Time is winding down on this year's Underdog Challenge, with only two weeks left in the regular season. As has been the case all season, none of our experts has truly separated themselves from the pack, so it's a crapshoot as to who'll emerge as our top dog.
Bender and Sutelan were the only ones to pick up points last week, with Bender gaining 12 thanks to Northwestern's and Appalachian State's multi-possession wins. Sutelan gained 3.5 after Texas Tech went into Lawrence and squeaked out a last-second victory.
As a reminder of how the Underdog Challenge works, our experts pick three underdogs to win outright (not just cover the spread). They then earn points equal to the number of points those teams got on the spread if their upsets come to fruition.
| Place | Name | Record | Points |
| 1. | Mike DeCourcy | 6-24 | 48.5 |
| 2. | Nick Musial | 8-22 | 46 |
| 3. | Edward Sutelan | 9-21 | 41 |
| 4. | Bill Bender | 10-20 | 39.5 |
| 5. | Bill Trocchi | 3-27 | 12.5 |
MORE: Week 12 against the spread picks
Onto the upsets.
Mike DeCourcy, Senior writer
Memphis (+8.5) over SMU
What I keep thinking about when I consider SMU’s impending entry into the ACC is one of those sweaters I bought years ago because it was discounted SO MUCH they were practically giving it to me. And then that sweater would sit in my closet for months, and then years, until finally I acknowledged there was a reason the store practically was giving it away. Not sure why that keeps occurring to me. Any ideas?
Kansas (+9.5) over Kansas State
The line on this one was curious enough that I made sure to double-check: Yep, the Jayhawks are getting more than a touchdown at home, largely because quarterback Jason Bean’s status is somewhat in doubt after he left the loss to Texas Tech with injury. KU says he has returned to practice, though, which certainly could represent subterfuge given the nature of this rivalry but also presents some reason for optimism the Jayhawks can prevail in this rivalry for the first time in 15 years.
UCF (+2.5) over Texas Tech
Talk about short memories: It was only six days ago the Knights were smacking a ranked Oklahoma State team by a six-touchdown margin, and now we’re supposed to believe they’re going to leave all that behind while packing for the trip to Lubbock? Nope, they’re every bit as good (or bad) as Tech, both holding 5-5 overall records, 2-5 in the Big 12. UCF didn’t forget how to play in a week.
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Bill Trocchi, Senior editor
North Carolina (+7.5) over Clemson
I keep picking against Clemson, and I keep being wrong. So, why not do it again? Drake Maye is obviously a dangerous QB and North Carolina has scored at least 40 points seven times this season. The theory here is that it will outscore Clemson despite having that subpar defense.
MORE CFB: Week 12 Bowl Projections
Virginia (+3.5) over Duke
I’m staying in the ACC. Virginia has put together a decent second half and had Louisville on the ropes last Thursday before losing by seven on the road. Four of Virginia’s other eight loses have been by three points or less. Duke spent a lot of energy losing in heartbreaking fashion to North Carolina again. I like the home dog here.
Illinois (+3.5) over Iowa
The Hawkeyes obviously have no offense, and now they have lost one of their best defensive players in safety Cooper DeJean to a practice injury. Is this Hawkeyes team really good enough to go 10-2? Illinois is averaging 31 points per game the last four weeks, which has to be some sort of Big Ten West record. The Illini sneak one out by a field goal.
Bill Bender, Lead college football writer
Washington (+2) over Oregon State
Wait, aren’t the Huskies a top-five team? The Beavers are 10-1 S/U at home since last season, with the only a three-point thriller against USC last year. That might suggest Oregon State will knock Washington off behind their strong running game. We see a Heisman Trophy moment for Michael Penix Jr. instead.
Michigan State (+3.5) over Indiana
It’s been a rough year on and off the field for the Spartans, and they are coming off a tough loss against Ohio State on the road. It’s still an ugly battle of three-win teams, and the Spartans are 2-0 ATS as an underdog of four points or less. Michigan State has won four of the last six meetings.
Memphis (+8.5) over SMU
This series has been fun. The home team has won by three points each of the last three seasons. Memphis is at home this time. The two highest-scoring teams in the American Athletic Conference put on a show, and this time the Tigers pull out a three-point victory. Take the over on the total at 65 too.
Edward Sutelan, Digital content producer
Colorado (+4.5) over Washington State
The Buffaloes and Cougars are both fighting for bowl eligibility this week. Neither can afford to fall to seven losses. Neither are playing particularly well of late, with Colorado having lost four straight and Washington State having lost six straight. The bet here is on the more explosive offensive team, which has lost narrowly to ranked Oregon State and Arizona, coming out on top. OK, the bet is really on Deion and Shedeur finding a way to get this team to the brink of bowl eligibility.
North Carolina (+7.5) over Clemson
Look, I went out on a limb last week saying that Clemson would lose to Georgia Tech. That was, well, way wrong. But a touchdown favorite over North Carolina? I have to double dip. No doubt Clemson is trending in the right direction, and no doubt North Carolina has had its issues in recent weeks. But can Cade Klubnik keep up with Drake Maye? Can Clemson's at times inconsistent run defense slow down Omarion Hampton? I'm skeptical that either of those answers are yes.
Washington (+2) over Oregon State
I picked Washington to fall last week against Utah, and for a while, I thought there was a chance I might be right. Now, I'm not convinced they won't win out the rest of the year. Oregon State is probably the best defense this side of Oregon the Huskies have faced this season, and it being a road game makes it tough. But the Beavers have been hurt most through the air, and this is college football's best passing offense. I'm taking the Huskies this week, and next, to win.
Nick Musial, Content producer
North Carolina (+7.5) over Clemson
I understand Gene Chizik's stop unit isn't nearly as consistent as Wes Goodwin's, but give me Drake Maye over Cade Klubnik any day. In last year's ACC title game, Maye tossed two interceptions while failing to throw a touchdown in a 39-10 beatdown. Maye cleans things up this time around, handing the Tigers their fifth loss of the year.
Michigan State (+3.5) over Indiana
While it's been a year to forget in East Lansing, should the Hoosiers really be laying 3.5 here? I understand backing Indiana as an underdog, but when they're expected to win, I have no interest. Michigan State's ability to lean on the running game on early downs should help them get to third-and-manageables, making life easier for Katin Houser. Sparty spoils the Hoosiers' senior day.
Rutgers (+20.5) over Penn State
If Rutgers can pull this off, I'll be in the driver's seat. The quarterback disparity between Drew Allar and Gavin Wimsatt isn't that big, so if Rutgers can win the turnover battle and churn out lengthy drives, they could make things interesting in Happy Valley.
