Neal's Picks, presented by Snooze Mattress Company: Championship Week
I should concede, but as Andy Kennedy said the other night, in this world, you're either a fighter or a flyer.
I'm a fighter, dammit.
Plus, this is my game, and I'll determine when it's over.
So, on to the picks...
Last week:
Neal McCready: 3-6 ATS, 4-5 straight-up
Chase Parham: 5-4 ATS, 7-2 straight-up
For the season:
Neal McCready: 38-56-3 ATS, 88-32 straight-up
Chase Parham: 51-43-3 ATS, 99-21 straight-up
Friday's Games:
No. 21 Western Michigan (-19) vs. Ohio, Mid-America Conference Championship Game, Ford Field, Detroit, 6 p.m., ESPN2:
McCready: One has to think this P.J. Fleck's swan song at Western Michigan. He's had one hell of a run and is about to have one hell of a payday. Good for him. Get all you can as long as you can. Neal's Pick: Western Michigan 35, Ohio 14
Parham: We're reached the ridiculous portion of the Neal's Picks schedule. In an effort to win his own game for once, Neal will be picking Australian rules football and Sumo wrestling here soon. Oh, in this one, Ohio will show a little fight and find a way to cover this one. The Bobcats played Tennessee close early in the year. So close to that life championship. Parham's Pick: Western Michigan 30, Ohio 17
No. 9 Colorado (+7 1/2) vs. No. 5 Washington, PAC-12 Championship Game, Levi's Stadium, Santa Clara, Calif., 8 p.m. CST, FOX:
McCready: I'm a big Mike MacIntyre fan. He's just a good story, and the Buffaloes play a nice brand of football. Washington, meanwhile, is vying for a spot in the playoffs and the right to be destroyed by Alabama. I'll take the points. Neal's Pick: Washington 27, Colorado 23
Parham: MacIntyre grabbed national coach of the year honors on Thursday, and he's turned the Buffs into a great football story. The former Ole Miss assistant is showing up on some other schools' wish lists, but it sounds like Colorado will lock him down for a while. Washington is a fun team. I'm excited about this game. Parham's Pick: Washington 31, Colorado 28
Saturday's Games:
Louisiana Tech (+9 1/2) at Western Kentucky, Conference USA Championship Game, 11 a.m. CST, ESPN:
McCready: I can't go against the boys from Ruston. I can't and I won't. Ruston today, Ruston forever. Neal's Pick: Louisiana Tech 42, Western Kentucky 41
Parham: These two met in the regular season, and Western Kentucky scored 21 points in the fourth quarter to win a barnburner, 55-52, in Ruston. I expect a similar shootout, so the nearly 10 points will come in handy. Parham's Pick: Western Kentucky 49, La Tech 45
No. 10 Oklahoma State (+11) at No. 8 Oklahoma, 11:30 a.m., FOX:
McCready: I so badly want Oklahoma State to win this game and be the poster child for future teams who get screwed by the combination of horrific officiating and a dumb system for picking playoff teams. However, I fear Baker Mayfield, Dede Westbrook and Co. are going to leave my disappointed. Neal's Pick: Oklahoma 41, Oklahoma State 24
Parham: Oklahoma State is a screw job against Central Michigan from being heavy in the playoff picture. However, Baker and his boys would end those hopes on Saturday, so it's OK the Chippewas had nice things back in September. Parham's Pick: Oklahoma 38, Oklahoma State 24
ULL(-7) at THE University of Louisiana (at Monroe), Historic Malone Stadium, Monroe, La., 2 p.m., ESPN3 (the people's ESPN):
McCready: We've waited all season for this. We believed we were a championship team, but officiating robbed us of wins against Oklahoma, Georgia Southern, Auburn, Idaho, New Mexico, Arkansas State and Appalachian State. We're the best four-win team in college football history and we'll prove it on Saturday in majestic Malone Stadium, right there on the banks of Bayou Desiard. We're having a watch party at Parham's house. You're all invited. Bring bourbon and your favorite Warhawk apparel. Neal's Pick: ULM 72, ULL 0
