Category: Football

How Oklahoma wins, loses the Big 12 Championship against Baylor

Can the Sooners keep Baylor at bay? Will they need more Sooner Magic? Will Baylor run away with the game early?

Can the Sooners keep Baylor at bay? Will they need more Sooner Magic? Will Baylor run away with the game early? No. 6 Oklahoma (11-1, 8-1) and No. 7 Baylor (11-1, 8-1) face-off for all the marbles in Jerry’s World.

OKLAHOMA LOSES IF…

…Baylor can play two halves of complete football. If the Bears can play like they did in the first half of the first matchup, Oklahoma has no chance. Baylor’s dominance in game one had the Sooners on the ropes. Oklahoma had to fight like Jack Dempsey to come away with the 34-31 win. However, the Sooners cannot compete with Baylor’s best football. If the Bears put two halves of their best ball together, Oklahoma may be in trouble.

OKLAHOMA WINS IF…

…the Sooners do not play flat. Oklahoma has to avoid playing unmotivated on every single snap. It should not be hard as they are playing for a College Football Playoff spot and their fifth straight Big 12 Championship. So long as the Sooners play fast and play hard on every single snap they will be able to hang with Baylor and go punch for punch.

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Baylor vs. Oklahoma odds, lines, picks and best bets

Previewing Saturday’s Big 12 Championship Game between the Baylor Bears and Oklahoma Sooners, with NCAA football betting odds and picks.

The Big 12 title is up for grabs and perhaps a College Football Playoff berth, as well. The Baylor Bears (11-1) take on the Oklahoma Sooners (11-1) Saturday in the conference championship. The game kicks off at 12 p.m. ET at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas. We analyze the Baylor-Oklahoma odds and betting lines, while providing college football betting tips and advice on this matchup.

Baylor vs. Oklahoma: Three things you need to know

1. Baylor and Oklahoma already played once this season and put on a show. Oklahoma won 34-31 in the only loss Baylor took this season.

2. Oklahoma QB Jalen Hurts has had a monster season. He has 3,347 passing yards with 31 touchdown passes and only six interceptions. He has also rushed for 1,242 yards and 19 touchdowns.

3. These are the top-scoring teams in the conference but Oklahoma outscores Baylor by eight points per game. Baylor has the top defense in the conference, giving up only 18.4 points per game.

Get some action on this game or others by placing a bet at BetMGM!

Baylor vs. Oklahoma: Odds, betting lines and picks

Odds via BetMGM; access USA TODAY Sports’ betting odds for a full list. Lines last updated Friday at 12:20 p.m. ET.

Prediction

Oklahoma 37, Baylor 31

Moneyline (ML)

You can win big with Baylor (+260) as you could win almost triple your bet if they pulled off the upset. Oklahoma (-334) is the smarter bet but won’t net you much of a return. AVOID.

New to sports betting? A $10 wager on Oklahoma only returns a profit of $2.99.

Against the Spread (ATS)

Oklahoma is favored big at -8.5 (-121). These two teams are evenly matched statistically and played a very close game the first time they met this season. This game should be hotly contested.

In terms of trends, Baylor covered the spread in eight of their 12 games this season. Oklahoma failed to cover seven times.

Take the points and go with BAYLOR (+8.5, +100).

Over/Under (O/U)

The total is set at 64.5 points. Oklahoma’s games have hit the Under seven times. Baylor’s games were split 6-6 against the projected totals.

When these two teams met last month, they went Under the 68.5 with a combined 65 points. Expect a similar score. But with the total set four points lower than the last game, take the OVER (-110).

Get some action on this game or others, place a bet with BetMGM today. And for more sports betting picks and tips, visit SportsbookWire.com.

Follow and @SportsbookWire on Twitter.

Gannett may earn revenue from audience referrals to betting services.  Newsrooms are independent of this relationship and there is no influence on news coverage.

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What the national media is saying about Georgia vs LSU SEC Championship Game

Here is what the national media is saying about Georgia football prior to the UGA vs LSU SEC Championship Game in Atlanta.

This week, we wrote about what the LSU media is saying about Georgia prior to the SEC Championship Game.

Now we are looking at what the national media has to say about the game and their objective forecast about what will happen on Saturday in Atlanta.

Eddie Timanus of USA TODAY Sports

Title: Bold predictions for Week 15 in college football

Read full story here.

LSU-Georgia has the potential to be close, but it won’t be, either. Georgia’s defense is outstanding, but it will be on the field too long.

