Week 12 of the college football season is here, and the three biggest games on the schedule involve matchups between ranked teams.
No. 3 Notre Dame faces No. 12 Syracuse at Yankee Stadium at 2:30 p.m. in a huge matchup with College Football Playoff implications. The primetime 8 p.m. spot features matchups between No. 11 UCF and No. 19 Cincinnati and No. 13 Texas and No. 18 Iowa State.
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Sporting News picks games involving the AP Top 25 each week, and we are coming off one of our best weekends of the season:
Straight up: 170-44, .794 (19-2 last week)
Against the spread: 115-85, .575 (14-7 last week)
Upset picks: 9-11, .450 (1-1 last week)
Here are SN’s picks against the spread for Week 12 (lines reflect Consensus picks from VegasInsiders.com as of Monday):
No. 23 Boise State (-20) at New Mexico
The Lobos have lost five straight games. New Mexico still has a positive turnover ratio, and they will be in spoiler mode against the Broncos. There is a risk for a letdown for Boise State coming off a big win against Fresno State, but we think the Broncos get through that with the big showdown against Utah State coming up. Boise State wins 38-14 and COVERS the spread.
The Citadel at No. 1 Alabama
The Citadel is 4-5 and will be the tune-up game for Alabama heading into the Iron Bowl. Tua Tagovailoa (knee) will not take a snap in the fourth quarter here. Should he take a snap at all? The Crimson Tide get a third straight shutout. Alabama wins 48-0.
Middle Tennessee State at No. 20 Kentucky (-14)
This is a battle of teams headed in different directions. Kentucky has lost back-to-back games but still can get to nine wins on the season. The Wildcats be up against a Blue Raiders team that has won four straight games. It's a different team than the one that was blown out by Vanderbilt and Georgia this season. Kentucky wins 30-19 but FAILS TO COVER the spread.
No. 25 Mississippi State (-19.5) at Arkansas
The Bulldogs are heavy road favorites, but that’s always risky after coming off a physical game against a team like Alabama. The Razorbacks haven't lost by more than 14 points since the Alabama game on Oct. 6. Mississippi State won 28-21 last year. We'll go with same score. Mississippi State wins 28-21 but FAILS TO COVER the spread.
No. 9 Ohio State (-17) at Maryland
The Buckeyes have yet to play a complete game, but the Terps make for the perfect tune up before “The Game” against Michigan. Expect Dwayne Haskins, a Potomac, Md., native, to get the passing game going and to give the Wolverines something to think about. Ohio State's defense looked better last week, too. Ohio State wins 38-14 and COVERS the spread.
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No. 24 Northwestern (-2.5) at Minnesota
The Wildcats are the Big Ten West champs, but the Gophers finally put it all together in a 41-10 blowout victory against Purdue. Minnesota will be motivated too after losing to the Wildcats 39-0 last year. It's a win Minnesota has to have to be bowl eligible, so it's going to be tight. We just can't pull the upset. Northwestern wins 23-17 and COVERS the spread.
Idaho at No. 15 Florida
There is no line on this game because Idaho is no longer in the FBS. The Gators are still in the conversation for a New Year's Day Six bowl bid. Jordan Scarlett and Lamical Perine both went for more than 100 yards against South Carolina on Saturday. Can they do it again? Florida wins 41-10.
No. 16 Penn State (-27) at Rutgers
The Scarlet Knights have improved a touch, but they are coming off a physical loss against Michigan. The Nittany Lions, like Florida, still have fringe New Year's Day Six hopes. Trace McSorley is nearing the end of a storied career with the Nittany Lions. The offense does the job here. Penn State wins 44-14 and COVERS the spread.
No. 21 Utah (-7) at Colorado
The Utes can clinch a share at the top of the Pac-12 South, but they still need Arizona State to lose in order to get to the Pac-12 championship game. Colorado has lost five in a row, and last week was the first one by more than 14 points. Utah is the more consistent team. Utah wins 34-24 and COVERS the spread.
No. 14 Utah State (-27) at Colorado State
The Aggies are an incredible 8-1 against the spread, and that includes a 31-point cover against San Jose State last week. The Rams have lost three in a row, including a 49-10 loss to Nevada last week. We think the Rams sneak in a cover here at home. Utah State wins 45-21 but FAILS TO COVER the spread.
