After a couple of top-10 clashes last week, we’re back to most ranked teams having cupcake matchups in Week 12.
With some new inclusions in the AP Top 25, seven unbeaten teams are playing this weekend.
Ahead of another pivotal slate, here are our college football best bets for Week 12.
Skyler Carlin’s 2023 CFB Best Bets Record: 21-14
College Football Week 12 Predictions
All NCAAF betting odds used for these CFB Week 12 predictions are current as of Monday, Nov. 13, and courtesy of DraftKings Sportsbook.
UMass vs Liberty Prediction: Liberty -27 (-112)
I would bet on Liberty to cover the spread if it was at -50 in this game. Okay, maybe I’m being a little dramatic by saying that, but the Flames are a legitimately good team that finally got ranked inside the top 25.
After defeating Old Dominion 38-10 in Week 11 to cover as 14-point favorites at home, Liberty improved to 10-0 on the season and 8-2 ATS.
- Stay up to date with the latest CFP National Championship odds.
On the other side of the field, UMass is 4-6 ATS on the season despite winning back-to-back games entering Week 12.
The Minutemen allow 37.4 points per game (tied for second-most in the nation), while the Flames average 39 points per game (tied for the 10th most in the nation) on offense.
Quarterback Kaidon Salter won’t have many issues putting the ball in the air, and Liberty’s rushing offense that leads the nation with 278 yards per game will give the Flames another lopsided win at home.
Illinois vs Iowa Prediction: Under 30.5 (-112)
Watching Iowa try to generate yards on offense is like watching paint dry, but luckily for us, we don’t need to watch this game for the Under to hit.
Even with a dreadful offense, the Hawkeyes are somehow 8-2 on the season ahead of a matchup with a 5-5 Illinois squad on Saturday.
Iowa is producing only 18.8 points per game (11th fewest in the nation), while its defense is surrendering only 12.3 points per game (third-fewest in the nation). Meanwhile, Illinois is scoring only 23.8 PPG and allowing 29.3 PPG.
Even with the Fighting Illini allowing nearly 30 points per contest, and the Hawkeyes uncharacteristically scoring 22 points in Week 11, Iowa is just 2-8 to the Over this season.
The Hawkeyes have also hit the Under in five consecutive contests, including three games at home.
Georgia vs Tennessee Prediction: Georgia -10.5 (-110)
Everyone knows how dominant Georgia’s defense can be, but the Bulldogs now boast an offense that is scoring the sixth-most points per game (40.6) in college football.
Carson Beck continues to look more comfortable under center, and Georgia got standout tight end Brock Bowers back in the lineup in last week’s 52-17 drubbing of Ole Miss.
- Check out our Heisman Trophy odds & best bets.
Despite playing at home on Saturday, it’s hard to get excited about Tennessee’s offense with Joe Milton disappointing as a starter this season. Milton struggled in the 36-7 defeat to Missouri in Week 11, completing 22-of-34 attempts for 267 yards, one touchdown, and one interception.
Besides Milton’s inconsistent play, the Volunteers’ defense had its worst outing of the season last week, and it now has to slow down a red-hot Bulldogs squad.
It might not be a shocking pick to side with the No. 1 program in the country, but you should lay the points with confidence in Saturday’s SEC showdown versus Tennessee.
College Football Week 12 Schedule & Scores: AP Top 25
Saturday, Nov. 18, 2023
Rutgers @ (12) Penn State, 12 p.m. ET
LA Monroe @ (13) Ole Miss, 12 p.m. ET
(17) Tulane @ FL Atlantic, 12 p.m. ET
(2) Michigan @ Maryland, 12 p.m. ET
(14) Oklahoma @ BYU, 12 p.m. ET
Chattanooga @ (8) Alabama, 12 p.m. ET
(9) Louisville @ Miami, 12 p.m. ET
UMass @ (25) Liberty, 1 p.m. ET
App State @ (18) James Madison, 2 p.m. ET
(16) Utah @ (19) Arizona, 2:30 p.m. ET
(1) Georgia @ (21) Tennessee, 3:30 p.m. ET
Wake Forest @ (20) Notre Dame, 3:30 p.m. ET
(22) UNC @ Clemson, 3:30 p.m. ET
Minnesota @ (3) Ohio State, 4 p.m. ET
(24) Oklahoma State @ Houston, 4 p.m. ET
(6) Oregon @ Arizona State, 4 p.m. ET
North Alabama @ (4) Florida State, 6:30 p.m ET
(23) Kansas State @ Kansas, 7 p.m. ET
Florida @ (11) Missouri, 7:30 p.m. ET
(5) Washington @ (10) Oregon State, 7:30 p.m. ET
(7) Texas @ Iowa State, 8 p.m. ET
Georgia State @ (15) LSU, 8 p.m. ET