The Big 12 doesn’t have a championship game this year because it only has 10 teams, but on Saturday, it has its de facto title game when the Oklahoma Cowboys take on the Oklahoma State Cowboys at Boone Pickens Stadium in arguably one of the most important editions of the Bedlam series in recent memory.

Oklahoma Sooners @ Oklahoma State Cowboys Picks & Info
Oklahoma Sooners @ Oklahoma State Cowboys Date: Saturday, December 2nd, 2011
Oklahoma Sooners @ Oklahoma State Cowboys Location: Boone Pickens Stadium, Stillwater, OK
Oklahoma Sooners @ Oklahoma State Cowboys Spread: Oklahoma State Cowboys -3.5
Oklahoma Sooners @ Oklahoma State Cowboys Total: 70.5

The Sooners have played in their fair share of big time games this year, even games that have come on the road. They’ve passed a slew of tests, including romping in the Red River Rivalry in Dallas, knocking off the Florida State Seminoles in Tallahassee, and absolutely destroying the then undefeated Kansas State Wildcats in Manhattan. However, two close losses later, and OU’s title dreams went out the window. It can still get back into the BCS with a win, and it would likely end up in the Fiesta Bowl against the Stanford Cardinal with a victory. QB Landry Jones has an outside shot at the Heisman Trophy, as he has thrown for 4,052 yards and 28 TDs in just 11 games this year, but it is going to take a Herculean effort and an upset for that to happen.

Oklahoma Sooners vs. Oklahoma State Cowboys Past Results (Since 2001)
2010: Oklahoma 47 – Oklahoma State 41
2009 Oklahoma State 0 – Oklahoma 27
2008: Oklahoma 61 – Oklahoma State 41
2007: Oklahoma State 17 – Oklahoma 49
2006: Oklahoma 27 – Oklahoma State 21
2005: Oklahoma State 14 – Oklahoma 42
2004: Oklahoma 38 – Oklahoma State 35
2003: Oklahoma State 9 – Oklahoma 52
2002: Oklahoma 28 – Oklahoma State 38
2001: Oklahoma State 16 – Oklahoma 13

Everyone knew that the Cowboys were going to be a dangerous team this year, but no one really believed that they would have controlled their own destiny for a spot in the National Championship Game as recently as two weeks ago. The argument could be made that a win in this one, and the Pokes may be on their way to the title game anyway, as there is a real sentiment that the humans could make it a point to do what they can to make sure that it isn’t an LSU/Alabama rematch for all the marbles. This offense can do it all, as it is averaging 161.0 yards per game on the ground and 401.6 yards per game through the air. QB Brandon Weeden can also make a case to win the Heisman Trophy with a good showing in this one, as he already has 34 TDs and 4,111 yards passing.

Oklahoma Sooners @ Oklahoma State Cowboys Game Odds @ 5Dimes Sportsbook (as of 12/2/11):
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Oklahoma Sooners (+3.5) @ Oklahoma State Cowboys (70.5)

The Big 10 Championship Game keys to the game for the duel between the Michigan State Spartans and the Wisconsin Badgers are here and ready to go on the eve of the game. These two played an epic battle in East Lansing earlier this year, and we can only hope that we will see the same sort of intensity when these two Big Ten rivals square off with a spot in the Rose Bowl on the line.

Big 10 Championship Game: Wisconsin Badgers vs. Michigan State Spartans
Big 10 Championship Game Location: Lucas Oil Field, Indianapolis, IN
Big 10 Championship Game Date/Time: Saturday, December 3rd, 8:17 p.m. (ET)
Big 10 Championship Game Television Schedule: FOX

Key #1: Russell Wilson has to keep the Badgers two-dimensional
We already know that RBs Montee Ball and James White are going to get their touches and their yards no matter what team the Badgers are playing against, but the passing attack needs to remain a part of the game as well. Wilson had arguably the best year that a Wisconsin quarterback has ever put together. He has thrown for 2,692 yards and 28 TDs against just three INTs, and he has completed 72.7 percent of his passes. In East Lansing earlier this year though, Wilson only threw the ball 21 time against 41 rushes, and the ratio of pass to run cannot be around 1 to 2 for the Badgers to be successful. WR Nick Toon only had two catches on the day, and that just isn’t going to cut it against this MSU defense either. On the other side of the ball, the Spartans are going to try to do everything in their power to keep the Badgers’ passing game off its game once again.

