NCAAF Betting Odds, Picks, & Expert Analysis

The Georgia Bulldogs won their third National title, and their first since 1980, defeating Alabama 33-18 as -3 favorites. Georgia’s offense played a balanced game with success both on the ground and in the air: QB Stetson Bennett threw for 224 yards and two TDs while Zamir White and James Cook combined on the ground for 161 yards and a touchdown. It was Georgia’s defense that won the game for the Bulldogs, intercepting Alambama QB Bryce Young twice, the last one to ice the game when Bulldogs Cornerback Kelee Ringo going to the house for a pick-six with less than a minute to play in the game.

Alabama quarterback Bryce Young capped an impressive sophomore year by winning the most coveted prize in college football, the Heisman Trophy. Young threw for a remarkable 47 touchdowns on 4,872 yards passing, adding a further three touchdowns on the ground; in the process becoming the first quarterback in Alabama’s history to win the award. Returning for his third year, Young is a frontrunner with sportsbooks to win the trophy a second time before he commits to a professional career in the NFL.

Jim Harbaugh’s Wolverines won the school’s first Big Ten championship since 2004, beating the Iowa Buckeyes, 42-3. Heavily fancied as -12.5 favorites, Michigan put on a show, routing the Buckeyes with a balanced offensive attack, putting up over 200 yards both thru the air and on the ground.

Plus-seven underdogs, Baylor shocked Oklahoma State to with their first ever Big 12 championship. Baylor played a controlled game, jumping out to a 21-point lead in the first half before stifling the Cowboys, holding them to 10 points in the second half for a 21-16 win. Baylor quarterback, Blake Shapen caught the headlines with an efficient 180 yards passing, three touchdown performance, netting the game MVP award in the process. The Baylor defense was the truly the hero of the day, holding the Oklahoma State offense to 1.8 yards per attempt rushing and intercepting Cowboys QB Spencer Sanders four times.

In a surprise to many football insiders: Clemson couldn’t make it seven consecutive ACC titles with a very poor season by their usual high standards. In their absence: two teams who faced very long odds to win the championship at start the season, Pittsburgh (+6000) and Wake Forest (+7500) would face one another at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte for the ACC Championship.

Pittsburgh dominated the game after Wake Forest leapt out to an early 21-14 lead in the first half. The game would end 45-21 to the Panthers to give Pittsburgh their first conference title since 2010.

The Utah Utes defeated the reigning champions and favorites, the Oregon Ducks (-125), 38-10. The Utes jumped out to an early lead and never looked back as Oregon chased the game without success. Utah’s offense was carried by a strong rushing performance with Tavion Thomas, Micah Bernard and QB Cameron Rising all gaining meaningful yards on the ground. The Utes defense was a difference maker for the new PAC-12 champions, led by game MVP and potential first rounder in this year’s NFL Draft, Devin Lloyd.

For the second year in a row the Crimson Tide scored over 40 points in the SEC Championship game, this time beating eventual national champions, the Georgia Bulldogs. In a game of dueling quarterbacks, the run game was largely forgotten as Georgia’s Stetson Bennett and game MVP, Bryce Young combined for over 750 yards passing and six touchdowns. The passing game would ultimately prove the difference between the two teams as Bennett threw two interceptions including a pick-six early in the 3rd quarter that put the game beyond doubt.