NCAA Football Week 12 Top 25 Preview | Sides and Totals

Welcome to week 12 of the NCAA College Football season. This year has been a good one, and one that is still anybody’s guess. We must admit that Georgia looks unstoppable, however, nobody thought Alabama would be sitting on one loss, and that Michigan would lose to Michigan State. Thought that was bad? Look at Oklahoma going down to Baylor, now do you see what we mean?

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Georgia has been as stable as it gets and we do indeed like their chances to win this year’s championship. We can say beyond any shadow of a doubt, they pick up win-11 this week, and no matter where they land, they will be in the playoffs. Can anybody beat anybody once they are in the playoffs? Yes, anything is possible and we have seen it happen before.

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Charleston Southern (4-5) @ #1 Georgia (10-0, 7-4-0 ATS)

Charleston Southern vs. Georgia Preview

Sanford Stadium, Athens, GA

12:00 ET ESPN+/SECN+

At the time of writing this article, there was not a published line for this game. This is #1 Georgia that we are talking about so keep your eyes open, it’s safe to say there will indeed be some kind of line and certainly some great game and player props to bet on. Charleston Southern is not typically the caliber of team that would be bet on; however, Georgia will take its foot off the gas after halftime. We do not expect this game to be a 90-point difference. The Bulldogs have nothing to prove, they have punched their ticket to the playoffs.

Pick: Georgia in a blowout, safely lay up to -50

#7 Michigan State (9-1, 7-2-1 ATS) #4 Ohio State (9-1, 5-4-1 ATS)

Michigan State vs. Ohio State Preview

Michigan State +19, O/U 68.5

Ohio Stadium, Columbus, OH

12:00 ET ABC

The Spartans need to step up and play out of their minds if they have any chance of betting the Buckeyes in the shoe. This thing will be madness with 102,000 screaming fans and a playoff atmosphere. Michigan State has played very well in almost every game this season with exception of Purdue. It was concerning, the fact they allowed 40-points, however, the defense has been solid the entire season and allows 22.5 ppg. The Buckeyes are allowing 20.2 ppg, but scoring a whopping 46.3 per game. The Buckeyes have the winner of the QB competition in CJ Stroud with 3036 yards, 30 TDs, and just 5 INTs. The Spartans – Thorne is great as well with 2460 yards, 21 TDs and 8 INTs. The Buckeyes are a great football team and they can put it up in a hurry but the Spartans will play enough defense to keep this one closer than -19.

Pick: Michigan State +19, Under 68.5

#10 Wake Forest (9-1, 5-5-0 ATS) @ Clemson (7-3, 2-8-0 ATS)

Wake Forest vs. Clemson Preview

Wake Forest +4.5, ML +170/-200 O/U 56.5

Memorial Stadium, Clemson, SC

12:00 ET ESPN

The Clemson Tigers come into this game as the favorite for two reasons. The number one reason is a simple fact they are Clemson and this thing is in Clemson. It’s traditionally very difficult to pick up a win in Clemson. The number two reason that Clemson comes into this game as the favorite is defense. The Tigers play a ton of it, and it shows with 15.3 ppg allowed. Some of the matchups that we see as fans from week to week are simply thought of differently with line movers and oddsmakers. They don’t pay a lick of attention to the Top 25. They pay attention to how the team plays at home, on the road, after a loss, or after a win. They also pay attention to tradition and listen, we can’t call them crazy, they are often very close. As great as Wake has splayed in many games this season, they also allow 29.1 ppg. In Death Valley, we will take our chance with Dabo and the Tigers.

Pick: Clemson -4.5, Under 56.5

Iowa State (6-4, 4-6-0 ATS) @ #13 Oklahoma (9-1, 4-6-0 ATS)

Iowa State vs. Oklahoma Preview

Iowa State +3.5 ML +155/-180, O/U 59.5

Memorial Stadium, Norman, OK

12:00 ET FOX

These two can play defense, but wow, they don’t play it too often. Now, you may question what we mean… Last week they lost straight up to Baylor 14-27, for the first loss of the season. The week before, they allowed 21 to TTU, 23 the week before to KU, four weeks ago, 31 to TCU, and five weeks ago, 48 to Texas. Throughout the season, the Sooners have allowed 24.5 points per game, but for the last 5-games, they have allowed 27.4. Iowa State is scoring 32.5 ppg, and allowing 20.5 per game. We have to like Oklahoma for the simple fact that it’s in Norman and this team needs every win, and they must pour it on. Teams like Michigan State and Michigan have just one loss as well.

