Fansided

College football conference championship game expert picks, predictions for 2022

By Cody Williams

SALT LAKE CITY UT- OCTOBER 15: R.J. Herbert #11 of the Utah Utes tackles Caleb Williams #13 of the USC Trojans during the first half of their game October 15, 2022 Rice-Eccles Stadium in Salt Lake City Utah. (Photo by Chris Gardner/ Getty Images)
SALT LAKE CITY UT- OCTOBER 15: R.J. Herbert #11 of the Utah Utes tackles Caleb Williams #13 of the USC Trojans during the first half of their game October 15, 2022 Rice-Eccles Stadium in Salt Lake City Utah. (Photo by Chris Gardner/ Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
5 of 5
Next
College football expert picks conference championship Games
UNC Tar Heels. (Photo by Grant Halverson/Getty Images) /

ACC Championship Game picks: Clemson vs. North Carolina

Just a few weeks ago, this matchup was shaping up to be a battle between one-loss teams with a potential College Football Playoff berth on the line. But with UNC losing back-to-back head-scratchers to Georgia Tech and NC State along with Clemson falling to South Carolina, there luster has been taken off the ACC Championship Game a bit.

This is also a matchup between two teams with drastically different styles of play. North Carolina is all offense behind redshirt freshman quarterback Drake Maye but the Tar Heels defense is one of the worst Power 5 units in the country. Meanwhile, Clemson’s offense has been a chore at many points in the season while their defense is among the most talented in college football.

Despite the fact that the UNC defense could and should be generous, I have more faith in Maye on the big stage. D.J. Uiagalelei has been far too unreliable this season for me to take him on the big stage when he could have to keep up with an explosive Tar Heels attack.

Prediction: Clemson 34, North Carolina 38 (UNC covers +7.5, Over 63.5)

Big Ten Championship Game picks: Purdue vs. Michigan

The tears in Columbus are still flowing with Michigan punching its ticket to the Big Ten Championship Game by beating Ohio State for the second straight season. Now a virtual lock to make the College Football Playoff, the Wolverines would love to get another feather in their cap by dismantling Purdue.

Over the years, Purdue has earned its “Spoilermakers” reptuation for popping up and knocking ranked teams off. And they have a strong playmaker in quarterback Aidan O’Connell leading the charge. Unfortunately for the Boilermakers, though, those games weren’t in Indianapolis for the Big Ten title. Subsequently, that’s a big reason why I see Michigan rolling.

Michigan proved last week that it can rely on J.J. McCarthy at quarterback much more than expected but, just imporantly, that it can dominate most anyone in the trenches. It might be somewhat tight early, but the Wolverines will wear down Purdue and stifle O’Connell and the offense en route to a monster victory.

Prediction: Purdue 10, Michigan 34 (Michigan covers -16.5, Under 52.5)

Next. Heisman Trophy Power Rankings through Week 13. dark

For more College Football news, analysis, opinion and unique coverage by FanSided, including Heisman Trophy and College Football Playoff rankings, be sure to bookmark these pages.

Home/College Football