College Football Week 12: Predictions for Biggest Games of the Week
The regular season is winding down, which means conference championships and bowl games are awaiting.
Week 12 is about to kick off in college football, and there are still plenty of great matchups worth watching. Oregon, Auburn and TCU have off weeks, but others like LSU and Stanford are about to face bitter rivals who could easily pull off upsets.
And that is the theme in this week's selection of biggest games to watch. Pay attention to the upset.
But there are other storylines to follow.
Utah will look to bounce back from its loss to Notre Dame against a very tough San Diego State squad.
Baylor's already bowl bound, but a win over Oklahoma would be its biggest of the season.
And watch LSU, which could seek to avenge last year's embarrassing loss to Ole Miss.
No need to spoil it. Let's get at it, and take a look at the 10 biggest games of the week.
10. Utah at San Diego State
1 of 10
The Lowdown: The Utes (8-2) are in second place in the Mountain West Conference at 5-1, while the Aztecs (7-3) are tied for third with BYU at 4-2. San Diego State almost knocked off TCU last week in a 40-35 loss, and could get a second chance to knock off a conference power this week. The Utes are coming off an awful performance against Notre Dame, which saw them finish with 265 total yards and 11 penalties for 70 yards.
Why Utah Will Win: The Utes defense needs to return to what it's capable of, and force turnovers like it did against Air Force. Utah's offense has been non-existent in its two losses, scoring only a field goal against Notre Dame and finishing with 199 total yards against TCU. But if it gets back on track, Utah should be just fine.
Why San Diego State Will Win: The Aztecs offense could be problematic. San Diego State is averaging just over 420 total yards per game, and Ryan Lindley (pictured) showed last week he can make plays if given the opportunity.
Prediction: San Diego State 35, Utah 28.
The Aztecs do what they couldn't last week, and knock off a top 25 team.
9. Stanford at Cal
2 of 10
The Lowdown: While it's been a great season so far for the Cardinal, this matchup isn't a favorable one. Stanford's lost seven of the last eight games against the Bears, including four straight in Berkeley. Cal gets another chance this week to knock off an elite opponent, after almost beating No.1 Oregon in last week's 15-13 loss.
Why Stanford Will Win: You've got to like Stanford's chances just because of quarterback Andrew Luck, who is 17-5 over the past two seasons. Stanford also hasn't trailed at the half and leads the nation in third down conversions at 58 percent. The Cardinal is also third in the Pac 10 in scoring defense, allowing 20 points per game.
Why Cal Will Win: The Bears are averaging nearly 343 total yards per game, and the defense showed it is capable of containing talented offenses by holding Oregon to just a touchdown in the first half last week. Cal can't expect to pull the upset here, though, if it finishes with just 193 total yards like it did against the Ducks.
Prediction: Stanford 24, Cal 14.
The Bears will keep it close, but watch the Cardinal pull away in the fourth.
8. Missouri at Iowa State
3 of 10
The Lowdown: On the surface, you look at this and say it doesn't look like much, right? But the Cyclones (5-6) have already given Nebraska fits in a 31-30 overtime loss and finished with 348 total yards against Utah. Now they get a chance to close out Big 12 play against a Tigers team that had 440 total yards in last week's 38-28 win over Kansas State.
Why Missouri Will Win: The Tigers have the talent and should be able to win big, but need improvement from a defense that's given up lots of yards and big plays in its last three games.
Why Iowa State Will Win: The Cyclones need to attack quarterback Blaine Gabbert like they did when they faced Texas, and forced Garrett Gilbert to throw three interceptions. Iowa State's offense should also have a chance at a big day. Kansas State finished with 422 total yards, but killed itself with four turnovers, three of them lost.
Prediction: Missouri 35, Iowa State 31.
The Cyclones will make this interesting, and the Tigers will give up huge yards but hold on for a win.
.jpg?w=256 "Ohio State Team Doctor")
7. Florida State at Maryland
4 of 10
The Lowdown: It's a key ACC matchup for both teams, who still have a shot at the conference championship game. Maryland (7-3) scored 21 points in the fourth quarter and came from behind to defeat Virginia 42-23 last week, while Florida State (7-3) defeated Clemson 16-13. The Seminoles snapped a two-game losing streak, and have a half game lead over Maryland and North Carolina State. The Terrapins will be sporting a different look for this game, wearing black and desert camoflauge uniforms from Under Armour to support the Wounded Warrior Project.
Why Florida State Will Win: The Seminoles need more production from the offense, and could lean on a defense that is giving up just under 111 yards rushing per game, second best in the ACC. If this game gets close, Dustin Hopkins proved he's capable of big kicks with a game-winning 55 yard field goal as time expired last week against Clemson.
Why Maryland Will Win: The Terrapins are 4-0 at home this season, and have done well protecting the ball, with just eight turnovers this season. Maryland also has a big playmaker in wide receiver Torrey Smith, who is third in the ACC in all-purpose yards with 114.7 per game.
Prediction: Maryland 21, Florida State 20.
The Terps ride the momentum from last week's victory and stay undefeated at home.
