That is what convention championship weekend is meant to be about, Faculty Soccer Playoff-clinching alternatives for a number of groups within the auto-bid dialogue and at-large realm. It is No. 1 vs. No. 2 within the Large Ten Championship as unbeatens Ohio State and Indiana meet for top-seed billing, whereas the rematch involving Alabama and Georgia within the SEC title recreation might be an elimination recreation for the two-loss Crimson Tide.
For bubble groups like Notre Dame, Miami and Texas — who’re watching from dwelling this week — chaos is required, particularly for the Hurricanes and Longhorns, amongst others. BYU can play itself into the playoff bracket with a win over Texas Tech within the Large 12 title recreation, which might additionally thwart the Preventing Irish’s plan to make the sector.
There’s intrigue surrounding the ACC Championship, too. If Duke upends Virginia, there’s an opportunity two Group of 5 champions seem within the closing bracket for the primary time. James Madison must deal with enterprise within the Solar Belt to make sure a spot within the dialog ought to the Blue Devils make issues attention-grabbing.
Final week’s outcomes: Brad Crawford (7-3, 3-7 ATS); Chris Hummer (9-1, 5-5). My colleague was nearly excellent selecting straight up throughout rivalry weekend, his solely loss coming in Austin after Texas toppled Texas A&M. Extra importantly, he did take the Longhorns to cowl, together with a pleasant decide of Clemson to beat South Carolina on the street as an underdog. We have reached the ultimate weekend of picks the place the regular-season championship can be determined and my lead’s merely marginal towards the unfold.
Season outcomes: Crawford (104-36 straight, 71-68-1 ATS); Hummer (106-34; 67-72-1).
For readability, these traces had been taken from FanDuel Sportsbook on Nov. 30. New customers at FanDuel Sportsbook get $300 in bonus bets with a successful $5 wager.
Hummer (Boise State +1.5): One other recreation we have seen! Boise State received the primary one by 25, and just like the final time round it will happen in Idaho. Boise State has been the extra constant crew this season. The Rebels have performed higher of late towards the softer portion of the Mountain West schedule, however their protection nonetheless ranks 126th nationally in yards allowed per play. That is not a recipe to win a convention title. … Boise State 34, UNLV 31.
Crawford (Boise State +1.5): Dan Mullen received 10 video games in his first season at UNLV, so it is solely a matter of time earlier than he lands elsewhere and returns to the Energy 4 teaching ranks. That mentioned, Boise State’s already overwhelmed the Rebels by 25 factors earlier this season and has taken out UNLV consecutive years within the Mountain West Championship Recreation. Is there something to recommend that adjustments this weekend? The Rebels will want a standout performances from quarterback Anthony Colandrea and Jai’Den Thomas within the backfield. … Boise State 37, UNLV 31.
Hummer (Western Michigan -2.5): I anticipate this recreation to be shut. Miami (OH) received Spherical 1 at dwelling in a matchup that was largely decided by the distinction within the turnover battle and some failed fourth-down makes an attempt. However the personnel has additionally modified for the Pink Hawks. Dequan Finn is not Miami’s beginning QB, and the Broncos are sizzling on a four-game successful steak. Each these groups wrestle to persistently throw the ball, have wonderful move rushes and are at their finest working the soccer. Typically, I believe it is exhausting to beat an excellent crew twice and in addition WMU is extra environment friendly on a down-to-down foundation. … Western Michigan 24, Miami (Ohio) 21.
Crawford (Western Michigan -2.5): This is one other crew with an opportunity to make good on a regular-season rematch throughout convention championship weekend because the Broncos hope to take out the Redhawks. Miami (OH) scored 17 unanswered factors within the fourth quarter of its 26-17 victory over Western Michigan in October after Dequan Finn’s massive second half. Nonetheless, Finn left the 2 weeks in the past to concentrate on NFL prep in a weird transfer, which implies Miami (OH) will roll with Thomas Gotkowski to attempt to win the MAC. Gotkowski tossed three landing passes in final week’s win over Ball State to clinch this system’s third straight journey to the convention title recreation. … Western Michigan 27, Miami (Ohio) 24.
