC of the LSU Tigers.

The Play: LSU +17.5

#22 UCF (9-3) at #18 Tulane (10-2)

When: 4 PM on 12/3

Line: Tulane -3.5

O/U: 56.5

Another title game and another rematch from the regular season. As we look back into the first matchup we see that UCF took down Tulane by a score of 38-31. That’s a total of 69 points here which would soar over the current over under which makes me think this total is something to stay away from as Oddsmakers seem to know something more than we currently do about this match up. Another thing I like it while preparing for rematch games is who won the first match up as it is incredibly difficult to beat a good team twice. UCF won the first matchup by 7 but also won the turnover battle recovering 2 of Tulane’s 3 fumbles. I expect Tulane to have a better grip on the ball and their offense here as I ride with the numbers and lay the points here with Tulane as they take home the AAC title.

The Play: Tulane -3.5

Purdue (8-4) at #2 Michigan (12-0)

When: 8 PM on 12/3

Line: Michigan -16.5

O/U: 51.5

Michigan comes into the Big 10 Championship game with their biggest win of the season taking down Ohio State on the road by 3 scores. Regardless of how this game turns out, Michigan has stamped their ticket into the College Football Playoff with their resume built throughout the season. I expect them to win this game comfortably and do what they have over a majority of the season and go under the total. Michigan’s defense will keep the Boilermakers in check and for Michigan’s offense to show less explosion than they did against Ohio State. Michigan will sail close to 30 points and unless this is a nail biter late we will be standing with an under ticket in our hand with no signs of sweating.

The Play: Under 51.5

#9 Clemson (10-2) at#23 North Carolina (9-3)

When: 8 PM on 12/3

Line: Clemson -7.5

O/U: 63.5

As I look at this game I think of the Wake Forest game against Clemson earlier in the season. Wake was able to stretch Clemson’s defense deep either creating explosive plays or drawing pass interference penalties to create scoring opportunities. I expect this game to look similar to that one as North Carolina QB Drake Maye will be able to pick on Clemson’s secondary as opposed to running into a brick wall being Clemson’s defensive line. Meanwhile, Clemson’s offense should have a field day of their own as North Carolina brings to table one of the worst defenses in the ACC. Unfortunately, Clemson will be on the outside looking in of the playoffs this year as they were upset by South Carolina last week but will still have a lot to play for to add another ACC Championship trophy to their mantle.