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Watch, stream, stats, info: Everything you need to know about Georgia vs LSU

Here is everything you need to know about Georgia football vs LSU in the SEC Championship.

On Saturday, No. 4 (11-1) takes on its biggest test of the season, an undefeated No. 2 ranked LSU team.

For Georgia, this is the same scenario as last year. Win the game and you’re in the College Football Playoff.

Here is everything you need to know about the game:

Georgia vs LSU

Kickoff: 4:00 p.m. ET

TV: CBS

Stream: Watch ESPN

Where: Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta, Georgia

Commentators: Gary Danielson, Brad Nessler, Jamie Erdahl

Satellite Radio: XM 191

Georgia Radio: Athens 960 AM/106.1 FM; Atlanta 750 AM/95.5 FM; Macon 106.3 FM; Augusta 580 AM/95.1 FM; Savannah 1400 AM/104.3 FM; Columbus 1460 AM/100.1 FM; Valdosta 105.9 FM; Rome 107.1 FM (IMG Radio-Scott Howard, Eric Zeier, Chuck Dowdle)

Fan Forecast, provided by Vivid Seats: Georgia fans, 69% – LSU fans, 31%

Season’s so far: Georgia, sitting at No. 4 in the CFP rankings, is 11-1 and 7-1  in SEC play. LSU is ranked No. 2 with a mark of 12-0 and 8-0 in conference.

Line: LSU -7.5

Odds via BetMGM. Access USA TODAY Sports’ betting odds for a full list. Lines last updated Thursday at 6 p.m. ET.

Want to get in on the action? Place your bet now at BetMGM.

Over/under: 54.5

Matchup predictor: 44.3% chance of a Georgia victory, per ESPN’s FPI

Georgia injury report: Click here

Series history: Georgia and LSU have met 31 times. LSU has won 17, Georgia 13 and one tie.

SECCG history: Since 2000, no team has made the SEC Championship Game more than Georgia, which is making its eighth appearance and third in a row. LSU will be making its sixth trip to Atlanta, and this will be the Tigers fourth time facing the Bulldogs in the game.

Prediction: Georgia wins 24-20

Last week: Georgia beat Georgia Tech 52-7 and LSU beat Texas A&M 50-7.

Georgia pep rally: 1:45 p.m.

Gates open: 2 p.m.

Tickets: TicketIQ

Stats: Every single stat you need to know about both teams can be found here

Three biggest storylines for the Big 12 Championship

The last game between Oklahoma and Baylor featured 75 points, 6 forced turnovers, and the largest comeback win in Oklahoma history. Here are the three biggest storylines for their rematch, which has even more on the line. 

The last game between Oklahoma and Baylor featured 65 points scored, six forced turnovers, and the largest comeback win in Oklahoma history. Here are the three biggest storylines for their rematch, which has even more on the line.

The Playoff Race

Undoubtedly the biggest storyline for both teams, is can they win in big enough fashion to launch themselves over No. 5 Utah into the College Football Playoffs? The Utes face off against Oregon on Friday, so come 11 a.m. Saturday, both Oklahoma and Baylor will have a fairly good idea of how handedly they’ll need to win to advance to the playoffs. For the Sooners, it could mean just getting out of Arlington with the win. For the Bears however, they might need to make a statement. 

A Tale of Two Halves

The last matchup between the two Big 12 titans needed a 24-point comeback win from the Sooners. This time, Oklahoma will likely not be able to overcome a 24-10 halftime score. For Baylor, it means keeping their foot on the gas pedal for four continuous quarters, instead of just the first two.

The Turnover Battle

Oklahoma and Baylor’s game in November featured six turnovers in total, four from Sooner’s quarterback Jalen Hurts and one pivotal fumble and interception from the Bears. It’s no secret ball security will be a huge factor in the game. Oklahoma had a perfect game against Oklahoma State last week, and the Bear’s Charlie Brewer had one interception against Kansas. Whoever forces more turnovers, could be your Big 12 Champion.

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Virginia at Clemson odds, lines, picks and best bets

Previewing Saturday’s ACC Championship Game between the Virginia Cavaliers and Clemson Tigers, with college football betting odds and picks.

The Clemson Tigers (12-0) are trying to remain unbeaten this weekend, as they take on the Virginia Cavaliers (9-3) in the ACC Championship game. It’ll be held at Bank of America Stadium and will kick off at 7:30 p.m. ET Saturday. We analyze the Virginia-Clemson odds and betting lines, while providing college football betting tips and advice on this matchup.

