2019 Week 12 Preview

Week 11 lived up to the hype. The two battles of the undefeated were extremely entertaining. Minnesota knocked off Penn State to start the season 9-0 for the first time in more than a century. The Golden Gophers controlled the game from the beginning and sealed the win with an INT in the end zone late. LSU finally ended their 8-game losing streak to Alabama on Saturday when they went into Bryant Denny Stadium and hung 46 points on the Tide. LSU took over the top spot in the CFP rankings and Alabama fell down to fifth (I’ll write more on that in my CFP reaction). Week 12 gives us two more huge games with major CFP implications. There are only a couple more games left this season and there are still a lot of unanswered questions.

My Record: 4-2 last week, 45-21 overall (68%)

Notable Games
4Georgia at 12Auburn
This game is the most important game of the weekend when it comes to the CFP. Alabama is sitting on the outside looking in and needs an Auburn win to boost their strength of schedule. Despite their loss to South Carolina, the Dawgs are still in a good spot to make the playoff if they can win out. I am taking UGA in a close game because I have more trust in Jake Fromm in a big game than I do in Bo Nix. This game has the potential to be lots of fun. Every game is now a must-win for Georgia, and I think they will walk into Jordan-Hare ready for this one.
I am picking Georgia

8Minnesota at 20Iowa
Minnesota shocked the college football world by beating Penn State last weekend. I’ll admit to not having much faith in the Golden Gophers in that game and to looking ahead to a potential undefeated Ohio State v Penn State game next week. I don’t think the committee sees Minnesota as a legitimate playoff contender yet, so they still have a lot to prove. There is the potential to have a bit of a hangover in this game, especially since they are playing Iowa. The Hawkeyes make you play their brand of football and that can be difficult. I think Minnesota has what it takes to get this win, but it won’t be a pretty one.
I am picking Minnesota

10Oklahoma at 13Baylor
This is the other big game of the weekend. After Oklahoma lost to Kansas State, they fell a bit off the schooner (too soon?). They were able to squeak by Iowa State by one last week, and they just don’t look all that strong. Baylor is undefeated by about as close a margin as you can get. They needed three overtimes to get by TCU last weekend and survived WVU the week before. I don’t have that much faith in the Baylor offense to match the points Oklahoma can put up. Baylor has been able to play a bit of defense this season, but they haven’t faced Jalen Hurts. This one should be a good game.
I am picking Oklahoma

23Navy at 16Notre Dame
This a bit of an under the radar ranked matchup. Notre Dame smoked Duke last week and Navy was on a bye. I think Notre Dame is the better team and should outlast the Midshipmen. I wouldn’t be surprised at all if Navy proves me wrong and is ready for this game. Notre Dame is relatively mediocre this season and are lucky to have survived their game against Virginia Tech a couple weeks ago. If they beat Navy, I think it will be in a similar fashion.
I am picking Notre Dame

19Texas at Iowa State
I don’t know why I let myself pick Big 12 games. I am 3-3 this season when I pick games featuring two Big 12 teams. This conference is just hard to get a handle on. I picked Texas last week and they (unfortunately) proved me right. I am going to stick with them again this week when they go to Iowa State. The Cyclones are a scrappy team that can win pretty much any game they play in. Texas is the better team in this game, and they have the ability to score enough points to win any game, but the defense has to help them out.
I am picking Texas

Tulane at Temple
This should be a good matchup. Both teams are coming off wins that made them bowl eligible. Temple has been great at home this season (except for their blowout loss to UCF). The Owls are a strong team and are poised for a very nice start to Rod Carey’s tenure as head coach. Tulane has to play three very tough games to end the season. This one should be a close game.
I am picking Temple

Top 25
1LSU at Ole Miss
2Ohio State at Rutgers
Wake Forest at 3Clemson
4Georgia at 12Auburn
5Alabama at Mississippi State
Arizona at 6Oregon
UCLA at 7Utah
8Minnesota at 20Iowa
Indiana at 9Penn state
10Oklahoma at 13Baylor
11Florida at Missouri
14Wisconsin at Nebraska
Michigan State at 15Michigan
23Navy at 16Notre Dame
17Cincinnati at South Florida
18Memphis at Houston
19Texas at Iowa State
New Mexico at 21 Boise State
Kansas at 22Oklahoma State
West Virginia at 24Kansas State
25Appalachian State at Georgia State

Other Games
TCU at Texas Tech
Stanford at Washington State
South Carolina at Texas A&M
Arizona State at Oregon State
USC at California