Conference Championship Picks, Spreads, TV Guide
Conference championship picks, spreads, and TV guide, including the battle in Atlanta for the SEC Championship between Alabama and Florida, Clemson trying to run the table as they take on North Carolina in the ACC Championship, and Michigan State and Iowa playing for a spot in the College Football Playoff in the Big Ten Championship.
Conference championship weekend is here, and along with the conference titles, spots in the College Football Playoff are on the line as teams try to make one last impression before the final selection.
Conference Championship Picks
MAC Championship: Bowling Green vs. Northern Illinois
Date: Friday, December 4
Kickoff: 8:00 p.m. ET
Venue: Ford Field
TV: ESPN2, WATCH ESPN
The Falcons have been explosive on offense all season long, ranking third in the nation in total offense with a passing attack led by QB Matt Johnson. The Bowling Green defense hasn’t been as solid, and will face a Huskies offense that loves to control the time of possession by running the ball.
Pick: Bowling Green
Spread: Bowling Green -12
For final score prediction, check out our Bowling Green vs. Northern Illinois game preview.
AAC Championship: Houston vs. Temple
Date: Saturday, December 5
Kickoff: 12:00 p.m. ET
Venue: TDECU Stadium
TV: ABC, WATCH ESPN
The Cougars offense is back to full strength after QB Greg Ward Jr. came back last week and accounted for 391 yards and four TDs against Navy. Houston will now face a Temple defense that has been strong all season long, allowing less than 19 points per game. If the Owls want to win, they must keep it low scoring.
Pick: Houston
Spread: Houston -6.5
For final score prediction, check out our Houston vs. Temple game preview.
C-USA Championship: Western Kentucky vs. Southern Miss
Date: Saturday, December 5
Kickoff: 12:00 p.m. ET
Venue: L.T. Smith Stadium
TV: ESPN2, WATCH ESPN
The Hilltoppers have been clicking all season, with QB Brandon Doughty being one of the top quarterbacks in all of college football this season. Now, they will face an Eagles offense that is just as explosive, which scored 56 points or more in every game in November. This game might come down to who has the ball last, and WKU will have home-field advantage in Bowling Green.
Pick: Western Kentucky
Spread: Western Kentucky -7.5
For final score prediction, check out our Western Kentucky vs. Southern Miss game preview.
SEC Championship: Alabama vs. Florida
Date: Saturday, December 5
Kickoff: 4:00 p.m. ET
Venue: Georgia Dome
TV: CBS
The Gators might be able to hold the Crimson Tide offense in check for a while, but will the Florida offense do anything against the vaunted Bama defense? Florida has struggled all season long to put points on the board, and while the defense has won them games, it won’t be enough against Crimson Tide RB Derrick Henry and company.
Pick: Alabama
Spread: Alabama -17.5
For final score prediction, check out our Alabama vs. Florida game preview.
MWC Championship: Air Force vs. San Diego State
Date: Saturday, December 5
Kickoff: 7:30 p.m. ET
Venue: Qualcomm Stadium
TV: ESPN2, WATCH ESPN
The Aztecs will lean on the legs of RB Donnell Pumphrey, who has rushed for 100 yards in eight straight games. If the Falcons can stop him, they will need QB Karson Roberts to be effective and not turn the ball over against a talented San Diego State front seven. .
Pick: San Diego State
Spread: San Diego State -4.5
For final score prediction, check out our Air Force vs. San Diego State game preview.
Pac-12 Championship: USC vs. Stanford
Date: Saturday, December 5
Kickoff: 7:45 p.m. ET
Venue: Levi’s Stadium
TV: ESPN, ESPN3, WATCH ESPN
The Trojans and Cardinal will meet for the second time this season, with Stanford defeating USC 41-31 in Los Angeles. Now, they meet for the Pac-12 Championship, and possibly a spot for Stanford in the College Football Playoff. Cardinal RB Christian McCaffrey has been doing it all for Stanford, and USC will look to shut him down and make other players beat them. On offense, the Trojans will lean on the running game to provide yards against a Stanford defense that gave up almost 300 rushing yards to Notre Dame last week.
Pick: Stanford
Spread: Stanford -4.5
For final score prediction, check out our USC vs. Stanford game preview.
Big Ten Championship: Michigan State vs. Iowa
Date: Saturday, December 5
Kickoff: 8:00 p.m. ET
Venue: Lucas Oil Stadium
TV: FOX
A spot in the College Football Playoff is on the line in this one, and it will be a battle of defenses that love to pressure the opposing QB. The Hawkeyes have been excellent all season long, but the Spartans Connor Cook will be the best QB they have faced all season long. Iowa will look to RB Jordan Canzeri to have a big game, and keep the time of possession in its favor.
Pick: Michigan State
Spread: Michigan State -3.5
For final score prediction, check out our Michigan State vs. Iowa game preview.
ACC Championship: Clemson vs. North Carolina
Date: Saturday, December 5
Kickoff: 8:00 p.m. ET
Venue: Bank of America Stadium
TV: ABC, WATCH ESPN
For Clemson, it all comes down to one game to complete an undefeated season and make their way into the College Football Playoff. The Tar Heels will try stop to that from happening with a stout defense and an offense led by QB Marquise Williams that can put up points. Clemson can score as well, with QB Deshaun Watson playing as well as anyone in the country.
Pick: Clemson
Spread: Clemson -5
For final score prediction, check out our Clemson vs. North Carolina game preview.
