Week 12 College Football Picks and Results

Predictions
Tuesday
Toledo at Ball State: The Toledo Rockets' offense has been looking more and more like the offense we've grown accustomed to over the past 5+ years, as what was once looking to be a dismal season for Toledo has shown some light in recent weeks, with Toledo at 5-5 and one win away from bowl eligibility. I look for that offense to continue clicking in their hard-fought win against 5-5 Ball State.
Toledo 42 Ball State 35
Ball State 41 Toledo 20 (0-1)

Wednesday
Akron at Miami (Ohio): Coming off a big conference win over Buffalo a couple weekends ago and a bye week, Miami (Ohio) should be well rested and ready to go at home against the 4-6 Zips of Akron, who are coming off a win themselves, as they beat Ohio 48-37 last week.
Miami (Ohio) 38 Akron 24
Miami (Ohio) 7 Akron 0 (1-1)

Thursday
North Texas at Arkansas State: Arkansas State has been struggling, but as I've said in weeks past, I'm trying to stay devout to my claim that I won't pick North Texas in a game this year. With the game at home, it doesn't even make the option tempting fortunately.
Arkansas State 27 North Texas 17
Arkansas State 31 North Texas 27 (2-1)

Oregon at Arizona: This shouldn't be a game Mike Bellotti and his Ducks take for granted (especially as the new #2 team in the country...). Arizona has been playing better of late and come in needing to win their final two games just to become bowl eligible. As Oregon is #2, Arizona is playing at home and better of late, I should just up and go with the Wildcats, but have trouble going against the Mighty Ducks with Mr. Dennis Dixon at the helm. Arizona plays the Ducks tough for a half or so, but Dixon and the Duck offense reign supreme in the end.
Oregon 38 Arizona 24
Arizona 34 Oregon 24 (2-2)

Friday
Eastern Michigan at Central Michigan: Central Michigan is rolling in conference, as they've already clinched themselves a berth in the MAC title game. At home, I look for them to continue winning in the down MAC conference. Chips improve to 7-4.
Central Michigan 31 Eastern Michigan 13
Eastern Michigan 48 Central Michigan 45 (2-3)

Hawaii at Nevada: The unbeaten season ends here. We're officially down to one (Kansas), so no gripes can be had in Honolulu after the Warriors receive the "shaft" by the BCS. Hawaii has not played so well on the road this year, needing an extra session (aka overtime) against San Jose State (4-6) and Louisiana Tech (4-6) on the road this season. The Warriors just faced Fresno in a late game this past Saturday, so it'll be a much shorter week than is typical for them. Nevada is coming off a bye, so they'll be well rested. Finally, Colt Brennan, the Warriors' star quarterback, may not be 100% on Friday. Adding all of those ingredients spells an upset win by the Wolfpack over Hawaii.
Nevada 48 Hawaii 41
Hawaii 28 Nevada 26 (2-4)

Saturday
Syracuse at Connecticut: Suffer a loss in the Big East? Quick solution - Play Syracuse and all will again be temporarily well. UConn is coming off a 27-3 loss to Cincinnati, their first setback in conference this year and their second loss overall. Incoming? Syracuse. UConn bounces right back to improve to 9-2 on the season.
Connecticut 27 Syracuse 6
Connecticut 30 Syracuse 7 (3-4)

Maryland at Florida State: The Terps got a win they desperately needed this past weekend in their 42-35 home victory over then 8th ranked Boston College. FSU's quarterback situation remains shaky, as Drew Weatherford got banged up over the weekend and Xavier Lee has been suspended. Maryland is in bigger need of the win than FSU and should again show grave determination in their victory, this time in Tallahassee, as both teams goto 6-5 on the season.
Maryland 24 Florida State 20
Florida State 24 Maryland 16 (3-5)

Florida Atlantic at Florida: The good news for Howard Schnelleberger's Burrowing Owls? At worst, they'll fall to an even 5-5 after this game. The bad news? I think we know the bad news. Florida rolls.
Florida 52 Florida Atlantic 13
Florida 59 Florida Atlantic 20 (4-5)

