Now is the perfect time to begin betting on college football. Not only are there concrete odds on the college football playoff field and the 2022 college football National Championship winner, but we're also about to cannonball into the conference championships for the week of December 5!
With so many teams in action, it doesn't take much for 2021 college football conference championship picks to get out of hand, so we've chosen to focus on matchups including top-15-ranked schools, including the showdown between Georgia and Alabama. First, though, let's get started by looking at the latest college football betting odds, courtesy of BetOnline:
| Favorite |  | | Underdog |
|---|---|---|---|
| Georgia | -250 | +210 | Alabama |
| Michigan | -425 | +345 | Iowa |
| Cincinnati | -410 | +330 | Houston |
| Oklahoma State | -195 | +170 | Baylor |
| Utah | -145 | +125 | Oregon |
| Pittsburgh | -155 | +135 | Wake Forest |
Talk about a loaded NCAA football betting slate. Though a handful of top-15 schools, such as Notre Dame and Ohio State, are awaiting the vote for college football playoff odds, there are six conference championship games with powerhouse participants. That's...a lot.
This also means it's a great time to pore over our best online sportsbook reviews, since so many sites are running great specials for new and current users.
2021 NCAA Football Conference Championship Picks
Regardless of where you place your NCAA conference championship predictions, just make sure you're double-checking these NCAA football odds before settling on any decisions. These college football betting lines will continue to shift right up until opening kickoff.
George Seizes SEC Championship from Alabama
At the start of the college football season, many weren't sure whether Alabama had the firepower to keep up with Georgia. It turns out they were right.
Though Alabama ranks fifth in points allowed per game, they have too often become overly reliant on their rushing game. Georgia is uniquely built to stop that kind of balance. The Bulldogs are allowing fewer than 80 rushing yards per game.
Attacking Georgia's defense through the air is a non-starter to boot. They surrender barely 150 passing yards per game while allowing opponents to complete under 56 percent of their attempts.
Complicated still, Alabama's defense, while solid, isn't built to slow a Georgia rushing attack that's tallying over 200 yards per game itself. To be honest, we wouldn't be surprised if this game ends with the Bulldogs winning by a huge margin.
OSB Prediction: Georgia (-250)
Michigan Easily Beats Iowa
Never mind expecting a Michigan victory over Iowa. This is a game they should win by more than two touchdowns.
Iowa deserves a pat on the back for putting together a stellar season, but their offense barely ranks in the top 80 of points scored per game, and they're not even completing 55 percent of their passing attempts.
Bank on Michigan taking home the Big 10 championship in a relative blowout.
OSB Prediction: Michigan (-425)
Cincinnati Gets the Better of Houston
This matchup between Cincinnati and Houston feels like it could be closer than oddsmakers anticipate. The latter has flown under the radar for much of the year while racking up the 10th-best offense in the nation and generating more than 420 total yards per game.
Then again, Houston has gorged on one of the country's easiest schedules. Cincinnati, meanwhile, has pieced together a top-10 offense and defense versus one of the nation's toughest schedules.
Even if this turns into a shootout, Cincy has shown it has big-play potential both through the air and on the ground. Steer clear of the two-score spread for safety, but they are the easy moneyline pick.
OSB Prediction: Cincinnati (-410)
Oklahoma State Edges Out Baylor
Make no mistake, Baylor has a real chance to chop down Oklahoma State. The Cowboys may have an 11-1 record entering this tilt, but they're far from perfect.
Most notably, Oklahoma State wants for firepower through the air. They are averaging fewer than two passing touchdowns per game, and their rushing attempts outnumber their passing attempts by roughly two-to-one.
That play-call balance makes them predictable, which is great news for a Baylor defense that holds opponents to fewer than 3.8 yards per rushing attempt. But the Bears' own offense has shortcomings under center. They complete nearly 65 percent of their passes but don't have the route-running talent or dynamism to complete huge gains.
This is a tough call, but we're going with Oklahoma State and their stifling defense.
OSB Prediction: Oklahoma State (-195)
Oregon Pulls Off Upset Over Utah
It comes as no surprise that Utah has the advantage over Oregon in the Pac-12 championship. They did, after all, annihilate the Ducks 38-7 in their only regular season meeting.
And yet, this feels like an anomaly.
Indeed, the Ducks have real weaknesses. Oregon is too run-heavy in the red zone and is susceptible to giving up huges gains in the secondary. But we firmly believe their offense has another layer. They are averaging well over 35 points per game in victories, and the defense has given up more than 30 points just three times all season.
Bet on Utah only if you're ultra-confident in their lackluster passing attack.
OSB Prediction: Oregon (+125)
Wake Forest Surprises Pittsburgh
Brace yourself for a shootout in the ACC Championship.
Both Wake Forest and Pittsburgh are averaging nearly 43 points per game on the season, and neither hangs its hat on the defensive end. Anyone who believes this will come down to who gets more stops will lean Pittsburgh. Their raw defensive vitals are better.
Try to avoid falling into that trap. Wake Forest has actually been the superior team when it comes to defending the pass. We're jumping on their underdog odds,
OSB Prediction: Wake Forest (+135)
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