Pick: Oklahoma -3.5, Over 59.5

Prairie View A&M (7-2) @ #16 Texas A&M (7-3, 5-5-0 ATS)

Prairie View A&M vs. Texas A&M Preview

Kyle Field, College Station, TX

12:00 ET ESPN+/SECN+

As with the Georgia game, at the time of writing this article, there was no published line. Look for a line to show up early on Saturday morning, and look for some great prop line on Texas A&M. Texas A&M will destroy Prairie View, it will be ugly, and quick. Expect a 40-point blowout.

Pick: Texas A&M lay up to 40

Tennessee State (5-5) @ #25 Mississippi State (6-4)

Tennessee State vs. Mississippi State Preview

Davis wade Stadium, Starkville, MS

12:00 ET ESPN+/SECN+

Yet another game with no published line. The competition simply outweighs the line movers. Mississippi State is nothing special with a 6-4 record, but Tennessee State is nowhere near their level of football. Look for a late line on Saturday morning. Expect Mississippi State to win by 30+.

Pick: Mississippi State lay up to 30 points

NCAA Football Odds

Illinois (4-6, 5-4-1 ATS) @ #17 Iowa (8-2, 6-4-0 ATS)

Illinois vs. Iowa Preview

Illinois +12.5, ML +360/-475, O/U 38.5

Kinnick Stadium, Iowa City, Iowa

2:00 ET FS1

Illinois lost to Wisconsin at home 0-24. Then marched right out on the road and beat Penn State in Happy Valley 20-18, then came back home and lost to Rutgers 14-20, then marched right out on the road and beat Minnesota 14-6. This team has talent, and they can play when they make the conscious decision to do so. This is a bizarre football team and in Iowa, we don’t trust them but we didn’t trust them in Penn State or Minnesota. You feel free to go ahead and bet against us, but our money is on the dawg!

Pick: Illinois +12.5, Under 38.5

Georgia Tech (3-7, 4-6-0 ATS) @ #8 Notre Dame (9-1, 7-3-0 ATS)

Georgia Tech vs. Notre Dame Preview

Georgia Tech +17, O/U 59.5

Notre Dame Stadium, South Bend, IN

2:30 ET NBC

Tech does not have the firepower to compete in this game, as they come in having lost for of the last five games, all to unranked opponents. The Irish come in having won the last five games which included 28-3 over UVA, 34-6 over Navy, 44-34 over UNC, 31-16 over their biggest rival, USC, and 33-29 over Va Tech. The Irish are 7-3-0 against the spread. Although Tech has some solid players, as a team, they will get blown out in this game.

Pick: Notre Dame -17, Under 59.5

#21 Arkansas (7-3, 5-4-1 ATS) @ #2 Alabama (9-1, 6-4-0 ATS)

Arkansas vs. Alabama Preview

Arkansas +20.5, O/U 58.5

Bryant-Denny Stadium, Tuscaloosa, AL

3:30 ET CBS

Bama is 6-4-0 against the spread because line movers and oddsmakers respect them. What these kinds of games boil down to is a guessing game. Will the big spread cover, will it not cover is the question. Arkansas has won some tough games, and this program is much improved. At the end of the day, Arkansas has met its match defensively, especially against the run. Bama wins big in Tuscaloosa.

Pick: Alabama -20 Over 58.5

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SMU (8-2, 6-4-0 ATS) @ #5 Cincinnati (10-0, 5-5-0 ATS)

SMU vs. Cincinnati Preview

SMU +11.5, ML +350/-450 O/U 65

Nippert Stadium, Cincinnati, OH

3:30 ET ESPN

We have bet on the Bearcats all season and gotten skunked half the time. This team has been good, but not a cover team. Go ahead watch us this week as we bet against Cincinnati, and they blow the doors off SMU! We don’t see it. SMU is a solid team and they put up 41.6 points per game. The Bearcats score 39.2 per game and allow just 16.2. Cincinnati wins the game fairly easily but doesn’t cover.

Pick: SMU +11.5, Over 65

#6 Michigan (9-1, 8-2-0 ATS) Maryland (5-5, 3-7-0 ATS)

Michigan vs. Maryland Preview

Michigan -15, ML -700/+475 O/U 56.5

Maryland Stadium, College Park, MD

3:30 ET BTN

Harbaugh’s last stand is this game and every game. He MUST win, and we think he does, fairly easily. Mac will not beat Tag in a heads-up QB battle, however, Michigan will run all over you until you scream “uncle”. Haskins will have another huge day and Harbaugh will live to see another day.