Big 10 Championship Game Odds at Wager Web Sportsbook
Wisconsin Badgers -9.5
Michigan State Spartans +9.5
Over/Under 55
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Key #2: MSU has to avoid shooting itself in the foot
Even though the Spartans won the first go around of these foes, it seems relatively clear that Wisconsin has the more talented team. That being said, there are some key stats to look at from the box score from two months ago that show you how Sparty stuck around and had the chance to win in on the Hail Mary miracle. The team didn’t throw an interception, and it only fumbled the ball twice in the game, losing one. It went a very respectable 8-of-16 on third downs, and it converted its only fourth down attempt. More importantly though, there wasn’t a single accepted penalty on the Spartans the entire game. Though asking for no flags is going to be a bit difficult once again, it’s the dumb penalties like offsides and false starts that MSU really need to avoid to stick around with the Badgers.

Key #3: Michigan State has to find some other ways to score
Sure, it seems conventional and easy to say that the offense has to really do your scoring for you to win on most given Saturdays, but perhaps Head Coach Mike Dantonio should be thinking a bit differently. His Spartans logged a safety, recovered a blocked punt in the end zone, and got that infamous Hail Mary to WR Keith Nichols on the final play of regulation to win. The Spartans have had a history of coming up with some tricks on special teams that have earned some points, and the team has had a great set of punt returners all year. The one punt return in the first game went for 36 yards and set up a score. The Wisconsin defense is just too good to drive 70-80 yards on more often than not, so the Spartans definitely need to get creative to put points on the board.

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The keys to the game on the ACC Championship odds are plentiful, and here at Bankroll Sports, we are breaking them all down as we work towards our Clemson Tigers vs. Virginia Tech Hokies predictions!

ACC Championship Game: Virginia Tech Hokies vs. Clemson Tigers
ACC Championship Game Location: Bank of America Stadium, Charlotte, NC
ACC Championship Game Date/Time: Saturday, December 4th, 8:00 p.m. (ET)
ACC Championship Game Television Schedule: ESPN, ESPN3.com

Key #1: Virginia Tech has to play with a chip on its shoulder again
Just last week, the Hokies went into Charlottesville against their instate rivals, the Virginia Cavaliers, they were treated with absolutely no respect. V-Tech was only a short favorite in the game, and many were picking the outright upset for the Hoos. Instead of getting upset though, the Hokies prevailed and dominated the game from start to finish. Now, they should have the chip of all chips on their shoulder, as their one loss this season was against none other than this Clemson team, and the loss came at home in Lane Stadium. Head Coach Frank Beamer has always been big about protecting his home field, and you had better believe that he has been drilling into his team all week, and probably all season long, that this is the most important game of the season.

ACC Championship Game Odds at Wager Web Sportsbook
Virginia Tech Hokies -7
Clemson Tigers +7
Over/Under 53.5
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Key #2: The Tigers have to keep Virginia Tech from hitting the big play
This is what Clemson really did well the first time that these two teams met. QB Logan Thomas couldn’t get anything going with his legs, as he only ended the day with eight yards on 12 carries, and he just never hit the home run ball to any of his receivers. WR Danny Coale, normally a huge threat, was kept in check, while RB David Wilson really was only able to get his yards four and five yards at a team instead of in huge chunks. As a result, the game ended up being a very short one, which was exactly what the doctor ordered. The 23-3 win for the Tigers was an ugly offensive performance from their standpoint as well, but as long as the defense can keep everything in front of it in this one, the Tigers should be good shape.

Key #3: Sammy Watkins will be the key to the Clemson offense
Of late, Watkins, one of the top freshmen in the country, has been rather missing in action. He has been dealing with some injuries that have cost him time in the lineup, and when he doesn’t make a big impact on the game, the Tigers struggle offensively. He only had three catches in the first meeting of these conference foes, and that’s a large part of the reason why QB Tajh Boyd completed just 13-of-32 pass attempts. In all likelihood, if Watkins only touches the ball six times on offense for 42 yards as he did a few months ago, the Tigers aren’t going to be able to score and won’t be able to really compete in this game. If Watkins can start to bust some big plays in some respect though, Virginia Tech could be in a tad bit of trouble.

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A spot in the BCS will be on the line on Saturday afternoon in the Lone Star State, where the Houston Cougars will look to become an automatic BCS qualifier when they take on the Southern Mississippi Golden Eagles. Check out our Southern Miss vs. Houston keys to the game!

Conference USA Championship Game: Houston Cougars vs. Southern Miss Golden Eagles
Conference USA Championship Game Location: MM Roberts Stadium, Houston, TX
Conference USA Championship Game Date/Time: Saturday, December 3rd, 12:00 p.m. (ET)
Conference USA Championship Game Television Schedule: ABC

Key #1: Southern Miss has to keep Case Keenum off the field
It is brutally clear that Southern Miss cannot sit here in this game and just try to duke it out with the Houston offense. It simply isn’t going to happen. Keenum has not just five, but six years of experience in this offense, and he knows exactly what he is doing. He has 43 TD passes against just three picks on the year, and he just doesn’t make all that many mistakes. The Eagles can score, so don’t think that they have to play this game in the 40s or 50s to be victorious, but they are going to be better served making this as short of a game as possible. The team ranks No. 24 in the land in rushing at 207.8 yards per game, and this is the unit that really needs to step up to keep Houston’s potent offense off of the field.

