Neal's Picks, presented by Service Specialists: Championship Week

NEAL'S PICKS PALATIAL HEADQUARTERS -- It's the holiday season, and yes, the Neal's Picks Money Tree has lost some foliage.

However, we've decided that this year, there's more to this than winning. We've channeled our inner Charlie Brown -- give me a yellow shirt with some black striping and it's not tough to get there with a quick glance in the mirror -- and make the next few weeks about gratitude and hope.

Sure, the tree has lost some "leaves," but the interns and I went outside and braved the cold and dressed it up with some lights and garland and decorations and whatnot and she's beautiful (the tree, not any of the interns; we at Neal's Picks don't need legal problems).

Maybe the exterior illumination will provide us the inspiration to actually, I don't know, get a game right here and there. Charlie Brown drew inspiration from fixing up the ugly tree. If it worked for Charlie, it's worth a try.

On to the picks...

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Last Week:

Neal McCready: 6-7 overall, 4-9 ATS

Chase Parham: 7-6 overall, 5-8 ATS

Jeffrey Wright: 7-6 overall, 7-6 ATS

Brian Rippee: 7-6 overall, 8-5 ATS

For The Season:

Neal McCready: 102-42 overall, 62-67 ATS

Chase Parham: 104-60 overall, 66-63 ATS

Jeffrey Wright: 103-41 overall, 65-64 ATS

Brian Rippee: 107-37 overall, 53-76 ATS

North Texas +8 at UTSA, CUSA Championship Game, 6:30 p.m., CBSSN, Alamodome, San Antonio

Neal McCready: I like North Texas for some reason (probably a childhood Southland Conference thing), but the Roadrunners are going to boat race the Mean Green. Neal's Pick: UTSA 34, North Texas 17

Chase Parham: I know UTSA is pretty good. I don't know jack about North Texas. The Mean Green used to be absolutely abysmal, so good for them, I guess. Beep Beep. Parham's Pick: UTSA 40, North Texas 24

Jeffrey Wright: North Texas is 9-3 ATS on the road since the start of last season while UTSA is 1-4 ATS as a home favorite this season. Give me the points. WRIGHT’S PICK: UTSA 38, NORTH TEXAS 31

Brian Rippee: UTSA is pretty good. Jeff Traylor has a chance to win 24 games there in the last two seasons. That is pretty impressive. I will take the Roadrunners. Rippee's Pick: UTSA 41,

No. 12 Utah +3 vs. No. 4 USC, Pac-12 Championship Game, 7 p.m., Allegiant Stadium, Las Vegas, FOX

Neal McCready: I think Vegas is setting a trap here, and I'm falling for it. The Trojans looked really good last week and they know what's at stake. Neal's Pick: USC 37, Utah 30

Chase Parham: USC can get into the playoff with a win. The Trojans also didn't lose tot Florida. It took no time for Lincoln Riley to get USC relevant again. Parham's Pick: USC 31, Utah 27

Jeffrey Wright: Dear God the lines in these next two games stink. On one hand, USC has just played consecutive highly emotional games while Utah just had to “play” Colorado. However, Utah was far more healthy when these two teams played in October while USC is significantly more healthy now than they were in game one. I also don’t think USC will lose to Utah twice this year. WRIGHT’S PICK: USC 38, UTAH 31

Brian Rippee: This line stinks. I am not falling into the trap here. I think Utah wins this game. Rippee's Pick: Utah 30, USC 27

No. 13 Kansas State +2.5 vs. No. 3 TCU, Big 12 Championship Game, 11 a.m., AT&T Stadium, Arlington, Texas, ABC

Neal McCready: I've watched a lot of Kansas State this season and I think they're about to spoil the party for TCU. Dear Football Gods, no more 'Bama. Neal's Pick: Kansas State 27, TCU 24

Chase Parham: I just have a feeling here. I know TCU has done the whole comeback thing all season, and it's been a terribly fun story, but that slipper is going to crack at some point. The only bad news here is it would put Ohio State in the playoff. Parham's Pick: Kansas State 30, TCU 27

Jeffrey Wright: I thought Kansas State was going to win the first meeting until not only Adrian Martinez got hurt but also Will Howard went down with an injury too. I’m just not convinced that either of these teams would beat the other twice in the same season. Further, Kansas State has covered each of its last four games against AP top-5 teams dating back to the 2015 season. WRIGHT’S PICK: KANSAS STATE 31, TCU 28

Brian Rippee: Kansas State was on the precipice of winning the first match up going away, then had about a nine-minute stretch where everything unraveled, including their 18-point lead in Fort Worth. Everything tells me to take the Wildcats here, but I am sticking with the team that somehow always finds a way to win and cover. Rippee's Pick: TCU 35, Kansas State 31

Toledo -1.5 vs. Ohio, Mid-America Conference Championship Game, 11 a.m., Ford Field, Detroit, ESPN

Neal McCready: I kind of think this is a free space. Ohio is without its starting quarterback and the Rockets are solid. Neal's Pick: Toledo 27, Ohio 20

Chase Parham: Jason Candle has been one of those names that was hot for a minute but then fizzled away. I guess he's about to get him a conference championship though. Fun fact: Rob Reinstetle is the head baseball coach at Toledo. Parham's Pick: Toledo 24, Ohio 21

Jeffrey Wright: Ohio never wins this game. Fun Fact, they’re 0-4 in the MAC Championship Game. Apparently, the Lions aren’t the only big cat that can’t win in Ford Field. Bobcats can too. WRIGHT’S PICK: TOLEDO 31, OHIO 24

Brian Rippee: Rockets are cool. Rippee's Pick: Toledo 27, Ohio 24

Coastal Carolina +11.5 at Troy, Sun Belt Conference Championship Game, 2:30 p.m., ESPN

