College Football Week 12 Expert Picks: Saturday's Best CFB Bets
With a Saturday slate highlighted by an SEC matchup that will impact the College Football Playoff, we make our Week 12 college football expert picks for the top games.
- In the most important game on Saturday, College Football Playoff odds contenders Georgia and Tennessee clash
- Led by Heisman Trophy odds favorite Travis Hunter, Colorado has a must-win game against Utah as the Buffaloes push for a spot in the CFP
- College football championship odds favorites Ohio State and Texas both take on conference opponents on the road
Our experts make their best bets for the can't-miss matchups this Saturday as part of our Week 12 college football predictions.
College football expert picks for Week 12
College football odds subject to change. See all of our college football picks for more on this week's top matchups.
| Matchup | Rob Paul | C Jackson Cowart |
|---|---|---|
| Ohio State vs. Northwestern | Jeremiah Smith Over 75.5 receiving yards (-114 via FanDuel) | Under 44.5 (-110 via BetMGM) |
| Texas vs. Arkansas | Quinn Ewers Over 2.5 passing TDs (+102 via FanDuel) | Texas -12 (-110 via bet365) |
| Utah vs. Colorado | Travis Hunter Over 7.5 receptions (-120 via bet365) | Over 44.5 (-110 via FanDuel) |
| Clemson vs. Pittsburgh | Phil Mafah Under 107.5 rushing yards (-115 via Caesars) | Pittsburgh Under 20.5 points (-115 via Caesars) |
| LSU vs. Florida | Garrett Nussmeier Over 300.5 passing yards (-114 via FanDuel) | LSU -3.5 (-110 via Caesars) |
| Tennessee vs. Georgia | Carson Beck Over 0.5 interceptions (-115 via Caesars) | Georgia -9.5 (-110 via DraftKings) |
Rob Paul's Week 12 player prop picks
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Ohio State vs. Northwestern prediction: Jeremiah Smith Over 75.5 receiving yards ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Among the best receivers in the nation, Smith has already topped 75.5 receiving yards in six of nine games. He's seventh in the country in yards per route run (3.43) and 13th in NFL QB rating when targeted (142.4), per PFF.
Will Howard will certainly be looking his way against a Northwestern defense that's 74th in EPA per dropback on defense and allowing the fourth-most passing yards per game in the Big Ten (241.1). If Smith hits the Over, a $10 bet pays an $8.77 profit.
Best odds: -114 via FanDuel | Implied probability: 53.27%
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Texas vs. Arkansas prediction: Quinn Ewers Over 2.5 passing touchdowns ⭐⭐⭐⭐
After a rocky return from injury, Ewers is slinging again and has thrown eight touchdowns in his last two games - he's thrown three-plus in four of seven games. Arkansas' defense is just 80th in EPA per dropback and has allowed the second-most TD passes in the SEC (17).
These plus-money odds are too good to pass on with the Razorbacks' defensive struggles. If Ewers throws for at least three TDs for the third straight game, a $10 winning bet pays a $10.20 profit at FanDuel.
Best odds: +102 via FanDuel | Implied probability: 49.50%
Utah vs. Colorado prediction: Travis Hunter Over 7.5 receptions ⭐⭐⭐⭐
All Colorado wants to do is throw the ball, and specifically throw it to Hunter. He's caught at least eight passes in five of the seven games he didn't leave early with an injury - that includes catching nine passes in each of the last three games he started and finished.
While Utah's defense is good, the Buffs' offense revolves around feeding Hunter, who ranks 15th in the country in targets (85) and seventh in receptions (69). If he catches eight-plus passes again on Saturday, a $10 bet pays an $8.33 profit.
Best odds: -120 via bet365 | Implied probability: 54.55%
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C Jackson Cowart's Week 12 game picks
Clemson vs. Pittsburgh prediction: Pittsburgh Under 20.5 points ⭐⭐⭐⭐
I'm generally skeptical of laying big numbers on the Tigers, yet their defense impressed me last week against Virginia Tech - holding the Hokies to 2-for-14 on third down while forcing three turnovers and six punts.
I'd expect a similar showing against Pittsburgh, which hasn't looked like the same team that started 7-0. Quarterback Eli Holstein has seen his play regress mightily over the last few weeks, and he's questionable to play Saturday with a head injury.
Even if he suits up, this team scored 19 points last week against Virginia, which had allowed 40-plus in back-to-back games before that. I'm not holding my breath on a better performance against Clemson.
Best odds: -115 via Caesars | Implied probability: 53.49%
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LSU vs. Florida prediction: LSU -3.5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐
We can all acknowledge that LSU didn't look great last week in a stunning 42-13 home loss to rival Alabama. But neither did Florida in its 49-17 loss to Texas.
While both sides are coming off consecutive losses by at least 14 points, the Tigers still rank 15th in SP+ with the sixth-best offense in the country. Meanwhile, the Gators have dropped all the way to 39th and carry a losing record (4-5) into this one.
LSU has won five straight in this rivalry by an average of 10.2 points, and I fully expect the Tigers to cash this bet at Caesars.
Best odds: -110 via Caesars | Implied probability: 52.38%
Tennessee vs. Georgia prediction: Georgia -9.5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Nobody is higher on Josh Heupel and the Volunteers than I am - except maybe the playoff selection committee - but this is a tough spot for Tennessee in a game that Georgia simply can't afford to lose.
The Bulldogs have already dropped two games to elite opponents, both on the road, but they haven't lost a home game since Carson Beck was still in high school - a 28-game run that extends back to 2019 and is the longest active streak in the nation.
Tennessee QB Nico Iamaleava (concussion) is also questionable to play Saturday, and even if he suits up, he'll face a brutal test against one of the best defenses in the country in a hostile environment. I don't expect this one to be all that close.
Best odds: -110 via DraftKings | Implied probability: 52.38%
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–– C Jackson Cowart (SBR | Twitter/X)
College football picks roundup: Week 12
- College football Week 12 ATS picks
- College football Week 12 upset picks
- College football Week 12 player props
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