It’s finally here. All 10 of the FBS’ conferences will do battle in championship games to see who reigns supreme.

Odds Buster is back on the case breaking down the games and giving you suggestions on how to prepare for the action-packed weekend.

The championships start tonight with a PAC-12 Championship showdown in San Francisco.

PAC-12 Championship: #5 Utah Utes (11-1) vs. #13 Oregon Ducks (10-2) @ Levi Stadium

Kick: 8:00 p.m. EST on ABC

The Utah Utes come into the game with a lot on the line.

If Tyler Huntley and the Utes can knock off a strong Oregon Ducks team, they have a strong case of the College Football Playoff’s fourth spot — close your eyes Paul Finebaum.

It’s a big if though as this game might be the biggest toss-up of the weekend.

The Utes come in with the third-ranked defense in the country. They’ve only given up more than 17 points twice this year, but a demoralizing loss to then-unranked USC stands out on their schedule.

Justin Herbert had big expectations coming into the year of leading the Ducks to a national championship after dodging the draft for his senior year. It’s safe to say that won’t pan out. To make noise tonight, he’ll need to be in sync with top receivers Johnny Johnson III and Jaylen Reed because Utah’s top-ranked rush defense is sure to give C.J. Verdell and Travis Dye fits.

Speaking of miserable, expect a steady influx of rain at Levi Stadium, which bodes well for the Utes. They allow just 56.3 rushing yards per game while Oregon allows over 100 yards per game.

If the Ducks can’t get their passing game going with Herbert, consider the Ducks’ hopes lost.

Verdict: Due to rain in the forecast and two superb defenses, take the under 45.5 points. My official pick though is Oregon to cover. Outside of two games, which came down to the wire, this team could be a playoff team. My official pick is Oregon to cover +6.5.

MAC Championship: Miami (OH) RedHawks(7-5) vs. Central Michigan Chippewas @ Ford Field

Kick: 12:00 p.m. EST on ESPN2

All of the sorrows from betting on #MACtion Tuesday nights this year culminates with a championship game pitting Miami (OH) up against Central Michigan.

This Miami RedHawks team forgot what defense is in 2019. They’re giving up 28.8 points a game while letting their opponents average 180.3 rushing yards per game.

It doesn’t help that their facing a very balanced team in Central Michigan.

Despite an injury-plagued September, CMU quarterback Quinten Dormady took the starting job and didn’t look back this year.

Central Michigan’s two-headed monster of Jonathan Ward (1,056 yards) and Kobe Lewis (953 yards) are the tandem to watch tomorrow. With the RedHawks’ putrid defense, these guys are poised to put up big numbers.

Verdict: Easy take here. Central Michigan at -6.5 makes too much sense, but who knows? It’s #MACtion after all.

Sun Belt Championship: Louisiana-Lafayette (10-2) vs. Appalachian St. (11-1) @ Kidd Brewer Stadium

Kick: 12:00 p.m. EST on ESPN

Let’s not ignore this game. It’s going to be a shootout in North Carolina.

The Appalachian St. Mountaineers possess impressive wins on their docket this year such as UNC and South Carolina.

Unfortunately for the Mountaineers, the Group of Five New Years Six bowl bid looks like it runs through the American Conference this year unless they absolutely dominate this game — something to think about.

When these two teams met in October, Appalachian St. came out on top, 17-7.

The Mountaineers played a much tougher schedule this year, outscoring opponents 315-131 in the process.

Both quarterbacks had middle-of-the-road performances against each other last time out, but I expect Mountaineers’ quarterback Zac Thomas to build off of his 28-for-34 game a week ago, which included 326 yards and four touchdowns against Troy.

Verdict: Unless Levi Lewis plays out of his mind, Appalachian State will cover again. App. St. -6.5

Big 12 Championship: Baylor Bears (11-1) vs. Oklahoma Sooners (11-1) @ AT&T Stadium

Kick: 12:00 p.m. EST on ABC

Could the Big 12 be without a College Football Playoff team for the first time since 2016? A Utah and/or Georgia win could certainly make that nightmare a reality for the conference.

Nevertheless, the Baylor Bears and Oklahoma Sooners do battle again after the Bears blew a huge 28-3 lead against the Sooners on November 16.

Baylor fields an electric on offense with junior Charlie Brewer at the helm, but I don’t think it’ll be enough.

If Jalen Hurts can limit turnovers, Oklahoma’s offense should boom with the return of CeeDee Lamb, who didn’t play when these teams first met.

However, because of Baylor’s stout defense ranked 13th in the country, I expect another tight game — this time the whole way through and not the final score.

Verdict: Baylor +9

C-USA Championship: UAB (9-3) vs. FAU (9-3) @ FAU Owls Stadium

Kick: 1:30 p.m. EST on CBSS

The UAB Blazers have been phenomenal on defense of late, allowing just 15 points per game.

They’ll need to continue that play against a very solid FAU offense to have a chance.



What scares me for the Blazers is that they allowed 268 passing yards to North Texas last week after averaging 175.5 passing yards allowed all year.

I think FAU’s sophomore quarterback Chris Robinson can expose some of these matchups and lead Lane Kiffin and FAU to a big win. Maybe Kiffin’s last game with FAU?

Take it at its worth, but the underdog in these games are 4-0 the past couple years.

That snaps this year though.

