College football Championship Week: Picks and preview

Texas-San Antonio’s excellent season got here to an finish with final weekend’s 45-23 blowout loss at scorching North Texas. Nevertheless, the Roadrunners had already punched their ticket to the Convention USA title recreation, which they may host. UTSA’s Frank Harris (2,688 passing yards, 23 touchdowns, 5 interceptions) threw for 349 yards with six touchdowns and Honest McCormick ran for 120 in a wild 52-46 win at Western Kentucky on Oct. 9. That was the final defeat for the Hilltoppers, who’ve received seven straight since that loss. WKU quarterback Bailey Zappe leads the nation in passing yards (4,968) and touchdowns (52). He threw for 523 within the loss to UTSA. Teammate Jerreth Sterns is the nationwide chief with 127 catches. He caught 16 of them whereas totaling 195 yards and two scores in opposition to the Roadrunners.

Prediction: Western Kentucky (-2 1/2)

Oregon was ready to earn a spot within the Faculty Soccer Playoff semifinals two weeks in the past, however that went out the window with a 38-7 loss at Utah on Nov. 20. Now, the groups meet once more for the Pac-12 title on a impartial discipline. With it comes a visit to the Rose Bowl. The Utes have by no means received the league title, however are rolling whereas outscoring their opponents 200-80 throughout their present five-game successful streak. The final time these groups met for the Pac-12 championship, the Geese received 37-15 in 2019.

Prediction: Utah (-2 1/2)

NIU is within the MAC Championship Sport for the eighth time in 12 seasons and obtained there in 2021 after going 0-6 in 2020. Paced by a operating recreation ranked fifth within the nation averaging 231.8 yards and former Michigan State quarterback Rocky Lombardi (2,286 passing yards, 13 touchdowns, seven interceptions; 5 dashing TDs), the West Division-champion Huskies went 7-2 in video games determined by eight or fewer factors. A type of defeats got here at Kent State, 52-47 on Nov. 3, the place Lombardi threw for 532 yards. The Golden Flashes’ Dustin Crum (7,027 profession yards, 50 TDs, 10 INTs) threw for 322 in that contest and leads an offense that is averaged 40.1 factors whereas successful 5 of its final seven.

Prediction: Northern Illinois (+3)

Ought to Oklahoma State beat Baylor for the second time this season, and another outcomes across the nation fall in its favor then Mike Gundy’s group will likely be a part of the CFP semifinals. The Cowboys have averaged 40.4 factors throughout their five-game successful streak. In the meantime, Baylor has allowed a mean of 16.0 factors whereas successful its final three contests. The Bears’ final Large 12 title got here in 2014. Oklahoma State’s just one goes again to 2011.

Prediction: Oklahoma State (-5 1/2)

San Diego State has rebounded properly from its 30-20 house loss to Fresno State on Oct. 30. The Aztecs trip a four-game successful streak right into a Mountain West Convention Championship Sport they may host of their momentary house of Carson, Calif. SDSU received its earlier two journeys to the league title recreation however is again for the primary time since 2016. For the reason that begin of the 2010 season, San Diego State is 4-1 in opposition to Utah State, which is 6-0 on the highway this season and making its first title-game look since 2013.

Prediction: San Diego State (-5)

Technically, Louisiana is a part of a fourth straight Solar Belt Championship Sport look. Nevertheless, COVID-19 canceled final season’s matchup with Coastal Carolina, so each groups shared the title. Previous to that, Louisiana misplaced to Appalachian State within the earlier two championship contests. This time round, the Ragin’ Cajuns have received 11 straight following a 38-18 loss at then-No. 21 Texas. That run features a 41-13 house win over App State on Oct. 12. Since then, although, the Mountaineers have outscored their opponents by a mean margin of 25.7 factors throughout a six-game successful streak.

Prediction: Louisiana (+2 1/2)

Little question, that is the marquee matchup of championship weekend. There’s clearly a lot on the road by way of the CFP. However will it actually be shut? Georgia has allowed simply 83 factors and received all however one recreation by 17 or extra factors this season. In the meantime, reigning nationwide champion Alabama received its ultimate three SEC video games — in opposition to LSU, then-No. 21 Arkansas and Auburn — by a mixed 15 factors. The Tide have received six straight on this collection, together with twice within the SEC title recreation, however is the undisputed underdog this time round.

Prediction: Georgia (-6 1/2)

These two groups are quickly headed to the Large 12, however greater than the American Athletic Convention championship will likely be on the road this weekend. It is protected to say that is the most important recreation in Cincinnati soccer historical past. A twenty second consecutive non-bowl victory and the Bearcats will likely be a part of the Faculty Soccer Playoff semifinals. They’ve received the final two conferences with Houston by a mixed 43 factors. Nevertheless, the Cougars are averaging 40.4 factors and giving up 18.2 throughout their present 11-game successful streak.

Prediction: Cincinnati (-10 1/2)

It is most likely protected to say that not many thought this is able to be the matchup for the Large Ten title. However, the Wolverines lastly obtained the most effective of Ohio State and Jim Harbaugh will get his long-awaited look within the league title recreation. A win right here, and Michigan will likely be taking part in for a shot at a nationwide title. The Wolverines enable a mean of 17.2 factors. Which probably would not bode nicely for Iowa and its inconsistent offense that is been held to 17 or fewer factors thrice this season. These groups break up the final 4 conferences, however solely Iowa has performed within the league’s championship recreation earlier than.