North Carolina at Georgia Tech: With the game in Atlanta, I give the slight edge to the inconsistent Yellow Jackets, but it won't be easy. They didn't have an easy time with 1-9 Duke this past weekend and were slaughtered the previous Thursday night against Virginia Tech. I like the Jackets to improve to 7-4, but I'm tentative regarding this pick.
Georgia Tech 34 North Carolina 27
Georgia Tech 27 North Carolina 25 (5-5)

Ohio State at Michigan: There are a few variables I wish I had the answers to before predicting the outcome of this game. Two in particular: A) Will Chad Henne start/play? B) Will Mike Hart start/play? Henne started against Wisconsin last Saturday, but ended up on the sideline fairly early into the contest and Mike Hart didn't play at all. Call it a gut feeling, but I can't, for the life of me, see Mike Hart sitting on the sidelines in Ann Arbor against Ohio State. I can't see that occurring with Henne either, but especially Hart. With it being the perfect close to a regular season for the Wolverines' after a horrendous start to the year and a chance to send head coach Lloyd Carr off on a winning note (if the rumors of his future resignation are true), by beating the hated Buckeyes, I look for Michigan to finish the regular season at 9-3 and earn a trip to the Rose Bowl.
Michigan 27 Ohio State 24
Ohio State 14 Michigan 3 (5-6)

Pittsburgh at Rutgers: This is no gimme for Rutgers and if the game were played in the steel city, I'd be very tempted to go with the Panthers. But, the Scarlet Knights were able to get back on track this past week with a 41-6 dismantling of Army and I look for Ray Rice to carry the club to another home victory and improve Rutgers to 7-4 on the year.
Rutgers 31 Pittsburgh 20
Rutgers 20 Pittsburgh 16 (6-6)

Kent State at Temple: The Golden Flashes of Kent State have been anything but Golden of late, as they became just the second victim of Northern Illinois this season last Saturday. Both clubs come into this contest at 3-7, but believe it or not, Temple has appeared to be the better of the two clubs in recent weeks and with the game in Philly, that punctuates my selecting Temple to win this one.
Temple 24 Kent State 20
Temple 24 Kent State 14 (7-6)

Tulsa at Army: Did anyone catch the score of that Tulsa/Houston game this past weekend? Both schools went into the game at 6-3. Houston has been notorious for their dreadful defense, but are just as well known for their explosive offense. The Golden Hurricane swept the Cougars up in a level 5 by the score of 56-7. It's possible that Tulsa could suffer a slight let-down, but against Army? That's not going to matter. Tulsa improves to 8-3.
Tulsa 41 Army 17
Tulsa 49 Army 39 (8-6)

Northwestern at Illinois: Speaking of let-downs...Illinois won't need to be reminded of that, as they're coming off one of the biggest wins in the Illini's past ten years or so (if not, entire history). Northwestern is coming off a 31-28 win over Indiana, which ensured them, at worst, a .500 record at regular season's end and bowl eligibility. With the game in Champaign, I'm going with the Illini, but they better be careful.
Illinois 45 Northwestern 24
Illinois 41 Northwestern 22 (9-6)

Kentucky at Georgia: These two clubs are going in different directions. The once top ten Wildcats, coming off a 43-37 victory over LSU, have not been looking like anything close to that team in recent weeks and Georgia has suddenly learned how to score points on more of a consistent basis, largely due to their new stud tailback, Moreno. Taking that into effect and with the game being in Athens, I have to go with the Bulldogs. But, this year, would I be surprised of an upset? Hey, if Appalachian State can beat Michigan, Syracuse can beat Louisville, and Stanford beat USC, then Kentucky can certainly beat Georgia.
Georgia 34 Kentucky 24
Georgia 24 Kentucky 13 (10-6)

Missouri at Kansas State: Oh, let's see here. Kansas State is coming off a 31-20 loss to then 1-8 Iowa State, who hadn't won a Big XII game to that point and a 73-31 loss to Nebraska, who has lost five consecutive games by the combined score of 226-98 (45.2 - 19.6). Missouri is 9-1 and merrily rolling along the Big XII landscape heading into their showdown with Kansas. Mizzou could possibly be caught looking ahead to that game, but for how poorly the Wildcats have played of late, I don't think that will matter.
Missouri 49 Kansas State 17
Missouri 49 Kansas State 32 (11-6)

