Week 12 Top 25 Picks and Breakdown

#1 Alabama @ Mississippi State, 7:45pm ET, ESPN

Don’t expect a hangover for the Crimson Tide.  Alabama has owned the Bulldogs winning the last five meetings by an average of 24 points a game.

Jeremy’s pick- Alabama, 45-14

Nick’s pick-Bama, 38-14

#2 Florida State vs. Syracuse, 3:30pm ET, ABC

Does the Jamies Winston saga effect how the ‘Noles play in this one? No way Florida State and Winston will run over the Orange. Winston will probably only play the first half of this one with FSU up 35 at the break. Noles will roll in this game.

Nick’s pick-FSU, 52-17

Jeremy’s pick- Florida State, 42-14

#3 Ohio State @ Illinois, 12pm ET, ESPN

A road test for the Buckeyes… if you want to call it that.  Illinois has played Ohio State tough at home with their last six meeting being decided by an average of eight points a game.  Still, the Buckeyes will win big.

Jeremy’s pick- Ohio State, 41-17

Nick’s pick-Ohio State, 56=10

#4 Stanford @ USC, 8pm ET, ABC

Sneaky good game here. USC has improved or is just playing inspired after Lane Kiffin was fired and is looking for a major upset of a Stanford team that is coming off the dismantling of Oregon last Thursday. USC has some playmakers, but I don’t think it will be able to move the ball well enough on the tough Stanford defense. Expect this to be close but Stanford pulls it out.

Jeremy’s pick- Stanford, 23-17

Nick’s pick-Stanford, 28-17

#5 Baylor vs. Texas Tech, 7pm ET, FOX

The bottom has dropped out for Texas Tech and I’m not sure Baylor is the team to regain your mojo.  The Bears have their sights set on a Big 12 title and if they continue to take care of business, potentially, a shot at a BCS Championship.

Jeremy’s pick- Baylor, 47-34

Nick’s pick-Baylor, 48-28

#6 Oregon vs. Utah, 4pm ET, Fox Sports 1

The Ducks need a game to recover after that tough loss to Stanford last week and a game against Utah should do the trick. The Utes have played better as of late, but they cannot win a game on the road especially with Oregon looking to prove that it is still among the nations elite. The Ducks will run all over the Utes and win this going away.

Nick’s pick-Oregon, 48-17

Jeremy’s pick- Oregon, 51-24

#7 Auburn vs. #25 Georgia, 3:30pm ET, CBS

See full breakdown in the In depth Preview.

Jeremy’s pick- Georgia, 45-41

Nick’s pick-Georgia, 45-40

#8 Clemson 55, Georgia Tech 31

Clemson has rebounded well after its bad loss to Florida State at home and keeps on winning. The Tigers are still in line for a BCS berth and are showing that they still mean business. For the record we both picked Clemson.

#9 Missouri, IDLE

Next game, Nov. 23 @ Ole Miss

# 10 South Carolina vs. Florida, 7pm ET, ESPN2

The Gamecocks are still hanging around in the SEC East waiting for Mizzou to slip up again, but as for this week they need to get past a Florida team that is in desperate need of a W. Problem for the Gators its in SC. Gamecocks win this one a little closer than expected, but send the Gators to their sixth loss of the season.

Nick’s pick-South Carolina, 34-20

Jeremy’s pick- South Carolina, 30-17

#11 Texas A&M, IDLE

Next game, Nov. 23 @ LSU

#12 Oklahoma State @ #24 Texas, 3:30pm ET, FOX

Huge game in the Big 12 here, the Longhorns need the win to keep pace with Baylor and the Cowboys need a W to get back in the race. If Texas can run the ball like it has at times this season it could end up running away from the Cowboys. 
Nick's pick-Texas, 37-31
Jeremy's pick-Texas, 37-34

#13 UCLA vs. Washington, Friday, 9pm ET, ESPN2

I’m really intrigued by this game.  Washington was left for dead after three straight losses to Stanford, Oregon and ASU.  After confidence building wins over Cal and Colorado are the Huskies ready to tackle the remaining teams on their schedule?  UCLA had a similar fate against Oregon and Stanford but the Bruins are still fighting for a South title and a shot at Rose Bowl. 

Jeremy’s pick- UCLA, 37-31

Nick's pick-UCLA, 35-34

#14 Fresno State, IDLE

Next game, Nov. 23, vs. New Mexico

#15 Northern Illinois 48, Ball State 27

This game was a lot closer than the score would suggest tied at 27 going into the fourth but, Jordan Lynch and the Huskies ran away from Ball State down the stretch. This was NIU’s last big contest of the season so don’t expect it to just Fresno State unless the Bulldogs slipup along the way.

#16 Michigan State @ Nebraska, 3:30pm ET, ABC

See full breakdown in the in depth preview.

Jeremy’s pick- Michigan State, 24-13

Nick's pick-Michigan State, 38-14

#17 UCF @ Temple, 12pm ET, ESPN3

This is the first ever matchup between these two programs.  Temple is 1-8 while UCF is pushing for a BCS Bowl berth.  The Knights will rock the Owls.

