Week 12 of the college football season is upon us. With just a few weeks left in the regular season, there are a handful of matchups out there that have critical implications. Conference championship games are quickly approaching, and no shortage of drama awaits. Saturday brings us a jam-packed slate of college football action, and us bettors have plenty of options to consider.
Let’s take a look at some of our best bets for Week 12 of the college football season.
Oklahoma -3.5 over Iowa State
This line has moved all the way down from 6.5 to 3.5 in Oklahoma’s favor. There’s so much value in that movement. The Sooners are coming off their first loss of the season, as they fell on the road at Baylor last week by a score of 27-14. This has bounce-back written all over it for an Oklahoma team that needs to get it going. QB Caleb Williams threw for 400 yards and 6 touchdowns in a win against Texas Tech but then looked like a freshman last week against Baylor. The key here is not to be thrown off by Oklahoma’s performance last week. It was a tough matchup on the road against a Baylor team that plays historically well at home.
For Iowa State, star running back Breece Hall was shut down last week in a loss to Texas Tech and Brock Purdy threw 2 interceptions. Additionally, the defense gave up more than 500 yards of total offense and hasn’t looked the part of a typical Matt Campbell defense. Everything is still on the table for this Oklahoma team if it can win out, and it starts this week at home. Back the Sooners in this one.
Check out our full game preview for Iowa State Cyclones vs Oklahoma Sooners.
Syracuse/NC State under 51
Both Syracuse and NC State have put forth strong defensive efforts this season. Syracuse ranks 2nd in the ACC in total yards per game allowed (323.3), while NC State ranks 3rd (329.9). It also helps that this game is being played in Raleigh. The Wolfpack are allowing just 9.7 points per game at home this season, while the Orange have averaged just 20.6 points per game on the road. Syracuse will look to get their run game going early, but NC State has the best rushing defense in the ACC. They are allowing just 102.1 rushing yards per game. The Wolfpack will look to lean on their passing attack, but the Orange are allowing just 193.9 passing yards per game, which is 3rd in the ACC.
The offensive strengths of both teams play into the opposing defensive strengths, so this one could turn into a rock fight. The total has gone under in 6 of the last 7 games between these programs. In addition, the under has cashed in 3 of their last 4 meetings in Raleigh. Expect both offenses to struggle early and by the time either finds a rhythm, it will be too late and this total will have stayed under.
Check out our full game preview for Syracuse Orange vs NC State Wolfpack.
Oklahoma State -10.5 over Texas Tech
Conference opponents have now scored at least 38 points against Texas Tech in 4 of its 7 games, and the Raiders have given up a total of 90 in their last 2 games alone. Conversely, the Cowboys are dismantling opponents during their 3-game winning streak, prevailing by an average of nearly 40 points. With OSU anchored by one of the best defenses in the country, no opponent has managed to score more than 24 points.
As good as the defense is, the OSU offense isn’t too bad itself. The Cowboys have amassed at least 215 rushing yards in 4 of their past 6 contests, including an insane 447 just one week ago. They are 8-0 ATS after they failed to cover in their first 2 games of the season. They have also covered in every road game so far this year and are 7-0 ATS in their last 7 away from home dating back to last season. Texas Tech has shown flashes, but it has yet to cover in back-to-back contests in 2021 (covered last weekend). The Red Raiders are too inconsistent to trust against an Oklahoma State squad that has shown no signs of slowing down in recent games.
Check out our full game preview for Oklahoma State Cowboys vs Texas Tech Red Raiders.
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