College football Championship Week: Picks and preview

Texas-San Antonio's perfect season came to an end with last weekend's 45-23 blowout loss at sizzling North Texas. However, the Roadrunners had already punched their ticket to the Conference USA title game, which they will host. UTSA's Frank Harris (2,688 passing yards, 23 touchdowns, five interceptions) threw for 349 yards with six touchdowns and Sincere McCormick ran for 120 in a wild 52-46 win at Western Kentucky on Oct. 9. That was the last defeat for the Hilltoppers, who have won seven straight since that loss. WKU quarterback Bailey Zappe leads the nation in passing yards (4,968) and touchdowns (52). He threw for 523 in the loss to UTSA. Teammate Jerreth Sterns is the national leader with 127 catches. He caught 16 of them while totaling 195 yards and two scores against the Roadrunners.

Prediction: Western Kentucky (-2 1/2)

Oregon was in a position to earn a spot in the College Football Playoff semifinals two weeks ago, but that went out the window with a 38-7 loss at Utah on Nov. 20. Now, the teams meet again for the Pac-12 title on a neutral field. With it comes a trip to the Rose Bowl. The Utes have never won the league title, but are rolling while outscoring their opponents 200-80 during their current five-game winning streak. The last time these teams met for the Pac-12 championship, the Ducks won 37-15 in 2019.

Prediction: Utah (-2 1/2)

NIU is in the MAC Championship Game for the eighth time in 12 seasons and got there in 2021 after going 0-6 in 2020. Paced by a running game ranked fifth in the nation averaging 231.8 yards and former Michigan State quarterback Rocky Lombardi (2,286 passing yards, 13 touchdowns, seven interceptions; five rushing TDs), the West Division-champion Huskies went 7-2 in games decided by eight or fewer points. One of those defeats came at Kent State, 52-47 on Nov. 3, where Lombardi threw for 532 yards. The Golden Flashes' Dustin Crum (7,027 career yards, 50 TDs, 10 INTs) threw for 322 in that contest and leads an offense that's averaged 40.1 points while winning five of its last seven.

Prediction: Northern Illinois (+3)

Should Oklahoma State beat Baylor for the second time this season, and some other results around the country fall in its favor then Mike Gundy's group will be part of the CFP semifinals. The Cowboys have averaged 40.4 points during their five-game winning streak. Meanwhile, Baylor has allowed an average of 16.0 points while winning its last three contests. The Bears' last Big 12 title came in 2014. Oklahoma State's only one goes back to 2011.

Prediction: Oklahoma State (-5 1/2)

San Diego State has rebounded nicely from its 30-20 home loss to Fresno State on Oct. 30. The Aztecs ride a four-game winning streak into a Mountain West Conference Championship Game they will host in their temporary home of Carson, Calif. SDSU won its previous two trips to the league title game but is back for the first time since 2016. Since the start of the 2010 season, San Diego State is 4-1 against Utah State, which is 6-0 on the road this season and making its first title-game appearance since 2013.

Prediction: San Diego State (-5)

Technically, Louisiana is part of a fourth straight Sun Belt Championship Game appearance. However, COVID-19 canceled last season's matchup with Coastal Carolina, so both teams shared the title. Prior to that, Louisiana lost to Appalachian State in the previous two championship contests. This time around, the Ragin' Cajuns have won 11 straight following a 38-18 loss at then-No. 21 Texas. That run includes a 41-13 home win over App State on Oct. 12. Since then, though, the Mountaineers have outscored their opponents by an average margin of 25.7 points during a six-game winning streak.

Prediction: Louisiana (+2 1/2)

No doubt, this is the marquee matchup of championship weekend. There's obviously plenty on the line in terms of the CFP. But will it really be close? Georgia has allowed just 83 points and won all but one game by 17 or more points this season. Meanwhile, reigning national champion Alabama won its final three SEC games -- against LSU, then-No. 21 Arkansas and Auburn -- by a combined 15 points. The Tide have won six straight in this series, including twice in the SEC title game, but is the undisputed underdog this time around.

Prediction: Georgia (-6 1/2)

These two teams are soon headed to the Big 12, but more than the American Athletic Conference championship will be on the line this weekend. It's safe to say this is the biggest game in Cincinnati football history. A 22nd consecutive non-bowl victory and the Bearcats will be part of the College Football Playoff semifinals. They've won the last two meetings with Houston by a combined 43 points. However, the Cougars are averaging 40.4 points and giving up 18.2 during their current 11-game winning streak.

Prediction: Cincinnati (-10 1/2)

It's probably safe to say that not many thought this would be the matchup for the Big Ten title. But, the Wolverines finally got the best of Ohio State and Jim Harbaugh gets his long-awaited appearance in the league title game. A win here, and Michigan will be playing for a shot at a national title. The Wolverines allow an average of 17.2 points. Which likely doesn't bode well for Iowa and its inconsistent offense that's been held to 17 or fewer points three times this season. These teams split the last four meetings, but only Iowa has played in the league's championship game before.

