Creature Vs. Creature: Gridiron Gurus on Championship Weekend

**As part of a new series, a group of b/r writers make their picks on key college football and NFL matchups. Minus numbers in parentheses denote how much a team is favored to win by.

Big 12 Championship: Missouri vs. Oklahoma (-16)

Game Overview

Missouri was the sexy pick early in the season when the Tigers were dropping 50, 60, 70 points on people and Chase Daniel was the Heisman frontrunner, but, after a tough loss to Oklahoma State, they were exposed against Texas.

The fact is that they aren’t very good on defense and struggle when playing good offensive teams. Oklahoma has been playing great lately and is trying to remain in the BCS top two to earn a trip to the national championship game.

Keys to the Game

The key will be Chase Daniel. If he limits turnovers, executes the offense, and puts some points up, this could be an epic game and come down to the end. Missouri’s best chance is a shootout, as it is 45-0 since 2001 when scoring over 40.

There is also the added benefit of trying to play spoiler here, but I don’t see the Tigers being successful. OU has scored 60-plus points in each of its last four games and is clicking on all cylinders.

Point spread: (-16) Oklahoma will cover

Prediction: Oklahoma 65, Missouri 35

Confidence Meter: Seven Stars

SEC Championship: Alabama vs. Florida (-10)

Game Overview

This is odd because the team ranked No. 1 in the BCS is a heavy underdog in this game. Unfortunately, for Alabama, it is the correct line, as 'Bama does not match up well against Florida and their seemingly endless speed.

The Crimson Tide have had a dream season under Nick Saban, but recently struggled against a mediocre LSU team that Florida basically ran off the field. Tim Tebow is arguably the best college football player we’ve seen in years and the Heisman Trophy-winning quarterback has hit his stride of late, recording 27 touchdowns over his last seven games.

Keys to the Game

Florida’s defense. Alabama routed Auburn last week by demoralizing their defense with a powerful running game. Florida on the other hand, most known for their offense, also sports a Top 10 scoring and team defense and is third in the nation in takeaways. If they can contain Alabama’s running game, they will roll the tide.

Point spread: (-10) Florida will cover

Final Score: Florida 42, Alabama 17

Confidence Meter: Five Stars

ACC Championship: Boston College (-1½) at Virginia Tech

Game Overview

This is a matchup of great defenses as both teams are in the Top 10 in total defense. I don’t see this being a high-scoring affair and think that Boston College will pull it out.

BC won the in-season matchup 28-23, despite five turnovers and two interceptions run for touchdowns by VT. The Hokies cannot expect to force that many turnovers again and will likely lose this game. Honestly though, this game is the biggest yawner of the weekend to me.

Keys to the Game

Tyrod Taylor vs. Dominique Davis. Which QB will make the biggest impact?

Point spread: (-1 ½) BC should cover but I wouldn’t discount a possible VT win here.

Final Score: Boston College 21, Virginia Tech 17  

Confidence Meter: Three Stars

Commander in Chief Trophy and Pride: Navy (-11) at Army

Game Overview

As a Navy veteran, I always watch this game which has recently been dominated by the middies. This season should be no different as the Navy squad tries to pick up their eighth win of the season over a pretty hapless Army team.

There really should be no question, as Navy beat a ranked Wake Forest team and has only lost to quality opponents in Ball State, Duke, Pittsburgh, and Notre Dame.

Keys to the Game

Shun White and the Navy ground game.

Point spread: (-11) Navy will roll

Final Score: Navy 31, Army 10  

Confidence Meter: Five Stars

NFL Quick Picks

(-7) PHI @ NYG: Giants will win again. They are solid at every position.

(-3) ATL @ NO: Drew Brees and Co. will pull this one out at home.

(-1) MIA @ BUF: Miami and Buffalo both need this win, but Miami has been better lately. Miami by a touchdown.

(-3) DAL @ PITT: Pittsburgh showed what their dominating defense can do. I think they win outright.

WAS @ BAL (-5 ½): (Sunday Night) I’d take Washington with the points but you never know which Skins team will show up.

TB @ CAR (-3): (Monday Night) Carolina doesn’t get the respect they deserve. Their 3-headed-monster of D. Williams, J. Stewart, and S. Smith are tough to contain. Carolina wins.

Check out the picks from the other Gridiron Gurus:

Kristin Hamlin

Chaz Mattson

SportMonk