Hummer (Kennesaw State +1.5): That is one other rematch in CUSA. The Gamecocks received the primary time at dwelling by 9 in a recreation they had been out-gained by practically 150 years. The massive distinction was the Owls had 4 turnovers and Jax State had none. That is one other street recreation for Kennesaw State. However I believe the Owls matchup effectively. They’ve proven the flexibility to maneuver the ball with ease on Jacksonville State. If they’ll minimize down on the turnovers, I would anticipate the rating to flip. … Kennesaw State 34, Jacksonville State 31.
Crawford (Kennesaw State +1.5): Seeking to avenge a earlier loss to Jacksonville State this season, the Owls’ solely loss since Week 2 got here to the Gamecocks on Nov. 15. The others had been towards bowl-bound Wake Forest and Indiana, so this Kennesaw State crew is among the Group of 5’s finest. Sophomore quarterback Amari Odom is a participant to observe with 9 landing passes over his final two begins. He failed to succeed in the tip zone and had three interceptions towards Jacksonville State beforehand, so this one’s private to him for a Convention USA title. … Kennesaw State 31, Jacksonville State 30.
No. 25 James Madison vs. Troy
Hummer (JMU -21.5): It is a powerful matchup for Troy. The Trojans have discovered a method to win video games this season, however they’re one of many worst offenses (122nd in yards per play) within the FBS. That is a foul mixture towards an elite James Madison protection (sixth nationally in yards allowed per play) and a high 10 offense by way of factors per recreation. Might James Madison be a bit distracted with its head coach’s impending transfer to UCLA? Possibly. However James Madison has been a buzz noticed all season. I do not assume that adjustments within the convention title recreation. … James Madison 38, Troy 14.
Crawford (JMU -21.5): Bob Chesney would possibly’ve taken the UCLA job, however he nonetheless has laser-sharp concentrate on ending the drill with the Dukes. And JMU is aware of if it beats Troy by a convincing margin, there’s an opportunity it may possibly get to the playoff ought to Duke beat Virginia within the ACC Championship Recreation. It is a tall job for each outcomes to go in JMU’s favor, but it surely’s actual chance at this level. Give me JMU on this spot, however the Dukes simply lacking out on the ultimate 12-team bracket alternative. … JMU 35, Troy 10.
No. 20 Tulane vs. No. 24 North Texas
Hummer (North Texas -2.5): What number of stops can North Texas get? That is the massive query. The Imply Inexperienced will rating. They rating it doesn’t matter what and have not scored lower than 33 in a recreation this 12 months. It is only a query of can a banged up UNT run protection decelerate an environment friendly Tulane passing assault. I believe they’ll. Run protection has been UNT’s concern all 12 months, however the Imply Inexperienced have been strong as a move protection unit. Enjoying on the street is troublesome, however I simply assume UNT is the higher crew proper now with an offense which you could depend on. … North Texas 35, Tulane 31.
Crawford (North Texas -2.5): Which crew has fewer distractions this week within the wake of each head coaches accepting vacancies elsewhere? Jon Sumrall and Eric Morris are sticking with their respective groups by way of the tip of the season and a minimum of attempting to complete what they began, so credit score them for that. The most effective participant on the sector on this one is Drew Mestemaker and a giant outing from the North Texas quarterback means the Imply Inexperienced can be going to the Faculty Soccer Playoff. That is the matchup I am most excited for this weekend. … North Texas 38, Tulane 35.
No. 11 BYU vs. No. 4 Texas Tech
Hummer (Texas Tech -12.5): That is a giant line! But it surely’s additionally justified given the primary recreation these two groups performed. BYU’s offense had no solutions, totaling simply 255 yards and averaging lower than 5 yards a move. I do not see the outcomes of this matchup flipping a lot. The Pink Raiders have the personnel benefit alongside the traces of scrimmage and may manufacture sufficient factors towards a high 35 BYU protection by way of yards per play. … Texas Tech 31, BYU 17.
