by Ben Perks
The penultimate week of college football features exciting games that will determine divisional and conference championships. Michigan State hit the road to take on Ohio State in a Big Ten East clash, while Alabama will try to secure the SEC West with a home win over Arkansas. Also, the Oregon Ducks travel to Utah to put their playoff hopes on the line. Check out pre-game insights and the latest odds for the biggest matchups in Week 12.
Although the Spartans can determine their own destiny in the Big Ten East title race, oddsmakers don’t think they stand a chance against the Buckeyes. The reason for this low estimation is that Buckeyes quarterback CJ Stroud has spearheaded some of the best-attacking football in the country. Also, the Spartans pass defense has been up and down all season. Expect to see Stroud try and separate himself from other Heisman Trophy frontrunners with plenty of passing yards and touchdowns. However, if you’re thinking of placing some action on this matchup, keep in mind that the Ohio State defense looked poor against Purdue in Week 11.
Unsurprisingly, the Arkansas Razorbacks are massive underdogs on the moneyline. However, Arkansas Head football coach Sam Pittman will still get his men to give their all to upset the odds. Online sportsbooks might not think they stand a chance, but Arkansas has some excellent players in wide receiver Treylon Burks and quarterback K.J. Jefferson. Still, Alabama Crimson Tide is the better team and therefore shouldn’t slip up against the Razorbacks.
No one predicted the odds for this one. According to the most recent rankings, Oregon, a team in the College Football Playoff, is a three-point underdog to a Utes team that has been up and down this season. Yes, the Utes are on a three-game winning streak since losing to Oregon State Oct. 23, but it’s surprising to see them as the bookmakers’ favorites.
Although the Cyclones have disappointed their fans this season, they have stunned Oklahoma before. Also, the ongoing quarterback situation in Norman will give Iowa hope of pulling off an upset. As for the Sooners, they’ll need to solve some issues to keep their CFP hopes alive. This Week 12 matchup is a close one to call.
A win for the Demon Deacons would secure them the ACC Atlantic. However, oddsmakers think that the betting public will back the Tigers. Even though Clemson will limit Wake Forest quarterback Sam Hartman and co. with their loaded defense, expect them to go all out to clinch the championship.
This matchup will be a tough test for the Bearcats before the AAC Championship Game. The Mustangs demolished the UCF Knights in Week 11 to go 8-2 and now rank sixth nationally in total offense at 498.7 yards per game. Many expect this matchup to turn into a shootout which would mount a ton of pressure on the shoulders of Bearcats quarterback Desmond Ridder.
Although it’s not been an ideal season for the Red Raiders after they fired coach Matt Wells, they got a big win over Iowa State last weekend. Yet, despite this impressive victory, the Oklahoma Cowboys stout defense has made them the moneyline favorites. This battle of brawn looks likely to be the most entertaining clash in Week 12.
Other Top NCAAF Games in Week 12
- Purdue (-12) at Northwestern
- Rutgers at Penn State (-16.5)
- Texas at West Virginia (-2)
- Illinois at Iowa (-12)
- Georgia Tech at Notre Dame (-16.5)
- Michigan (-15) at Maryland
- Nebraska at Wisconsin (-11)
- Virginia at Pittsburgh (-11.5)
- UAB at UTSA (-5)
- BYU (-20) at Georgia Southern
- Syracuse at NC State (-11.5)
- Florida (-7.5) at Missouri
- UCLA (-3.5) at USC
- Baylor at Kansas State (-1.5)
- Auburn (-9.5) at South Carolina
- Vanderbilt at Ole Miss (-38)
- Virginia Tech at Miami (-7)
- Arizona State (-2.5) at Oregon State
Check out the latest odds for all NCAAF matchups in Week 12.
Ben is a sports journalist & part-time trader with a passion for finding +EV bets. Ben lives in Madrid, Spain where he enjoys the live poker scene, and sunshine where he covers UFC, MLB, NHL, NBA, as well as tennis betting.