Virginia at Clemson: Three things you need to know

1. Virginia’s offense is ranked only 34th in the country in scoring, but it’s seventh in time of possession. That could be a factor in this one as the Cavaliers try to keep the Clemson offense off the field.

2. Clemson is 6-4 in its last 10 games against Virginia, averaging 26.9 points per game to the Cavaliers’ 18.3. The Tigers are 6-4 against the spread in those 10 games, too.

3. Clemson’s narrowest margin of victory this season was by one point over North Carolina. Otherwise, it won every other game by at least two touchdowns.

Get some action on this game or others by placing a bet at BetMGM!

Virginia at Clemson: Odds, betting lines and picks

Odds via BetMGM; access USA TODAY Sports’ betting odds for a full list. Lines last updated Friday at 11:45 a.m. ET.

Prediction

Clemson 45, Virginia 20

Moneyline (ML)

The Tigers are clear favorites in this one and as a result, the moneyline (-3334) isn’t very appetizing for bettors considering Clemson. There’s little upside to taking them, given how much you’ll have to bet just to make any significant profit.

Pass on the moneyline here and instead consider wagering on the spread.

New to sports betting? A $10 wager on Clemson to win returns a profit of $0.30.

Against the Spread (ATS)

Clemson is used to being a big favorite, so the 28.5-point spread is nothing new. The Tigers have been good at covering the spread this season, too, going 9-3 ATS. They’re 5-1 ATS in their last six games on a neutral site as a favorite.

This is too large of a margin to take the Tigers, though. Virginia will keep it within four touchdowns and cover the spread. Bet VIRGINIA (+28.5, -110) to cover.

Over/Under (O/U)

The projected point total of 54.5 should be surpassed fairly easily. Virginia’s defense is nothing to write home about, and Clemson boasts the fourth-best offense in the country. The total has gone Over in four of Virginia’s last five games against ACC opponents.

Bet the OVER 54.5 (-149).

Get some action on this game or others, place a bet with BetMGM today. And for more sports betting picks and tips, visit SportsbookWire.com.

Follow @camdasilva and @SportsbookWire on Twitter.

Gannett may earn revenue from audience referrals to betting services.  Newsrooms are independent of this relationship and there is no influence on news coverage.

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College Football Betting Guide: 5 Best Big Game Bets – Championship Week

Breaking down the five best big college football games for Championship Week; including college football picks, betting odds and more.

What’s going to happen in the five biggest games during Championship Week?

– Contact/Follow @PeteFiutak

If you’re looking to get in on the sports betting action this weekend, be sure to sign up with BetMGM to take part in any of these games or other action on the schedule.

5. Pac-12 Championship: Oregon vs. Utah

BetMGM Line: Utah -6.5, o/u: 46

Why You Should Bet On Oregon: It has more talent on both sides of the ball. Utah – as good as it has been – has yet to beat a team ranked in the College Football Playoff top 25, beating up on a whole slew of mediocre teams and struggling over the second half of the season against the one team – Washington – at its level. The Utes played the 92nd-best schedule in college football, and now they have to deal with Justin Herbert and the best offense they’ve faced so far.

Why You Should Bet On Utah: The weather isn’t going to be pretty. It’s supposed to be cold, rainy, and it should fit what Utah likes to do a little bit better. The defensive front is the real deal, and the offensive line has the ability to pound away better than Oregon can. This has to be the Zack Moss game – the ground attack needs to take over.

Prediction: The weather and Oregon’s talent will keep this close, but Utah is fighting for a playoff spot and will do what it can to pile on if there’s a chance. As long as the line stays at 6.5, expect the Utes to win this, cover, and then hope the CFP will give them a break for the fourth spot.
– CFN Full Oregon vs. Utah Game Preview & Prediction

4. ACC Championship: Virginia vs. Clemson

BetMGM Line: Clemson -28.5, o/u: 57

Why You Should Bet On Virginia: There’s enough of a pass rush to knock Trevor Lawrence off of his rhythm just a bit. Virginia is second in the ACC in sacks helped by six against Virginia Tech last week, and now it’s going to throw everything at the Tigers backfield. Add in QB Bryce Perkins and his ability to control games, and the Cavaliers should be able to do enough on third downs to stay in this.

Why You Should Bet On Clemson: Lawrence has been awesome. After a rough start, he has thrown 16 touchdown passes with no interceptions while averaging close to 12 yards per throw over his last five games. He’ll keep bombing away for a team that wants to continue to make a statement – Dabo Swinney is serious; he wants the College Football Playoff committee to love this team.

