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CFB betting preview: How to bet SEC, Big Ten, ACC title games

Kevin C. Cox / Getty Images Sport / Getty

We're grouping a trio of Power 5 conference championships because, to be honest, they're not that interesting - particularly when it comes to the national title picture. No one in the ACC has a case for playoff inclusion, while the big favorites in the SEC and Big Ten championships can face upsets Saturday and still get good news Sunday.

SEC championship: No. 14 LSU vs. No. 1 Georgia (-17.5, 50.5)

PRESEASON ODDS
LSU +7000
Georgia +155

It's amazing how much win probability Alabama sucks up on the oddsboard when you reflect on the price for each of this year's SEC finalists. We'd be happy with a ticket on either team at those numbers but instead have an uninspiring game with a big point spread.

Georgia's offense is going to have success against an LSU defense that gave up 274 yards on the ground against the woeful Texas A&M in the regular-season finale. If the Bulldogs can run the football with that ease, Stetson Bennett will have all the time in the world to find Ladd McConkey, Brock Bowers, or anyone else he so chooses. The Tigers have gotten this far thanks to outstanding play from Harold Perkins, but Kirby Smart won't let his offense get blown up by a freshman linebacker.

The hope is that Jayden Daniels' foot will be in good enough condition for him to play after he was hurt in the Tigers' loss to the Aggies. A healthy Daniels could lead one to believe LSU can hang around with Georgia, but that's a risky bet. If Daniels can't go, things could get loose with Garrett Nussmeier forcing the ball into the Bulldogs' defense.

A close game is likely to go over a modest total, but so is a blowout - as we saw the last time Georgia played in Atlanta when it beat Oregon 49-3.

Pick: Over 50.5 points

Big Ten championship: Purdue vs. No. 2 Michigan (-17, 51.5)

PRESEASON ODDS
Purdue +3000
Michigan +600

It's amazing how much win probability Ohio State sucks up on the oddsboard when you reflect on how easy Michigan made it look in knocking off the Buckeyes in their showdown.

Last year, Iowa was so bad offensively that no amount of pressure or letdown from a big win over its archrival could slow the Wolverines from rolling to the College Football Playoff. Purdue is the diametric opposite of Iowa.

Michigan will have success bullying the Boilermakers, running the ball effectively on them at its leisure. Purdue's best chance is to at least force the Wolverines to take their time moving it down the field.

The Wolverines were explosive when they beat the Buckeyes with two long pass touchdowns and two long rushing touchdowns. Part of that success was scheme-oriented, though, with Ohio State daring Michigan to beat it with J.J. McCarthy's arm. Then, needing to sell out to stop the run, Donovan Edwards broke big scoring runs.

With a less aggressive defensive approach, Purdue can stay in the game. That's a relative term since a three-touchdown lead means Michigan will be celebrating a second straight championship and return trip to the CFP in the fourth quarter. That may allow Aidan O'Connell to throw the Boilers in through the backdoor, if necessary.

Pick: Purdue +17

ACC championship: No. 24 North Carolina vs. No. 10 Clemson (-8, 63.5)

PRESEASON ODDS
North Carolina +1500
Clemson -125

The ACC was so bad this season that one of the least inspiring Clemson teams of this generation easily made it to Charlotte, as this game has been set for weeks.

The Tigers have been as disappointing at quarterback as they have been on defense. Dabo Swinney is sticking with DJ Uiagalelei, but who is he scaring after the quarterback's legitimately awful games in three of Clemson's last four?

Even if Clemson's offense plays well, there's still the matter of Drake Maye. The freshman Heisman contender can have the same success that Spencer Rattler, Jordan Travis, and Sam Hartman had against the Tigers' defense, as those three quarterbacks combined for 951 yards and 10 touchdowns against just two interceptions.

North Carolina has a knack for not quite winning their biggest games, but with a spread up over a touchdown, the Tar Heels can bounce back after consecutive losses to be competitive in this championship game.

Pick: North Carolina +8

Matt Russell is a betting writer for theScore. If there's a bad beat to be had, Matt will find it. Find him on Twitter @mrussauthentic.

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