Each week, I will use this space to tell you what are a few of the best bets heading into the weekend. I will also throw in an upset of the week, in which a team that is at least a touchdown underdog will be picked to win outright.
I will also give you picks on other games involving potential College Football Playoff teams. There may be scenarios for teams I am not listing that get them CFP consideration, but I do not consider them likely.
I went 1-2 again last week to drop to 16-17 overall. The upset special wasn't special ... again ... so it is now 3-8 straight up and 4-7 ATS.
Here are the best bets for Week 12 with odds from Caesars Sportsbook.
Week 12 Picks
No. 7 Michigan State at No. 4 Ohio State
Ohio State and Purdue combined for 90 points last week, and Purdue has a competent defense. Michigan State, on the other hand, has the worst pass defense in the FBS. Good luck shutting down C.J. Stroud and his stable of future NFL receivers. The Spartans' offense will likely reach the 30-point plateau as well. This may hit the over early. Pick: Over (66.5)
Illinois at No. 17 Iowa
These are two of the worst offenses in the nation, not just the Big Ten. Iowa has turned to backup quarterback Alex Padilla to try to change its fortunes. The Hawkeyes were syphoning turnovers to fuel their offense, but those haven't been in abundance lately. And Illinois will be without coach Bret Bielema due to a positive COVID-19 test. Fun. Pick: Under (38.5)
North Texas at FIU (+10)
I liked this line before FIU coach Butch Davis went scorched earth on the entire administration after being told he would not be returning. North Texas was won three straight, most recently knocking off UTEP at home. FIU has been a hot mess all season and hasn't played anyone within 10 points since the end of September. Pick: North Texas -10
Upset of the Week
Auburn at South Carolina
Blowing a 28-3 lead to Mississippi State hurt Auburn in more ways than one. The Tigers will be without quarterback Bo Nix for the rest of the season due to an ankle injury. They will also have to replace kicker Anders Carlson, who tore his ACL. Now, Auburn heads to South Carolina to face a team that trounced Florida the last time they played at home. I think the Gamecocks have one more upset in them. Pick: South Carolina (+240)
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Other CFP candidates
- No. 21 Arkansas at No. 2 Alabama Pick: Alabama (-21)
- No. 3 Oregon at No. 23 Utah Pick: Utah (-3)
- SMU at No. 5 Cincinnati Pick: SMU (+11.5)
- No. 6 Michigan at Maryland Pick: Michigan (-15)
- Georgia Tech at No. 8 Notre Dame Pick: Notre Dame (-17)
- No. 9 Oklahoma State at Texas Tech Pick: Oklahoma State (-10.5)
- No. 10 Wake Forest at Clemson Pick: Wake Forest (+4)
- Iowa State at No. 13 Oklahoma Pick: Iowa State (+4)
Which college football picks can you make with confidence in Week 12, and which College Football Playoff contender will go down hard? Visit SportsLine to see which teams will win and cover the spread -- all from a proven computer model that has returned almost $3,500 in profit over the past five-plus seasons -- and find out.
