This week over at Crystal Ball Run, the staff (including myself) went in depth on the Conference Championship Games. We also picked all of the games. Head over to Crystal Ball Run to check out the predictions for each staff for every game, but here are my picks…..
ACC: Duke vs FSU
I love that Duke is in this game but FSU is just playing too good right now to lose this game.
Prediction: FSU 45 Duke 24
Big Ten: Ohio State vs Michigan State
Michigan State hasn't lost since Sept 21st and their offense has grown as the season has progressed. Ohio State has the best offense Michigan State will see this year and Michigan State has the best defense that Ohio State will see. So which unit is the one unit that is the weakest? That would be the Spartans offense. I really want to pick Sparty in this game but I just can't pull the trigger on it.
Prediction: Ohio State 31 Michigan State 28
C-USA: Marshall vs Rice
On a neutral field, I would take Marshall to win this game every time. But all of Marshall's losses this year have come on the road (Ohio, VT and MTSU). Rice went 5-0 at home this season while the Thundering Herd went 3-3 on the road.
Prediction: Rice 38 Marshall 31
MAC: NIU vs Bowling Green
NIU has been perfect on the season. Bowling Green on the other hand has slipped up three different times. The Falcons are on a bit of a hot streak though winning four straight including divisional opponents Buffalo and Ohio and they beat both of those teams to make it to this game. The Falcons have allowed just 13.8 ppg this season so expect them to make life a little uncomfortable for Jordan Lynch but in the end, Lynch and NIU win this game.
Prediction: NIU 27 Bowling Green 20
MWC: Fresno State vs Utah State
Down the stretch, Utah State feasted on weaker opponents to catch fire and overtake a Boise State team that beat them to make it to this game. Fresno State was 10-0 and a threat to make a BCS bowl game until last week when their defense just got obliterated by San Jose State (6-6). I think Fresno has enough offensive firepower to win this game going away. It's a good thing for them that Chuckie Keeton isn't playing in this one.
Prediction: Fresno State 42 Utah State 35
Pac-12: Arizona State vs Stanford
Surprisingly, I actually picked Arizona State to be in this game at the beginning of the season but I did more because I had to pick somebody than I thought they actually had a chance to win. Earlier this season, the Sun Devils lost by 14 at Stanford but I think this is a different team now as they have won seven straight and dispatched UCLA and then ran rough shot over Arizona in their last two games. Something tells me that ASU will pull this one out. They might need the refs from the Wisconsin game, but they will pull it out.
Prediction: Arizona State 31 Stanford 24
SEC: Missouri vs Auburn
A match-up of two really good teams that nobody thought would be here at the beginning of the season. I made a point of saying that these are "really good teams", because they aren't great teams but they both play solid football and give themselves a chance to win every game they are in. They create chances for luck and they haven't shot themselves in the foot this year. If Auburn can keep Dee Ford on the field, I think he will have a huge impact on the game and the Tigers will hoist the trophy.
Prediction: Auburn 27 Missouri 24
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