MORE: Updated Power Rankings
No. 3 Notre Dame (-9) vs. No. 12 Syracuse
Who knew this showdown at Yankee Stadium would be the game of the week? Ian Book's status will be in question, but the bigger question is whether the Irish can flex their muscles against a Syracuse offense that has averaged 46.5 in its last four games. Prepare to be entertained. Notre Dame wins 38-34 but FAILS TO COVER the spread.
No. 7 West Virginia (-5.5) at Oklahoma State
West Virginia must pass one more road test to set up a Black Friday showdown against Oklahoma in Morgantown, and Will Grier might have to lead another game-winning drive in Stillwater to do that. The Cowboys have won the last three meetings in this series, but must bounce back from a close loss in Bedlam. At least we know if somebody has a chance to go for two to win, they will. West Virginia wins 41-34 and COVERS the spread.
No. 22 Boston College (-2) at Florida State
The Seminoles looked miserable in a 29-point loss to Notre Dame, and the Seminoles need this one to reach a bowl game for a 37th straight season. Boston College is the better team, but the Eagles will have to bounce back after a loss to Clemson. Will the letdown factor be enough for the upset? Feel free to mock this later. Florida State wins 29-24 in an UPSET.
Indiana at No. 4 Michigan (-27)
The Hoosiers have played the Wolverines tough the last two seasons. MIchigan is 5-1 against the spread at home and looking to build some momentum for “The Game.” Some injuries on defense might factor in here. Michigan wins 38-14 but FAILS TO COVER the spread.
UMass vs. No. 5 Georgia (-44)
The Bulldogs are on pace to reach the SEC championship game with a chance to make the College Football Playoff, and this is a tune up before the rivalry game against Georgia Tech. This spread is absurd, but UMass has allowed 55 or more points in five games this season. Georgia wins 51-10 but FAILS TO COVER the spread.
MORE: Week 12 Playoff picture
Oregon State at No. 17 Washington (-32)
The Huskies can still win the Pac-12 North, and it's the home finale for a group that has helped usher in success under Chris Petersen. Beavers coach Jonathan Smith knows the tendencies, but the emotion will take over. Washington wins 48-14 and COVERS the spread.
Duke at No. 2 Clemson (-27.5)
Since the scare against Syracuse, the Tigers have covered the spread in each of their last five wins, and those lines have been by 17.5 points or more. The Blue Devils haven't lost by more than 17 points this season. These teams haven't met since 2012. Clemson wins 40-14 but FAILS TO COVER the spread.
Rice at No. 10 LSU (-44)
The Owls are 1-10 and despite some minor improvements will be overrun by the Tigers in their home finale. LSU could run it up here, but they will probably just build a big first-half lead and move on to Texas A&M. It really depends on whether the Owls score. LSU wins 48-7 but FAILS TO COVER the spread.
Kansas at No. 6 Oklahoma (-36)
It's the Sooners’ home finale, and they will continue to score bundles of points with Kyler Murray trying to make a November run to the Heisman Trophy. But what about the defense? Oklahoma is up against an inferior opponent, but getting the defense going will be a point of emphasis here. Oklahoma wins 58-17 and COVERS the spread.
No. 19 Cincinnati at No. 11 UCF (-7.5)
The Knights get the GameDay spotlight, and it's against the best team they've seen to this point of the season. Cincinnati has played above expectations under second-year coach Luke Fickell, and their only loss this season was by seven points to 6-4 Temple. It's a test for UCF's offense too, knowing the Bearcats haven't given up more than 30 points in a game this season. UCF wins 37-28 and COVERS the spread.
No. 18 Iowa State at No. 13 Texas (-3)
Texas' up-and-down season continues, and both of these teams still have a shot at the Big 12 championship game. The Longhorns have played in six consecutive one-score games, but they run into the winners of five straight in the Cyclones. It's an upset in Austin. Iowa State wins 37-34 in an UPSET.
Arizona at No. 8 Washington State (-10)
Stay up late and watch Washington State take another step toward a Pac-12 North championship. The Wildcats have won back-to-back games, but are 1-3 on the road this season. Washington State is 9-1 against the spread, but that changes this week. Washington State wins 38-31 but FAILS TO COVER the spread.
