College Football Picks Week 12: Odds and Spread Predictions for Top 25 Teams
The top teams in the land are not out of the woods just yet.
With the meat of conference play still underway, the best of the best continue to mow over one another in an effort to reach the inaugural College Football Playoff. For now, the CFP committee sees a clear trio of teams worthy of the honor, with the No. 4 TCU Horned Frogs the final surprise entrant.
Of course, that will all go up in flames in a matter of days when another chaotic week unfolds. The matchups are numerous, entertaining and ripe for savvy financial investment.
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Week 12 Top 25 Point Spreads and Predictions
| No. 1 Mississippi State at No. 5 Alabama | ALA -8 | Alabama |
| No. 3 Florida State at Miami | FSU -3 | Florida State |
| No. 4 TCU at Kansas | TCU -29 | TCU |
| No. 6 Arizona State at Oregon State | ASU -9 | Arizona State |
| No. 8 Ohio State at No. 25 Minnesota | OSU -14 | Ohio State |
| No. 9 Auburn at No. 15 Georgia | GA -2 | Auburn |
| No. 12 Michigan State at Maryland | MSU -12.5 | Michigan State |
| Washington at No. 14 Arizona | AZ -9 | Arizona |
| No. 16 Nebraska at No. 20 Wisconsin | WIS -6.5 | Nebraska |
| No. 17 LSU at Arkansas | ARK -2 | Arkansas |
| Northwestern at No. 18 Notre Dame | ND -17.5 | Northwestern |
| No. 19 Clemson at No. 22 Georgia Tech | CLEM -3 | Clemson |
| Virginia Tech at No. 21 Duke | DUKE -5.5 | Duke |
| No. 23 Utah at Stanford | STAN -7.5 | Utah |
| Missouri at No. 24 Texas A&M | A&M - 4.5 | Missouri |
Note: All odds, updated as of 3 p.m. ET on Nov. 13, are courtesy of Odds Shark. College Football Playoff Rankings via ESPN.com.
Upset Pick of the Week: Arkansas over No. 17 LSU
Perhaps it is too popular a notion that the LSU Tigers are set to take a dive on the road at the hands of the Arkansas Razorbacks.
After all, Las Vegas gives Bret Bielema's team the nod. So, apparently, does one Kirk Herbstreit:
Popular or not, the notion makes sense, especially when one sprinkles in a little bit of history provided by SEC Network:
LSU is coming off a tough loss at the hands of Alabama. The vaunted Tigers defense, which still ranks fifth in the nation, allowed a field goal with three seconds left in regulation and then proceeded to allow the game-winning touchdown in overtime.
"This football team is made up of quality people and guys with character," LSU coach Les Miles said, per The Associated Press, via ESPN.com. "They will be fighters. We will try to improve as a team like always. We want to play ourselves into a (bowl) game of significance. That very next game of significance will be Arkansas in its stadium."
The situation is certainly not as dire for the Razorbacks. Bielema and Co. enter Saturday's contest off a bye week. Before that, they took No. 1 Mississippi State down to the wire on the road.
Arkansas touts the No. 17 rushing offense in the nation thanks to 248.2 yards per game on the ground. The attack is led by Jonathan Williams (877 yards, 10 touchdowns), Alex Collins (840, 10) and a host of others.
The problem for the Tigers is not only the rushing attack but also the fact that if they fall behind on the road, the offense will need to lean on quarterback Anthony Jennings, who has been anything but reliable while completing just 47.1 percent of his passes with nine touchdowns and six interceptions.
Quarterback issues, a recent crushing loss and a road affair spell doom for the Tigers.
Prediction: Razorbacks 24, Tigers 20
Lock of the Week: No. 4 TCU over Kansas
Hats off to TCU, as the program was able to get a cupcake Big 12 showdown lined up right after a brutal stretch.
The Horned Frogs took down West Virginia two weekends ago and then thumped Kansas State 41-20 last week. Right now, it appears as if Gary Patterson's team is on its way to a conference title.
All that stands in TCU's way this week is Kansas.
The Jayhawks are 3-6 this season, with their trio of wins coming against Southeast Missouri State (4-6, OVC), Central Michigan (6-4, MAC) and Iowa State (2-7, Big 12). Clint Bowen's team ranks 121st nationally in scoring at 18.2 points per game and 90th defensively with 30.0 points allowed per game on average.
It sounds bad, but understand that this will not necessarily be a walk in the park for TCU. This Jayhawks team gave the Horned Frogs some serious issues last year before eventually losing by 10.
The Jayhawks, led by quarterback Michael Cummings (1,160 yards, five touchdowns, two interceptions), have been able to hang tough against a number of quality opponents this season, as noted by a 27-20 loss to Oklahoma State in mid-October.
Still, one has to think the Horned Frogs will be gunning to make a statement in order to impress those in charge of the CFP. Baylor is hot on their heels and owns the head-to-head result this season.
As a result, expect Trevone Boykin (2,691 passing yards, 23 touchdowns, four interceptions, 546 rushing yards, seven touchdowns) and the Horned Frogs to come out firing on all cylinders and never let their foot off the pedal.
Prediction: Horned Frogs 45, Jayhawks 17
Stats and information via ESPN.com unless otherwise specified.
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