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College Football Conference Championship Predictions: Duke Does the Unthinkable

Dylan Wilkerson
Dylan Wilkerson Sports Betting Expert
College Football Conference Championship Predictions: Duke Does the Unthinkable

Image Credit: Zachary Taft-Imagn Images

Easy come, easy go as they say. The college football regular season has come to an end, and conference championships are here. Here are my predictions for the conference championship games this weekend.

Click any of the links attached to the predictions to place the bet instantly.

I will be adding to this piece as the week goes by, so be sure to click the banner below to see all of our content as it is published.

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TROY VS. JAMES MADISON PREDICTION

TROY @ JMU Odds

  • Full Game
  • 1H
  • 1Q
  • 2Q
  • 3Q
  • 4Q
  • Spread
  • Total
  • Moneyline
Final
Troy Trojans 105 Troy
+20.5 -110 +13.5 -105 +13.5 +105 +14.5 -120 +13.5 -102 +13.5 +104 +13.5 -115 +13.5 -115 +12.5 -106 +24.5 -112  
James Madison Dukes 106 James Madison
-20.5 -110 -13.5 -115 -13.5 -125 -14.5 even -13.5 -121 -13.5 -128 -13.5 -115 -13.5 -115 -12.5 -118 -24.5 -108  
Final
Troy Trojans 105 Troy
o48.5 -110 o24 -110 o24.5 -102 o24.5 +105 o24.5 +107 o24.5 -102 o24.5 even o20.5 -130 o23.5 -127 o47.5 -105  
James Madison Dukes 106 James Madison
u48.5 -110 u24 -110 u24.5 -118 u24.5 -125 u24.5 -128 u24.5 -120 u24.5 -130 u20.5 even u23.5 -103 u47.5 -115  
Final
Troy Trojans 105 Troy
+900 +750 +775 +1000 +800 +820 N/A N/A +575 +1500  
James Madison Dukes 106 James Madison
-1600 -1100 -1400 -1350 -1250 -1300 N/A N/A -1115 -2800  
Final
Troy Trojans 105 Troy
+20.5 -110 +6.5 +115 +6.5 +115 +6.5 +114 N/A +6.5 +116 +6.5 -120 +6.5 -105 +6.5 -115 +24.5 -112  
James Madison Dukes 106 James Madison
-20.5 -110 -6.5 -145 -6.5 -150 -6.5 -145 N/A -6.5 -145 -6.5 -110 -6.5 -125 -6.5 -114 -24.5 -108  
Final
Troy Trojans 105 Troy
o48.5 -110 o10 -115 o10.5 +105 o9.5 -140 N/A o10.5 +118 o9.5 -130 o7.5 +210 o10.5 +114 o47.5 -105  
James Madison Dukes 106 James Madison
u48.5 -110 u10 -115 u10.5 -135 u9.5 +110 N/A u10.5 -150 u9.5 even u7.5 -285 u10.5 -148 u47.5 -115  
Final
Troy Trojans 105 Troy
+900 +400 +425 +400 N/A +450 N/A N/A +330 +1500  
James Madison Dukes 106 James Madison
-1600 -600 -650 -660 N/A -650 N/A N/A -500 -2800  
Final
Troy Trojans 105 Troy
+20.5 -110 N/A N/A +10.5 -118 N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A +24.5 -112  
James Madison Dukes 106 James Madison
-20.5 -110 N/A N/A -10.5 -102 N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A -24.5 -108  
Final
Troy Trojans 105 Troy
o48.5 -110 N/A N/A o21.5 -112 N/A N/A o21.5 even N/A N/A o47.5 -105  
James Madison Dukes 106 James Madison
u48.5 -110 N/A N/A u21.5 -108 N/A N/A u21.5 -130 N/A N/A u47.5 -115  
Final
Troy Trojans 105 Troy
+900 N/A N/A +550 N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A +1500  
James Madison Dukes 106 James Madison
-1600 N/A N/A -800 N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A -2800  
Final
Troy Trojans 105 Troy
+20.5 -110 N/A N/A +7.5 -130 N/A +7.5 -146 N/A N/A N/A +24.5 -112  
James Madison Dukes 106 James Madison
-20.5 -110 N/A N/A -7.5 even N/A -7.5 +110 N/A N/A N/A -24.5 -108  
Final
Troy Trojans 105 Troy
o48.5 -110 o13 -115 N/A o13.5 -140 N/A o27.5 -165 N/A N/A N/A o47.5 -105  
James Madison Dukes 106 James Madison
u48.5 -110 u13 -115 N/A u13.5 +110 N/A u27.5 +126 N/A N/A N/A u47.5 -115  
Final
Troy Trojans 105 Troy
+900 +500 N/A +650 N/A +440 N/A N/A N/A +1500  
James Madison Dukes 106 James Madison
-1600 -850 N/A -1150 N/A -650 N/A N/A N/A -2800  
Final
Troy Trojans 105 Troy
+20.5 -110 N/A N/A +6.5 -105 N/A +6.5 -100 N/A N/A N/A +24.5 -112  
James Madison Dukes 106 James Madison
-20.5 -110 N/A N/A -6.5 -125 N/A -6.5 -132 N/A N/A N/A -24.5 -108  
Final
Troy Trojans 105 Troy
o48.5 -110 o9.5 -120 N/A o9.5 -130 N/A o0.5 +168 N/A N/A N/A o47.5 -105  
James Madison Dukes 106 James Madison
u48.5 -110 u9.5 -110 N/A u9.5 even N/A u0.5 -225 N/A N/A N/A u47.5 -115  
Final
Troy Trojans 105 Troy
+900 +475 N/A +390 N/A +440 N/A N/A N/A +1500  
James Madison Dukes 106 James Madison
-1600 -750 N/A -660 N/A -670 N/A N/A N/A -2800  
Final
Troy Trojans 105 Troy
+20.5 -110 +6.5 -115 N/A +4.5 -115 N/A +6.5 -122 N/A N/A N/A +24.5 -112  
James Madison Dukes 106 James Madison
-20.5 -110 -6.5 -115 N/A -4.5 -115 N/A -6.5 -108 N/A N/A N/A -24.5 -108  
Final
Troy Trojans 105 Troy
o48.5 -110 o10.5 -115 N/A o11.5 -115 N/A o10.5 +106 N/A N/A N/A o47.5 -105  
James Madison Dukes 106 James Madison
u48.5 -110 u10.5 -115 N/A u11.5 -115 N/A u10.5 -132 N/A N/A N/A u47.5 -115  
Final
Troy Trojans 105 Troy
+900 +320 N/A +270 N/A +350 N/A N/A N/A +1500  
James Madison Dukes 106 James Madison
-1600 -425 N/A -375 N/A -520 N/A N/A N/A -2800  

