CFB Conference Championship Week Pulse: Tips and Picks Across the Sports Media Industry
Delivering quick insights, curated from experts and insiders from outlets such as CBS, ESPN, The Athletic, USA Today, SB Nation, and more.
Welcome to this week’s CFB Pulse, your ultimate source for expert CFB picks, predictions, and in-depth analysis from professionals across the media industry. Whether you're a fan or a seasoned bettor, we’re here to offer concise insights and overviews for each game, ensuring you're well-informed throughout this thrilling CFB season.
Thanks for reading Tallysight Sports! Subscribe for free to receive new posts and support my work.
Betting Terminology (learn more here):
SU = Straight Up Winner
ATS = Against the [Points] Spread
Total = Over or Under Total Points
% = Industry Consensus
PAC-12 Championship: Oregon Ducks (#5) @ Washington Huskies (#3) • 12/1 @ 8:00 pm
• Winner: Oregon Ducks (72%)
• Spread: Washington Huskies +9.5 (70%)
• Total Points: Over 65.5 (67%)
James Parks, Sports Illustrated - “The winner of the last-ever Pac-12 Championship Game should be a certainty to make the College Football Playoff. That goes for the Ducks, too, who have played some of the most consistent, balanced, and dominant football in the country since losing to the Huskies midseason. Oregon presents a credible defensive challenge to Washington, which has won games by just 6 points on average in Pac-12 play.”
James Parks' Pick: Oregon Ducks win
BIG 12 Championship: Oklahoma State Cowboys (#18) @ Texas Longhorns (#7) • 12/2 @ 12:00 pm
• Winner: Texas Longhorns (89%)
• Spread: Oklahoma State Cowboys +15 (68%)
• Total Points: Over 55 (83%)
Heather Dinich, ESPN - “The Longhorns aren't going to stop Ollie Gordon II, but they will certainly slow down the Big 12's leading rusher. The Texas defense, anchored by tackle T'Vondre Sweat, will make sustaining drives difficult, and quarterback Quinn Ewers will play like he did in September when the Longhorns beat Bama.”
Heather Dinich's Pick: Texas Longhorns 35-28
SEC Championship: Georgia Bulldogs (#1) @ Alabama Crimson Tide (#8) • 12/2 @ 4:00 pm
• Winner: Georgia Bulldogs (95%)
• Spread: Alabama Crimson Tide +6 (65%)
• Total Points: Under 54.5 (50%)
Adam Rittenberg, ESPN - “It would be peak Nick Saban to win this game with a flawed team (which should already have its second loss) and set up a CFP debate for the ages. But Georgia's defense is set up well to defend Jalen Milroe and Alabama's big-play-reliant passing game. Beck's efficiency and Georgia's rushing depth shows up in the second half.”
Adam Rittenberg’s Pick: Georgia Bulldogs 28-20
ACC Championship: Louisville Cardinals (#14) @ Florida State Seminoles (#4) • 12/2 @ 8:00 pm
• Winner: Florida State Seminoles (74%)
• Spread: Florida State Seminoles -1.5 (67%)
• Total Points: Under 47.5 (63%)
David Kenyon, Bleacher Report - “Defense, defense, defense. That's the story in the ACC championship, which is remarkably the third game involving a program that has an injured QB. Fortunately for Florida State, it has held eight straight teams to 20 points or fewer. One final time, the 'Noles survive—and punch a ticket to the College Football Playoff.”
David Kenyon's Pick: Florida State Seminoles 23-19
BIG Ten Championship: Iowa Hawkeyes (#16) @ Michigan Wolverines (#2) • 12/2 @ 8:00 pm
• Winner: Michigan Wolverines (100%)
• Spread: Michigan Wolverines -21.5 (59%)
• Total Points: Under 35 (83%)
Adam Rittenberg, ESPN - “The Hawkeyes need to avoid three-and-outs, shorten the game, win the turnover battle and limit Michigan's big plays. They can check a few boxes for a while but not all of them. Michigan is too talented and explosive in a setting (Lucas Oil Stadium) that always favors the faster team. Donovan Edwards breaks off a long touchdown run.”
Adam Rittenberg’s Pick: Michigan Wolverines 34-9
We hope you enjoy this week’s games and see you again next Sunday!
Have any questions or feedback? Shoot us a note at hello@tallysight.com or @tallysight on X. We’d love to hear from you!
Until next time,
Team TS