The college football conference championship games mean more this season than ever before. The so-called Power 5 conference champions are each guaranteed a Golden Ticket to the 12-team College Football Playoff. 

Some games – including the Mountain West, Big 12, and ACC title games – are winner-take-all in terms of reaching the final 12-team playoff bracket. The B1G and SEC title games will likely feature a pair of teams that are already in the playoffs. 

Bettors will be taking a deep look at college football odds with serious interest this week. College football betting sites will be posting multiple betting markets on each of these games. 

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In addition to the pride and bragging rights of a college conference title, the top-four ranked conference champions each earn a bye in Round 1 of the playoffs. That equals 3 weeks off since Round 1 of the playoffs takes place on December 20-21. 

Opportunities on sports betting apps. For instance, BetMGM, FanDuel and ESPN BET have posted a healthy slate of futures concerning the college football playoff and season awards. 

Take a look at our favorite college football picks for the college football conference championship games. Any team rankings are from the latest AP Top 25 Poll.

College Football Conference Championship Picks

College Football Conference Championship: Picks, Game-By-Game Analysis

Friday, December 6
Mountain West Championship Game, 8 p.m. (ABC)
TBD at Boise State

Buzz: The Big Blue Field in Boise makes its return to prime time for the Mountain West title game. Boise State is in the College Football Playoff with a win. Give us snow!  

Best Bet: TBD at DraftKings

Saturday, December 7 
Big 12 Conference Championship Game, 12 p.m. (ABC)
Teams TBD

Buzz: Fansville comes home to AT&T Stadium in the Dr. Pepper Big 12 Championship Game. Thanks to Dr. Pepper, you have a reason to stay tuned to your TV during halftime of each of the major conference title games. In the Big 12, B1G, SEC, and ACC title games, 2 college kids will throw footballs 2-handed at a hole in the inflatable Dr. Pepper can for a chance to win $100,000. There were 9 conference teams mathematically alive for the 2 spots in this game heading into the final week of the regular season. 

Best Bet: TBD at DraftKings

Saturday, December 7 
MAC Championship Game, 12 p.m. (ESPN)
Teams TBD

Buzz: The Mid-American Conference title game returns to Ford Field in the Motor City. There were 5 teams with a chance to earn a spot here ahead of the last week of the regular season. 

Best Bet: TBD at DraftKings

Saturday, December 7 
SEC Championship Game, 4 p.m. (ABC)
Georgia vs. Texas/Texas A&M

Buzz: The Georgia Bulldogs return to the SEC title game at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta for the 7^th time in 8 seasons. But Georgia has won just 2 of its championship game appearances during its run under Kirby Smart. The Bulldogs face the winner of the Texas-Texas A&M game this week. Carson Beck has proven he can lead the Bulldogs to victory with his arm. Texas has the No. 2 defense against the pass, is No. 2 in yards allowed, and No. 3 in points allowed. 

Best Bet: TBD at DraftKings

Saturday, December 7 
ACC Championship Game, 8 p.m. (ABC)
SMU vs. TBD

Buzz: The Mustangs took the ACC by storm in their inaugural season in the conference and enjoyed the biggest upgrade of any FBS. SMU rolls into Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte at 7-0 in the ACC. SMU was 10-1 overall in its first 11 games. The Mustangs galloped into the AP Top 10 this week for the first time in 39 years. Rhett Lashlee’s team sent a message to anyone who was paying attention by winning all 3 of its games on the road in October. This version of “The Pony Express” excels at stopping the run, with its top-ranked ACC rushing defense. Kevin Jennings has soared at QB. 

Best Bet: TBD at DraftKings

Saturday, December 7 
B1G Championship Game, 8 p.m. (CBS)
Oregon vs. TBD

Buzz: The Ducks quickly feathered their next in the expanded B1G this season. Oregon, like ACC newcomer SMU, ran the table in the B1G. Oregon finished 11-0 and 8-0. And it handed Ohio State its lone loss (thus far, anyway). The Ducks are solid on both sides of the ball, especially when it comes to the run. Oregon’s top running backs – Jordan James and Noah Whittington – average 5.6 and 4.4 yards, respectively, per carry. Dillon Gabriel has thrown for more than 3,000 yards, hitting on 73.8% of his attempts, for 22 TDs against just 6 picks. Oregon’s defense is ranked No. 7 in the nation in points allowed. Ohio State is No. 1 at 10.7 PPG. But the Bucks gave up 10 points to Oregon in Oregon’s 32-31 win on Oct. 13. 

Best Bet: TBD at DraftKings