Troy is facing a very tough battle for the Sun Belt, but their defense may be enough to keep this a three touchdown game. While the Trojans struggle offensively, their defense ranks 40th in defensive success rate and are T38th in 3rd down success rate allowed. Troy's defense could provide decent resistance to JMU's high-powered offense.

Prediction: Troy Trojans +23.5 (-105)

JACKSONVILLE STATE VS. KENNESAW STATE PREDICTION

Jacksonville State is positioned well to take advantage of this Kennesaw State defense. Kennesaw State ranks 111th against the rush and 96th against the pass, putting them as one of the worst teams in college football in defensive success rate.

Offensively, Kennesaw State is not much better. They rank 102nd in offensive success rate, with a specific weakness when it comes to rushing the football. I am surprised to see Jacksonville State as the underdog here - I think they have Kennesaw State outclassed.

Prediction: Jacksonville State Moneyline (+120)

MIAMI (OH) VS. WESTERN MICHIGAN PREDICTION

M-OH @ WMU Odds

  • Full Game
  • 1H
  • 1Q
  • 2Q
  • 3Q
  • 4Q
  • Spread
  • Total
  • Moneyline
Final
Miami (OH) RedHawks 113 Miami (OH)
+3 -110 +0.5 -115 +0.5 -115 +0.5 -118 +1.5 -141 +1.5 -134 +0.5 -120 +4.5 -120 +1.5 -109 +2.5 -115  
Western Michigan Broncos 114 Western Michigan
-3 -110 -0.5 -105 -0.5 -105 -0.5 -102 -1.5 +116 -1.5 +110 -0.5 -110 -4.5 -110 -1.5 -114 -2.5 -105  
Final
Miami (OH) RedHawks 113 Miami (OH)
o45.5 -110 o20.5 -115 o20.5 -115 o20.5 -122 o21.5 -107 o22.5 -106 o22.5 -120 o31.5 -115 o20.5 -122 o44.5 -108  
Western Michigan Broncos 114 Western Michigan
u45.5 -110 u20.5 -105 u20.5 -105 u20.5 +102 u21.5 -114 u22.5 -114 u22.5 -110 u31.5 -125 u20.5 -107 u44.5 -112  
Final
Miami (OH) RedHawks 113 Miami (OH)
+124 even +105 +102 +103 -102 N/A N/A +116 +120  
Western Michigan Broncos 114 Western Michigan
-148 -120 -125 -122 -125 -120 N/A N/A -152 -142  
Final
Miami (OH) RedHawks 113 Miami (OH)
+3 -110 +0.5 -150 +0.5 -155 +0.5 -145 N/A +1.5 -180 +0.5 -160 +2.5 -150 +1.5 -150 +2.5 -115  
Western Michigan Broncos 114 Western Michigan
-3 -110 -0.5 +120 -0.5 +120 -0.5 +114 N/A -1.5 +144 -0.5 +125 -2.5 +105 -1.5 +114 -2.5 -105  
Final
Miami (OH) RedHawks 113 Miami (OH)
o45.5 -110 o9.5 -110 o8.5 -115 o7.5 -115 N/A o9.5 -120 o9.5 -125 o20.5 -145 o8.5 -120 o44.5 -108  
Western Michigan Broncos 114 Western Michigan
u45.5 -110 u9.5 -120 u8.5 -115 u7.5 -115 N/A u9.5 -104 u9.5 -105 u20.5 -105 u8.5 -109 u44.5 -112  
Final
Miami (OH) RedHawks 113 Miami (OH)
+124 -105 +110 +110 N/A -108 N/A N/A +114 +120  
Western Michigan Broncos 114 Western Michigan
-148 -125 -145 -140 N/A -122 N/A N/A -148 -142  
Final
Miami (OH) RedHawks 113 Miami (OH)
