My college football picks went 3-1 last week, as I successfully backed Iowa, Texas A&M, and Texas Tech against the spread.
Unfortunately, I just missed out on a clean sweep, with LSU failing to cover a 10.5-point spread by the hook in an 11-point loss at Alabama.
There are four top-25 matchups on this week’s slate, and I’ll break them all down below as part of my college football Week 12 predictions.
College Football Week 12 Predictions
All college football odds used for these Week 12 best bets are current as of Friday, Nov. 14, and courtesy of DraftKings Sportsbook.
Notre Dame vs Pittsburgh Best Bet: Pittsburgh +12.5 (-108)
Let’s start with this matchup of 7-2 teams.
Notre Dame needs to win out to guarantee a spot in the College Football Playoff, while Pittsburgh could still claim the ACC with a loss on Saturday.
Still, I don’t expect Pat Narduzzi’s squad to lay down at home with ESPN’s College GameDay coming to town.
Notre Dame’s three games against ranked teams this season have been decided by 10 points or fewer, so I’m taking the points with the Panthers as one of my college gameday picks.
Oklahoma vs Alabama Best Bet: Oklahoma +6 (-112)
Next up, I’m backing Oklahoma to cover as a six-point road underdog at Alabama.
Since their season-opening loss to Florida State, the Crimson Tide have built an impressive resume, going unbeaten in SEC play and picking up four consecutive victories over ranked opponents.
As the No. 4 team in the country, Alabama would still be in a good position to make the College Football Playoff if it slipped up here, especially with Eastern Illinois and 4-6 Auburn on deck.
Oklahoma is much more desperate. The Sooners are 7-2, with home losses to Texas and Ole Miss. They need a statement win to bolster their CFP credentials.
I’m not sure John Mateer and Co. get that, but Alabama has struggled against mobile quarterbacks, and Mateer should be even more mobile after last week’s bye.
Oklahoma should give Alabama all they can handle on Saturday, so I’m backing the Sooners to cover this number.
Iowa vs USC Best Bet: USC -6.5 (-108)
This spot significantly favors USC, as Iowa has to pick itself up after a last-second home loss to Oregon and travel across the country to take on the Trojans.
We’ve seen Big Ten teams struggle with time zone changes this season, with Penn State’s loss at UCLA ranking among the biggest upsets of the year.
USC is unbeaten at home this season, winning every game by at least two scores.
Combine that with the spot, and I’ll take the Trojans as one of my best college football bets today.
Texas vs Georgia Best Bet: Texas 1Q ML (+150)
Georgia may own an 8-1 record, but the Bulldogs have been living dangerously, especially in SEC play.
Kirby Smart’s squad has trailed after the first quarter in six of its seven conference games, with the lone exception being a 14-0 lead over Kentucky in response to its lone loss of the season against Alabama.
Smart is one of the best in-game adjusters in the country, so Georgia has been able to overcome these early deficits.
But until Gunner Stockton and the offense prove they can take an early lead, I’m going to keep fading the Bulldogs in the first quarter.
