2025 Week 12 College Football Picks, Predictions for Every Game
All over the country, the margins are thinning.
Just three weekends remain in the 2025 regular season, and the pressure of the College Football Playoff race is mounting. Every win is valuable, but every loss can range from problematic to devastating.
Conferences races take center stage in Week 12, especially in the SEC. Oklahoma plays at Alabama, and Texas travels to Georgia. Throw in Texas A&M and Ole Miss hosting the thorny defenses of South Carolina and Florida, respectively, and the nation's powerhouse conference is ready for a huge Saturday.
Additionally, there's a Top 25 clash between Notre Dame and Pitt with plenty of impactful games in league races—including USF and Navy in the American.
Rankings are based on the AP Top 25 due to publish time.
Click here for the latest college football game predictions.
Top Matchups for Week 12
1 of 5
No. 9 Notre Dame (7-2) at No. 23 Pitt (7-2), Noon ET
Since making the switch to freshman quarterback Mason Heintschel, Pitt has rattled off five straight wins and scored 30-plus points in each one. Pitt also is atop the country at 2.4 yards allowed per rush attempt. Notre Dame is facing a serious test—one it should pass, but might be strained doing so.
Prediction: Notre Dame 31, Pitt 23
No. 25 South Florida (7-2) at Navy (7-2), Noon
In back-to-back losses, red-zone issues have plagued Navy. Only two of its six prime chances have ended with a touchdown. If that trend continues against USF, which has yielded a modest 55.3 red-zone TD rate, what should be a high-scoring contest may shift toward a blowout.
Prediction: USF 42, Navy 28
No. 11 Oklahoma (7-2) at No. 4 Alabama (8-1), 3:30 p.m.
Oklahoma forced three turnovers in a tight win over Tennessee after managing zero takeaways in a close loss to Ole Miss. Those results aren't that simple, but the difference is very meaningful. Bama has encountered some recent fumbling issues yet hasn't finished with a negative margin this season. Whether OU can snap that streak will probably shape the outcome.
Prediction: Alabama 26, Oklahoma 20
Iowa (6-3) at No. 17 USC (7-2), 3:30 p.m.
After being so painfully close to upsetting Oregon, can Iowa shake the disappointment on the road? That seems like a tough ask, even as USC presents a "spoiler" opportunity for the Hawkeyes once again. USC is perfect at home in 2025.
Prediction: USC 27, Iowa 16
No. 10 Texas (7-2) at No. 5 Georgia (8-1), 7:30 p.m.
In a rematch of last year's SEC Championship Game, Georgia has a chance to eliminate Texas from this season's race. One major concern on Texas' side is the defense, once viewed as a lockdown group, just ceded 38 points to Mississippi State and 31 to Vanderbilt. That decline is not a good sign entering a trip to Athens.
Prediction: Georgia 30, Texas 24
Weekday Games
2 of 5
Clemson (4-5) at No. 19 Louisville (7-2), Friday, 7:30 p.m. ET
The weekly Clemson guessing game is a bit more dramatic in Week 12, given the stakes for Louisville. Which version of Clemson—both offensively and defensively—will travel? That uncertainty is enough for me stick with Louisville at home, but Clemson should make it uncomfortable.
Prediction: Louisville 27, Clemson 24
Minnesota (6-3) at No. 7 Oregon (8-1), Friday, 9 p.m. ET
Road games have flummoxed Minnesota. So far, the Gophers are 0-3 with a combined score differential of 110-20. Not, uh—not exactly an encouraging stat prior to facing a top-10 opponent that boasts an elite defense.
Prediction: Oregon 38, Minnesota 10
Buffalo (5-4) at Central Michigan (5-4), Wednesday, 7 p.m.
Prediction: CMU 23, Buffalo 20
Northern Illinois (2-7) at Massachusetts (0-9), Wednesday, 7 p.m.
Prediction: NIU 27, UMass 17
Toledo (5-4) at Miami (Ohio) (5-4), Wednesday, 7 p.m.
Prediction: Miami 24, Toledo 23
Troy (6-3) at Old Dominion (6-3), Thursday, 7:30 p.m.
Prediction: ODU 30, Troy 24
Saturday Early Games
3 of 5
Wisconsin (3-6) at No. 2 Indiana (10-0), Noon ET
Following a perfectly nonsensical upset of Washington, Wisconsin will probably tumble back to reality. I think it's fair to say that a punter leading your team in passing yards is not a sustainable way to win.