+3 -110 N/A N/A +1.5 -130 N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A +2.5 -115  
Western Michigan Broncos 114 Western Michigan
-3 -110 N/A N/A -1.5 +110 N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A -2.5 -105  
Final
Miami (OH) RedHawks 113 Miami (OH)
o45.5 -110 N/A N/A o22.5 -108 N/A N/A o21.5 -105 N/A N/A o44.5 -108  
Western Michigan Broncos 114 Western Michigan
u45.5 -110 N/A N/A u22.5 -112 N/A N/A u21.5 -120 N/A N/A u44.5 -112  
Final
Miami (OH) RedHawks 113 Miami (OH)
+124 N/A N/A +105 N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A +120  
Western Michigan Broncos 114 Western Michigan
-148 N/A N/A -125 N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A -142  
Final
Miami (OH) RedHawks 113 Miami (OH)
+3 -110 N/A N/A -0.5 +114 N/A +1.5 -160 +0.5 -160 N/A N/A +2.5 -115  
Western Michigan Broncos 114 Western Michigan
-3 -110 N/A N/A +0.5 -145 N/A -1.5 +118 -0.5 +125 N/A N/A -2.5 -105  
Final
Miami (OH) RedHawks 113 Miami (OH)
o45.5 -110 o13 -115 N/A o12.5 -115 N/A o9.5 -176 o10.5 -105 N/A N/A o44.5 -108  
Western Michigan Broncos 114 Western Michigan
u45.5 -110 u13 -115 N/A u12.5 -115 N/A u9.5 +134 u10.5 -120 N/A N/A u44.5 -112  
Final
Miami (OH) RedHawks 113 Miami (OH)
+124 -115 N/A -130 N/A -102 N/A N/A N/A +120  
Western Michigan Broncos 114 Western Michigan
-148 -115 N/A even N/A -125 N/A N/A N/A -142  
Final
Miami (OH) RedHawks 113 Miami (OH)
+3 -110 N/A N/A +0.5 -160 N/A +1.5 -180 +0.5 -175 N/A N/A +2.5 -115  
Western Michigan Broncos 114 Western Michigan
-3 -110 N/A N/A -0.5 +124 N/A -1.5 +138 -0.5 +135 N/A N/A -2.5 -105  
Final
Miami (OH) RedHawks 113 Miami (OH)
o45.5 -110 o9 -115 N/A o8.5 -115 N/A o13.5 -156 o9.5 -115 N/A N/A o44.5 -108  
Western Michigan Broncos 114 Western Michigan
u45.5 -110 u9 -115 N/A u8.5 -115 N/A u13.5 +120 u9.5 -110 N/A N/A u44.5 -112  
Final
Miami (OH) RedHawks 113 Miami (OH)
+124 -115 N/A even N/A -104 N/A N/A N/A +120  
Western Michigan Broncos 114 Western Michigan
-148 -115 N/A -130 N/A -122 N/A N/A N/A -142  
Final
Miami (OH) RedHawks 113 Miami (OH)
+3 -110 +0.5 -180 N/A +0.5 -130 N/A +1.5 -172 +0.5 -180 N/A N/A +2.5 -115  
Western Michigan Broncos 114 Western Michigan
-3 -110 -0.5 +145 N/A -0.5 even N/A -1.5 +130 -0.5 +140 N/A N/A -2.5 -105  
Final
Miami (OH) RedHawks 113 Miami (OH)
o45.5 -110 o13 -115 N/A o13.5 -105 N/A o10.5 -106 o12.5 -115 N/A N/A o44.5 -108  
Western Michigan Broncos 114 Western Michigan
u45.5 -110 u13 -115 N/A u13.5 -125 N/A u10.5 -118 u12.5 -110 N/A N/A u44.5 -112  
Final
Miami (OH) RedHawks 113 Miami (OH)
+124 -115 N/A +105 N/A -102 N/A N/A N/A +120  
Western Michigan Broncos 114 Western Michigan
-148 -115 N/A -135 N/A -125 N/A N/A N/A -142  

