Common misconception, most people think they find out if they’ve been naughty or nice on Christmas day… they actually find out by how their teams play this weekend. Championship football is back and boy am I excited to see some fireworks. DPJ and I are leveraging quite a few teasers this week to cut down on volatility so rest easy and don’t forget to bet smarter, not harder. 

Q’s Best Bets (12-16 Overall)
Baylor vs Oklahoma State/Georgia vs Alabama/Oregon vs Utah
Pick: 10 Point Super Teaser: Oklahoma State +5.5, Alabama +21.5, Utah +7.5 (-120 odds)

I’ll try to consolidate this breakdown since all three takes are pretty simple. I don’t see Saban allowing Alabama to lose a SEC Championship by more than 3 TDs, Oregon is fraudulent and Utah’s offense should thrash them again (for the second time in two weeks and Oklahoma State’s playing in their first Big 12 Championship game ever with a potential shot at sneaking into the CFP. Have to love a teaser that give you points for two teams that should win easily and provides a three TD cushion for arguably the greatest college football dynasty in history.

Houston @ Cincinnati/Michigan vs Iowa
Pick: 2 Team Parlay: Houston +14.5, Michigan Money Line (-109 odds)

Two very different trains of thought for the two legs of this parlay. 

Yes, I’ve shorted Cincy twice in a row and yes they’ve made me pay the price. That said, they got absolutely lucky covering last week with that late field goal block for a TD and they still hold the weight of every non Power 5 team’s hopes of ever making the CFP. Both of these teams rank very high nationally in most offensive and defensive categories and both teams are riding at least an 11 game winning streak (Houston’s only loss was week 1). Banking on Cincy to keep feeling the pressure in this one and Houston to keep it relatively close. 

Michigan is so much better than Iowa. Iowa has lucked their way into the Big 10 Championship from the weakest side of the conference and they’re incapable of moving the ball on offense. Michigan has a lethal run game, has played great against ranked teams this season and their defense is far from shabby. I’m a little nervous of a slow start for the Wolverines after such a season-defining win against the Buckeyes last week so I’m only taking their money line vs the spread. That said, they should control this game early and even if they don’t… Iowa can’t score.

DPJ’s Best Bets (12-11-1 Overall)
Georgia vs Alabama – Saturday, 12/4 (4:00 PM EST)
Pick: Georgia -6.5 and Total Points Under 50

I don’t think this is an incredibly hot take but I think Georgia is going to absolutely kick the shit out of Alabama. I was high on Bama early in the season, as many were, but if you’ve watched any of their last four meaningful games (yes you can forget the NM State blow out) this team just has not looked very good. They feel closer to a three loss team than a CFP team, and not only does their defense look soft but their offense is often anemic. On the other side of the ball, Georgia is firing on all cylinders. They know the Natty trophy is theirs for the taking and I expect them to smell blood in the water. I don’t see how Bama blocks this Georgia defensive line and quite honestly I’d be shocked if it’s close and I’d be shocked if Bama scores more than 20 points. With that in mind, I’m taking Georgia spread and under. I might even suggest sprinkling on the Bama team total under but I will let you, the honest reader that you are, make that decision for yourself. Go Dogs.

Michigan vs Iowa/Houston vs Cincinnati
Pick: 6 point teaser: Michigan -6, Cincinnati -4.5 (-110 odds)

I’m not gonna spend much time or effort detailing this one, but here we go. Yes, Iowa and Houston should both find some fun in playing spoiler to Michigan and Cincy’s season and subsequent CFP hopes. But I honestly don’t think that will be enough juice to take down the Wolverines and the Bearcats. These two have both been in the hot seat for weeks and have pulled it out time and time again. I was doubting Michigan last week but they could not have looked better against OSU. I am going to trust the process and side with each of them to win by about a touchdown each. There is also the emotional hedge on this bet that if either of these teams lose it will be very funny.

Best of the Best Bets – DPJ & Q approved (10-10 Overall)
Pittsburgh vs Wake Forest – Saturday, 12/4 (8:00 PM EST)
Pick: Pittsburgh -2.5

An ACC Championship game without the Clemson Tigers? Don’t mind if I do (sorry Q). If you would have told me in August that we would have Wake vs Pitt in the ACC championship I would have laughed at you. But here we are, and this should be an absolutely electric game. The total is north of 70 points and we all know these teams can score in bunches. What you might now know is Pitt’s run defense has been playing like an SEC school, allowing just 92 yds per game good for 15th fewest in the country. Conversely, the Demon Deacons are giving up 210(!) yds per game on the ground. Quite a discrepancy. Most people probably think this game will be won through the air but if Pitt can control the trenches I see them winning fairly easily. This line should be closer to -7 in my opinion and it is easily my favorite game of the week that doesn’t have any CFP implications. I’m riding with the good ol yinzers of Pittsburgh. – DPJ

Risky Business (4-16 Overall)

Houston vs Cincinnati: Houston +7.5 (+130 odds)

Disclaimer: SidehustlebetsMJQ.com is not an online gambling operator or a gambling site of any kind. Our insights about sports/sports betting are purely for entertainment purposes only.