Pick: Michigan -15, Under 56.5

Nebraska (3-7, 6-4-0 ATS) @ #15 Wisconsin (7-3, 6-4-0 ATS)

Nebraska vs. Wisconsin Preview

Nebraska +9.5, ML +285/-360, O/U 42

Camp Randall Stadium, Madison, WI

3:30 ET ABC

Many people had high hopes for the Cornhuskers this season, and things went south, in a handbasket, fast! The Badgers are allowing 14.6 ppg and scoring 26.3 per game. Nebraska is scoring 28.6 ppg and allowing 20.9 per contest. Nebraska puts up 70-more total yards of offense and 100-more passing, they are just 32 yards per game short on the ground. The problem is rushing defense, Wisconsin allows just 60.6 yards per game. Nebraska is allowing 132.5 per game, as well as the Badgers, are allowing 155.7 yards passing, to Nebraska’s 231.0. It’s too much to get around.

Pick: Wisconsin -9.5, Under 42

NCAA Football Picks

Virginia (6-4, 6-4-0 ATS) @ #18 Pittsburgh (8-2, 8-2-0 ATS)

Virginia vs. Pittsburgh Preview

Virginia +14.5, ML +450/-650, O/U 66

Heinz field, Pittsburgh, PA

3:30 ET ESPN2

Pittsburgh is kind of like the Cincinnati Bearcats, they play well, they look great, they beat teams soundly, but they let teams hang around. We must say, however, they are the better team in this matchup, and don’t forget, they are 8-2 against the spread. This team picks its spots when to turn up the heat, and at home, we think Virginia is doomed to failure. They are simply the better, more talented team. The Panthers are scoring 43.5 ppg, and allowing 22.7, while Virginia is scoring 35.3 per game, and allowing 30.5. Virginia has put up some good wins this season such as 48-0 over Duke, but then, on the other hand, they allowed 40 to Georgia Tech, and 66 to #25 BYU, then last week was a stinker of stinkers against the Irish, 3-28. We have very little confidence in this team, in Pittsburgh.

Pick: Pittsburgh -14.5, Over 66

UAB (7-3, 6-3-1 ATS) @ #22 UTSA (10-0, 8-2-0 ATS)

UAB vs. UTSA Preview

UAB +4.5, ML +170/-200, O/U 53.5

Alamodome, San Antonio, TX

2:30 ET ESPN+

Don’t be fooled, both of these teams can play football. What you must remember going into this game is this – neither team is Alabama or Georgia, and neither team faces the schedule of Alabama or Georgia. The schedules are soft, for the most part, however, UTSA did take care of business against Illinois back on September 4 th , in Illinois, 37-30. They also beat Middle Tennessee 27-13, UNLV 24-17 (we know it’s UNLV and they are awful, but they are a big-time school), they also beat Western Kentucky and Louisiana Tech. This team can play and they won’t back down from anybody.

Pick: UTSA -4.5, Over 53.5

#14 BYU (8-2, 5-5-0 ATS) @ Georgia Southern (3-7, 4-6-0 ATS)

BYU vs. Georgia Southern Preview

BYU -20, O/U 57.5

Allen E. Paulson Stadium, Statesboro, GA

4:00 ET ESPN+

In a game like this, you cannot look at the matchups, and you can not look at the team numbers across the board. The level of competition is simply not the same. Georgia Southern has been beaten by some programs that should beat nobody! BYU has drilled bad teams such as Idaho State and UVA. BYU scores 33.3 points per game, and they allow 24.3. Georgia Southern scores 22.3, and they allow 31.6 per game. Jaren Hall has put up 1995 yards on the season with 16TDs, and just 3 picks for BYU. Tomlin has been awful for Georgia Southern with just 2 TD’ and 9 INTs. We know for a living fact BYU easily wins this game; will they cover 2-points on the road? Probably, but we will play them in a 7- point teaser, along with the over.

Pick: 7-Point Teaser BYU -13, Over 50.5

Syracuse (5-5, 8-2-0 ATS) @ #20 NC State (7-3, 6-4-0 ATS)

Syracuse vs. NC State Preview

Syracuse +11, ML +350/-450 O/U 50.5

Carter-Finley Stadium, Raleigh, NC

4:00 ET ACCN

The Orange have most definitely not had the kind of season they were hoping for; however, they have had their shining moments. Last week’s loss to Louisville, 3-41, was troubling. The defensive unit for Syracuse has had some outstanding games, then some clunkers. They lost to Clemson as expected, however, they allowed just 17, but allowed 40 to Wake Forest. What this says is this… Syracuse gets caught up in playing styles of football, they get swung from limb to limb and forced to dance the dance with their opponents. Wake Forest ended in OT, 37-40, Vt ended with a win, 41-36. NC State lost to Wake Forest last week in a 42-45 final but they shut down FSU the week before 28-14, and Louisville on the 6th, 28-14. Syracuse has struggled to find consistency and NC State is just a step better with 7 wins vs the 5 by Syracuse. We are sticking with the defense of NV State at home where they allow 18 ppg.

