College Football Championship Picks: Two Underdogs Set to Shock Conference Weekend

The 2025 college football regular season has concluded. Conference championship weekend is here. At least nine titles will be decided across the sport. This sets the stage for major playoff implications and potential upsets.According to analysis from BetMGM, several underdogs hold compelling value. The focus shifts to teams with favorable stylistic matchups. These college football championship predictions highlight two specific games where the underdog is poised to win outright.

Jacksonville State Holds Key Stylistic Edge in CUSA

The Conference USA championship features Jacksonville State versus Kennesaw State. Both teams favor a run-heavy offensive approach. The critical difference lies in their defensive capabilities.Kennesaw State ranks 88th nationally in opponent yards per carry. They are also 111th in opponent rush EPA. Jacksonville State’s ground game is well-positioned to exploit this weakness. The stylistic matchup heavily favors the Gamecocks.This advantage is why some analysts believe Jacksonville State should be favored. The current betting line offers value on the underdog. The pick is Jacksonville State to win the conference title.

Indiana Presents a True Coin Flip in Big Ten Showdown

The Big Ten Championship is a marquee matchup between Indiana and Ohio State. Indiana has been consistently underrated this season. Advanced metrics show the gap between the teams is minimal.Indiana and Ohio State rank first and third in net adjusted EPA per play. They also rank third and fourth in net success rate. The statistical profiles indicate this game is essentially a toss-up.Given these metrics, the underdog offers significant value. Indiana has the defensive strength to challenge the defending champions. The pick is for Indiana to pull off the upset and win the Big Ten.

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The final weekend of conference play promises drama. These college football championship predictions highlight where the smart value lies. Expect at least one major upset to reshape the playoff picture.

Thought you’d like to know

Q1: Why is Jacksonville State a pick against Kennesaw State?

Kennesaw State has a poor run defense. Jacksonville State relies on a strong rushing attack. This creates a favorable mismatch for the underdog.

Q2: What stats support picking Indiana over Ohio State?

Advanced metrics like EPA and success rate show the teams are very close. Indiana ranks near the top nationally in key efficiency stats. This suggests the game is far more even than the spread indicates.

Q3: Are these predictions based on betting odds?

Yes, the analysis uses current odds from BetMGM Sportsbook. The goal is to identify underdogs with a higher real chance of winning than the odds imply. This is about finding value in the market.

Q4: What is the biggest risk with these picks?

The biggest risk is Ohio State’s championship experience. However, Indiana’s statistical profile suggests they can compete. Stylistic advantages can sometimes outweigh pedigree in a single game.

Q5: How do conference titles affect the College Football Playoff?

Winning a conference championship is a key criterion for the selection committee. An upset by Indiana would drastically alter the playoff field. It could put multiple teams’ hopes in jeopardy.