College Football: Week 12 Predictions

Penn State vs. Indiana

Penn State were attacked for being ultra-conservative at Iowa, and replaying the game in my head (which I have done repeatedly), I’d probably agree.

As Pat Forde says in his “The Dash” column, they also had 35 yards of penalties, including a monster 15-yarder by Anthony Scirotto right at the death.

Against Indiana, who are once again the Big Ten’s whipping boys after managing to avoid that tag last year, there is no room for that sort of thing. Expect Penn State to win big.

VERDICT: Penn State by 30

Mississippi State vs Alabama

Alabama didn’t impress me as much against an overrated LSU in the same way at Texas Tech did against Oklahoma, but against a Mississippi State side that’s dreadful in both passing and rushing (99th and 92nd, respectively), expect Alabama in a cakewalk.

VERDICT: ‘Bama by 21

USC vs. Stanford

Last year, Stanford shocked the nation by taking down USC at the Coliseum. This year no-one in the world will be shocked if USC stuff Stanford on their own turf. Expect revenge to be served, and USC Song Girls once again to wear the pretty little smile.

VERDICT: USC by 30

California vs. Oregon State

The BCS might not love Oregon State, but the Beavers are winning the Pac-10 at the moment and looking good, too. Jacquizz Rodgers (USC fans will remember him) is a very competent running back, and Sean Canfield has been a pretty good QB replacement for Lyle Moveao.

Cal, on the other side, were beaten (yet again) by SC on Saturday and have been really rather mediocre all season long. This one should be cracker.

VERDICT: Oregon State by 3

Georgia vs. Auburn

At the start of the season, this game would have had everything. College Gameday would have been there. The fans would have been wild. But both sides have underperformed (Auburn severely so) this year, and won’t be in the SEC (or the National) Title game.

Expect Georgia to win, if only because Auburn hasn’t learned how to score more than one touchdown a game yet.

VERDICT: Georgia by 21

South Carolina vs. Florida

The last time this game was played in Gainsville, Florida won on a blocked field goal, a win that had Steve Spurrier once again throwing his visor around.

With South Carolina actually ranked this year despite having a pretty inept passing game, the Gamecocks return to Gainsville, where the fourth-ranked Gators are red hot. Expect Spurrier & Co to be Gator bait.

VERDICT: Florida makes a statement, wins by 30

Texas vs. Kansas

The way both teams were playing at the start of the year, this looked for sure like a top-of-the-table Big XII South vs. Big XII North match-up. Although Texas has been pretty great all season long (apart from the start and end of their game against Texas Tech), KU hasn’t, falling apart at South Florida and last week on the road to Nebraska.

VERDICT: Texas by 30

Notre Dame vs. Navy

It’s important for college football to have a good Notre Dame team. It’s important for Notre Dame haters to have a weak Notre Dame team, and vice-versa. Charlie Weis takes up the role of offensive playcaller in an effort to calm a worsening Jimmy Clausen, but how will they do against a Navy side that has won five out of their last six games?

VERDICT: A classic game, with the Pope happier than the Admiral when all is said and done. Notre Dame 28, Navy 26

North Carolina vs. Maryland

Again, we ask the question: which Maryland will turn up today?

VERDICT: It won’t matter if it’s the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles the Terrapins put out on Saturday, they’re going down. UNC by 21.