Prediction: Iowa (+10 1/2)

It is really a yr of firsts in the case of the ACC Championship Sport. For the primary time in seven seasons, Clemson will not be topped champion. Because of this, Wake Forest will likely be in search of its third ACC championship. and first since 2006. Pitt, in the meantime, has by no means received this league’s soccer title. We also needs to be in for a enjoyable matchup between two of the nation’s high quarterbacks within the Panthers’ Kenny Pickett (4,066 passing yards, 40 touchdowns, seven interceptions) and Wake’s Sam Hartman (3,705 yards, 34 TDs, 10 INTs). Pitt received the newest assembly 34-13 in 2018.

Prediction: Pittsburgh (-3)

Hidden amid the insanity of the convention championship weekend is a stray Pac-12 matchup between two colleges with out a bowl to look towards. This recreation was initially scheduled for Nov. 13, however COVID-19 points inside the Cal program postponed the competition. Now, the underachieving Trojans take the sphere for the primary time following the rent of former Oklahoma coach Lincoln Riley. USC has misplaced three in a row and allowed a mean of 39.2 factors throughout its present 1-5 stretch. Cal, in the meantime, will likely be attempting for a 3rd consecutive win at house, the place it final beat the Trojans in 2003.

Prediction: Cal (-4)

The second spherical of the Soccer Championship Subdivision playoffs begins with this prime-time matchup. Villanova is attempting to submit its first double-digit victory season since 2014. The Wildcats are paced by a protection that ranks eighth within the FCS permitting a mean of 15.1 factors and held 4 opponents with out a landing this season. Holy Cross enters on a seven-game successful streak after Jalen Coker’s 35-yard landing reception with 14 seconds left vaulted the Crusaders over Sacred Coronary heart 13-10 within the opening spherical. These groups are assembly for the primary time since 2009.

Prediction: Villanova (-13)

This ought to be a enjoyable one between a pair of Large Sky Convention rivals. Montana, which received at then-No. 20 Washington this season, has outscored its opponents 148-46 throughout its present five-game successful streak. Nevertheless, EWU, the 2018 FCS nationwide runner-up, who edged Northern Iowa 19-9 in spherical one final weekend, used a 24-point fourth quarter to rally for a 34-28 house victory over the Grizzlies on Oct. 2. The rematch will likely be at Montana, however the Eagles are 6-0 on the highway this season.

Prediction: Montana (-3)

Again in 2015, when soccer returned to ETSU, the primary workforce the Buccaneers confronted was Kennesaw State. Now, the Bucs’ particular season may come right down to this, and Kennesaw is standing in the way in which of development within the FCS playoffs. ETSU’s Quay Holmes leads the FCS averaging 130.1 dashing yards, to go together with six touchdowns. Kennesaw, which suffered its solely loss at Georgia Tech on Sept. 11, additionally options one of many subdivisions high offensive performers in quarterback Xavier Shepherd (15 TD passes; 23 dashing TDs).

Prediction: Kennesaw State (-2 1/2)

The 2016 FCS nationwide champion and runner-up 2017 and ’19. James Madison hopes to be within the combine for a title once more this season. The Dukes’ lone defeat got here versus Villanova on Oct. 9, and since then they’ve outscored their final opponents by a mean of 24.2 factors. Quarterback Cole Johnson has thrown for two,953 yards with 32 touchdowns and simply two interceptions. SE Louisiana misplaced two of its final three regular-season video games, however it rolled over Florida A&M 38-14 within the opening spherical.

Prediction: James Madison (-15)

Sam Houston begins its nationwide title protection in search of a twenty second straight victory. With most of its expertise again from final season’s championship squad, the Bearkats haven’t missed a beat whereas averaging 41.4 factors and permitting simply 17.3 per recreation. Quarterback Eric Schmid has thrown for two,241 yards with 26 touchdowns and 7 interceptions whereas Ramon Jefferson’s rushed for 978 and 11 touchdowns. Incarnate Phrase is coming off its first playoff win, 35-28 over fellow Texas foe Stephen F. Austin and averages 39.3 factors. Nevertheless, the duty for the Cardinals this weekend has by no means been higher.

Prediction: Sam Houston (-13 1/2)

For the reason that 2011 season, NDSU has received eight FCS nationwide championships. Nevertheless, the Bison’s quest for a fourth in a row ended final season once they misplaced to Sam Houston within the quarterfinals (which had been held in Might). Do not assume NDSU, which yields an FCS-low 12.1 factors per recreation, is not decided. The Bison had received eight straight over Missouri Valley Convention foe SIU till the Salukis posted a formidable 38-14 victory in final season’s assembly. SIU dropped three of its ultimate 4 regular-season video games however shocked South Dakota 22-10 in final weekend’s playoff opener.

Prediction: NDSU (-13 )

Montana State will get it performed with protection, permitting a mean of 13.2 factors (ranked third in FCS). However, the Bobcats even have one of many nation’s high rushers in Isaiah Ifanse, who ranks fourth within the FCS with 1,258 yards on the bottom, plus eight touchdowns. UT Martin boasts a strong operating again of its personal in Peyton Logan, who has rushed for 1,050 yards. Although he is scored simply 4 touchdowns and faces an enormous problem on this contest.

Prediction: Montana State (-11)

Sacramento State received the Large Sky and is about to make its second playoff look. The Hornets have shined because of their quarterback duo of Jake Dunniway (2,245 passing yards, 11 TDs, three INTs) and Asher O’Hara (team-leading 656 dashing yards, 9 touchdowns on the bottom). Nevertheless, their opening playoff contest comes in opposition to final season’s nationwide runner-up South Dakota State, which received at Colorado State, beat North Dakota State, and rolled by UC Davis 56-24 in its first postseason opener. Jackrabbits operating Pierre Sturdy Jr. leads the FCS with 1,489 yards to go together with 16 touchdowns.

Prediction: South Dakota State (-8 1/2)