Conference USA Championship Game Odds at Wager Web Sportsbook
Houston Cougars -13.5
Southern Miss Golden Eagles +13.5
Over/Under 72.5
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Key #2: Keenum can play like a Heisman winner
We have already mentioned some of the remarkable numbers that Keenum has put up this year, as he has those 43 TDs against just three picks. This is one of the rare times that he is going to be playing in a nationally televised game, and though most Conference USA opponents don’t have defenses that are recognized as good enough for some merit, Southern Miss is probably one of the lone exceptions in the conference. Keenum needs 274 yards passing to reach 5,000 yard for the third time in his career, and he is two TD passes away from breaking a career high in that category. He will surely throw the ball at least 35 times in this game, and quite possibly a heck of a lot more than that, and he is averaging 10.1 yards per pass attempt. Simply put, that’s just awesome. There hasn’t been a defense in the country that can stop Keenum when he is on his game, and he has to prove that to be the case again on Saturday, not just for Houston to win this game and cover the number, but to keep his name in the hat for the Heisman Trophy as well.

Key #3: The Cougars cannot play this game like it is the end of the world if they lose…
… Though the truth of the matter is that it is the end of the world if they lose… Either way, Southern Miss knows that it is going to likely be in the Liberty Bowl against an SEC foe trying to become the second C-USA team to ever win that bowl game (last year, UCF beat Georgia). The Cougars though, have so much on the line, it isn’t even funny. Losing will not only take them out of the BCS all together, but it would drop them to the Sheraton Hawaii Bowl, a game that would likely cost the school money instead of giving it a seven digit payout. It would also be a killer in recruiting, and goodness knows that Houston needs every recruit it can get after this year to replace Keenum and his tremendous offense. If the Cougars play loose, they’ll be just fine. However, if the pressure starts to mount on them, they could have some serious, serious problems on their hands.

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Our SEC Championship predictions are hot and heavy here at Bankroll Sports, and before we make our college football picks for one of the biggest games of the year, check out these SEC Championship Keys to the Game.

SEC Championship Game: Georgia Bulldogs vs. LSU Tigers
SEC Championship Game Location: Georgia Dome, Atlanta, GA
SEC Championship Game Date/Time: Saturday, December 4th, 4:00 p.m. (ET)
SEC Championship Game Television Schedule: CBS

Key #1: The Dawgs have to stay loose and realize that they have nothing to lose
Head Coach Mark Richt has to know that this is a game in which his team can only win and not be a loser. Even if the Dawgs get blasted by 40, they still are the SEC East champs and still will have a spot in one of the better SEC bowl games this year thanks to this 10 game winning streak that they have gone on since September. LSU is clearly the better team in this game, and no one really believes that UGA can hang around. Richt’s job, which was once considered in some serious jeopardy, is now as safe as could be, and that means that this game is one that would only bolster his status and could give a massive payday to his school with a win.

SEC Championship Game Odds at Wager Web Sportsbook
Georgia Bulldogs +13.5
LSU Tigers -13.5
Over/Under 46
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Key #2: LSU can’t be complacent
The Bayou Bengals got off to a bad start last week against the Arkansas Razorbacks at home, falling behind by two touchdowns before finally turning on the jets in the second quarter and never looking back. Common thought is that this game doesn’t mean a heck of a lot to LSU, as it might ultimately be in the National Championship Game one way or the other, but you know that the Mad Hatter isn’t going to let his team get off of the gas pedal for one second. He and his Tigers should know just how dangerous the Bulldogs can be, especially in this building, where they will probably have a bit of a home field advantage. Remember that Georgia has already played one game this year here at the Georgia Dome, so it won’t be an unfamiliar setting.

Key #3: Aaron Murray absolutely cannot turn the ball over
It’s hard enough to move the ball up and down the field on the LSU defense without turning the ball over, but it becomes impossible to win games when you are giving the ball back to the boys in purple and gold. The Tigers have only turned the ball over a grand total of seven times all season long, so you know that forcing turnovers to get the ball back just isn’t going to happen all that often. Murray has had a great year, throwing for 32 TDs and 2,698 passing yards, and he is just continuing to rewrite the record books for passers in Athens. However, if he doesn’t figure out how to keep the ball in Georgia’s hands during the game and he gets flustered in the pocket, the Bulldogs just don’t stand even the slightest of chances.

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