NCAA Football Week 12 Betting Preview and Top Picks

We thought LSU would go to Arkansas and deliver a hide-tanning last week after they were shut down by Alabama two weeks ago. However, the Razorbacks finally showed a little defensive moxie and kept LSU out of the end zone in the waning seconds, so sports gamblers who took LSU -13 found themselves losers as the Tigers only won by seven. Alabama actually looked beatable last week, at least on the offensive side of the ball, but their defense remains an iron fortress, as they shut out AP-ranked opponents in back-to-back weeks for the first time in school history. What’s in store for this weekend? Check out our NCAA Football betting predictions for three promising matchups. As always, home teams are in all caps.

NCAA Football Week 12 Betting Preview and Top Picks

The AP Poll is out https://t.co/iBMrLMfCR5

— Saturday Down South (@SDS) November 11, 2018

Friday, November 16

SMU (+8.5) over Memphis (9:00pm ET, ESPN2)

Memphis rides in on a two-game winning streak but have dropped three of their last four games away from the Liberty Bowl. Quarterback Brady White does a solid job with ball security, as he has thrown only three interceptions to go along with 22 touchdown passes, and he has at least two scoring passes in six of his last eight contests. The Tigers are also stout on the ground, averaging 270 yards per game, led by Darrell Henderson’s 1,446 yards through ten contests, with 17 touchdowns. The Tigers’ defense is somewhat porous, though, giving up 30.5 points per game. SMU is also in pursuit of a third consecutive victory after polishing off then-#17 Houston at home and then beating Connecticut by 12 on the road last week. They have won three of four at home, and that loss came against Cincinnati in overtime, on a costly pick-six. Quarterbacks Ben Hicks and William Brown have combined for 23 scoring passes against just five picks, with James Proche the top receiving target. Braeden West has gained 536 yards on the ground in ten games, scoring six times, as part of a balanced attack that averages 130 yards a game. The defense can also be generous, as they have permitted 36.8 points per game — including 50 at Connecticut last week. The Mustangs have shown real offensive firepower at home as of late, though, and I’m picking them to win. NCAA Football Week 12 Prediction: SMU 48, Memphis 44

Saturday, November 17

Notre Dame (-10) over Syracuse (at Yankee Stadium) (2:30pm ET, NBC)

Syracuse enters this game with an 8-2 record, with losses to Clemson and Pitt as the only blemishes on a terrific season so far. They demolished Louisville last week behind 159 yards and two touchdowns from tailback Moe Neal. Quarterback Eric Dungey had a decent game, throwing for 192 yards, but he had a pick to go along with his 65-yard bomb to Nykeim Johnson. Syracuse has covered the spread in four of their last five non-ACC games and in six of their last seven games on natural grass. They have also covered in seven of their last 10 contests overall. Notre Dame is unbeaten this season, with their last win coming in a laugher over Florida State. They got just 130 passing yards from Brandon Wimbush, but he had three short touchdown passes. He did throw two picks, but the two rushing touchdowns from Dexter Williams, who galloped for 202 yards on the day, more than made up for those mistakes. The Irish have covered in three of their last four games against winning teams and in five of seven overall. I see the Irish putting away the Orange as they make a statement to stay in the top four of the CFP standings. NCAA Football Week 12 Prediction: Notre Dame 31, Syracuse 17

WASHINGTON STATE (-9.5) over Arizona (10:30pm ET, ESPN)

Arizona has won two in a row after knocking off Colorado two weeks ago, and they enter this contest out of their bye week. They won a 42-34 barnburner after running off 26 points in the second quarter. They rolled up 566 yards on the night and had two takeaways. Quarterback Kahili Tate had a huge night with five touchdown passes and an interception, going 17 for 22. The Wildcats can score, putting up 37.6 points per game. However, they also give up a lot of points, surrendering 28.1 points per contest. Washington State has won six in a row and routed Colorado last week, by a score of 31-7 down in Boulder. The stout defense that the Cougars showed in that win is a sign that Washington State is ready to contend instead of simply being an offensive program that can’t stop the opposition. They had three takeaways against Colorado without turning the ball over, and that was a key factor in the win. I see them squelching Arizona’s offense as well. NCAA Football Week 12 Prediction: Washington State 31, Arizona 20