6. Wisconsin at Michigan
5 of 10
The Lowdown: At 9-1, the Badgers are sitting atop the Big Ten with Michigan State and Ohio State, who each have the same records. Wisconsin has split its meetings with both schools, and now needs to avoid any letdown against the Wolverines. Michigan quarterback Denard Robinson finished with 244 total yards last week against Purdue, giving him 3,407 on the season, which surpasses John Navarre's (3,240) previous record from 2003.
Why Wisconsin Will Win: Just keep doing what you're doing. Wisconsin's 40 points per game is eighth best in the nation, and the running back duo of John Clay and James White have combined for 24 touchdowns this year.
Why Michigan Will Win: It would be huge if the Wolverines could get another early play from its defense like it did last week against Purdue, when Cameron Gordon's 58 yard fumble recovery gave the team an early 7-0 lead. Michigan needs to also make sure Robinson gets loose and avoid excessive penalties and turnovers.
Prediction: Wisconsin 42, Michigan 21.
Robinson will get his yards, but it won't be enough to pull off the upset.
5. Arkansas at Mississippi State
6 of 10
The Lowdown: This could end up being a pretty good game between the two SEC West teams. Arkansas (8-2) sits right above the Bulldogs with a 4-2 record, while Mississippi State (7-3) is 3-3. The Razorbacks certainly have the edge in talent, but keep in mind that the Bulldogs gave Auburn a test early this year in a 17-14 loss.
Why Arkansas Will Win: Ryan Mallett. The Razorbacks quarterback has thrown for 2,967 yards and 24 touchdowns and leads an offense that is averaging nearly 344 yards passing per game.
Why Mississippi State Will Win: If the Bulldogs are to have any chance, they need to keep Arkansas from making big plays, something that Alabama gashed them on in last week's 30-10 victory.
Prediction: Arkansas 38, Mississippi State 14.
The Bulldogs stay competitive, but the Razorbacks will take them apart with a big second half.
4. Nebraska at Texas A&M
7 of 10
The Lowdown: The Cornhuskers (9-1) could either make this a blowout, or the Aggies (7-3) could turn this into the latest of a string of impressive performances. Texas A&M has knocked off Oklahoma and Baylor in consecutive weeks, and played right with Oklahoma State and Arkansas in close losses.
Why Nebraska Will Win: Quarterback Taylor Martinez needs to protect the football and be efficient, and the defense needs to build off last week's win over Kansas, which saw the Cornhuskers hold them to five first downs and 87 total yards.
Why Texas A&M Will Win: The defense needs to keep improving, and if Ryan Tannehill can keep making plays, then you have to like the Aggies' chances.
Prediction: Texas A&M 41, Nebraska 35.
Mike Sherman's team has the playmakers to pull this off, so this really wouldn't be too shocking.
3. Ohio State at Iowa
8 of 10
The Lowdown: The Buckeyes (9-1) need to keep winning to keep pace in the Big Ten with Michigan State and Wisconsin. They'll face a Hawkeyes team that is seeking to rebound from a shocking 21-17 loss to Northwestern.
Why Ohio State Will Win: The Buckeyes' offense is among the nation's highest scoring units and boast one of the best players in quarterback Terrelle Pryor.
Why Iowa Will Win: The Hawkeyes defense is allowing 15 points per game, and need more from its ground game, which had only 101 yards against the Wildcats. Iowa quarterback Ricky Stanzi has thrown for 2,482 yards this year, and has only four interceptions.
Prediction: Ohio State 24, Iowa 17.
Pryor and the Buckeyes have an efficient, workmanlike outing.
2. Oklahoma at Baylor
9 of 10
The Lowdown: The Sooners have two big road games remaining on their schedule, beginning with Robert Griffin and the Baylor Bears (7-4). In last week's 42-30 loss to Texas A&M, Baylor finished with 503 total yards.
Why Oklahoma Will Win: The Sooners have all the talent to compete with anyone, but can't avoid costly mistakes and letdowns that were obvious against Missouri and Texas A&M.
Why Baylor Will Win: The Bears and Griffin need to stay the course on offense, and need to keep the Sooners from making big plays.
Prediction: Oklahoma 45, Baylor 42.
Hang on, because something tells me this game could be entertaining.
1. Ole Miss at LSU
10 of 10
The Lowdown: Yes, the Tigers (9-1) are one of college football's best programs this year, and the Rebels (4-6) aren't. But this is a huge rivalry game (Ole Miss players once smoked cigars on the Tiger Stadium field after one victory), and Rebels coach Houston Nutt has caused plenty of troubles for the Tigers since his days at Arkansas. He also pulled off a shocking upset last year that left many fans calling for LSU's Les Miles to be fired.
Why Ole Miss Will Win: They've got absolutely nothing to lose, and Nutt's coaching ability in this matchup will be a factor. Bank on it.
Why LSU Will Win: Better talent, from top to bottom, and a coach who's not afraid to gamble at the craziest times possible.
Prediction: LSU 35, Ole Miss 7.
The Tigers get a little payback and pound on the Rebels.
.jpg?w=480 "Ohio State Team Doctor")
