Year To Date: 35-27-1 (+4.59 units)

The regular season is officially over and I am sad. Yes, the conference championship and bowl games are fun, but it just means we have so little college football left until we’re stuck with the cold darkness of winter. We’ve really turned things are about halfway through the season, but we need to stick the landing to go positive for the full year. Let’s get to work.

North Texas Moneyline vs Tulane -130

In a battle of two teams who have lost their head coaches yet will both finish out the season, there is so much on the line in the American Athletic Conference Championship Game. Not only are both North Texas and Tulane having some of the greatest success in their programs histories this year, but they are also fighting for both programs first trip to the College Football Playoffs. Expect both sides to come out swinging for the fences due to strong quarterback play. North Texas’ Drew Mestemaker, a former walk-on who had never started a varsity high school game, miraculously leads the nation in passing yards under Eric Morris. Are his eyes not on the prize as he is most likely looking to the transfer portal and his next home, and could it be at Oklahoma State where his head coach is headed? I like to think Morris sticking through the end of the season confirms he’s here to win, and will instill that same mentality in his roster. Tulane are no slouches, they have held five AAC teams to under 20 points this season, but they haven’t dealt with a team like North Texas that has an elite passing game to pair with a very strong rushing attack. The Mean Green can dice up a defense multiple ways, which means Tulane quarterback Jake Retzlaff will have to play a near perfect game to keep up. He’s known for making mistakes in very inopportune times, and I could see that happening once again this week.

UNLV vs Boise State Over 57.5 -115

I was very high on the UNLV Rebels heading into the season, in fact I had them making the College Football Playoffs. Hand up, I was off on that last portion, as no Mountain West team will be making the playoffs this year. But I was pretty spot on about them being an elite team in their conference as they are now one win away from being crowned Mountain West Champions. Anthony Colandrea has lit it up after transferring from the University of Virginia, throwing for 3,050 yards, and 22 touchdowns on the way to being named Mountain West Offensive Player of the Year. What makes me nervous about this UNLV team isn’t their offense, its the defensive unit that constantly puts the team behind the eight ball and asks their powerful offense to get them out of deep holes. With Boise State getting starting quarterback Maddux Madsen back from injury, can they afford to do the same old song and dance once again? Even if Madsen isn’t at full health, the Boise State Broncos can rely on bell cow running back Dylan Riley (1016 rush yards, 10 TD, 6.2 YPC) to be the motor of the offense. If Boise State can just keep up with UNLV early and make this a game going into the second half, this over could fly over.

Virginia Team Total Over 30.5 vs Duke -120

I can’t believe I’m still writing about this Duke Blue Devils football team. They have been a thorn in my side all season, as I still can’t tell if they’re the best bad team in the country or the worst good team. And yet, even with five losses, they find themselves in the ACC Championship Game. The ACC has been a complete joke this year, and this is the only thing you need to see to prove that. For as disappointing as Duke has been, Virginia has been the opposite. A ten win season has the Hoos on the verge of a playoff berth, and if quarterback Chandler Morris can take advantage of a weak Blue Devil defense, then they will be on their way to playing the biggest game in program history. Simply put it, I believe that Virginia is just a much better, more sound football team that can take advantage of Duke defensive flaws, especially on the ground. Running back J’Mari Taylor has already had success against the Blue Devils earlier this season, rushing for 133 yards and 2 touchdowns, and I would expect Virginia to keep it on the ground and enforce their will once again.

On twitter you can find Mike @Mike_Sheerin, Tyler @TMon_19 and Sean @SeanMartinNFL. Subscribe to the site by hitting the follow button in the bottom right corner and entering your email address. Check out our Instagram feed @thebroadwaybreakdownsports for special gameday and promotional content. Our podcasts are available on Spotify. Visit the Rangers Ed Shop by clicking the link on our homepage. Check out our mailbag page to join the conversation here on the site and on our partners show, The Rangers Ed Podcast! We’ll be back with more soon.