2018 NCAA Basketball Bracket Projection- 12/27/17

EAST(1)-Boston, MA
Pittsburgh, PA
1 Villanova
16 Prairie View A&M/NC A&T
8 Notre Dame
9 Missouri
Boise, ID
5 Virginia
12 Towson
4 Arkansas
13 Stephen F. Austin
Pittsburgh, PA
6 Creighton
11 Northern Iowa
3 West Virginia
14 Belmont
Charlotte, NC
7 Alabama
10 St. John's
2 North Carolina
15 Oakland

SOUTH(4)-Atlanta, GA
Charlotte, NC
1 Duke
16 Rider
8 Rhode Island
9 Minnesota
Boise, ID
5 Texas Tech
12 Clemson/USC
4 Wichita State
13 Portland State
Wichita, KS
6 Kentucky
11 Nevada
3 Kansas
14 GA Southern
Dallas, TX
7 Butler
10 Temple
2 Texas A&M
15 Wagner


WEST(2)-Los Angeles, CA
San Diego, CA
1 Arizona State
16 Radford/Bucknell
8 Auburn
9 Florida State
Detroit, MI
5 Gonzaga
12 Louisville/St. Bona
4 Seton Hall
13 Buffalo
Nashville, TN
6 Texas
11 New Mexico State
3 Purdue
14 Lipscomb
Wichita, KS
7 Cincinnati
10 Washington
2 Oklahoma
15 Vermont

MIDWEST(3)-Omaha, NE
Detroit, MI
1 Michigan State
16 Penn
8 Baylor
9 UCLA
San Diego, CA
5 Tennessee
12 Middle Tennessee State
4 Arizona
13 UCSB
Nashville, TN
6 Miami (FL)
11 SMU
3 Xavier
14 Wofford
Dallas, TX
7 Michigan
10 Florida
2 TCU
15 South Dakota State

Danger Zone
Last 10 in: UCLA, Florida, Temple, St. John's, Washington, SMU, Clemson, Louisville, St. Bonaventure, USC

First 12 Out:  Providence, Boise State, Houston, Iowa State, Syracuse, SDSU, Utah, UNLV, Georgia, St. Mary's, UCF, Virginia Tech 

Multiple Bid Conferences

ACC- 8
SEC- 8
Big 12- 7
Big East- 6
Pac-12- 5
AAC-4
Big Ten- 4
A-10- 2

M+J's College Football Conference Championship Predictions

CONFERENCE CHAMPIONSHIP PREDICTIONS

Pac-12

USC vs Stanford

USC won the season matchup and look to win the Pac-12. Stanford looks to continue the north's dominance over the south. With the Cardinal the King of the North and the Trojans on the Iron Throne in the South, who will claim the championship? Sam Darnold vs Bryce Love should make this an entertaining game.

USC 31, Stanford 27

American 

UCF vs Memphis

A battle of ranked opponents in the American Athletic Championship. UCF crushed Memphis in the first meeting and look to finish the regular season undefeated and represent the Group of 5 in the New Years Six' Bowls. The Tigers can spoil the Golden Knights season with a win. 

UCF 56, Memphis 38

MAC

Toledo vs Akron

The Rockets beat the Zips in their regular season matchup and look to win the MAC. The Zips at 7-5 play in the MAC Championship for the first time since 2005. Toledo has been a consistent power in the MAC and should be favored in this game. This is the same team that gave Miami FL a run early in the season.

Toledo 41, Akron 24

Conference USA

North Texas vs Florida Atlantic 

Lane Kiffin has led the Owls to an undefeated conference play regular season in his first season. FAU dominated North Texas in the first matchup 69-31. This was the only loss in conference play for the Mean Green. Both teams enter at 9-3 with a 10 win season and a conference championship on the line.

Florida Atlantic 49, North Texas 42

Big 12

Oklahoma vs TCU

The Sooners won the regular season matchup and are looking to get back to the playoff after missing it a season ago. Baker Mayfield, the Heisman favorite would like to cement his chances by leading his team to a Big 12 Championship and playoff bid. The Horned Frogs can still sneak their way in the playoff with win as long as other dominos fall their way. The first conference championship since 2010 should be a good one.

Oklahoma 27, TCU 24

SEC

Georgia vs Auburn

The Tigers won the regular season matchup and are coming off an Iron Bowl victory over Alabama and looking to make the playoffs as a 2-loss team. The Bulldogs are looking to avenge their loss to Auburn. The winner will be in the playoff and the loser will be eliminated. With an SEC Championship at stake and a ticket to the College Football Playoff, its going to be a full house in Atlanta.

Georgia 24, Auburn 21

Mountain West

Boise State vs Fresno State

The Bulldogs beat the Broncos last week and will play for the Mountain West Championship this week. The game was played in Fresno. This time it will be in Boise. Advantage goes to the Broncos under these circumstances. The winner likely won't be the Group of 5 champ, but will finish in the Top 25. 

Boise State 30, Fresno State 23

ACC

Clemson vs Miami 

The Canes fell hard last week against Pitt and now have to beat Clemson in order to make the playoff. The Tigers at number one, can't feel safe with a loss but could still make it if the dominos fell their way. Miami must play better if they want to win. Defense will be the key to this matchup. The defense creating more turnovers will win the ACC.

Clemson 20, Miami 19

Big Ten

Ohio State vs Wisconsin

The Badgers are the only undefeated team outside of UCF. The schedule hasn't been as challenging as others but they are 12-0 and one win away from a playoff appearance. The Buckeyes can spoil the Badgers' chances with a win and could still climb to number 4 but will need enough dominos to fall for this to happen. As one loss Alabama sits at Number 5, will the Big Ten have a playoff team if Ohio State wins?

Wisconsin 28, Ohio State 27