John B’s Sports Blog

Championship Games -2025

By John Brown Dec-4-2025

#1 Ohio State v. #2 Indiana 8:00ET

Line: Ohio -198

Saturday in Indianapolis, Lucas oil stadium will be the stage for a hard-nosed pure bred Big Ten showdown. The Hoosiers will make their first ever appearance in a Big Ten Championship game. The Buckeyes with 5 total Big Ten championship game wins, the most in the conference since the games origins in 2011.

The Buckeyes and Hoosiers both coming off predictable rivalry wins. Ohio besting Michigan 29-7 and Indiana decimating Purdue 56-3 establishing records of 9-0 conference, 12-0 overall.

A lot of speculation has gone on about whether this game means anything being that each Team has undoubtedly secured playoff spots. In reality it will affect playoff seeding with the winner likely securing the #1 seed and gaining a bye in the first round of the playoffs.

My predictions:

It would be no surprise if this game is decided by a field goal. The most amount of points given up by Indianas defense in a single game was 24 in a win against Penn state with 2 sacks and 9 tackles for loss. On the other side of the ball, Indianas current Heisman favorite quarterback Fernando Mendoza (+125) and “two-headed monster” running backs Roman Hemby and Kaelon Black. Along with wide receiver Omar Cooper jr. this team has no problem scoring with 20 points at Iowa in Iowa city being the least amount of points gained against an opponent all season.

Ohio’s offense lead by Co-Heisman favorite Julian Sayin (+135) and WR duo Jeremiah smith and Carnell Tate combined for 19 receiving touchdowns this season. With the receiver depth at Ohio state and running back Lamar “Bo” Jackson, their offense has a low of 14 points scored in their win against, then, #1 ranked Texas. Ohios defense being ranked #1 in total yards allowed(203.0ypg), passing yards allowed (121.3ypg), and points per game allowed (7.7ppg), statistically this defense speaks for itself. New defensive coordinator Matt Praticia should be looking to use Caleb downs and Arvell Reese to pressure the brick wall that protects Mendoza with Indiana’s O line only allowing 1.25 sacks on average per game.

Go bucks 🅾️

#3 Georgia v. #9 Alabama

4:00ET Line: UGA -135

Going down to A-town, in the Mercedes-Benz Stadium we’ve got the Bulldogs taking on the Crimson Tide in a matchup that should be prettier than a peach. Both of these teams are more than familiar with SEC championships. Georgia with 5 and Alabama with 11, 4 of those against the bulldogs. Georgia has never beaten Alabama in the SEC Championship Game, non-traditional rivalry or one sided beef? After narrowly beating Georgia 24-21 this regular season, thanks mostly to the offensive scheme put on by Foremer Washington head coach Kalen Deboer and Heisman Candidate Ty Simpsons 276 yards, 2tds, and 0 interceptions, Alabamas 24 points all came from the 1st half and had to rely on the defense to shut down Georgias dominant rushing (227 yards total), ultimately forcing the fumble by Nate Frazier leading to an Alabama field goal which later was the difference in the only Georgia loss of the regular season.

My predictions:

It’ll be a dog fight, No Michael Vick, With Georgia hoping to finally win an SEC championship especially at the demise of Alabama, a good ol’ two birds one stone situation. Hard to bet against the tide but this isn’t the Saban era. I can envision this game being a repeat of their last meeting, a little Déjà vu if you will. Alabamas playoff hopes some what rest on this game, a significant loss could drop the tide from playoff contention which would undoubtedly cause outrage among SEC committee members who’ve been arguing that the CFP Comittee should bestow multiple SEC playoff bids on the basis of strength of schedule.

Go Dogs 🍑

Duke v. #17 Virginia

8:00ET Line: VA -166

Alert for Charlotte, NC: The Bank is open ACC Doomsday is upon Bank of America stadium.🤯 Duke with a conference record of 6-2 has the highest combined win percentage among the ACC. With the, at the time #21 ranked SMU falling to unranked California, Duke has risen to conference championship contention which has raised debate. #12 Miamis overall record is more indicative of a championship game spot. The “doomsday” scenario in all this is that a Duke win could possibly secure 1 of the 5 automatic bids in the 12 team playoff. But given Duke’s 5 losses could be enough to rank them out of the playoffs, possibly giving Group of Five conferences a 2nd playoff spot.