Parham: Mark Hudspeth has had an up-and-down season but can reach bowl eligibility over the other former directional school in Louisiana. The Cajuns picked up nice wins against Arkansas State and Georgia Southern of late, and this shouldn't be a tall task on Saturday. Sorry, Neal. Your $20 donation won't buy ULM's way in this one. Parham's Pick: THE University of Louisiana 30, ULM 20
Baylor (+18) at No. 18 West Virginia, 2:30 p.m. CST, FS1:
McCready: Believe it or not, this is the last time Baylor has a chance to be competitive for a few years. Couldn't happen to a weirder lot. Neal's Pick: West Virginia 49, Baylor 10
Parham: Dana is always kind of fun, and if you're going to watch bad Big 12, then West Virginia is that weird drunk cousin at Christmas that always keeps things entertaining and somewhat uncomfortable. I would say this is too many points, but Baylor has been blasted in its last three games. So, dlet's go Mountaineers. Parham's Pick: West Virginia 52, Baylor 30
No. 1 Alabama (-25) vs. No. 15 Florida, SEC Championship Game, Georgia Dome, Atlanta, 3 p.m. CST, CBS:
McCready: Florida will get a field goal or two, right? Will Nick Saban allow soon-to-be-ex-offensive coordinator Lane Kiffin run it up? My guesses: Yes and no. Neal's Pick: Alabama 31, Florida 9
Parham: This line won't stop going up. We really should have locked this puppy in on Tuesday. Alabama didn't allow a play inside its 10-yard line or a touchdown at all in November. Florida isn't big on scoring, either. So this will be a beatdown, though last year the Gators threw a couple deep passes to keep Vegas on its toes. I don't expect that this time, though Nick Saban and Lane Kiffin won't embarrass Jim McElwain. Let's stay just inside the number. Parham's Pick: Alabama 30, Florida 6
San Diego State (-7) at Wyoming, Western Athletic Conference Championship Game, 6:45 p.m. CST, ESPN:
McCready: I need to make up ground, which means I've got to take some chances. I guarantee you San Diego State's cheerleaders are a more attractive group than their Wyoming counterparts, and I'm betting that's the inspiration the Aztecs need. Neal's Pick: San Diego State 38, Wyoming 30
Parham: This is what I mean. Wyoming and SDSU? Former head of Rivals.com, Eric Winter, is an alumnus of San Diego State. Go Aztecs. SDSU dropped its final two games of the season -- including a rout to Colorado State and a nail biter to these Aztecs. Since I'm getting the points I'll take the Cowboys. Parham's Pick: Wyoming 27, San Diego State 24
No. 4 Clemson (-10) vs. Virginia Tech, ACC Championship Game, 7 p.m. CST, Camping World Stadium, Orlando, Fla.
McCready: Again, I need to make up ground, and God knows Clemson has played tight games all season (not looking at you, Will Muschamp). Oh, what the hell. Neal's Pick: Clemson 34, Virginia Tech 27
Parham: Somehow Bud Foster will persevere and have his defense ready despite all the distractions of him not considering Ole Miss' defensive coordinator position. It won't help much against Clemson's offense, but the preparation has been solid, I'm sure. Justin Fuente has done a tremendous job in Blacksburg, by the way. Parham's Pick: Clemson 38, Virginia Tech 17
No. 6 Wisconsin (-2 1/2) vs. No. 7 Penn State, Big 10 Championship Game, Lucas Oil Stadium, Indianapolis, FOX:
McCready: Every time I watch Penn State play, I feel like I need a shower. Along those lines, every time I see Penn State play, I'm afraid to go near a shower. Neal's Pick: Wisconsin 30, Penn State 14
Parham: I still wonder if the committee gets cute with Ohio State once the championship games are played. There's a chance this one is incredibly meaningful. Wisconsin is likable for some reason, and Penn State is certainly not, for all the reasons you'd expect. Oddly, I have a rooting interest here, so let's ride with that. Parham's Pick: Wisconsin 24, Penn State 20
