{"id":32635,"date":"2024-12-04T12:49:40","date_gmt":"2024-12-04T17:49:40","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.wagertalk.com\/news\/?p=32635"},"modified":"2024-12-04T12:49:42","modified_gmt":"2024-12-04T17:49:42","slug":"college-football-conference-championship-picks-and-preview","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.wagertalk.com\/news\/college-football\/college-football-conference-championship-picks-and-preview\/","title":{"rendered":"College Football Conference Championship Picks and Preview"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p>Expert college football analyst Ron Marmalefsky gives his college football betting preview heading into conference championship weekend including Clemson vs SMU, Penn State vs Oregon and Texas vs Georgia and more!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>WagerTalk, the home of expert sports picks and the legendary GoldSheet, offers free <a href=\"https:\/\/www.wagertalk.com\/free-sports-picks\/college-football\">college football best bets<\/a> and free NCAAF picks daily, as well as premium <a href=\"https:\/\/www.wagertalk.com\/picks\/college-football\">expert NCAAF betting picks<\/a> at amazing prices. And, don&#8217;t forget, at WagerTalk you can always find the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.wagertalk.com\/free-sports-picks\/nfl\">NFL best bets today<\/a> updated constantly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"nebraska-college-football-2024-preview-whats-the-situation\">ACC Championship: Clemson vs SMU<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Clemson RB Mafah is a threat in the run game (5.4 per carry) and at 230 pounds, is tough to bring down<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>QB Cade Klubnik (64%, 29-5 ratio) has improved dramatically from a year ago<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>My corrected for stats rush formula has Clemson allowing 4.8 yards-per-carry, their worst figure in quite some time<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Conversely, their pass defense continues to impress<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>SMU\u2019s offense is one of the most balanced offenses in all of the NCAA<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>RB Smith has barely been slowed down all year (1,157-6.0 per carry, 14 TD\u2019s rushing, 29 catches, 3 more TD\u2019s)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>It may surprise some, but SMU is more of a run first team.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Clemson must win to make the 12-team playoffs.\u00a0 Barring a lopsided loss, SMU should make the playoffs.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>My numbers show no edge, but Clemson has a decent team-oriented situation.\u00a0 I slightly favor the under.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Big 12 Championship: Iowa State vs Arizona State<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>I\u2019m not surprised at Iowa State\u2019s modest run numbers.\u00a0 My projection was 4.25 per carry; they ran 4.45 per carry, adjusted for sacks and kneel downs using my rush formula.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Two WR\u2019s exceeded 1,000 receiving yards.\u00a0 The two seniors are very reliable.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Iowa State\u2019s pass attack will be challenged by an ASU pass defense that exceeded expectations.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>It\u2019s been since 2016 since Iowa State had this bad a run defense.\u00a0 The average from 2017-2023 was under 4.0 yards per carry.\u00a0 This year\u2019s squad allowed 5.2 per carry.\u00a0\u00a0<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>ASU QB Sam Leavitt not only stretches the field, but also limits interceptions (5)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Unfortunately, his leading WR, Jordyn Tyson will miss this game.\u00a0 He had 1,101 yards and ten TD\u2019s.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>The next best WR had but 17 receptions.\u00a0 Only their TE had more than three TD receptions.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Instead, ASU may ride near elite RB Cam Skattebo, who put up 1,498 rush yards, with 17 TD\u2019s.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>One area of concern for ASU is kicking.\u00a0 They made just eight of sixteen field goal attempts, including one of their last six attempts.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Big Ten Championship: Penn State vs Oregon<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Oregon\u2019s skilled position players are having outstanding seasons.\u00a0\u00a0<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>In addition, the OL is opening up big holes while at the same, time, allowing just twelve sacks.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>The defense hasn\u2019t let down.\u00a0 They have 39 sacks, and performed above expectations both vs. the run as well as the pass.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Oregon has two dangerous kick returners.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>As per usual, Penn State\u2019s stat sheet is top ten worthy.\u00a0\u00a0<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Like Oregon, Penn State is solid at all the skilled positions, and their sack ratio is 32-11.