Bowling Green at Buffalo: This is actually a fairly big MAC game, with 6-4 Bowling Green paying visit to 4-6 Buffalo (4-2 in conference). Although, both are chasing Miami (Ohio) for an opportunity to square off against Central Michigan in the MAC title game, this would give one team a decided edge for second place in their "respective" division in the conference and with an opportunity to play in the MAC title game. With the game at home and coming off a well needed and deserved bye week, I give the slight edge to Buffalo in this one.
Buffalo 34 Bowling Green 31
Bowling Green 31 Buffalo 17 (11-7)

Mississippi State at Arkansas: I'd take MSU if this game were played in Starkville, but not in Arkansas. The 'Hogs are coming off a rather embarrassing 21-point loss to Tennessee this past weekend and will want/need to avenge for that loss at home against the Bulldogs.
Arkansas 31 Mississippi State 24
Arkansas 45 Mississippi State 31 (12-7)

Utah State at New Mexico State: If the game were played at home, I think the Aggies would have a legitimate shot at winning their first game of the season in this one. But, playing away against Chase Holbrook, Hal Mumme, and the Aggies should result in their eleventh consecutive loss of the season. The Aggies finish the year at 5-7, their best record in quite some time (sadly enough).
New Mexico State 31 Utah State 24
Utah State 35 New Mexico State 17 (12-8)

San Diego State at Air Force: The Aztecs stroll into Colorado Springs winners of two straight, but Air Force has been on an even greater roll as of late and I have a hard time seeing SDSU upsetting Air Force on the road in this one. Air Force closes their regular season at 9-3.
Air Force 38 San Diego State 17
Air Force 55 San Diego State 23 (13-8)

Vanderbilt at Tennessee: The 'Vols have been showing signs of improvement as of late, especially on the defensive end. Vandy comes into the game at 5-5, in need of just one more win to become the eleventh bowl eligible SEC team. Unfortunately, I don't see that win coming in this one, as Erik Ainge has been steady this season and the defense should provide enough stops to ensure the victory.
Tennessee 31 Vanderbilt 17
Tennessee 25 Vanderbilt 24 (14-8)

BYU at Wyoming: Wyoming and head coach Joe Glenn are reeling right now. The Cowboys have fallen to 5-5 on the season, following their embarrassing 50-0 shut-out loss to Utah this past Saturday. BYU comes into the game at 7-2 and should make it 8-2 with a win over the struggling Cowboys.
BYU 31 Wyoming 24
BYU 35 Wyoming 10 (15-8)

Duke at Notre Dame: Who would've thought before the season started that this game would showcase two 1-9 teams? If one were to say that Duke would've most likely come into the game at 1-9, then most would've probably seen the plausibility in that statement, but they and Notre Dame? Heck, just Notre Dame? Not a chance. I've picked the Irish one time this season, in their 46-44 triple overtime loss to Navy a couple weekends ago. I'll probably regret it for the second time this season, but I'm again taking the Irish in this one, against the 1-9 Dukies.
Notre Dame 24 Duke 13
Notre Dame 28 Duke 7 (16-8)

Louisiana-Monroe at Alabama: The Tide are coming off two consecutive losses, in their 41-34 heartbreaking loss to LSU and then their tough 17-12 loss to Mississippi State this past Saturday. They've played much better in Tuscaloosa this season than away from home and whether home or away against the War Hawks of Louisiana-Monroe, the Tide should dominate.
Alabama 38 Louisiana-Monroe 10
Louisiana-Monroe 21 Alabama 14 (16-9)

Idaho at Boise State: Boise State has had an easy road these past couple weeks to the Hawaii showdown. They beat up on then 0-9 Utah State 52-0 and they now face 1-9 Idaho at the Blue Field. It won't matter if the Broncos look ahead or not, they'll win this one comfortably.
Boise State 59 Idaho 17
Boise State 58 Idaho 14 (17-9)

Tulane at Rice: To many people's surprise (including my own), both 3-7 clubs are coming off victories from this past weekend, in Tulane's convincing win over UTEP and Rice's one-point win over SMU. Through the course of the season, I've been slightly more impressed with the Green Wave than the Owls, so even though the game is away from New Orleans, I'm going with Tulane in this one.
Tulane 34 Rice 31
Tulane 45 Rice 31 (18-9)

