Week 12 College Football Picks and Results

Tuesday
Ball State at Toledo (+5): The Rockets are finally playing decent football, but Ball State is never a pushover. I look for Toledo to win at home, but close.
Toledo 28 Ball State 24
Ball State 20 Toledo 17 (0-1) (1-0)

Wednesday
Miami (Ohio) at Bowling Green (+3.5): The MAC is crazy this year, even crazier than usual. Miami is 1-9, but many of those losses were tightly contested 'till the end. Bowling Green's ego was dealt a major blow a couple weeks ago when winless Temple beat them. With the game at home, I look for the Falcons to pull it out, but not by much.
Bowling Green 24 Miami (Ohio) 17
Miami (Ohio) 9 Bowling Green 7 (0-2) (1-1)

Thursday
Akron at Ohio (+6): The Zips are playing better football of late. Ohio has a bye week last Saturday, so they should be well rested, but perhaps a bit rusty as well. I look for Ohio to win, but yet again, it should be close.
Ohio 24 Akron 21
Ohio 17 Akron 7 (1-2) (1-2)

West Virginia (+10) at Pitt: Pitt's defense is much to small to contend with the big daddies up front for West Virginia. Even at home, the Panthers will get run all over in this one.
West Virginia 38 Pitt 24
West Virginia 45 Pitt 27 (2-2) (2-2)

Friday
Eastern Michigan at Kent State (+8): Kent has been a very streaky team this year. All-in-all, they're an even 5-5. EMU is 1-9, but has lost a few close ones. I look for the Golden Flashes to bounce back from their recent slide at home, but I don't believe they'll cover the spread.
Kent State 28 Eastern Michigan 21
Kent State 14 Eastern Michigan 6 (3-2) (2-3)

Central Michigan (+3) at Northern Illinois: Nobody's playing better in the MAC right now than the Chippewas of Central Michigan. Northern Illinois, meanwhile, has been struggling some. Even at home, I look for them to fall to CMU.
Central Michigan 24 Northern Illinois 14
Northern Illinois 31 Central Michigan 10 (3-3) (2-4)

Saturday
Kansas State at Kansas (+2.5): Has all the ingredients of a letdown as Kansas comes off a bye and K-State off an upset win against the Longhorns.
Kansas 28 Kansas State 24
Kansas 39 Kansas State 20 (4-3) (3-4)

Missouri (+14) at Iowa State: The Suckclones are doing just that while Mizzou attempts to regroup following an off week.
Missouri 35 Iowa State 17
Iowa State 21 Missouri 16 (4-4) (3-5)

Oklahoma (+21) at Baylor: OU should win this game, but by how much is the real question? The Bears have been struggling of late since their decent start and I don't see their wounds being healed in this one.
Oklahoma 38 Baylor 14
Oklahoma 36 Baylor 10 (5-4) (4-5)

Oklahoma State at Texas Tech (+6): Two high-powered offenses go head-to-head in Lubbock. As long as they don't turn it over, OSU's offense may be the more dangerous of the two.
Oklahoma State 42 Texas Tech 35
Texas Tech 30 Oklahoma State 24 (5-5) (4-6)

Iowa at Minnesota (+3): Even after their recent "hot" streak, if you want to call it that, I still have trouble picking the GO-phers.
Iowa 24 Minnesota 21
Minnesota 34 Iowa 24 (5-6) (4-7)

Michigan at Ohio State (+7): When it all comes down to it, I just think OSU has a few more weapons on offense which they can unleash on Michigan's defense than the other way around. It should be close and rather low-scoring, but at the Shoe, I'm going with OSU.
Ohio State 21 Michigan 14
Ohio State 42 Michigan 39 (6-6) (4-8)

Illinois (+2) at Northwestern: I like what Ron Zook is starting to build in Champagne in terms of talent. That talent should help them beat Northworstern in this one.
Illinois 31 Northwestern 24
Northwestern 27 Illinois 16 (6-7) (4-9)

Michigan State at Penn State (+17): Quite a large spread, isn't it? For a team not known for scoring much (the win against Temple doesn't count). I like the Nittany Lions, but not by that much.
Penn State 31 Michigan State 21
Penn State 17 Michigan State 13 (7-7) (5-9)