Prediction: Clemson will get out fast and put this away with an impressive performance, but Virginia will come up with just enough points in the fourth quarter – Perkins and the O will keep on trying – to barely cover the 28.5.

– CFN Full Clemson vs. Virginia Game Preview & Prediction

Looking to place a bet on this game or others? Get some action in the game at BetMGM. Sign up and bet at BetMGM now!

3. Big 12 Championship: Baylor vs. Oklahoma 

BetMGM Line: Oklahoma -9, o/u: 64.5

Why You Should Bet On Baylor: Turnover margin. Baylor doesn’t have the firepower to keep up in any sort of a shootout, but it’s efficient enough offensively to stay in the game. The defense has to continue to do what it does and make big plays. Oklahoma is minus-8 in turnover margin in its last eight games, and Baylor’s D has generated two takeaways or more in eight of the last nine games.

Why You Should Bet On Oklahoma: There’s a defense here, too. QB Jalen Hurts might be the star of the show with an offense leading the nation in yards per play, but it’s the D making the biggest difference. The Sooners lead the Big 12 in total defense with the big key being third-down stops – there are lots of them this season. Baylor struggles in pass protection, and OU should be able to get to QB Charlie Brewer just enough to be a problem.

Prediction: It’s Oklahoma in a Big 12 Championship – it’ll win. However, Baylor will get just enough takeaways and control the clock just enough to cover the nine points and make this a fight.
– CFN Full Baylor vs. Oklahoma Game Preview & Prediction

2. Big Ten Championship: Wisconsin vs. Ohio State

BetMGM Line: Ohio State -16, o/u: 56.5

Why You Should Bet On Wisconsin: The Badgers might have been whacked around in the first meeting, but the defense got into the backfield and knocked around QB Justin Fields a bit. The UW lines got manhandled and shoved around – that never happens to this team. They’re going to blast away for RB Jonathan Taylor, who was held to just 52 yards by the Buckeyes – the line he’s working behind is playing better. But …

Why You Should Bet On Ohio State: The Buckeyes’ lines really are dominating. The O line blasted a Michigan run defense that came into last week’s game on a roll, and Chase Young and the defensive front isn’t going to slow down. OSU needs this game for the No. 1 seed, and it’s going to try making a statement. It starts with a D topping in the nation in total defense, and second in pass defense, sacks and tackles for loss.

Prediction: Wisconsin keeps this close for a half, and then the Buckeyes turn it on. This won’t be a total wipeout, but Ohio State will get the passing game going to pull away and win by more than the 16.
– CFN Full Wisconsin vs. Ohio State Game Preview & Prediction

1. SEC Championship: Georgia vs. LSU

BetMGM Line: LSU -7, o/u: 54.5

Why You Should Bet On Georgia: The Georgia lines are good enough to keep this from getting out of hand – Bulldogs games don’t become shootouts. This isn’t a sexy team offensively, but QB Jake Fromm hasn’t thrown an interception outside of the three given away against South Carolina. The defense takes care of the rest – the Gamecocks were the only team to score more than 17.

Why You Should Bet On LSU: Get up quickly, and it might be over. All QB Joe Burrow has to do is score early and all should be fine – Georgia doesn’t have the firepower to keep up. RB D’Andre Swift has a shoulder injury to play through, WR Lawrence Cager is done for the year with an ankle injury, and WR George Pickens is suspended for the first half. This isn’t an O that can keep up in a firefight.

Prediction: Georgia’s defense will be just good enough to keep this from getting out of hand, but Burrow wins the SEC Championship – and the Heisman – with two big scoring plays in the second half to finally get a little breathing room as LSU wins and covers the seven.
– CFN Full LSU vs. Georgia Game Preview & Prediction

Now that you know what you need to know, head over to BetMGM and get some action in any — or all — of these games for Championship Week of college football.

For more coverage on the College Football slate of sports betting action, be sure to check out CollegeFootballNews.com. And for more sports betting tips and picks, be sure to access SportsbookWire.com.

Gannett may earn revenue from audience referrals to betting services.  Newsrooms are independent of this relationship and there is no influence on news coverage.

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Former Georgia QB talks Mike Bobo to UGA possibility

Former Georgia football QB on the idea of Mike Bobo returning to coach at UGA, or going to South Carolina after stepping away from CSU.