Prediction: Indiana 37, Wisconsin 14
South Carolina (3-6) at No. 3 Texas A&M (9-0), Noon
Although it wasn't necessarily a gauntlet, consecutive trips to Arkansas, LSU and Missouri were no cakewalk for Texas A&M. Finally, the Aggies are back in the comfort of Kyle Field. South Carolina has hung around throughout SEC play, but its offense hasn't cracked 400 yards all season.
Prediction: Texas A&M 31, South Carolina 13
No. 18 Michigan (7-2) vs. Northwestern (5-4), Noon (in Chicago)
At the friendly confines of Wrigley Field, Michigan needs a win to remain a factor in the Big Ten. Northwestern hasn't scored more than 22 points against a Big Ten opponent all season, so the defense-led Wolverines are a clear favorite.
Prediction: Michigan 27, Northwestern 17
Arizona (6-3) at Cincinnati (7-2), Noon
Prediction: Cincinnati 34, Arizona 28
Kansas State (4-5) at Oklahoma State (1-8), Noon
Prediction: Kansas State 31, Oklahoma State 20
UTSA (4-5) at Charlotte (1-8), Noon
Prediction: UTSA 37, Charlotte 21
Air Force (3-6) at Connecticut (7-3), Noon
Prediction: UConn 35, Air Force 24
Eastern Michigan (3-7) at Ball State (4-5), Noon
Prediction: Ball State 23, EMU 20
Arkansas (2-7) at LSU (5-4), 12:45 p.m.
Prediction: LSU 26, Arkansas 23
West Virginia (4-6) at Arizona State (6-3), 1 p.m.
Prediction: ASU 28, WVU 24
Oregon State (2-8) at Tulsa (2-7), 1 p.m.
Prediction: Tulsa 23, Oregon State 19
Tennessee Tech (10-0) at Kentucky (4-5), 1:30 p.m.
Prediction: Kentucky 31, Tennessee Tech 21
North Texas (8-1) at UAB (3-6), 2 p.m.
Prediction: North Texas 42, UAB 21
Marshall (4-5) at Georgia State (1-8), 2 p.m.
Prediction: Marshall 34, Georgia State 27
UTEP (2-7) at Missouri State (6-3), 3 p.m.
Prediction: Missouri State 28, UTEP 23
Colorado State (2-7) at New Mexico (6-3), 3 p.m.
Prediction: New Mexico 31, CSU 20
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Saturday Afternoon Games
4 of 5
UCF (4-5) at No. 8 Texas Tech (9-1), 3:30 p.m. ET
Long known for its offensive prowess, Texas Tech has flipped the script as a dominant defensive team in 2025. Tech has surrendered more than 20 points just once, and UCF has surpassed that number only twice in Big 12 play.
Prediction: Texas Tech 30, UCF 14
No. 14 Georgia Tech (8-1) at Boston College (1-9), 3:30 p.m.
Boston College hasn't defeated an FBS school and is the fourth-worst run defense among power-conference teams. I will not be overthinking this one. If BC springs the upset, good for them!
Prediction: Georgia Tech 38, Boston College 17
North Carolina State (5-4) at No. 16 Miami (7-2), 3:30 p.m.
Two weeks ago, NC State racked up 583 yards in a 48-36 upset of then-unbeaten Georgia Tech. At their best—thanks to quarterback CJ Bailey—the Wolfpack are dynamic. The problem is NC State's defense has typically been a sieve. Miami must contain Bailey, but the 'Canes should be able to pick apart the Pack.
Prediction: Miami 36, NC State 29
No. 20 Virginia (8-2) at Duke (5-4), 3:30 p.m.
Duke is coming off a loss to UConn yet opened as the favorite, not in the least because Virginia QB Chandler Morris exited last Saturday's loss after a hit to the head. As long as he's available, though, UVA can snag a road victory.
Prediction: Virginia 31, Duke 27
Appalachian State (4-5) at No. 24 James Madison (8-1), 3:30 p.m.
Led by dual-threat QB Alonzo Barnett III, the Dukes have climbed into the Top 25. They should be able to cruise past an Appalachian State defense that has ceded at least 5.7 yards per play to six of its last seven opponents.
