College Football Championship Weekend Picks

The weekend is finally here, which means it’s time to make our College Football Championship Weekend picks at BetRivers.com.

We’ve waited months for it, and it’s finally here—championship week in college football. From the smaller conferences to the Power 5, we’ve got a slate of exciting games just begging for a little action, and we plan on giving you the edge you need. The Thundering Herd look for their first conference title since 2014, Oregon steps in to try to repeat as Pac-12 Champions, and Iowa State looks to do something it has not done since 1912.

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Longtime sports broadcaster and gambling expert Michael Jenkins is here to give you his favorite college football championship weekend picks, including a winner in the MAC Championship game as well.

MORE: Championship Weekend Preview

College Football Championship Weekend Picks:

UAB (5-3) at Marshall (7-1). 7:00 p.m. ET (Friday)
Moneyline: Marshall -205, UAB +165
Spread: Marshall -4.5
Over/Under: 43 points   
Click here for the full list of UAB-Marshall odds.

Marshall was another one of those under the radar teams making a bid for a perfect season before it all came crashing down two weeks ago against Rice. The Thundering Herd lost that game but still welcome UAB on Friday night with the Conference USA title on the line. That loss to the Owls has shortened this line too much.

The Thundering Herd averaged 32.2 points per game, but most importantly, they have the top defense in the conference. The favorite is 4-0 in the last four games in this series, and I’m laying the short number. The pick: Marshall -4.5.

Ball State (5-1) at Buffalo (5-0). 7:30 p.m. ET (Friday)
Moneyline: Buffalo -530, Ball State +350
Spread: Buffalo -13
Over/Under: 67.5 points

It’s been a nice run for Ball State, which lost its season opener only to win five straight to make an appearance in Friday night’s MAC Championship game in Detroit. Unfortunately, the Cardinals will meet a Bulls team that features a potent rushing attack and one of the best backs in the country in Jaret Patterson.

Buffalo has the highest-scoring offense in the nation, racking up 51.8 points per game, and the Bulls have also covered seven of their last eight. The pick: Buffalo -14.

Oregon (3-2) at #13 Southern Cal (5-0). 8:00 p.m. ET (Friday)
Moneyline: USC -153, Oregon +123
Spread: USC -3.5
Over/Under: 63.5 points
Click here for the full list of Oregon-USC odds.

What in the world are you doing here, Oregon? COVID-19 wiped out so much of the Washington Huskies lineup that the Ducks slide into the Pac-12 Championship game with a chance to defend their title.

And yes, this is the same Oregon team that has lost two straight and faces an undefeated USC squad with one of the best quarterbacks in the country in Kedon Slovis. So, naturally, I’m siding with the Ducks. The line makes no sense whatsoever, and Oregon is 5-2 ATS in its last seven against the Trojans. The pick: Oregon +3.5.

#12 Oklahoma (7-2) at #8 Iowa State (8-2). 12:00 p.m. ET
Moneyline: Oklahoma -210, Iowa State +165
Spread: Oklahoma -5.5
Over/Under: 58 points
Click here for the full list of Oklahoma-Iowa State odds.

When quarterback Brock Purdy was recruited to Ames, the pitch was to lead Iowa State to prominence after years of being a bottom feeder. The sell worked, Purdy spurned Alabama, and now he’s led the Cyclones all the way to the Big 12 Championship game to meet the favored Sooners.

Iowa State has already beaten Oklahoma once this season, and the Cyclones are a great story. However, OU’s defense has quietly climbed to 16th in the country, and the Sooners are 5-1 ATS in their last six. The pick: Oklahoma -5.5.

#1 Alabama (10-0) at #11 Florida (8-2). 8:00 p.m. ET
Moneyline: Alabama -770, Florida +480
Spread: Alabama -17
Over/Under: 74 points
Click here for the full list of Alabama-Florida odds.

A bit of the excitement was taken out of Saturday’s SEC Championship game when the Gators were upset 37-34 by LSU last weekend, ending Florida’s hopes of making the College Football Playoff. I’m sure Alabama Head Coach Nick Saban was just fine with that. The Crimson Tide are the favorites to win the national title after ten straight wins and an average of 49.5 points per game.

While the Gators can ease their disappointment with a conference title, I have a hard time seeing them motivated enough to be competitive. The Crimson Tide are 7-0 ATS in their last seven. The pick: Alabama -17.0.