Welcome to our College Football Week 12 predictions! We’ll look at the top games of the day, odds on the betting board, and what that means for our favorite CFB picks and player props.
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College Football Week 12 Predictions and Picks
Week 12 hits with playoff stakes rising and contenders trying to survive the November grind. Between Friday night showcases and heavyweight Saturday collisions, resumes will be built — and dreams will be crushed. Below: the top matchups, the storylines, and my picks.
Clemson at No. 20 Louisville Prediction
Line: Louisville -2.5. Total 51.5.
Storyline:
- Louisville (7–2) is coming off a stunning upset loss to Cal after a month of strong play, including a résumé-making win over No. 2 Miami.
- Their only other loss was a narrow three-point setback to Virginia — this team has been in every game.
- Clemson’s season has sputtered; the Tigers have dropped two of their last three.
- Cade Klubnik has steadied the ship a bit — four touchdowns and one pick across the last three — but he’s topped 300 yards just once since September.
Why it matters:
Louisville is still fighting to maintain ACC positioning and recover playoff-adjacent momentum. Clemson is simply playing for pride, direction, and bowl relevance. A win for Louisville stabilizes a strong season; a loss derails it.
Pick: Louisville -2.5 — I trust the Cardinals’ consistency far more than Clemson’s week-to-week volatility.
Minnesota at No. 8 Oregon Prediction
Line: Oregon -25.5 Total 43.5.
Storyline:
- Oregon (8–1) escaped Iowa last week in a tense, low-scoring road fight.
- QB Dante Moore has struggled — under 200 combined passing yards in his last two games with no touchdowns and one pick.
- Minnesota enters as a heavy underdog and hasn’t shown the offensive punch to keep pace in a track meet.
- The Ducks still own a top-10 ranking and are positioned for a statement rebound.
Why it matters:
Oregon can’t afford another sluggish offensive showing with playoff positioning in play. This is a get-right moment before rivalry and title-race showdowns in the next two weeks.
Pick: Oregon -25.5 — I expect the Ducks to reset the offense and overwhelm Minnesota at home.
No. 9 Notre Dame at No. 22 Pittsburgh Prediction
Line: Notre Dame -12.5. Total ~55.5
Storyline:
- Notre Dame (7-2) is rolling on a multi-game win streak, but they own just one ranked victory on their résumé.
- CJ Carr has been sharp lately — seven touchdowns and one interception across his last three — though he wasn’t asked to do much in the Navy blowout last week.
- Carr struggled in his last true test vs. USC three weeks ago, throwing for under 150 yards with one TD and one pick.
- Pittsburgh has been consistently strong, losing only to West Virginia and Louisville, and its offense has topped 30 points in five straight.
Why it matters:
A road win keeps Notre Dame’s top-10 hopes and major bowl positioning intact. For Pitt, this is a prime home chance to validate their surge and play spoiler.
Pick: Pittsburgh +12.5 — I like the Panthers’ offense too much to fade them at home.
No. 18 Michigan at Northwestern Prediction
Line: Michigan -11.5. Total ~41.5.
Storyline:
- Michigan freshman QB Bryce Underwood has cooled off dramatically — under 100 passing yards two weeks ago and under 150 last week, with no passing TDs across the last two.
- Northwestern remains scrappy; they hung with USC last week and trailed by just one score at halftime.
- The Wildcats have taken down UCLA, Penn State, and Purdue — they’re a tough noon-kick draw.
- Michigan’s offense hasn’t shown enough explosiveness lately to justify a big road margin.
Pick: Northwestern +12.5 — I’ll grab the home dog in a low-tempo, sticky matchup.
No. 11 Oklahoma at No. 4 Alabama Prediction
Line: Alabama -6. Total ~45.5.
Storyline:
- Alabama (8–1) is surging, fresh off holding LSU to just nine points.
- Ty Simpson is playing like a star: 21 touchdowns to one interception, three straight 250-yard outings, and no picks since October.
- Oklahoma hasn’t regained early-season fire; they scraped past Tennessee behind their defense more than their offense.
- QB John Meteer hasn’t looked the same post-injury — no passing TD vs. Tennessee and under 200 yards in two of his last three.
Why it matters:
This is a playoff-shaping game. Alabama wins and stays firmly in the top-four chase; Oklahoma needs a statement to re-enter the conversation.
Pick: Alabama -6 — Bama’s balance and Simpson’s efficiency are too much for a fading OU offense.
No. 17 USC at No. 21 Iowa Prediction
Line: USC -6.5. Total ~48.5.
Storyline:
- Iowa nearly stunned Oregon last week and has beaten Minnesota, Penn State, and Wisconsin — the defense continues to travel.
- USC has been a mixed bag with two ranked losses and another huge test on deck against Oregon next week.
- Jaden Maiava was sharp versus Northwestern — nearly 300 yards and three total scores.
- Both defenses can tighten games, and USC’s offense has been inconsistent against top-25 opponents.
Pick: Under 40.5 — I expect a tense, field-position-driven slog.
16 Georgia Tech at Boston College Prediction
Line: Georgia Tech -16.5. Total ~58.5.
Storyline:
- Georgia Tech QB Haynes King continues to dominate — he leads both teams in passing and rushing, with over 400 passing yards plus 100 rushing last week.
- King has at least one rushing touchdown in every game this season and just two interceptions all year.
- Boston College is winless (0–6) in the ACC and hasn’t tasted victory since Week 1.
- GT is using this as its final tune-up before two ranked opponents that will define their season.
Why it matters:
Georgia Tech needs a momentum-building blowout before the toughest stretch of its year. BC is reeling and vulnerable.
Pick: Georgia Tech -16.5 — King is too dynamic, and BC is too overwhelmed.
No. 10 Texas at No. 5 Georgia Prediction
Line: Georgia -6.5. Total ~50.5.
Storyline:
- Texas is resurging behind Arch Manning, who has topped 300 yards in two straight against Mississippi State and No. 9 Vanderbilt.
- Manning has six touchdowns to one pick in that stretch — the game has clearly slowed down for him.
- Georgia’s defense has shown cracks, giving up 20+ points in three straight, two of those to unranked teams.
- Both teams are fighting for playoff positioning in the SEC’s biggest Week 12 spotlight.
Why it matters:
A Texas win becomes a résumé anchor. A Georgia win keeps them entrenched in the top five. The loser takes a major playoff hit.
Pick: Texas +6.5 — Manning’s confidence plus Georgia’s defensive leaks make this a live dog spot.
