Championship Week: PAC 12, SEC, Big 12, WAC and MWAC

Welcome to Championship Week at TNG. We're going to break down the premier matchups in all the land this week, as well as the dogshit the PAC 12 is calling a title game. So hold on and pick like we pick, because like Jim Boeheim, we stand behind our picks completely, and if you disagree with us, you're a moneygrubber, until proven otherwise.


PAC 12
UCLA @ Oregon -31.5

BIG 12
Iowa State @ Kansas State -11.5
Oklahoma @ Oklahoma State -3.5
Texas @ Baylor -3.5

SEC
Georgia vs. LSU -13.5 (Atlanta)

WAC
Idaho @ Nevada -20
BYU @ Hawaii -7.5
Utah State -13 @ NMSU
Fresno State @ SDSU -8

MWAC
Wyoming -6 @ Colorado State
UNLV @ TCU -38.5
New Mexico @ Boise State -49


Kyle says...


New Mexico @ Boise State -49
Raise your hand if you thought Boise would be playing this game without a (realistic) shot at the MWC title? Nobody? Right. My first inkling was that the Broncos would come out somewhat flat and fail to cover such a gargantuan line because of some residual sadness. But then I took a look at UNM's average margin of defeat and changed my tune. The moribund Lobos gave it up like Robert E. Lee this year, losing by an average of 49 to the five high-performing offenses it faced this season: Air Force, Arkansas, Texas Tech, TCU and Nevada. Exactly none of those teams can match Kellen Moore and crew for output, as the Broncos put up 43-plus points per game. Look for New Mexico to catch a stomping on the smurf turf as Boise covers.

UCLA @ Oregon -31.5
The Bruins backed into the title game and get the reward of playing an Oregon team that is the class of the PAC 12, even if it isn't as good as everyone thought it would be. There's just no way the Bruins with their 88th ranked passing attack can keep up with the Ducks, whose offensive accomplishments read like a record book at most other schools: 45.9 ppg on the season, average margin of victory of nearly 23 points and 25 touchdowns out of its duo of running backs. Oregon covers in the PAC 12's inaugural title matchup Friday in Eugene.

Georgia vs. LSU -13.5 (in Atlanta)
Georgia could save us all from the special kind of hillbilly Hell that will be an Alabama- LSU title matchup. That's probably not going to happen, though. The Bulldogs are hot, having won 10 straight against a collection of high-functioning high school teams and Auburn. They'll have an advantage playing an effective home game, but let's not go giving the Dogs a bone quite yet. LSU is a powerhouse, the 2nd ranked defense in the land, with a running game that is making up for a bullshit passing attack. They're not about to start losing now, and Les Miles is going to be a great coach and cover this weekend.

Oklahoma @ Oklahoma State -3.5
Bedlam pits the two best passing offenses not run by Case Keenum against each other Saturday in what's almost assured to be the matchup of the weekend. Brandon Weeden and Justin Blackmon look to get past Ryan Broyles and Landry Jones in a probable shootout. OU has the defensive edge, as the Sooners are a Stoops-led squad giving up the 28th fewest points in the nation this year. But, the Cowboys have faired well against stingy defenses and are still very much in the national title hunt. I'd look for the Cowboys to win, but the Sooners to cover. Hang on for a wild one.