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2023 college football conference championship week picks and predictions

By Evan Ertel

STANFORD, CALIFORNIA - SEPTEMBER 30: Bo Nix #10 of the Oregon Ducks scrambling with the ball looks to pass against the Stanford Cardinal during the third quarter of an NCAA football game at Stanford Stadium on September 30, 2023 in Stanford, California. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)
STANFORD, CALIFORNIA - SEPTEMBER 30: Bo Nix #10 of the Oregon Ducks scrambling with the ball looks to pass against the Stanford Cardinal during the third quarter of an NCAA football game at Stanford Stadium on September 30, 2023 in Stanford, California. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images) /
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Head coach Rhett Lashlee of the SMU Mustangs talks with head coach Brent Venables of the Oklahoma Sooners
NORMAN, OKLAHOMA – SEPTEMBER 9: Head coach Rhett Lashlee of the SMU Mustangs talks with head coach Brent Venables of the Oklahoma Sooners before their game at Gaylord Family Oklahoma Memorial Stadium on September 9, 2023 in Norman, Oklahoma. Oklahoma won 28-11. (Photo by Brian Bahr/Getty Images) /

American Conference: SMU vs. No. 22 Tulane (-3.5) (O/U 46.5)

Evan: Tulane has immaculate jerseys, just getting that out there. I think Willie Fritz is a heck of a coach and honestly was a little excited when I heard his name bounced around for the MSU job. I think the Wave rolls here. Tulane -3.5

Justin: Tulane has Michael Pratt and that’s good enough for me. Tulane -3.5

Ethan: Tulane might have Michael Pratt and his 216 passing yards per game, but Rhett Lashlee is the architect of the most dynamic offense the AAC has to offer. The Mustangs are averaging 472 total yards of offense per game while Tulane is putting up 388 yards per game. On top of that, SMU’s defense is limiting foes to 302 yards of offense while Tulane is holding folks to 328 yards of offense. Even with Preston Stone out, give me Rhett Lashlee in an upset here. SMU +3.5

John: This has all the makings of being the best, most entertaining game on the slate this week. I see this one being high-scoring and back-and-forth all game. For that reason, the extra half-point instead of just a 3 point spread has me feeling like I should pick SMU in this one. SMU +3.5

Ryan: Tulane has a pretty solid defense showing it against teams like Ole Miss until they gave out and with the new knowledge of Preston Stone being out I think Tulane can take control of this game and cover this close spread. Tulane -3.5

Andrew: If Preston Stone wasn’t out, I’d be all in on SMU here. But that worries me, and Tulane dominating UTSA suggests they can flip the switch when they need to. This is the last hooray for Fritz and Pratt, and I think they show out at home. Tulane -3.5

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