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Penn State TE Warren is elite and is NFL ready.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>The biggest issue for Penn State is coming up bigger in marque games.\u00a0 They fell short once again vs. Ohio State, and were all out to barely defeat a mediocre USC team, the second-best opponent on their schedule.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>The two teams have not met since 1995<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">SEC Championship: Texas vs Georgia<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>This is a rematch of the game played on October 19<sup>th<\/sup>.\u00a0 Texas hosted Georgia as a five-point favorite and lost 30-15.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>In that game, Georgia built up a 23-0 halftime lead.\u00a0 Carson Beck (Georgia) survived three interceptions and Georgia held on for the win.\u00a0\u00a0<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Texas has the more impressive running resume.\u00a0 In his last seven full games, RB Quintrevion Wisner has run for an average of over 105 yards per game.\u00a0\u00a0<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Both QB\u2019s were slowed down on October 19<sup>th<\/sup>.\u00a0 As these defenses defend the pass well, it could happen again.\u00a0\u00a0<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Georgia has by far the more accurate kicker.\u00a0\u00a0<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Georgia easily won the sack battle in that first meeting 7-1.\u00a0 For the season there is no edge for either team.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Excluding the 30 points scored by Georgia, Texas allowed only 110 points in their other eleven games.\u00a0<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Mountain West Championship: UNLV vs Boise State<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>This matchup is included because the winner is the most likely participant in the new 12-team playoff format.\u00a0 In addition, there\u2019s still a possibility that if Boise wins with style, they will be rated ahead of the Big 12 title winner, which would be a massive accomplishment.\u00a0 If that happens, Boise would have a first-round bye.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>This game is at Boise.\u00a0 The two teams played at UNLV on October 25<sup>th<\/sup>, in a game won by Boise, 29-24.\u00a0\u00a0<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>In that game, the rushing data was almost identical.\u00a0 The passing stats were also very close.\u00a0\u00a0<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Boise had a near 8-minute time of possession figure in that game.\u00a0\u00a0<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Heisman hopeful Ashton Jeanty ran 33-128, with one TD.\u00a0 UNLV did a great job limiting his effectiveness.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>UNLV\u2019s overall rush attack may be even harder to stop (over Boise).\u00a0 They ran 5.85 per carry in 2024.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Boise\u2019s sack ratio was 45-11.\u00a0 UNLV\u2019s was 36-24, but Boise won the sack battle, 6-0 in that last meeting.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Both teams score frequently when entering the red zone, but UNLV settled for 21 field goals (Boise 9).<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"love-what-you-see-sign-up-for-a-free-wager-talk-account\">Love What You See?  Sign Up for a Free WagerTalk Account!<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.wagertalk.com\/signup\">Sign up to receive game-day updates, late breaking releases, free picks, best bets<\/a>, exclusive betting features, pay per game and package access, contests, community networking, award-winning content and much more. Get your account today &#8211; it&#8217;s FREE!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Becoming a member of Wagertalk.com is 100% FREE with NO OBLIGATION or CREDIT CARD REQUIRED! Upon sign-up, you get instant access to our community and special offers and free picks. Sign up to <a href=\"https:\/\/www.wagertalk.com\/signup\">WagerTalk now!<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.wagertalk.com\/signup\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"400\" height=\"250\" src=\"https:\/\/www.wagertalk.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/http___cdn.taboola.com_libtrc_static_thumbnails_1702f98a90dd3f14c3dc525e510cd8bb.webp\" alt=\"Boston College 2024 football predictions\" class=\"wp-image-30557\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.wagertalk.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/http___cdn.taboola.com_libtrc_static_thumbnails_1702f98a90dd3f14c3dc525e510cd8bb.webp 400w, https:\/\/www.wagertalk.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/http___cdn.taboola.com_libtrc_static_thumbnails_1702f98a90dd3f14c3dc525e510cd8bb-300x188.webp 300w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 400px) 100vw, 400px\" \/><\/a><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"nebraska-2024-football-expert-handicapping-tip\"><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"grab-the-gold-sheet-2024-2025-betting-guide-1\">Grab the GoldSheet 2024-2025 Betting Guide<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>In a partnership with WagerTalk&#8217;s Ralph Michaels, the GoldSheet team has compiled a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.wagertalk.com\/add-digital-download-to-cart?data_digitalDownloadID=3227\">60-page college football betting guide<\/a> to help you prepare for the 2024-25 season. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.wagertalk.com\/add-digital-download-to-cart?data_digitalDownloadID=3227\">Available free of charge<\/a>, this preseason guide features our summer power ratings, projected point spreads and win probabilities for EVERY game of the upcoming season, plus coaching changes, quarterback transfers and much more.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-buttons is-content-justification-center is-layout-flex wp-container-core-buttons-is-layout-16018d1d wp-block-buttons-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-button is-style-outline is-style-outline--1\"><a class=\"wp-block-button__link has-black-color has-luminous-vivid-orange-background-color has-text-color has-background has-link-color wp-element-button\" href=\"https:\/\/www.wagertalk.com\/add-digital-download-to-cart?data_digitalDownloadID=3227\"><strong>G<\/strong>et <strong>The Ultimate NCAAF 2024 Betting Guide NOW<\/strong><\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"wager-talk-live-odds-screen-cfb\"><br>WagerTalk Live Odds Screen CFB<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>WagerTalk\u2019s&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.wagertalk.com\/odds?sport=L2&amp;cb=0.3736292060054509\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">live college football odds screen<\/a>&nbsp;features up-to-the-minute lines from a variety of offshore and domestic sports books. Track the run spreads, totals and betting percentages for all college football games. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>**************************************************<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"looking-for-more-free-sports-picks-and-sports-betting-tips\">Looking for more free sports picks and sports betting tips?<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Latest Betting Odds and Public Action<\/strong><strong>:&nbsp;<\/strong><a href=\"http:\/\/wt.buzz\/odds\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Vegas lines<\/a>&nbsp;updated in real time, including who the public is betting on.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Last Minute Handicapping Advice<\/strong>: Check out our extensive library of&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.wagertalk.com\/sports-betting-guide\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">handicapping tips<\/a>&nbsp;and advice from professional Vegas handicappers (we also recommend taking the time to look over our&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.wagertalk.com\/videos\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">sports betting tips video library<\/a>)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Want an expert opinion?<\/strong>&nbsp;Check out the latest&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.wagertalk.com\/free-sports-picks\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Free Sports Picks<\/a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.wagertalk.com\/picks\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Best Bets<\/a>&nbsp;from our team of expert sports handicappers.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><em><strong>Make sure to bookmark all the above!<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Expert college football analyst Ron Marmalefsky gives his college football betting preview heading into conference championship weekend including Clemson vs SMU, Penn State vs Oregon and Texas vs Georgia and more! WagerTalk, the home of expert sports picks and the legendary GoldSheet, offers free college football best bets and free NCAAF picks daily, as well [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":46,"featured_media":23271,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[14],"tags":[12175,7807,7808,7806,12171,12174,12173,12172],"class_list":["post-32635","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-college-football","tag-clemson-vs-smu","tag-college-football-conference-championship-picks","tag-college-football-conference-championship-predictions","tag-college-football-conference-championship-previews","tag-conference-championship","tag-iowa-state-vs-arizona-state","tag-penn-state-vs-oregon","tag-texas-vs-georgia"],"basic_html":"\n<p>Expert college football analyst Ron Marmalefsky gives his college football betting preview heading into conference championship weekend including Clemson vs SMU, Penn State vs Oregon and Texas vs Georgia and more!<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n<p>WagerTalk, the home of expert sports picks and the legendary GoldSheet, offers free <a href=\"https:\/\/www.wagertalk.com\/free-sports-picks\/college-football\">college football best bets<\/a> and free NCAAF picks daily, as well as premium <a href=\"https:\/\/www.wagertalk.com\/picks\/college-football\">expert NCAAF betting picks<\/a> at amazing prices. And, don't forget, at WagerTalk you can always find the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.wagertalk.com\/free-sports-picks\/nfl\">NFL best bets today<\/a> updated constantly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"nebraska-college-football-2024-preview-whats-the-situation\">ACC Championship: Clemson vs SMU<\/h2>\n\n\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Big 12 Championship: Iowa State vs Arizona State<\/h2>\n\n\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Big Ten Championship: Penn State vs Oregon<\/h2>\n\n\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">SEC Championship: Texas vs Georgia<\/h2>\n\n\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Mountain West Championship: UNLV vs Boise State<\/h2>\n\n\n\n\n\n<p>This matchup is included because the winner is the most likely participant in the new 12-team playoff format.