Championship Week Lines and Picks

(FULL DISCLAIMER. This article is simply for fun. Chide me, praise me, do whatever. Just know that I’m here to give my two cents and offer a perspective on a game or games that maybe you’re on the fence about. Giving you something to consider that may help you go one way or another. Not forcing you to fork over your money to a sports book. But, of course, if you win, break me off 5%. All lines courtesy of VegasInsider.com)

Last week: 5-3 single games; 0-1 parlays; 1-2 teasers

Overall single games: 58-49-2

Lockity Lock Hits: 8-5

Overall parlays: 3-10

Overall teasers: 5-16

Welp, here we are……after all the endless chatter, we will finally be able to sort out everything on the field and see who will be/should be in the playoff. It’s been a rough and tumble season here picking lines on SOTU, but I hope you all have enjoyed the process……and my comical misses on teasers this year. Good lord. Still, 9 games north of .500 in single game picks ain’t bad. On with championship week picks…...

Lockity Lock of the Week

East Carolina at NC State (-23.5)

NC State squeaked out one in OT last week at rival UNC, who has been crappy this year. Calling East Carolina crappy would be an insult to things that are crappy. Wolfpack by a huge margin.

Other lines I like

TEXAS (+8) vs. Oklahoma

I still can’t get over the fact that OU let Kansas score 40 points. That should be the black eye to end all black eyes with the committee, but still. Texas will match OU in a high-scoring, thrilling rematch…...possibly stealing the game at the end, but covering in any event.

STANFORD (-3) at Cal

Cal’s defense has been the truth this year. It’s also been a disappointing season for Bryce Love and the Stanford ground game. All signs favor Cal, but this is a rivalry game and the Costello to Arcega-Whiteside connection has been incredible lately, with the pair connecting for 3 TDs last week. Stanford makes enough big plays to take the Big Game this year.

OHIO STATE (-14.5) at Northwestern

Buckeyes make a big – and desperate – statement for the committee, as Haskins continues to play at a high level and power the Ohio State offense that is simply rolling lately.

Memphis at UCF (-3)

This could go either way, but the Knights showed last week they are more than just a talented QB. Heupel tweaks the game plan for Darriel Mack, Jr., who make enough impact plays with his arm and legs to win another close game with Memphis. (This might be a game where you take the Knights on the moneyline rather than the spread.)

Alabama v. GEORGIA (+13)

If Kirby Smart is…...smart……and implements Joshua Fields into the offense this week, it might work to the Dawgs’ benefit, as Bama has had significant issues with mobile QBs in recent years. If they can get creative and keep the Bama defense off kilter with a balanced ground game and giving Fields some run/pass options, this could stay interesting. In any event, 13 points is a ton to give up to a team as good as Georgia.

PITT (+27.5) vs. Clemson

I was leaning Pitt, but a buddy of mine who lives in Charlotte and is going to the game said the weather is going to be terrible. Thus, while I don’t see how Pitt is going to score much with an anemic passing attack, Clemson might not score enough to completely blow the doors off the Panthers. I’ll side with the points.