Neal McCready: Jon Sumrall is a rising star. He's about to take Troy to 11-2 and a Sun Belt title in Year 1. Neal's Pick: Troy 31, Coastal Carolina 17

Chase Parham: I really like Jon Sumrall. That's all I got. He's done a hell of a job, and he's a really good dude. Here's hoping he takes care of the literary roosters. Parham's Pick: Troy 37, Coastal 24

Jeffrey Wright: I love this line. This line feels like an overreaction to Coastal’s loss last week at JMU. That game was completely meaningless to Coastal, and they largely rested up. I’ll take those points. WRIGHT’S PICK: TROY 27, COASTAL CAROLINA 24

Brian Rippee: I will echo the sentiment here that Jon Sumrall great. I enjoyed listening to him talk to the one year he was at Ole Miss. I think the Trojans win but this is too many points. Rippee's Pick: Troy 38, Coastal Carolina 34

No. 11 LSU +16.5 vs. No. 1 Georgia, Southeastern Conference Championship Game, 3 p.m., Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta, CBS

Neal McCready: Can Jayden Daniels run this week? If so, the Tigers could make it interesting, I suppose. But if he can't... Neal's Pick: Georgia 34, LSU 17

Chase Parham: Georgia is in no matter what, but my hunch is they want a conference title and to keep the record unblemished. I don't like the Bulldogs to cover, but I like them to win comfortably. Parham's Pick: Georgia 24, LSU 10

Jeffrey Wright: I feel like Georgia actually is motivated to win the SEC after last year’s effort. I don’t know how LSU wins this game, especially with a limited Daniels. WRIGHT’S PICK: GEORGIA 34, LSU 13

Brian Rippee: I don't know how LSU scores enough to remain in this game, particularly if Jayden Daniels is not fully healthy. Rippee's Pick: Georgia 34, LSU 10

UCF +3.5 at No. 18 Tulane, American Athletic Conference Championship Game, 3 p.m., ABC

Neal McCready: This should be such a fun game. The get-in price is $100. At Tulane. Kudos to Willie Fritz. Neal's Pick: Tulane 37, UCF 34

Chase Parham: Y'all know what I'm doing here. Roll Wave. Parham's Pick: Tulane 41, UCF 0

Jeffrey Wright: I thought the wrong team was favored the first time this game was played, and I still believe this to be true. Tulane cannot stop UCF’s running game. WRIGHT’S PICK: UCF 27, TULANE 24

Brian Rippee: This will be a great football game. Willie Fritz has done a great job at Tulane. I will take the Wave here. Rippee's Pick: Tulane 35, UCF 30

Fresno State +3 at Boise State, Mountain West Conference Championship Game, 3 p.m., FOX

Neal McCready: I hear Boise has a lot of cool bars. After I freeze my ass off, I'm finding one that makes great old-fashioneds and has a strong bourbon selection and I'm going to forget how cold I was. Neal's Pick: Boise State 30, Fresno State 23

Chase Parham: I remember when Pat Hill had Fresno rolling, and they were the any place any time team that could play with the big boys. Then, Boise came along, and that was that. Parham's Pick: Boise State 20, Fresno 16

Jeffrey Wright: I will take the better quarterback please. WRIGHT’S PICK: FRESNO STATE 31, BOISE STATE 24

Brian Rippee: I will revert back to the most potent analytic here: which mascot would win in a fight? Rippee's Pick: Boise State 21, Fresno State 20

Purdue +16.5 vs. No. 2 Michigan, Big Ten Championship Game, Lucas Oil Stadium, Indianapolis, 7 p.m., FOX

Neal McCready: Purdue, I really need a miracle. If you win Saturday and somehow save me on the Road To Boise, I'll buy a Purdue jersey (I'll call my pal Adam Kufner up there and make sure it arrives on time) and wear it every day on the podcast for two weeks. That said... Neal's Pick: Michigan 42, Purdue 21

Chase Parham: Michigan, like Georgia, is in no matter. That was an impressive strangulation of Ohio State, and Jim Harbaugh has put together a couple really nice seasons I think Purdue can stay within the number, but the Boilermakers will never threaten. Parham's Pick: Michigan 30, Purdue 14

Jeffrey Wright: Give me the Spoiler Makers and those points. Purdue is 19-7 ATS against AP-ranked opponents since the start of the 2014 season. Also, Purdue is 5-1 ATS as a double-digit underdog over the past five seasons, and Favorites are 3-8 ATS (7-4 SU) in the Big Ten Championship game. WRIGHT’S PICK: MICHIGAN 31, PURDUE 17

Brian Rippee: Purdue isn't bad and I sense a little bit of a letdown from Michigan after last week, though I think the Wolverines win the game without much trouble. Rippee's Pick: Michigan 28, Purdue 17

No. 10 Clemson -7.5 vs. No. 24 North Carolina, ACC Championship Game, 7 p.m., Bank of America Stadium, Charlotte, N.C., ABC

Neal McCready: Haha, Clemson. For some reason, I've developed a dislike for the orange and purple Tigers. Neal's Pick: Clemson 27, North Carolina 17

Chase Parham: The fact that I need to pick Clemson is evidence of just how crappy this game is. I'd rather watch the MAC title game than this Phil Longo-Dabo tilt. Parham's Pick: Clemson 24, Carolina 14

Jeffrey Wright: I think that North Carolina can probably score on Clemson’s defensive backs, and Clemson’s offense might be so bad that even North Carolina might be able to stop them a time or two. WRIGHT’S PICK: CLEMSON 34, NORTH CAROLINA 31

Brian Rippee: I don't think Clemson is good enough to get a touchdown and the hook here. Rippee's Pick: Clemson 24, North Carolina 20