Conference championships preview

Conference championship weekend is upon us. Don’t know who to choose in your pool or who to lay that big bet down on? Don’t worry. The CT associate sports editor will tell you what you need to make those decisions.

MAC CHAMPIONSHIP

WHO: No. 12 Ball State vs. Buffalo

WHEN: Friday, 8 p.m.

WHERE: Detroit

LINE: Ball State by 14

SUMMARY: Ball State quarterback Nate Davis has thrown for 3,095 yards this season. That’s 17th in country. Buffalo’s defense allows 241.1 passing yards per game. Only 26 schools allow more. What that means: huge day for Davis. The secondary won’t be able to stop him. Buffalo head coach Turner Gill has done a good job with the Bills, but they will have to wait at least another season for a MAC title.

WINNER: Ball State wins and covers spread.

CONFERENCE USA CHAMPIONSHIP

WHO: East Carolina vs. Tulsa

WHEN: Saturday, Noon

WHERE: Tulsa, Okla.

LINE: Tulsa by 11

SUMMARY: East Carolina has the best defense in Conference USA and Tulsa has the offense. Conventional wisdom says to take a good defense to beat a good offense. In this case, though, take the offense. Tulsa’s quarterback David Johnson leads the country in passing efficiency with a rating of 192.5. Johnson is also the architect of the No. 1 offense in the country. He will be the difference because he is that good and East Carolina is beat up on the defensive side of the ball.

WINNER: Tulsa wins and covers spread.

ACC CHAMPIONSHIP

WHO: No. 17 Boston College vs. No. 25 Virginia Tech

WHEN: Saturday, 1 p.m.

WHERE: Tampa, Fla.

LINE: Even

SUMMARY: This will be a game of defense. Both teams have defenses ranked in the top 10 in terms of yards per game. Boston College gives up 276.7 yards per game while Virginia Tech gives up 274.5. The offenses, which are among the worst in the country, will struggle to score points. Virginia Tech quarterback Tyrod Taylor will have to show he can throw the ball against the Eagles secondary, which ranks first in the country in interceptions. He won’t and that will be the difference.

WINNER: Boston College

SEC CHAMPIONSHIP

WHO: No. 1 Alabama vs. No. 4 Florida

WHEN: Saturday, 4 p.m.

WHERE: Atlanta

LINE: Florida by 8.5

SUMMARY:This is power versus speed. Alabama has the most physical offensive and defensive lines in the country while Florida has the fastest team in the country. Alabama will try to use their physical play to wear down the Gators while Florida will try to outrun the Crimson Tide. It looks as if Florida wide receiver Percy Harvin won’t play because of a sprained ankle. It won’t matter. Alabama doesn’t have enough playmakers to beat Florida. Alabama’s line play will keep them in the game but Florida quarterback Tim Tebow will find a way to get past the Crimson Tide and into the national title game.

WINNER: Florida, but Alabama covers the spread

BIG 12 CHAMPIONSHIP

WHO: No. 20 Missouri vs. No. 2 Oklahoma

WHEN: Saturday, 8 p.m.

WHERE: Kansas City, Mo.

LINE: Oklahoma by 14.5

SUMMARY: This will be a track meet. Both schools have explosive offenses. Missouri averages 509.4 yards of total offense per game while Oklahoma averages 556.7. Both defenses have shown they can be lit up like a Christmas tree. The Tigers gave up 56 points to Texas and 42 points to Illinois. The Sooners gave up 45 points to Texas and 41 points to state rival Oklahoma State. While both teams can put up points, the Sooners offense has more playmakers. Quarterback Sam Bradford, halfback DeMarco Murray, wide receiver Juaquin Iglesias and tight end Jermaine Gresham will power the Sooners past the Tigers and into the national championship game to play Florida.

WINNER: Oklahoma wins and covers spread.