Prediction: JMU 42, App State 24
New Mexico State (4-5) at No. 21 Tennessee (6-3), 4:15 p.m.
While a blowout is the expectation, New Mexico State is a top-10 team nationally with 12 interceptions this year. You never know what a few turnovers can do.
Prediction: Tennessee 47, NMSU 17
Penn State (3-6) at Michigan State (3-6), 3:30 p.m.
Prediction: Penn State 23, MSU 20
Maryland (4-5) at Illinois (6-3), 3:30 p.m.
Prediction: Illinois 33, Maryland 23
Middle Tennessee (1-8) at Western Kentucky (7-2), 3:30 p.m.
Prediction: WKU 38, MTSU 20
San Jose State (3-6) at Nevada (1-8), 3:30 p.m.
Prediction: SJSU 30, Nevada 21
South Alabama (2-7) at Louisiana-Monroe (3-6), 3:30 p.m.
Prediction: ULM 26, South Alabama 24
Texas State (3-6) at Southern Miss (7-2), 3:30 p.m.
Prediction: Southern Miss 37, Texas State 31
Memphis (8-2) at East Carolina (6-3), 4 p.m.
Prediction: Memphis 34, ECU 30
Florida Atlantic (4-5) at Tulane (7-2), 4 p.m.
Prediction: Tulane 42, FAU 24
North Carolina (4-5) at Wake Forest (6-3), 4:30 p.m.
Prediction: Wake Forest 27, UNC 20
Liberty (4-5) at Florida International (4-5), 5 p.m.
Prediction: FIU 24, Liberty 23
Coastal Carolina (6-3) at Georgia Southern (4-5), 6 p.m.
Prediction: Georgia Southern 35, Coastal Carolina 31
Saturday Evening and Late Slate
5 of 5
Florida (3-6) at No. 6 Ole Miss (9-1), 7 p.m. ET
The dreaded "did they give up" question is looming around Florida, which got flat-out embarrassed in a 38-7 loss to a bad Kentucky team. I'm inclined to say the meltdown will inspire what's been a solid UF defense, even though that won't be enough to shock Ole Miss in its own building.
Prediction: Ole Miss 30, Florida 17
No. 15 Utah (7-2) at Baylor (5-4), 7 p.m.
Baylor's defense has largely been a mess, giving up 27-plus points in seven of the Bears' nine outings this season. For good reason, Utah is favored. But if Utah's strong secondary cracks opposite a deep Baylor pass-catching group, there's a definite path to an upset at home.
Prediction: Utah 31, Baylor 27
UCLA (3-6) at No. 1 Ohio State (9-0), 7:30 p.m.
It was fun while it lasted, right? UCLA's surge commanded some national headlines, but a loss to Nebraska followed a 50-point beatdown by Indiana. Ohio State has held all nine opponents to 16 points or below.
Prediction: Ohio State 45, UCLA 14
TCU (6-3) at No. 12 BYU (8-1), 10:15 p.m.
Timely defense seems destined to shape a result between two teams accustomed to playing close games. In short, I'll slide that edge to BYU because of how inefficient TCU's offense has been lately. It's not a comfortable projection, though.
Prediction: BYU 27, TCU 24
Purdue (2-8) at Washington (6-3), 7 p.m.
Prediction: Washington 34, Purdue 21
Delaware (5-4) at Sam Houston (1-8), 7 p.m.
Prediction: Delaware 30, Sam Houston 17
Utah State (5-4) at UNLV (7-2), 7 p.m.
Prediction: UNLV 36, Utah State 33
Virginia Tech (3-6) at Florida State (4-5), 7:30 p.m.
Prediction: Florida State 27, Virginia Tech 20
Mississippi State (5-5) at Missouri (6-3), 7:45 p.m.
Prediction: Missouri 31, Mississippi State 28
Kennesaw State (7-2) at Jacksonville State (6-3), 8 p.m.
Prediction: Jax State 29, Kennesaw State 24
Louisiana Tech (5-4) at Washington State (4-5), 10 p.m.
Prediction: Washington State 27, Louisiana Tech 16
Boise State (6-3) at San Diego State (7-2), 10:30 p.m.
Prediction: Boise State 20, SDSU 17
Wyoming (4-5) at Fresno State (6-3), 10:30 p.m.
Prediction: Fresno State 24, Wyoming 21
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