We’ve made it to the next-to-last week of the 2021 regular season in college football, which means that we have a lot of rivalry fun going on in conference play. Michigan State visits Ohio State in a huge Big Ten East clash. Arkansas visits Alabama; the Tide can clinch the title in the SEC West (and a berth in the SEC Championship) with a win over the Razorbacks. Oregon, for some reason a fixture in the College Football Playoff semifinals, takes on Utah. Those are just the top matchups in a big sports betting week. Take a look at some of our top College Football Betting choices.
NCAA News: Expert Predictions for College Football, Week 12
Michigan State (+20) at Ohio State
A twenty-point spread? The Spartans can win the Big Ten East if they win out, but apparently that loss to Purdue outweighs that win over Michigan in the sports betting universe. Ohio State is seeing greatness out of quarterback C.J. Stroud, and the Michigan State pass defense can be porous. However, twenty points? I’m not sure I see it. Michigan State to cover.
Arkansas (+20) at Alabama
This makes a little more sense than the previous 20-point line. However, Alabama’s demolition of New Mexico State last week came against a team that could not test their iffy offensive line. Arkansas has the front seven to give that same offensive line some headaches. While I don’t expect the Razorbacks to pull off the upset straight up, this line also seems a bit large. Razorbacks to cover.
Oregon (+3) at Utah
This is also an interesting line, showing the lack of faith that the sports betting public has in Pac-12 contenders. The Ducks did manage to beat Washington State last week, even pulling away by enough to cover at home. Utah has had some solid performances and some head-scratchers this season, but their defense can stand with just about anyone’s in the conference. I don’t see the Ducks as a top-four team in the country, but I think they escape Utah with a win. Ducks to cover.
Iowa State (+6) at Oklahoma
The Sooners just lost to Baylor last week, which should drive a nail in their College Football Playoff hopes. Iowa State has delivered upsets in the past against the Sooners, and the Cyclones have the sort of defense that could frustrate Oklahoma given the quarterback imbroglio that has broken out there. I see the Sooners going into letdown mode here and Iowa State taking advantage. Cyclones to cover.
Wake Forest (+3.5) at Clemson
Wake Forest would clinch an ACC Atlantic title with a win over Clemson. The Tigers still have a stout defense, but quarterback Sam Hartman has been stacking up points all season long. If the Demon Deacons can win out, a 12-1 record with an ACC title would be extremely hard to keep out of the College Football Playoff with all the other one-loss teams who are apparently contenders. Demon Deacons to cover.
Oklahoma State (-11) at Texas Tech
Texas Tech fired their head coach two weeks ago but then beat Iowa State in a thunderous upset last weekend. Oklahoma State actually has a defense this year, and the one-loss Cowboys control their own destiny in the Big 12 at this point. If they beat Texas Tech and beat Oklahoma, then they make the Big 12 Championship, and a win there would make…another 12-1 team with several quality wins, or at least wins over Big 12 schools, on the season. Going to Texas Tech and winning is always a tall order, though, and this double-digit line seems heavy. Texas Tech to cover.
SMU (+12.5) at Cincinnati
Cincinnati has failed to cover in three straight weeks, and this AAC leader has started to slip from its position in the polls. SMU is 8-2; after disappointing losses to Houston and Memphis, the Mustangs demolished a 6-3 UCF team and put up 498.7 yards of offense per game, sixth in the nation. Last year, Cincinnati brought down the defensive hammer on SMU and used turnovers to turn the game into a rout. This year, can the Mustangs take advantage of some cracks that Cincinnati’s defense has shown against the likes of Tulane and Tulsa? If the game were in Dallas, maybe. On the road? Sonny Dykes’ team has not won signature road games anywhere except TCU during his tenure. Bearcats to win and cover.