Mike Bobo was one of the most successful offensive coordinators in the history of Georgia football before leaving to become head coach at Colorado State in 2015.

His tenure with the Rams came to an end this week, with CSU athletic director Joe Parker announcing that Bobo and the university reached a mutual separation agreement.

Bobo, a former Georgia quarterback from 1993-97, worked for the Dawgs from 2001-2014, where he manufactured some incredible offenses and more than a few of the program’s best passers of all-time.

Given Georgia’s offensive struggles the past few seasons and the lack of certainty currently at offensive coordinator with James Coley calling the shots, of course rumors will spread about Bobo returning to his alma mater and coaching under his former teammate and friend Kirby Smart.

However, former Georgia quarterback Hutson Mason, who played for Bobo in Athens, is not so sure it’s such a good idea for the former coach to return back home to UGA.

“I’m not for sure Bobo wants to come back to Athens,” Mason said on 107.5 The Game on Thursday. “You know he is very good friends with Kirby Smart, and obviously he has deep roots and deep ties at Georgia, but you know he left Georgia, and this was something he told me specifically is, he needed to kind of spread his wings and get away.

Mason mentioned the concern of doing business with a family member, noting how close Bobo and Smart are.

“I don’t know if you’ve ever had a family dynamic where you’ve done business with a family member, but I have,” Mason said. “It didn’t turn out well. And I think part of that is in play here with Kirby (Smart) and Bobo where they’re like, you know, if something did go wrong, do we want to go down that route?”

South Carolina, a team that is actually in the market for an offensive coordinator, has been linked to Bobo as well. However, the position under Will Muschamp is not the sexiest of ideas seeing as how he has had five offensive coordinators in eight seasons as a head coach.

Muschamp is another Georgia guy. He, Smart and Bobo are all good friends and all overlapped during their playing careers as Bulldogs.

On the possibility of Bobo going to South Carolina to coach under Muschamp, Mason was pessimistic about what it would do to Bobo’s career, using the term “career suicide” for anyone that accepts the job in Columbia.

He did have kind things to say about his former coach, though.

“If coach Muschamp can convince him to get to South Carolina, South Carolina fans should be excited,” Mason said, “because he is a heck of a play-caller. And he’s a heck of a recruiter. I just think he’s an incredible schemer. I think he understands football.”

Then there’s Bryan McClendon, another Georgia guy who played for the Bulldogs from 2002-05.  He was offensive coordinator at South Carolina for two seasons before being stripped of his play-calling duties last week. He does still remain on the South Carolina coaching staff, though, but for how long?

His coaching career at Georgia was wildly successful, overseeing the running backs for a majority of his tenure at Georgia and helping to establish as RBU with some great ball carriers. Could McClendon be a guy that Smart looks at bringing in as OC for the Dawgs?

Basically, if you take one thing away from this story, it should be that the Georgia coaching tree is loaded.

A guide to SEC FanFare: How to buy tickets, find all the festivities

A guide to SEC FanFare: How Georgia fans can find tickets to all the festivities in Atlanta

The Georgia Bulldogs and LSU Tigers will kick things off at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on Saturday, but first, it’s time for a little tailgating fun.

If you aren’t setting up shop in the Gulch or bringing your RV down to the Marshaling Yards, there’s a pretty neat alternative for prospective tailgaters.

Don’t want to bring a grill, a tent and all the other extra items? Check out SEC FanFare, held in Building C of the Georgia World Congress Center.

Fans can visit the two-day event on Friday from 2 pm to 8 pm and on Saturday at 9 am until 4 pm.

Tickets are $10 for adults and $5 for kids 12 and under, but you can also purchase them online here.

Ohio State vs. Wisconsin Big Ten Championship Game Buckeyes Wire staff predictions

It’s about time to go for this Big Ten Championship thing. Our staff members take turns predicting the winner of Ohio State and Wisconsin.

It’s time for the sequel, and we can only hope in this case the second one is better than the first — well, at least if you’re Wisconsin. In Columbus in late October, there was some “Midwest” weather, then things got away from the Badgers in the second half.

Weather won’t be a problem in Lucas Oil Stadium unless there’s a roof leak, but there’s still the little issue of dealing with this Ohio State team that has cast aside every challenge faced before it with bad intentions.

We’ve already previewed the game and made a bold prediction, asked for a Badgers’ writer perspective on things, and now we’re asking our staff to make their call on the game individually.

Does anyone give Wisconsin a chance? Let’s find out …

Next … the predictions

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