\u00a0 In addition, there\u2019s still a possibility that if Boise wins with style, they will be rated ahead of the Big 12 title winner, which would be a massive accomplishment.\u00a0 If that happens, Boise would have a first-round bye.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"love-what-you-see-sign-up-for-a-free-wager-talk-account\">Love What You See?  Sign Up for a Free WagerTalk Account!<\/h3>\n\n\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.wagertalk.com\/signup\">Sign up to receive game-day updates, late breaking releases, free picks, best bets<\/a>, exclusive betting features, pay per game and package access, contests, community networking, award-winning content and much more. Get your account today - it's FREE!<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n<p>Becoming a member of Wagertalk.com is 100% FREE with NO OBLIGATION or CREDIT CARD REQUIRED! Upon sign-up, you get instant access to our community and special offers and free picks. Sign up to <a href=\"https:\/\/www.wagertalk.com\/signup\">WagerTalk now!<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image aligncenter size-full\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.wagertalk.com\/signup\"><img src=\"https:\/\/www.wagertalk.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/http___cdn.taboola.com_libtrc_static_thumbnails_1702f98a90dd3f14c3dc525e510cd8bb.webp\" alt=\"Boston College 2024 football predictions\" class=\"wp-image-30557\"\/><\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"nebraska-2024-football-expert-handicapping-tip\"><\/h3>\n\n\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"grab-the-gold-sheet-2024-2025-betting-guide-1\">Grab the GoldSheet 2024-2025 Betting Guide<\/h2>\n\n\n\n\n\n<p>In a partnership with WagerTalk's Ralph Michaels, the GoldSheet team has compiled a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.wagertalk.com\/add-digital-download-to-cart?data_digitalDownloadID=3227\">60-page college football betting guide<\/a> to help you prepare for the 2024-25 season. <\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.wagertalk.com\/add-digital-download-to-cart?data_digitalDownloadID=3227\">Available free of charge<\/a>, this preseason guide features our summer power ratings, projected point spreads and win probabilities for EVERY game of the upcoming season, plus coaching changes, quarterback transfers and much more.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-buttons\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"wager-talk-live-odds-screen-cfb\"><br>WagerTalk Live Odds Screen CFB<\/h3>\n\n\n\n\n\n<p>WagerTalk\u2019s&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.wagertalk.com\/odds?sport=L2&amp;cb=0.3736292060054509\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">live college football odds screen<\/a>&nbsp;features up-to-the-minute lines from a variety of offshore and domestic sports books. Track the run spreads, totals and betting percentages for all college football games. <\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n<p><strong>**************************************************<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"looking-for-more-free-sports-picks-and-sports-betting-tips\">Looking for more free sports picks and sports betting tips?<\/h4>\n\n\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n\n\n\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n\n\n<p><em><strong>Make sure to bookmark all the above!<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.wagertalk.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/32635","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.wagertalk.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.wagertalk.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.wagertalk.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/46"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.wagertalk.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=32635"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/www.wagertalk.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/32635\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":32636,"href":"https:\/\/www.wagertalk.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/32635\/revisions\/32636"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.wagertalk.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/23271"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.wagertalk.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=32635"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.wagertalk.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=32635"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.wagertalk.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=32635"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}