Pick: NC State -11, Under 50

#11 Baylor (8-2, 7-3-0 ATS) @ Kansas State (7-3, 6-3-1 ATS)

Baylor vs. Kansas State Preview

Baylor +1, ML -105/-115 O/U 50

Bill Snyder Family Stadium, Manhattan, KS

5:30 ET FS1

Buckle up for the Baylor Bears, they are a hassle! You can expect to be harassed all game long, and you had better… well, yes, pun intended… you had better come loaded for bear! We know it’s corny but it’s true. This program has come so far in such a short amount of time. They are back, and they are bad. They offer up a well-balanced attack while scoring 35.4 ppg, and allowing 19.9. They are putting up 453.1 total yards of offense with 215.6, coming in the air, and 237.5 on the ground. They are allowing 353.7 total yards which include 231.8 passing and 121.9 on the ground. Kansas State is scoring 28.9 ppg, and allowing 21.1 per game. The big difference here – on the ground, rushing yards. Baylor is outperforming Kansas State 237.5-159.5 rushing yards per game. Watch out for Tyquan Thornton (RB Baylor), he will run wild on State.

Pick: 7-Point Teaser Baylor +8, Over 43

#3 Oregon (9-1, 4-6-0 ATS) @ #23 Utah (7-3, 4-6-0 ATS)

Oregon vs. Utah Preview

Oregon +3, ML +140/-160 O/U 59

Rice-Eccles Stadium, Salt Lake City, UT

7:20 ET ABC

Utah is a darn good football time and minus the Oregon State loss, they would have been very good. The other two losses came by way of BYU, and SDSU, both ranked opponents. We are not one to minimize someone by the state they play in. Utah tends to get overlooked for this reason. For whatever reason, BYU has always been the team in Utah, maybe it has something to do with two-time Duper Bowl champion quarterback, Steve Young. Who knows, at any rate, this team is good and they will compete with Oregon. It may get rowdy in Salt Lake but that’s not enough to rattle a very good Oregon. The numbers are close, close, close in this one but Oregon and Brown can throw for miles.

Pick: Oregon ML Win +140, Over 59

Vanderbilt (2-8, 4-6-0 ATS) @ #12 Ole Miss (8-2, 6-3-1 ATS)

Vanderbilt vs. Ole Miss Preview

Vanderbilt +36.5, O/U 64.5

Vaught-Hemingway Stadium, Oxford, MS

7:30 ET SECN

Vanderbilt is dead to right awful. They are a program that has failed every test and they are only getting worse. They score 15.1 ppg and allow an eye-popping 35.4. Ole Miss is averaging 522.2 yards of offense per game to Vandy’s 397.7. Vandy allows 458.1 yards of offense per game, and 189.7 on the ground. Ole Miss is rushing for 188.7 yards per game. This one will get ugly quickly.

Pick: Ole Miss -36.5, Under 64.5

#9 Oklahoma State (9-1, 8-2-0 ATS) @ Texas Tech (6-4, 5-4-1 ATS)

Oklahoma State vs. Texas Tech Preview

Oklahoma State-10, ML -400/+310, O/U 56.5

Jones AT&T Stadium, Lubbock, TX

8:00 ET FOX

The Cowboys bring their baton down the hatches and take no prisoners defense, to town and they mean business with an offense that can score with Texas Tech. Oklahoma State is allowing just 16.4 ppg, and scoring 32.2 ppg, while Texas Tech is scoring 33.6 ppg but allowing a whopping 33.5. Oklahoma State is the better football team and they have beaten enough really good teams to prove it. This one will go States way and over the posted total of 56.5.

Pick: Oklahoma State -10, Over 56.5

Thanks for stopping by and checking in on week number-12. We wish you the best of luck this week and every week. Betting on college football is certainly fun and it’s much more fun if you can win a buck or two. Make sure that your sportsbook is offering the best lines and odds, and a bonus that gives you a fair chance to win. Always ask your bookmaker about the rules of any contest or deposit bonus, be prepared, and know what the rollover or play-through consists of. Find an online bookie that has a stellar reputation for fast payouts and top-notch customer service. Good luck.

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Kyle Parker
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