This is one of the busiest periods for US betting sites. The sundry NCAA football conferences are setting the stage to crown their champions this weekend. Understandably, business is booming for the best online sportsbooks. You can too reap the benefits of all this turmoil. As the saying goes, there is good fishing in troubled waters.
Pac 12 championship
• December 6
• 5:00 p.m. PT
• Levi’s Stadium, Santa Clara, CA
| Team | SP/RL | TOTAL | ML | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oregon | +6½ (-110) | 47 (-110) | +200 |  |
| Utah | -6½ (-110) | 47 (-110) | -240 | |
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It’s very simple. If the Utes want to have a prayer at making the College Football Playoff, they must beat the Ducks. And not just beat them. They have to crucify them. Utah has the motivation to more than cover the spread set by US betting sites.
MAC Championship
• December 7
• 12:00 p.m. ET
• Ford Field, Detroit, MI
| Team | SP/RL | TOTAL | ML | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Miami Ohio | +7 (-115) | 54 (-110) | +210 | |
| Central Michigan | -7 (-105) | 54 (-110) | -250 | |
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Miami Ohio ended the regular season averaging more points against (28.8) than points for (24.6). That doesn’t bode well for their chances. Central Michigan outscored opponents 142-61 in their last three games. Take the Chippewas and the points.
Conference USA Championship
• December 7
• 1:30 p.m. ET
• FAU Stadium, Boca Raton, FL
| Team | SP/RL | TOTAL | ML | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| UAB | -7½ (-110) | 50 (-110) | -280 | |
| Florida Atlantic | -6½ (-110) | 47 (-110) | -240 | |
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The Blazers 15th-ranking scoring defense allows just 18.5 points per game. As a matter of fact, UAB has allowed more than 21 points on only two occasions – both losses. I have a hunch the Blazers’ tight defense will keep it closer than the 7.5 points projected by US betting sites.
American Atlantic Championship
• December 7
• 3:30 p.m. ET
• Liberty Bowl Memorial Stadium, Memphis, TN
| Team | SP/RL | TOTAL | ML | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cincinnati U | +9½ (-110) | 57½ (-110) | +285 | |
| Memphis | -9½ (-110) | 57½ (-110) | -345 | |
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This is a rematch of the two schools’ regular season finale. Memphis won 34-24, but as a 14-point home favorite, did not cover. The Tigers will once again face the Bearcats as favorites, as well as have home advantage. I think the adjustment from 14 to 9.5 points will allow Memphis to get the ATS win the second time around.
SEC Championship
• December 7
• 3:00 p.m. CT
• Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta, GA
| Team | SP/RL | TOTAL | ML | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Georgia | +7½ (-120) | 54½ (-110) | +240 | |
| LSU | -7½ (EV) | 54½ (-110) | -280 | |
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This is the proverbial irresistible force versus the unmovable object. The Tigers have the second-best scoring offense in the country (48.7 points per game). And the Bulldogs have the second-best scoring defense (10.4 points allowed per game). LSU scored 164 combined points in their last three games. And Georgia has allowed a total of just 34 points in their own last three games. However, the Tigers defense has been progressively improving in that same period. LSU conceded Ole Miss 37 points, surrendered 20 to Arkansas, and held TAMU to seven. That improvement will be key to LSU covering.
ACC Championship
• December 7
• 7:30 p.m. ET
• Bank of America Stadium, Charlotte, NC
| Team | SP/RL | TOTAL | ML | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Virginia | +28 (-110) | 55 (-110) | +2500 | |
| Clemson | -28 (-110) | 55 (-110) | -5000 | |
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Twenty nine points seem like too many for a conference championship game. Then again, this is Clemson, which has covered three straight and six of the last seven. Make that four straight on Saturday.
Big 12 Championship
• December 7
• 11:00 a.m. CT
• AT&T Stadium, Arlington, TX
| Team | SP/RL | TOTAL | ML | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Baylor | +9 (-110) | 64½ (-110) | +260 | |
| Oklahoma | -9 (-110) | 64½ (-110) | -320 | |
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Oklahoma’s 2-6 ATS record in their last eight games is traceable to their dubious offense. The Sooners ranked 52nd in points allowed per game (24.7). Baylor may not win this one outright, but will most likely remain within the 8.5-point spread.
Big Ten Championship
• December 7
• 8:00 p.m. CT
• Lucas Oil Stadium, Indianapolis, IN
| Team | SP/RL | TOTAL | ML | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wisconsin | +16 (-110) | 56½ (-110) | +525 | |
| Ohio State | -16 (-110) | 56½ (-110) | -750 | |
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As far as I’m concerned, the Buckeyes can do no wrong. Take OSU and the points.