Indiana at Purdue (+12.5): The Hoosiers need this game to have any shot at going bowling. They've beaten Iowa and Michigan State. I think you can add Purdue to that resume'.
Indiana 28 Purdue 24
Purdue 28 Indiana 19 (7-8) (6-9)

Buffalo at Wisconsin (+38): What are the BAH-gers doing playing Buffalo in Week 12 of the season? Geesh. However it happened, I see them winning and winning big.
Wisconsin 35 Buffalo 7
Wisconsin 35 Buffalo 3 (8-8) (7-9)

UCLA at Arizona State (+4): Last week's dominating performance against Washington State was the first sign all season that ASU had life against decent opponents. But, I think they'll run into some problems with UCLA's stingy defense. I look for the Bruins to pull out a close one in Tempe.
UCLA 24 Arizona State 21
UCLA 24 Arizona State 12 (9-8) (8-9)

Arkansas (+14) at Mississippi State: Could be a dangerous game for the 'Hogs if they look past it to next week's showdown with LSU. But, I'm not seeing that happen.
Arkansas 31 Mississippi State 10
Arkansas 28 Missisippi State 14 (10-8) (9-9)

Auburn (+3) at Alabama: I liked Georgia's matchup with Auburn last week and 'Bama matches up fairly well with them too. I can't see Brandon Cox having two atrocious performances consecutively, though, especially in the Iron Bowl. I look for the Tigers to rebound and squeak by the Tide.
Auburn 20 Alabama 17
Auburn 22 Alabama 15 (11-8) (10-9)

Utah State at Boise State (+37): Might as well chalk the Broncos up as 11-0, because they'll dominate the Aggies on Saturday.
Boise State 42 Utah State 0
Boise State 49 Utah State 10 (12-8) (11-9)

Maryland at Boston College (+7): BC likes the close games as does Maryland, so if the game ends up being a blowout, I'll be shocked. I am going to take the Terps, though. They just seem to find ways to win. I don't know how, but they do and BC is another ACC club with decent talent, but not a great overall team that I can see the Terps doing that against.
Maryland 17 Boston College 14
Boston College 28 Maryland 16 (12-9) (11-10)

New Mexico at BYU (+27): I would not want to be playing BYU right now. I'm sorry Lobos...
BYU 49 New Mexico 17
BYU 42 New Mexico 17 (13-9) (11-11)

East Carolina (+2.5) at Rice: This could be an interesting matchup between two semi-hot teams in 6-4 East Carolina and 5-5 Rice, two teams who have won three straight. I give the slight edge to ECU based on their defensive play not only in the past three games but throughout the entire season thus far.
East Carolina 28 Rice 21
Rice 18 East Carolina 17 (13-10) (11-12)

Western Michigan at Florida State (+15.5): Not a team that FSU wants to see on the schedule right now. WMU doesn't have much on offense, but has a solid defense and will face a struggling FSU offense. In any case, I see the 'Noles coming out victorious in Tallahassee on Saturday. It may not be as easy as some Florida State fans would expect, though.
Florida State 24 Western Michigan 10
Florida State 28 Western Michigan 20 (14-10) (12-12)

Idaho at Fresno State (+10): The Bulldogs squeaked by New Mexico State last week for their second win of the season. While I'm taking them at home, it's hard for me to pick a 2-7 team to cover a 10-point spread when they haven't won by more than nine points all year.
Fresno State 31 Idaho 24
Fresno State 34 Idaho 0 (15-10) (12-13)

Duke at Georgia Tech (+27.5): What will Reggie Ball and the Tech offense do following their 7-0 win over North Carolina a week ago? I think they'll win, no doubt about that, but I'm iffy about them covering the spread.
Georgia Tech 28 Duke 3
Georgia Tech 49 Duke 21 (16-10) (12-14)

San Jose State at Hawaii (+24.5): San Jose State gave Boise a run. Can they do the same against the high-flying Warriors? I'm not seeing it. Only one team has been able to limit Hawaii offensively and that was Alabama in their opening game of the season.
Hawaii 49 San Jose State 24
Hawaii 54 San Jose State 17 (17-10) (13-14)

Houston (+16.5) at Memphis: Eight-win Houston against one-win Memphis. Decisions. Decisions. Allright, I'll go with the Cougars.
Houston 38 Memphis 17
Houston 23 Memphis 20 OT (18-10) (13-15)

