Week 11 was fantastic. Week 12 looks pretty tasty too. There are a lot of fantastic games to be played this weekend, with great potential to help provide yet more clarity to the season ending College Football Playoff race. As usual, the game of the week is taking place in the SEC West.
| Last Week: | 5-5 | (.500) |
| Season: | 73- 37 | (.664) |
2014 Week 12 CFB Game Picks
Mississippi State @ Alabama (Saturday, November 15th, 3:30 p.m., CBS)
Alabama would be on the outside looking into the playoffs, if the season ended today. It doesn’t. Nick Saban is angry, but his team has a chance to help soothe his rage. The Crimson Tide is a markedly different team at home, leading the nation in margin of victory when they play at Bryant-Denny Stadium. That’s bad news for the Bulldogs.
Pick: Alabama 35, Mississippi State 30
Ohio State @ Minnesota (Saturday, November 15th, 12:00 p.m., ABC)
The Buckeyes got a huge resume boost with last week’s win at Michigan State. Young J.T. Barrett is playing really, really well, as is the rest of OSU’s offense. Under normal circumstances, this would be a potential letdown situation. Don’t count on that being the case this weekend.
Pick: OSU 42, Minnesota 24
Virginia Tech @ Duke (Saturday, November 15th, 12:00 p.m., ESPNU)
Duke has not yet won the favor of the CFP committee, ranking as one of the lowest 1-loss teams from a Power 5 conference. To be fair to the committee, Duke’s slate has been pretty lackluster. To be fair to the Blue Devils, though, they keep winning their conference games. Expect them to notch another victory at home, keeping them on track to win the ACC Coastal.
Pick: Duke 28, Virginia Tech 14
Clemson @ Georgia Tech (Saturday, November 15th, 12:00 p.m., ESPN)
Clemson is another team that seems to have righted the ship after a painful early loss to Georgia, and some very tough injuries to key personnel. The Tigers are playing well lately, and visit Paul Johnson’s surprising Georgia Tech team. Expect the better defense to prevail in this one.
Pick: Clemson 28, Georgia Tech 25
Nebraska @ Wisconsin (Saturday, November 15th, 3:30 p.m., ABC)
This knockout game in the B1G West is a fitting follow-up to last weeks game between the two leaders in the East. Key question mark in this one is Ameer Abdullah’s health. Nebraska figures to struggle mightily if its best player is not at or near 100%. We know that MGIII will be ready to run, as he continues his pursuit of a magical 2,000 yard season. I like Bucky at home in this one.
Pick: Wisconsin 31, Nebraska 20
Washington @ Arizona (Saturday, November 15th, 3:30 p.m., FOX)
Arizona remains within shouting distance of the PAC-12 South title, with big games yet to come against Utah and Arizona State. Washington has played well at times, but figures to finish in the conference’s lower division this year. Expect the team with more still to play for—and playing at home—to get it done on Saturday.
Pick: Arizona 45, Washington 28
Auburn @ Georgia (Saturday, November 15st, 7:15 p.m., ESPN)
Boy has this game lost some of its luster in the last couple of weeks. Auburn did everything but win last week’s game at home against the Aggies, and Georgia stubbed its toe two weeks ago in one of the most surprising results of this 2014 season. Both teams figure to be CFP long-shots at this point, so this is going to be a fascinating game to watch unfold. I think Auburn is better and would win on a neutral field, but I think Georgia will bolster its hopes to still win the SEC East between the hedges in Athens.
Pick: Georgia 31, Auburn 28
Florida State @ Miami (Saturday, November 15th, 8:00 p.m. ABC)
Jimbo Fisher should send a fruit basket to the CFP committee for handling his motivational duties for this weekend’s contest. Miami has been playing well, with Brad Kaaya growing up nicely as the season progresses. Don’t expect the Noles to lose this one, though, and expect them to play for the full 60 minutes against their cross-state rival.
Pick: Florida State 48, Miami 31
LSU @ Arkansas (Saturday, November 15th, 8:00 p.m., ESPN2)
Last week’s OT loss in Death Valley had to be very dispiriting for Les Miles’ young squad. How will they handle going on the road to face the Hogs? Can Bret Bielema finally get that elusive first SEC win? Nope. Gimme the Bayou Bengals.
Pick: LSU 28, Arkansas 17
Utah @ Stanford (Saturday, November 15th, 6:00 p.m., PAC12N)
Utah got trucked last week by the speedy Ducks at home, and lost yet more key players to injury in the process. Stanford’s offense has struggled all year long against quality defenses, and Utah’s unit certainly is another one. Stanford’s D still leads the conference in yards-per-play yielded, though, and the Cardinal are at home, on Senior Day, coming off a bye. Expect Stanford to grind out an ugly win to gain bowl eligibility.
Pick: Stanford 25, Utah 20
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