College Football Week 12 has quite a slate of games including some matchups of unbeatens in the Big Ten and Bedlam in the Big 12. Here is a look at some of those games to keep an eye on throughout the day.
Indiana vs. Ohio State
Date: Saturday, Nov. 21
Time: 12:00 PM (EST)
TV: FOX
Spread: Ohio State -20.5
Indiana and Ohio State play in what essentially is a playoff game to get into the Big Ten Championship game and potentially the College Football Playoff. The Hoosiers a have been the feel-good story of college football this year entering the top for the first time in over 50 years. They have a balanced offense led by the receiving duo of Whop Philyor and Ty Fryfogle and an opportunistic defense that has consistently turned over their opponents. The Hoosiers will need to play their best game yet against an Ohio State team that looks dominant once again. Quarterback Justin Fields has been setting the world on fire, and talent across the board is undeniable. The Hoosiers will keep this one close throughout, but Ohio State simply will have too much fire power on offense and keep its foot on the gas in what might be its only top-10 matchup of the year.
Prediction: Ohio State wins 45-27
Clemson vs. Florida State
Date: Saturday, Nov. 21
Time: Noon ET
TV: ABC
Spread: Clemson -34.5
The return of Trevor Lawrence is great news for Clemson as it looks to rebound from its loss to Notre Dame. The Tigers are still in the playoff race, but they will have to be perfect the rest of the way. Fortunately for Clemson fans, they get a Florida State team that appears to be in free fall. The Seminoles dropped another game last week to NC State, still cannot find a quarterback and have lost two of their best players in Marvin Wilson and Tamorrion Terry in back to back weeks. Even though Lawrence has looked sharp throughout the year, he likely will see some extended playing time in this one to give him and his receivers some more reps to get back on the same page after a three-week layoff. Clemson wins this one in a blowout with Lawrence reigniting his Heisman campaign.
Prediction: Clemson wins 55-24
Wisconsin vs. Northwestern
Date: Saturday, Nov. 21
Time: 3:30 p.m. ET
TV: ABC
Spread: Wisconsin -7
A playoff game for Big Ten West supremacy, Wisconsin and Northwestern meet for their annual rock fight at Ryan Field on Saturday. Wisconsin is first in the Big Ten defense allowing only 218.5 yards and nine points per game while Northwestern follows close behind at 301 and 14, respectively. Wisconsin may still have a couple COVID absences, but its dominant performance at Michigan last week showed it has plenty of depth and playmakers to overcome adversity at nearly any position. Northwestern meanwhile has shown a significant improvement on last year’s 3-9 record and will look to get back to its Week 1 offensive performance that saw it hitting on all cylinders. The Wildcats always give the Badgers a tough game and have knocked off Wisconsin in recent years, but the Badgers defense is the best Northwestern has seen this year and should hold the Wildcat offense at bay for most of the game. With Graham Mertz giving the Badgers offense balance, they should be able to take this one albeit in a close one.
Prediction: Wisconsin wins 28-20
Cincinnati vs. UCF
Date: Saturday, Nov. 21
Time: 3:30 p.m. ET
TV: ESPN
Spread: Cincinnati -5.5
The Cincinnati Bearcats take their undefeated record to the Bounce House in what looks to be the biggest threat to them running the table in 2021. The Bearcats have played excellent complementary football this year leading the AAC in rushing on offense and both points and yards allowed on defense. They will have their hands full with a UCF offense that has been unstoppable throwing the ball averaging 619.1 yards per game on offense and nearly 400 yards per game in passing offense both of which are good for first nationally. The challenge will be with the UCF defense and if it can get its offense on the field. Both offenses will put up their fair share of points, but the rushing offense of the Bearcats and just enough pass game from Desmond Ridder will be the difference in this one.
Prediction: Cincinnati wins 48-39
Kansas State vs. Iowa State
Date: Saturday, Nov. 21
Time: 4 p.m.
TV: FOX
Spread: Iowa State -11
Kansas State heads to Iowa State in a crucial game for both teams Big 12 Conference championship hopes. This game looks like it could be in jeopardy due to some COVID concerns at Kansas State. Regardless, the Wildcats were likely going to be shorthanded in this one after getting bit by the injury bug the past few games. The Cyclones meanwhile must win this game to stay in the driver’s seat in the Big 12. The defense has been as promised, but the offense has been hit or miss for Iowa State thus far. Brock Purdy needs to have a good game in this one not only for the Cyclones to pull off the win, but also to get him in a groove for a stretch run that features tough matchups with Texas and West Virginia ahead. Kansas State will play hard and keep it close with Iowa State, but the Cyclones simply are the deeper team with better offensive weapons and will take this one over in the second half.
Prediction: Iowa State wins 31-20
Virginia Tech vs. Pitt
Date: Saturday, Nov. 21
Time: 4 p.m. ET
TV: ACCN
Spread: Virginia Tech -3.5
A battle of good on good, Virginia Tech takes its explosive offense to matchup with a stellar Pitt defense. Both teams need a win here to solidify their status as potential bowl teams and build some momentum to end the season. Virginia Tech needs to find some more consistency in its passing game if it hopes to move the ball against a stout Pitt defensive line. Pitt meanwhile needs to find its own offense that consistently has been given excellent field position this year but failed to take advantage of it. The game within the game will be watching Christian Darrishaw, the outstanding offensive tackle for Virginia Tech, hold up in pass protection against the duo of Rashad Weaver and Patrick Jones. Ultimately Tech will pull this one out with a late touchdown in what will be a defensive minded game.
Prediction: Virginia Tech wins 27-24
Oklahoma State vs. Oklahoma
Date: Saturday, Nov. 21
Time: 7:30 p.m. ET
TV: ABC
Spread: Oklahoma -7
More than just a game, it is Bedlam and likely a trip to the Big 12 championship game on the line. Typically an offensive battle this version of Bedlam could turn into more of a defensive struggle with the Cowboys allowing a league-best 17.8 points per game and the Sooners not far behind at 24.4 points per game. The Sooners will likely lean on the arm of Spencer Rattler and try to force Oklahoma State into an offensive game and away from its rushing attack led by the two-headed-monster of Chuba Hubbard and LD Brown. The Pokes however will try to burn clock and wear down the defensive front of the Sooners while playing complementary defense on the other side. It will be the defense that gets the Pokes the win in this one creating a couple extra possessions for their offense to score just enough to hold off the Sooners.
Prediction: Oklahoma State wins 41-34
Photo courtesy of IUHoosiers.com
Keep the conversation going by reaching out to Nick Larson on Twitter.
