Must-Bet Week 12 NCAAF Picks & Predictions

This past weekend, we were minutes from a scenario in which the #1, #2 and #3 teams would all lose on the same day, a cataclysmic event that had not happened since January 1, 1966 — and had never happened during the regular season in any year. Top-ranked Georgia was routed at Auburn, and third-ranked Notre Dame took a hide-tanning at Miami. Second-ranked Alabama trailed Mississippi State by a touchdown late in the fourth quarter before scoring on their last two drives to seal the win — and seal their spot as the top-ranked team in the nation. Those who followed our advice and picked Mississippi State to cover did well (although we did think that Georgia would cover against Auburn). Take a look at our NCAAF picks & predictions for this coming weekend’s games, along with the latest College Football odds for Week 12. As always, home teams are in all caps.

Must-Bet Week 12 NCAAF Picks & Predictions

College Football Hot Seat Rankings: It’s if not when for Bret Bielema at Arkansas #WPS https://t.co/tfl8vfrnRO pic.twitter.com/UE4gucjixQ

— SEC Country Arkansas (@SECCountryHogs) November 12, 2017

Saturday, November 11

WISCONSIN (-8.5) over Michigan (12:00pm ET, FOX)

While the big schools at the top of the College Football Playoff standings are going through tumult, the Wisconsin Badgers just keep winning…and winning in impressive fashion. This past Saturday they hosted the Iowa Hawkeyes — the same Iowa team that had blown out Ohio State the week before. All Wisconsin did was deliver a 38-14 home win, using their physical defense to shut down Iowa and using their run-first offense to chew up clock and keep the Iowa offense on the bench. In comes a Michigan team that has built a three-game winning streak since they took that 42-13 shellacking at Penn State. However, their wins have come over Rutgers, MInnesota and Maryland, so they’re still waiting to show their stuff against one of the top teams in the Big Ten. Brandon Peters has come on to play impressively at quarterback (after Wilton Speight went down to injury and John O’Korn couldn’t stop turning the ball over). However, I see Wisconsin quietly grinding out another win. So take them as part of your NCAAF picks.

WEST VIRGINIA (-3) over Texas (12:00pm ET, ESPN)

The Texas Longhorns delivered an impressive 42-27 win over Kansas at home this past week. However, Kansas even lost to then-winless Baylor and is definitely the bottom-feeder in the Big 12. In fact, if it weren’t for the Jayhawks’ top-notch basketball program, it’s worth wondering how much of a future they would have in a Power 5 conference. In the weeks before that, Texas lost at TCU and routed Baylor on the road. They are making some impressive progress this year behind new quarterback Sam Ehringer. However, they travel to play a West Virginia team that can score at video-game speed, while Texas sometimes has a hard time getting out of their own way on offense. I don’t think that Texas can keep up the scoring pace with West Virginia, and while I don’t see the Mountaineers winning by double figures, I see them winning by more than a field goal, especially at home. Take them into consideration when selecting your NCAAF picks.

OLE MISS (-1.5) over Texas A&M (7:00pm ET, ESPN2)

The Aggies have really struggled on the road this season. They gave up an immense lead at UCLA, needed overtime to win at Arkansas, and barely beat a Florida team that has already fired their coach. At home they have lost two of three, taking routs from Mississippi State and Auburn. So when they head to Ole Miss, they head to face a team that has shown they can score in bunches, even against top-tier SEC foes. They only managed three points against Alabama but scored 228 points in the next six games. Texas A&M has struggled mightily to get stops on defense, and that will be their Achilles heel against the Rebels. I see this game staying close, but I also see the Aggies fading late and the Rebels taking the win in the waning minutes. Ole Miss just needs one more win to become bowl eligible — and I don’t see them getting it in Week 13 against Mississippi State, so they’ll be focused on winning this one. They should definitely be part of your NCAAF picks.