These are two good defenses meeting up in the MAC Championship. Western Michigan is 13th in EPA/pass allowed and one of the best defenses on late downs. Miami is 16th in EPA allowed on early downs and T38th in defensive passing success rate allowed.

As far as pace goes, Miami ranks 117th, averaging 63.3 offensive plays per game while Western Michigan ranks 85th.

Western Michigan has offensive issues, ranking 91st in rush offense and 104th in EPA/dropback. I expect a low-scoring MACtion Championship game.

Prediction: Miami (OH) RedHawks @ Western Michigan Broncos u44.5 (-110)

DUKE VS. VIRGINIA PREDICTION

DUKE @ UVA Odds

  • Full Game
  • 1H
  • 1Q
  • 2Q
  • 3Q
  • 4Q
  • Spread
  • Total
  • Moneyline
Final
Duke Blue Devils 117 Duke
+2.5 -110 +2.5 -105 +2.5 -105 +2.5 -102 +2.5 -107 +2.5 -110 +2.5 -110 +0.5 -120 +2.5 -107 +3.5 -112  
Virginia Cavaliers 118 Virginia
-2.5 -110 -2.5 -115 -2.5 -115 -2.5 -118 -2.5 -114 -2.5 -110 -2.5 -120 -0.5 -110 -2.5 -118 -3.5 -108  
Final
Duke Blue Devils 117 Duke
o57.5 -110 o29.5 -110 o28.5 -110 o28.5 -108 o29.5 -110 o30.5 -102 o28.5 -115 o29.5 -115 o28.5 -109 o58.5 -108  
Virginia Cavaliers 118 Virginia
u57.5 -110 u29.5 -110 u28.5 -110 u28.5 -112 u29.5 -110 u30.5 -120 u28.5 -115 u29.5 -115 u28.5 -120 u58.5 -112  
Final
Duke Blue Devils 117 Duke
+110 +130 +118 +124 +128 +124 N/A N/A +118 +145  
Virginia Cavaliers 118 Virginia
-130 -155 -145 -148 -154 -152 N/A N/A -155 -180  
Final
Duke Blue Devils 117 Duke
+2.5 -110 +0.5 -125 +0.5 -125 +0.5 -120 N/A +1.5 -142 +0.5 -140 -0.5 +135 +1.5 -143 +3.5 -112  
Virginia Cavaliers 118 Virginia
-2.5 -110 -0.5 -105 -0.5 even -0.5 -110 N/A -1.5 +114 -0.5 +110 +0.5 -175 -1.5 +110 -3.5 -108  
Final
Duke Blue Devils 117 Duke
o57.5 -110 o13 -115 o12.5 -125 o13.5 -110 N/A o13.5 -124 o13.5 -120 o13.5 -105 o13.5 -115 o58.5 -108  
Virginia Cavaliers 118 Virginia
u57.5 -110 u13 -115 u12.5 -102 u13.5 -120 N/A u13.5 -100 u13.5 -110 u13.5 -125 u13.5 -113 u58.5 -112  
Final
Duke Blue Devils 117 Duke
+110 +115 +118 +124 N/A +114 N/A N/A +114 +145  
Virginia Cavaliers 118 Virginia
-130 -145 -150 -160 N/A -154 N/A N/A -148 -180  
Final
Duke Blue Devils 117 Duke
+2.5 -110 N/A N/A +1.5 -112 N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A +3.5 -112  
Virginia Cavaliers 118 Virginia
-2.5 -110 N/A N/A -1.5 -108 N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A -3.5 -108  
Final
Duke Blue Devils 117 Duke
o57.5 -110 N/A N/A o28.5 -115 N/A N/A o29.5 -115 N/A N/A o58.5 -108  
Virginia Cavaliers 118 Virginia
u57.5 -110 N/A N/A u28.5 -105 N/A N/A u29.5 -115 N/A N/A u58.5 -112  
Final
Duke Blue Devils 117 Duke
+110 N/A N/A +120 N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A +145  
Virginia Cavaliers 118 Virginia
-130 N/A N/A -142 N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A -180  
Final
Duke Blue Devils 117 Duke
+2.5 -110 N/A N/A +0.5 -120 N/A +1.5 -130 +0.5 -125 N/A N/A +3.5 -112  
Virginia Cavaliers 118 Virginia