Louisiana-Monroe at Kentucky (+19): With a win here, Kentucky will be a seven-game winner at 7-4 for the first time in I don't know how long. It seems like it's been a few...decades, doesn't it? Anyway, the 'Cats will win this one easily.
Kentucky 38 Louisiana-Monroe 10
Kentucky 42 Louisiana-Monroe 40 (19-10) (13-16)

Louisiana-Lafayette (+7) at Florida International: Allright, I'm done with picking the Golden Panthers due to their early season close losses. La-Lafayette should win this one to even their record back at 5-5.
Louisiana-Lafayette 28 Florida International 10
Louisiana-Lafayette 17 Florida International 7 (20-10) (14-16)

South Florida at Louisville (+17): South Florida doesn't get any love, do they? I see the bouncing back from their Thursday night loss at home here, but think USF will stay in it 'till the very end. Louisville 27 South Florida 21
Louisville 31 South Florida 8 (21-10) (14-17)

Ole Miss at LSU (+28): A night game for the Rebels at LSU? That's going to be tough. The only thing playing in their favor is that the Tigers may take them for granted and look ahead to next week's matchup with Arkansas. I'm not thinking that'll happen, though.
LSU 35 Ole Miss 7
LSU 23 Ole Miss 20 OT (22-10) (14-18)

UTEP at Marshall (+2.5): Jordan Palmer will throw for over 300 yards as the Miners outscore the Thundering Herd in this one.
UTEP 35 Marshall 28
Marshall 49 UTEP 21 (22-11) (14-19)

Miami (Florida) (+3) at Virginia: Without Kyle Wright at the helm, Miami's aggressive and tenacious defense will have to win this one for them. If they can run the ball well on offense, they should be able to pull this one out in Charlottesville.
Miami (Florida) 17 Virginia 14
Virginia 17 Miami (Florida) 7 (22-12) (14-20)

Temple at Navy (+32): That's a large spread, but after going against Navy with their large spread last weekend and them covering it plenty, I'm going to go with the Midshipmen and big in this one.
Navy 42 Temple 10
Navy 42 Temple 6 (23-12) (15-20)

NC State (+4.5) at North Carolina: Like points? Don't watch this one. NC State doesn't have much on offense and usually relies on their defense to keep them in ball games and that's just what Carolina did last week in their game against Georgia Tech. Carolina has been playing better of late and I see them pulling off the upset.
North Carolina 14 NC State 10
North Carolina 23 NC State 9 (24-12) (16-20)

Nevada (+20) at Louisiana Tech: The Wolfpack have been playing strong since their mediocre start. La Tech hasn't played like Bulldogs all season and they won't in this game either.
Nevada 42 Louisiana Tech 14
Nevada 42 Louisiana Tech 0 (25-12) (17-20)

Florida Atlantic at North Texas (+5): The Mean Green showed up just enough to win last week and the same should hold true in this game.
North Texas 17 Florida Atlantic 10
Florida Atlantic 17 North Texas 16 (25-13) (17-21)

Army at Notre Dame (+32): Here it is! The upset of the year! Just kidding. Army has turned the ball over 32 times in 10 games, which leads the nation. That's not a category you want to lead the country in. Do the math and that's over three turnovers per contest. With the game in South Bend and the Irish having a very good offense to begin with, this only spells out very bad things for the Black Knights.
Notre Dame 49 Army 10
Notre Dame 41 Army 9 (26-13) (18-21)

Oregon State (+14.5) at Stanford: A great week for OSU to rebound following their disappointing loss to UCLA. Stanford is flying high following their first win of the season a week ago against Washington. They'll get grounded again in this game. OSU wins by plenty.
Oregon State 31 Stanford 10
Oregon State 30 Stanford 7 (27-13) (19-21)

Arizona at Oregon (+12.5): Arizona beat Washington State and followed that up with a win against Cal. The good Pac-10 streak has to stop in Autzen, right? Yeah, I'm thinking so, but if not, if 'Zona wins this one, they'll become bowl eligible and will have done it in quite an impressive fashion.
Oregon 31 Arizona 17
Arizona 37 Oregon 10 (27-14) (19-22)

Rutgers (+7) at Cincinnati: This is a game for the unbeaten Scarlet Knights to watch out for. Cincy has been a tough team to beat all season. Just ask Virginia Tech and Louisville, amongst others. With it being a primetime game and Schiano and company knowing by now what Cincy brings with them to the table, I see Rutgers pulling it out, but it won't be easy.
Rutgers 24 Cincinnati 14
Cincinnati 30 Rutgers 11 (27-15) (19-23)