Prediction: Iowa (+10 1/2)

It's truly a year of firsts when it comes to the ACC Championship Game. For the first time in seven seasons, Clemson won't be crowned champion. As a result, Wake Forest will be looking for its third ACC championship. and first since 2006. Pitt, meanwhile, has never won this league's football title. We should also be in for a fun matchup between two of the nation's top quarterbacks in 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 won the most recent meeting 34-13 in 2018.

Prediction: Pittsburgh (-3)

Hidden amid the madness of the conference championship weekend is a stray Pac-12 matchup between two schools without a bowl to look toward. This game was originally scheduled for Nov. 13, but COVID-19 issues within the Cal program postponed the contest. Now, the underachieving Trojans take the field for the first time following the hire of former Oklahoma coach Lincoln Riley. USC has lost three in a row and allowed an average of 39.2 points during its current 1-5 stretch. Cal, meanwhile, will be trying for a third consecutive win at home, where it last beat the Trojans in 2003.

Prediction: Cal (-4)

The second round of the Football Championship Subdivision playoffs begins with this prime-time matchup. Villanova is trying to post its first double-digit victory season since 2014. The Wildcats are paced by a defense that ranks eighth in the FCS allowing an average of 15.1 points and held four opponents without a touchdown this season. Holy Cross enters on a seven-game winning streak after Jalen Coker's 35-yard touchdown reception with 14 seconds left vaulted the Crusaders over Sacred Heart 13-10 in the opening round. These teams are meeting for the first time since 2009.

Prediction: Villanova (-13)

This should be a fun one between a pair of Big Sky Conference rivals. Montana, which won at then-No. 20 Washington this season, has outscored its opponents 148-46 during its current five-game winning streak. However, EWU, the 2018 FCS national runner-up, who edged Northern Iowa 19-9 in round one last weekend, used a 24-point fourth quarter to rally for a 34-28 home victory over the Grizzlies on Oct. 2. The rematch will be at Montana, but the Eagles are 6-0 on the road this season.

Prediction: Montana (-3)

Back in 2015, when football returned to ETSU, the first team the Buccaneers faced was Kennesaw State. Now, the Bucs' special season could come down to this, and Kennesaw is standing in the way of advancement in the FCS playoffs. ETSU's Quay Holmes leads the FCS averaging 130.1 rushing yards, to go along with six touchdowns. Kennesaw, which suffered its only loss at Georgia Tech on Sept. 11, also features one of the subdivisions top offensive performers in quarterback Xavier Shepherd (15 TD passes; 23 rushing TDs).

Prediction: Kennesaw State (-2 1/2)

The 2016 FCS national champion and runner-up 2017 and '19. James Madison hopes to be in the mix for a title again this season. The Dukes' lone defeat came versus Villanova on Oct. 9, and since then they've outscored their last opponents by an average of 24.2 points. Quarterback Cole Johnson has thrown for 2,953 yards with 32 touchdowns and just two interceptions. SE Louisiana lost two of its last three regular-season games, but it rolled over Florida A&M 38-14 in the opening round.

Prediction: James Madison (-15)

Sam Houston begins its national title defense looking for a 22nd straight victory. With most of its talent back from last season's championship squad, the Bearkats have not missed a beat while averaging 41.4 points and allowing just 17.3 per game. Quarterback Eric Schmid has thrown for 2,241 yards with 26 touchdowns and seven interceptions while Ramon Jefferson's rushed for 978 and 11 touchdowns. Incarnate Word is coming off its first playoff win, 35-28 over fellow Texas foe Stephen F. Austin and averages 39.3 points. However, the task for the Cardinals this weekend has never been greater.

Prediction: Sam Houston (-13 1/2)

Since the 2011 season, NDSU has won eight FCS national championships. However, the Bison's quest for a fourth in a row ended last season when they lost to Sam Houston in the quarterfinals (which were held in May). Don't think NDSU, which yields an FCS-low 12.1 points per game, isn't determined. The Bison had won eight straight over Missouri Valley Conference foe SIU until the Salukis posted an impressive 38-14 victory in last season's meeting. SIU dropped three of its final four regular-season games but stunned South Dakota 22-10 in last weekend's playoff opener.

Prediction: NDSU (-13 )

Montana State gets it done with defense, allowing an average of 13.2 points (ranked third in FCS). But, the Bobcats also have one of the country's top rushers in Isaiah Ifanse, who ranks fourth in the FCS with 1,258 yards on the ground, plus eight touchdowns. UT Martin boasts a solid running back of its own in Peyton Logan, who has rushed for 1,050 yards. Though he's scored just four touchdowns and faces a huge challenge in this contest.

Prediction: Montana State (-11)

Sacramento State won the Big Sky and is about to make its second playoff appearance. The Hornets have shined thanks to their quarterback duo of Jake Dunniway (2,245 passing yards, 11 TDs, three INTs) and Asher O'Hara (team-leading 656 rushing yards, nine touchdowns on the ground). However, their opening playoff contest comes against last season's national runner-up South Dakota State, which won at Colorado State, beat North Dakota State, and rolled by UC Davis 56-24 in its first postseason opener. Jackrabbits running Pierre Strong Jr. leads the FCS with 1,489 yards to go along with 16 touchdowns.

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