Crawford (BYU +12.5): To have any shot at reaching the playoff bracket, the Cougars have to maintain this one throughout the quantity. Clearly, a win within the Large 12 Championship Recreation assures BYU of a playoff berth, however even a slim loss and 11-2 end may be sufficient to thwart one of many 10-win groups in a present at-large place towards the again finish of the rankings. We have projected the Large 12 to be a one-bid league for weeks and sadly for BYU, I do not see that altering this weekend. … Texas Tech 31, BYU 20.
No. 9 Alabama vs. No. 3 Georgia
Hummer (Georgia -1.5): Kirby Sensible has had a little bit of an Alabama drawback in his profession. He does have one very massive win on his resume (a nationwide title matchup between the 2 sides) however is 1-7 general towards the Tide, together with 0-2 towards Kalen DeBoer. Georgia acquired off to a horrible begin the primary time these groups performed this 12 months, which is widespread for them this season, however I believe Georgia is taking part in just like the second or third-best crew within the nation proper now. Georgia makes Alabama one-dimensional offensively by taking away the run and Gunner Stockton continues to roll. … Georgia 24, Alabama 21.
Crawford (Georgia -1.5): The Crimson Tide simply have not had the look of a playoff crew down the stretch with spotty play offensively. Give Alabama credit score for gutting one out at Auburn in a hostile atmosphere to stave off playoff elimination, however this one nearly appears like one other a kind of situations. The SEC will demand playoff adjustments if the Crimson Tide go to Atlanta, lose and the league’s runner-up fails to safe the committee’s closing at-large berth. This isn’t the identical Alabama crew that received at Georgia earlier this season. The Bulldogs have considerably improved defensively. … Georgia 27, Alabama 20.
Duke vs. No. 17 Virginia
Hummer (Virginia -2.5): It is a fairly humorous convention title recreation matchup. Duke is simply 7-5. Virginia acquired into the ACC Championship Recreation with one loss in league play … besides it technically additionally misplaced to NC State, but it surely was only a nonconference recreation. Regardless, it is a rematch of a 17-point UVA win earlier this 12 months. Virginia was clearly the higher crew that day, greater than doubling Duke’s yardage and successful regardless of shedding the turnover battle. Do I believe Duke will play that poorly once more? No. However I’ve severe considerations about Duke’s entrance on this recreation (it allowed 4 sacks final time) and the Blue Devils’ basic skill to decelerate Chandler Morris, who threw for 316 yards final time round. Give me UVA. … Virginia 34, Duke 27.
Crawford (Virginia -2.5): You need playoff chaos on Choice Sunday? Duke beats Virginia and there is a good likelihood the ACC is not noted of the bracket, which might start cries louder than the Florida State debacle from commissioner Jim Phillips. Virginia holds all of the playing cards, right here. If the Cavaliers execute in addition to they did a pair weeks in the past throughout a 17-point win over the Blue Devils, they are going to get the 11-seed as a league champion for the primary time since 1995. Tony Elliott deserves nationwide coach of the 12 months point out if Virginia finishes the deal in Charlotte. … Virginia 30, Duke 24.
No. 1 Ohio State vs. No. 2 Indiana
Hummer (Ohio State -5.5): Right here we go! That is the matchup we have wished to see all season. The Hoosiers weren’t significantly aggressive when these groups performed a season in the past in a 23-point blowout win by the Buckeyes. It needs to be a bit completely different this time at a impartial subject and with a greater model of Indiana. That mentioned … I believe Ohio State may be higher, too. The protection is on paper, and I would take Julian Sayin over Will Howard. I do have some small questions on Ohio State’s offensive line. However I’ve thought they had been the very best crew within the nation all season, I am not backing off now. … Ohio State 27, Indiana 21.
Crawford (Ohio State -5.5): Beginning to really feel like I am selecting too many favorites this weekend, however Ohio State has been my decide to win the nationwide championship since Week 2 and I am staying with the Buckeyes. Nothing I’ve seen the final three months has modified my thoughts given how dominant this protection seems to be and Julian Sayin’s skill to dissect opposing secondaries. Indiana’s definitely formidable and there is a cause the Hoosiers are one in every of solely two unblemished groups left, however Saturday evening will belong to this system that is used to the massive stage and taking part in beneath strain. … Ohio State 24, Indiana 17.