-2.5 -110 N/A N/A -0.5 -110 N/A -1.5 -102 -0.5 -105 N/A N/A -3.5 -108  
Final
Duke Blue Devils 117 Duke
o57.5 -110 o16.5 -120 N/A o16.5 -120 N/A o20.5 -205 o16.5 -115 N/A N/A o58.5 -108  
Virginia Cavaliers 118 Virginia
u57.5 -110 u16.5 -110 N/A u16.5 -110 N/A u20.5 +154 u16.5 -115 N/A N/A u58.5 -112  
Final
Duke Blue Devils 117 Duke
+110 +110 N/A +114 N/A +114 N/A N/A N/A +145  
Virginia Cavaliers 118 Virginia
-130 -140 N/A -145 N/A -148 N/A N/A N/A -180  
Final
Duke Blue Devils 117 Duke
+2.5 -110 N/A N/A +0.5 -125 N/A +1.5 -154 +0.5 -135 N/A N/A +3.5 -112  
Virginia Cavaliers 118 Virginia
-2.5 -110 N/A N/A -0.5 -105 N/A -1.5 +118 -0.5 +105 N/A N/A -3.5 -108  
Final
Duke Blue Devils 117 Duke
o57.5 -110 o14 -110 N/A o13.5 -110 N/A o8.5 -115 o13.5 -120 N/A N/A o58.5 -108  
Virginia Cavaliers 118 Virginia
u57.5 -110 u14 -120 N/A u13.5 -120 N/A u8.5 -113 u13.5 -110 N/A N/A u58.5 -112  
Final
Duke Blue Devils 117 Duke
+110 +105 N/A +114 N/A +106 N/A N/A N/A +145  
Virginia Cavaliers 118 Virginia
-130 -135 N/A -145 N/A -136 N/A N/A N/A -180  
Final
Duke Blue Devils 117 Duke
+2.5 -110 +0.5 -140 N/A +0.5 -140 N/A +1.5 -158 +0.5 -140 N/A N/A +3.5 -112  
Virginia Cavaliers 118 Virginia
-2.5 -110 -0.5 +110 N/A -0.5 +110 N/A -1.5 +118 -0.5 +110 N/A N/A -3.5 -108  
Final
Duke Blue Devils 117 Duke
o57.5 -110 o16.5 -115 N/A o15.5 -120 N/A o14.5 +108 o14.5 -110 N/A N/A o58.5 -108  
Virginia Cavaliers 118 Virginia
u57.5 -110 u16.5 -115 N/A u15.5 -110 N/A u14.5 -132 u14.5 -120 N/A N/A u58.5 -112  
Final
Duke Blue Devils 117 Duke
+110 even N/A -115 N/A +106 N/A N/A N/A +145  
Virginia Cavaliers 118 Virginia
-130 -130 N/A -115 N/A -136 N/A N/A N/A -180  

Somehow, the 7-5 Duke Blue Devils have found themselves in the ACC Championship game. When these teams met earlier in the season, the Cavaliers beat Duke 34-17. Coming into this matchup, Duke ranks 19th in EPA/pass attempt and 23rd in overall offensive success rate.

Virginia is average at best on offense, ranking 88th in passing offense and 66th in rushing offense. Duke has the offensive advantage, and Virginia has the defensive advantage. In this even of a matchup, I am going to take the team that is getting the points.

Check out my full ACC Championship prediction.

Prediction: Duke Blue Devils +2.5 (-100)

I would love to hear from you all. You can interact with me on Threads and best of luck this week!

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Dylan Wilkerson

Dylan Wilkerson

Dylan Wilkerson has over 5 years of experience reporting and analyzing the sports betting industry for various sites. His portfolio includes work for SportsHandle and Action Network, in addition to VegasInsider. His favorite sports are the NFL, College Football, The PGA Tour, the LIV Tour, and Cricket. Dylan has a broad and deep understanding of various sports-related topics. More from Dylan Wilkerson
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