Jeremy’s pick- UCF, 34-13

Nick’s pick-UCF, 48-10

#18 Oklahoma vs. Iowa State, 12pm ET, Fox Sports 1

The Sooners should have no problem shaking off last week’s loss to Baylor with an easy win over Iowa State in Norman.

Nick’s pick-Oklahoma, 42-20

Jeremy’s pick- Oklahoma, 34-17

#19 Arizona State vs. Oregon State, 9:30pm ET, Pac 12 Network

After a six game winning streak, Oregon State is coming off losses to Stanford and USC.  ASU survived a trip to Utah but just barely.  This looks like a trap game for the Sun Devils who travel to UCLA next weekend.  ASU is a game ahead of UCLA but they better not overlook a Beaver team looking to get back on track and ruin a season or two.

Jeremy’s pick- ASU, 41-37

Nick’s pick-Arizona State, 52-50

#20 Louisville vs. Houston, 7pm ET, ESPNU

This game could be a lot closer than it looked at the beginning of the season. Both of these teams have solid offenses so there could be some fireworks in this one. I think Teddy Bridgewater and co., should be able to pull this one out and home and keep their outside chance at an American Conference title open. Watch out for this one to be closer than expected though.

Nick’s pick-Louisville, 38-35

Jeremy’s pick- Louisville, 38-35

#21 LSU, IDLE

Next game, Nov. 23 vs. Texas A&M

#22 Wisconsin vs. Indiana, 12pm ET, ESPN2

I have said already this week that Wisconsin is the most underrated team in the country. Head coach Gary Anderson should be in the running for coach of the year with this squad. The Badgers can run the ball and play defense. Indiana can score points, but against lesser opponents. Wisconsin should have no trouble stopping the Hoosiers in this one.

Nick’s pick-Wisconsin, 41-21

Jeremy’s pick- Wisconsin, 37-24

#23 Miami @ Duke, 3:30pm ET, ESPNU

Miami is still reeling after two straight defeats and it doesn’t get any easier for them with a much-improved Duke team this weekend. The Blue Devils are looking for their first-ever ACC Title game appearance and need this win to get there. The ‘Canes are still without running back Duke Johnson and cannot win without him. Duke pulls a shocker at home in this one.

Jeremy’s pick- Duke, 31-27

Nick’s pick-Duke, 34-31

Best of the Rest

Wyoming @ Boise State, 10:15pm ET, ESPN2

The Cowboy defense has looked painful the last three weeks. Can it finally slow down a team enough to give Brett Smith a chance to win them the game? Boise State is not as good as it has been in the past, but should have no problem moving the ball on Boise State. If the Pokes can move the ball in this game it could make for an interesting one. Wyoming needs Smith to play better than he has the past few weeks and he is too much of a competitor not to. Here is another toss up game in my opinion so my fandom is picking this one. The Pokes have never beat the Broncos and on the disgusting Blue Turf it will be difficult, but I think they have chance.

Nick’s pick-Wyoming, 48-45

Jeremy’s pick- Boise State, 40-34

Michigan @ Northwestern, 3:30pm ET, BTN

Both team’s seasons have unraveled over the past few weeks, with Northwestern having lost five in a row, while Michigan has dropped three of four.  It’s surprising that these teams are battling to stay out of the cellar of the Legends Division.

Jeremy’s pick- Michigan, 37-34

Nick’s pick-Michigan, 31-30

TCU @ Kansas State, 3:30pm ET

TCU badly needs a win to save its season and Kansas State is looking to solidify a rebound season. Should be an entertaining game in the little apple.

Nick’s pick-Kansas State, 31-28

Jeremy’s pick- Kansas State, 24-23

Cal @ Colorado, 5:30pm ET, Pac12

Someone will get their first Pac 12 win of the season on Saturday.  So, they’ve got that going for them.  Both defenses are giving up 40+ points a game and each is scoring in the mid 20’s.  I guess the Buffs get the edge at home?

Jeremy’s pick- Colorado, 41-34

Nick’s pick-Colorado, 38-24

Vanderbilt vs. Kentucky, 12:21pm ET, Game Plan/ESPN3

Vandy has improved the past few games and is looking to get bowl eligible with a win over a struggling Kentucky team.

Nick’s pick-Vandy, 34-24

Jeremy’s pick- Vandy, 37-17

Virginia Tech vs. Maryland, 12:30pm ET, Game Plan/ESPN3

Virginia Tech needs this win to stay alive in the ACC Coastal and for Maryland what could have been after that 5-0 start.

Nick’s pick-Virginia Tech, 28-17

Jeremy’s pick- VaTech, 24-7

CSU @ New Mexico, 7pm ET

I know no one would care about this outside the Mountain West, but Colorado State is looking to become bowl eligible for the first time since 2008 and in Jim McElwain’s second season.

Nick’s pick-CSU, 28-21

Jeremy’s pick- New Mexico, 31-27