FAU can send Kiffin out with a nice 10-win season before he leaves for an SEC opening like Arkansas’ vacancy.

Verdict: FAU -8

AAC Championship: #20 Cincinnati Bearcats (10-2) vs. #17 Memphis Tigers (11-1) @ Liberty Bowl Memorial Stadium

The Memphis Tigers earned the right to play at home after defeating the Cincinnati Bearcats 34-24 last week.

This game was closer than the score shows. The Bearcats took chances they maybe otherwise wouldn’t have if they weren’t guaranteed a conference championship spot heading in.

The Bearcats were able to get Michael Warren II going last week with 122 yards on the ground and a touchdown. That made it three straight weeks over 100 yards for the junior tailback, so getting him going will be big for Cincinnati.

Perhaps the biggest key to the game lies with the quarterback situation of Cincinnati.

Head coach Luke Fickell already said Desmond Ridder would start over freshman Ben Bryant if he’s healthy.

The defensive backs will play a big role though for the Bearcats.

Can the shutdown Brady White and his 32 touchdown passes? I think they can after limiting him to 233 yards last week.

Here are some interesting tidbits found on Sports Jaw…

Bearcats are 2-4 ATS in their last 6 games.

The total has gone under in 5 of Cincinnati’s last 6 games.

Memphis is 0-6 ATS in their last 6 games played in December.

The total has gone over in 7 of Memphis’ last 9 games.

Verdict: Cincinnati +9

MWC: Hawaii Rainbow Warriors (9-4) vs. #19 Boise St. Broncos @ Albertsons Stadium

Kick: 4:00 p.m. EST on ESPN

Odd stat off the bat: The team who won in the regular season matchup and then met again in the MWC lost the second go around every year, so there’s a tip of the cap to the Rainbow Warriors heading in.

Snapback to reality… that won’t happen this year.

What can happen though is a cover. Both teams score a lot of points. Just look at their first 59-37 game.

The Broncos have holes in their secondary and Hawaii can expose that if they protect the football.

Three players were out last week for Boise St.: starting safety DeAndre Pierce, his replacement Jordan Happle and freshman cornerback Markel Reed. Whether they play or not, a week off can be detrimental to this secondary.

Verdict: Hawaii +13.5

SEC Championship: #4 Georgia Bulldogs vs. #2 LSU Tigers @ Mercedes-Benz Stadium

Kick: 4:00 p.m. EST on CBS

Led by Joe Burrow, this LSU team loves to score. They’re second in the country, scoring 48 points per game.

It’s going to be strength against strength.

Georgia might not be able to match LSU offensively, but they can make up for it with their second-ranked defensive that gives up 9.8 points per game.

The Bulldogs will need to avoid a shootout in this game because we know how that ends — ask Alabama.

To get any sort of offense generated, Georgia will need D’Andre Swift at 100 percent and I’m not so sure that he is going to be after being banged up against Texas A&M.

LSU’s offense will be too much for the Bulldogs.

Verdict: LSU -7… Stay away from the O/U. It’s a crap shoot depending on who commands the tempo of this game.

ACC Championship: #23 Virginia Cavaliers vs. #3 Clemson Tigers @ Bank of America Stadium

Kick: 7:30 p.m. EST on ESPN

I don’t understand the humongous line here. Is it the national pundits hate against the Coastal? Did Clemson’s 42-10 shellacking of Pitt last year carry over into setting this line?

Yes, Clemson ranks as the number one offense in the country, but who have they played? Their best win came against North Carolina when the Tar Heels were a two-point conversion away from beating the Tigers with true freshman Sam Howell — at least Virginia played Notre Dame.

Anyways, Bryce Perkins leads this hungry Cavaliers offense. He showed last week just how fast they can move down the field and score against a very good Virginia Tech defense.

It also can’t go unnoticed that Perkins threw for more yards thus far than Trevor Lawrence.

Public money might go with Clemson because of the name, but bet smart and take Virginia. I’d be shocked if they don’t cover 28 points.

The ACC Coastal isn’t as bad as its perception.

Verdict: Virginia +28.5

Big 10 Championship: #1 Ohio State Buckeyes vs. #8 Wisconsin Badgers @ Lucas Oil Stadium

It’s going to be a laugher. Nobody on the Wisconsin offensive line can stop the havoc Chase Young and company are about to bring tomorrow night.

Despite Wisconsin’s Jonathan Taylor being a Heisman candidate and rushing for 1,761 yards this season, the Buckeyes have a history of containing him — Taylor averages 2.65 yards per carry against Ohio State.

Add in the fact that the Buckeyes own an FBS-best 49.9 yards per game to go along with a 534.3 yards per game and Wisconsin doesn’t stand a chance.

Last time out (10/26/19): Ohio State 38, Wisconsin 7

If anything, Paul Chryst and his staff will be more aggressive and make more mistakes against OSU.

Verdict: Ohio State -15.5

Moving Forward

Check back Saturday night for what I think are the three best bets on NFL Sunday and all the other picks for Sunday and Monday.

*Disclaimer: These bets don’t ensure wins. Instead, they’re offered as suggestions with reasoning when making betting decisions.

PHOTO: Bryce Perkins looks to continue his masterful senior season by giving the Clemson Tigers a run for their money. Photo courtesy of Lee Luther Jr./USA TODAY Sports.