My predictions:

7-5 overall Duke is coming off a 49-32 win against a tough Wake Forest team. Pocket passing QB Darian Mensah carried 3 times gaining 12 yards and was gun-slinging going 24-35 for 268 yards 2 TDs and zero interceptions. Can’t help but rely on offense with the inconsistency the Blue Devil defense has shown recently. Poor 3rd down defense, nonexistent pressure, and Swiss cheese red zone defense hasn’t helped mitigate losses. There is some positive with DE Vincent Anthony Jr., DT Aaron Hall, and DT Josiah Green combining for 12.5 sacks on the season. Virginias True ACC rushing title winning dual-threat of a quarterback will not be going quietly into the night. With the Cavs averaging 40 points a game, it’s hard to think this won’t just be a repeat of the regular season meeting between these two so Virginia is your safe bet… Dukes kicker does have a golden leg. With a 100% completion percentage on the year, 47-47, 3 points is all Duke could need to beat the -2.5 favored Cavaliers. Ending the ACC world. 💣

Sko Duke 😈

Troy v. #25 JMU

Fri 7:00ET. Line: JMU -3200

Originally founded in 1908 as a Women’s college, JMU’s Bridgeforth Stadium will be hosting the Sun Belt Championship. This game may look like a blow out and you’re probably right but do not judge this book by its unassuming and mediocre cover. Looking back to September 6th 2025, then, #8 Clemson beats Troy by 11 points… Clemson went into the game against Troy favored at -30.5… I’m aware the state of Clemson today is not that of 2016. Like Deshaun Watson they’ve been caught with their pants down on more than one occasion. I still think Troy’s ability to defy odds should be noted and taken into consideration. Very identical schedules but unidentical records point to JMU victory.

My predictions:

Troy has an injury prone QB in Goose Crowder with his season ending in October of the 2024 season and dealing with an injury early this season. That said, In his last 2 games he sprayed and prayed for a whopping 43 attempts against Georgia State and 34 against Southern Mississippi. Both of these games resulted in victories, 4 touchdowns against GA st. And. 3 touchdowns against Southern miss. With Troy’s defense being consistently solid most of the year, Troy could cover the spread of +23.5. JMU’s Wayne Knight has rushed for over 1,000 yards this season and QB Alonza Barnett III has passed for almost 2,500 yards. JMU’s defense has shutout multiple opponents in the 2nd half as of late, ranking among the best in the nation in tackles for loss and sacks.

Troy by a million ⚔️ 🏛️

#20 Tulane v. #24 North Texas

Line: Tulane +114

Going all the way down to The Big Easy, Tulane will have home field advantage in their matchup against North Texas. Both teams will be parting ways with their respective head coaches at the end of the season, Tulane John Sumrall is going to Florida, and North Texas Eric Morris will be coaching at Oklahoma State. The winner of this game will be in a strong position to take the automatic G5 spot depending on the outcome of JMU v. Troy, winner will likely take the No. 12 seed.

My predictions:

Offensively North Texas is the better squad overall in total passing yards per game, rushing yards per game and points per game. With red shirt freshman Drew Mestemaker leading college football in passing yards with 3,835. And Wide Receiver Wyatt Young ranking 3rd in receiving yards this team has no problem moving the ball. Especially considering Tulane’s inability to stop big pass plays North Texas will be in control of this game. The Tulane run stopping will also be tested with Caleb Hawkins racking up 1,216 yards and 23 touchdowns on the season.

Go Mean Green 🐉

#11 BYU v. #4 Texas Tech

Moving over to Jerry world, BYU with a chance to secure a automatic bid, get revenge on a regular season loss to the Red Raiders, security of head coach Kalani Sitake returning, and a Big Twelve Title, should be plenty of motivation for BYU going into their match up against an elite Texas Tech defense, ranking 3rd nationally only allowing an average of 11.3 points per game, and senior linebacker Jacob Rodriguez with 101 tackles 4INTs and 7 forced fumbles.

My predictions:

Texas Techs consistent offense paired with their dominant defense will be a tough test for Brigham young’s true freshman quarterback in Bear Bachmeier. With almost 2,593 passsing yards, 14 passing touchdowns and 11 rushing touchdowns, Bachmeier has hopefully done his homework to correct his 58qbr against Texas Tech in the regular season game and with the BYU motivation may be enough to cover the 12.5 point spread.

Go Cougars 🐆