College Football Week 12 Best Betting Picks, Predictions

We’ve got a fantastic slate of ranked matchups this week, with five of the teams hoping their run to the playoffs doesn’t end this week.

Last week was pretty much chalk at the top of the rankings, but I think things will be a little different this week. 

Let’s get into the picks.

#9 Notre Dame (-12.5) vs #22 Pitt Total: 53.5

College Gameday is returning to Pitt for only the third time since 2005. The matchup in 2005 also featured Notre Dame, where the Irish defeated Pitt 42-21. This time, things will be different.

It’s a common cliche in sports to say that a team is so much better than they were earlier in the season, but Pitt really is that much better now. After two heartbreaking losses early in the season, Pitt benched Eli Holstein for freshman Mason Heintschel, and the team has been playing at another level ever since. Pitt has quietly had the top-scoring offense in the ACC, averaging nearly 40 points per game this year. This one will be a shootout, and I don’t hate Pitt outright in this one.

Picks: Pitt (+12.5) and o53.5

#11 Oklahoma vs #4 Alabama (-6.5) Total: 45.5

This line makes zero sense. Oklahoma has only had a chance in games where their defense is creating turnovers, and outside of some Ty Simpson fumbles, the Tide doesn’t turn it over much. Simpson only has one interception this season, and if he plays a clean game, I think this will be a blowout.

This is my pick of the week because I have zero faith in this Oklahoma offense to do anything on the road. They’ve been abysmal at points this year, and if they don’t get going quickly, Alabama will boat race them.

Pick: Alabama (-4.5)

#21 Iowa vs #17 USC (-6.5) Total: 49.5

This feels like a massive letdown spot for Iowa. They needed one stop last week against Oregon to pull off the season-changing upset, and they couldn’t get the job done. They’ll also have to travel out west to USC, to face a Trojans defense that is much more impressive than usual.

Jayden Maiava and Makai Lemon headline a Lincoln Riley offense that always finds a way to put up points. I think there’s just too much going against Iowa, and I don’t believe Mark Gronowski can put up enough points to keep Iowa in this one.

Picks: USC -6.5
Total: u49.5

#10 Texas vs #5 Georgia (-6.5) Total: 50.5

Texas is a playoff team. If that’s going to happen, they have to AT LEAST split their games with Georgia and Texas A&M to close out the year. They realistically need to win both of those games, and they’re going to start with a win on the road in Athens.

Kirby Smart’s Bulldogs have been playing magician all season long, finding miraculous ways to pull off wins they had no business pulling off. Teams that play with fire all season long will eventually get burned. Unfortunately, Texas has been doing the same sort of late-game theatrics as Georgia, so you could argue they’re overdue for their third loss as well. I just think Texas knows they can’t lose anymore and find a way to pull out a low-scoring win, slowing down Gunner Stockton in the process.

Picks: 34-33