Middle Tennessee State at South Carolina (+15): MTSU is certainly not the team Carolina wants to see on their schedule right now. Why 5-5 SC is a 15-point favorite is beyond me. MTSU is 7-3 with their only losses coming to Oklahoma, Louisville, and Maryland (a combined 24-5). Carolina should win this one, but I see it being closer than the "experts" projected.
South Carolina 28 Middle Tennessee State 17
South Carolina 52 Middle Tennessee State 7 (28-15) (19-24)

UAB at Southern Miss (+14): UAB is playing horribly on offense, down there with the worst of them. That's not good considering they have to match up with the always tough Southern Miss defense in Hattiesberg.
Southern Miss 24 UAB 3
Southern Miss 25 UAB 20 (29-15) (19-25)

UConn at Syracuse (+2): It should be a hard-nosed and tightly-contested ball game throughout, but I'm giving the edge to UConn. They've showed some signs of improving on offense and have been pretty solid on defense all year.
UConn 24 Syracuse 17
Syracuse 20 UConn 14 (29-16) (19-26)

San Diego State at TCU (+18): The Horned Frogs shall improve to 8-2 with this one, but I don't see them winning by 18.
TCU 31 San Diego State 17
TCU 52 San Diego State 0 (30-16) (19-27)

Tennessee (+9) at Vanderbilt: The Vols should get back on track with a win against their rival Commodores. Although they might not say so publicly, I'm sure there's a want for revenge against the same team who robbed them of their bowl hopes last year.
Tennessee 28 Vanderbilt 17
Tennessee 39 Vanderbilt 10 (31-16) (20-27)

Arkansas State at Troy (+8): Arkansas State has lost three straight while Troy has won four consecutive games. With the game at home, I'm giving the edge to the hot Trojans.
Troy 24 Arkansas State 14
Arkansas State 33 Troy 26 (31-17) (20-28)

Central Florida at Tulane (+2): Flip a coin on this one, but I'm going with George O'Leary and the Golden Knights.
Central Florida 28 Tulane 24
Tulane 10 Central Florida 9 (31-18) (21-28)

Tulsa (+6) at SMU: Tulsa has fallen on some hard times the past couple weeks. I see them snapping out of it here, but the Mustangs aren't to be taken lightly. Tulsa could very well wind up being losers of three straight following this one.
Tulsa 28 SMU 24
SMU 34 Tulsa 24 (31-19) (22-28)

Cal at USC (+5.5): Cal was obviously looking ahead last week in their loss to Arizona. They seem to always play the Trojans tough and should again this Saturday. With the game being played at the Coliseum though where USC trounced Oregon by 25 a week ago, I'm going with the Trojans.
USC 28 Cal 24
USC 23 Cal 9 (32-19) (22-29)

Utah (+1) at Air Force: Air Force has been as hot and cold as the weather here in Nebraska. They were off last week against Notre Dame, so they're due to be back on at home in Colorado Springs against the Utes.
Air Force 28 Utah 24
Utah 17 Air Force 14 (32-20) (22-30)

Virginia Tech (+2) at Wake Forest: How is a two-loss VTech team a road favorite against 9-1 Wake Forest? Especially after Wake's dominating shutout performance of Florida State a week ago? They won't win by that much this time around, but I do see a hard-fought home victory for the Deacons.
Wake Forest 17 Virginia Tech 13
Virginia Tech 27 Wake Forest 6 (32-21) (22-31)

Washington at Washington State (+8): Both teams have fallen hard and fast recently. Washington has fallen harder, though, losing to then winless Stanford a week ago. The Cougars should win this one in Pullman.
Washington State 28 Washington 17
Washington 35 Washington State 32 (32-22) (22-32)

Wyoming (+10.5) at UNLV: The Cowboys should even their record out and finish the regular season at 6-6. That's not bad for a team that started the year 1-4 (heartbreaking losses at that). Wyoming 24 UNLV 10
Wyoming 34 UNLV 26 (33-22) (22-33)

Week 12 Record For the Win: 33-22 (.600)
Overall Record For the Win: 420-155 (.730)
Week 12 Record Vs. the Spread: 22-33 (.400)
Overall Record Vs. the Spread: 279-296 (.485)