Central Florida at SMU: They've been a far inferior team on the road than at home, but playing against the now 1-9 Mustangs, it won't matter if UCF plays them in Florida, Jamaica, Russia, or Texas, they should improve to 8-3.
Central Florida 52 SMU 27
Central Florida 49 SMU 20 (19-9)

Purdue at Indiana: Who I'd pick in this one would be dependent upon who was playing at home. If the game were played in West Lafayette, I'd go with the Boilermakers, but with it being played in Bloomington, I'm going with the now 7-5 Hoosiers.
Indiana 38 Purdue 34
Indiana 27 Purdue 24 (20-9)

Penn State at Michigan State: It appears as if the Spartans have learned how to win again and at 6-5 and with the game being played in East Lansing, I have to believe they'll continue that good run en route to a 7-5 regular season campaign, probably good enough to earn themselves a bowl bid. Penn State finishes the regular season at 8-4.
Michigan State 31 Penn State 27
Michigan State 35 Penn State 31 (21-9)

Wisconsin at Minnesota: The GO-phers were close in their loss to Iowa this past weekend, but that'll be as close as they get to a conference win, as Wisconsin dominates from start to finish to close the regular season at 9-3.
Wisconsin 31 Minnesota 13
Wisconsin 41 Minnesota 34 (22-9)

LSU at Mississippi: Mississippi could prove to be a dangerous club in a match-up like this. LSU has not been playing #1 ranked football as of late. I see them struggling early on in this game as they've made a habit of in recent weeks, but should pull away in the second half. The week following's game against Arkansas should prove to be a more interesting match-up than this one.
LSU 38 Mississippi 14
LSU 41 Mississippi 24 (23-9)

UAB at Memphis: With a win, the 5-5 Memphis Tigers will become bowl eligible and against the 2-8 Blazers at home, I see them doing just that.
Memphis 31 UAB 14
Memphis 23 UAB 9 (24-9)

Marshall at Houston: The game of surprises. Marshall (2-8) is coming off a very surprising 26-7 victory over 6-5 East Carolina and Houston (6-4) is coming off a whooping to 7-3 Tulsa by the score of 56-7. With the game at home, I look for the Cougars to take out their frustration on the Thundering Herd. Houston wins big.
Houston 59 Marshall 21
Houston 35 Marshall 28 (25-9)

Miami (Florida) at Virginia Tech: These two clubs are going in quite different directions. With Miami's 48-0 shut-out loss to Virginia on Saturday, it dropped the Hurricanes to 5-5 on the season and with Virginia Tech's impressive 40-21 win over Florida State, it improved them to 8-2 with a legitimate shot at playing for the ACC title. With the game in Blacksburg, I don't think it matters who plays quarterback for the Hokies, Miami's offense won't be able to generate much and will be in need of winning their final regular season game just to become bowl eligible.
Virginia Tech 23 Miami (Florida) 10
Virginia Tech 44 Miami (Florida) 14 (26-9)

California at Washington: If it was a certainty redshirt freshman quarterback Jake Locker was healthy and ready to go for Washington, I wouldn't hesitate in taking the Huskies, but as was reported today, that's anything but the case. Cal has been struggling and probably won't have an easy go of it in this one, but should be able to generate just enough offense through the likes of Jackson, Hawkins, and Forsett to outscore the Huskies.
California 27 Washington 17
Washington 37 California 23 (26-10)

Western Michigan at Iowa: In Iowa City, the Hawkeyes should have little trouble improving to 7-5 on the season with a comfortable win over now 3-8 Western Michigan of the MAC.
Iowa 27 Western Michigan 10
Western Michigan 28 Iowa 19 (26-11)

Iowa State at Kansas: This could be a bit of a trap game for the Jayhawks and if it were played in Ames, I might be tempted in taking the Cyclones (no longer the Suckclones). Kansas is coming off a fairly impressive 43-28 primetime victory over Oklahoma State on Saturday and will be facing 9-1 Missouri the following weekend. After starting the year 1-8, Iowa State has won two straight Big XII games against 5-5 Kansas State by 11 and 5-6 Colorado by 3. Kansas wins, but the game is closer than predicted by most.
Kansas 31 Iowa State 17
Kansas 45 Iowa State 7 (27-11)

Northern Illinois at Navy: Regardless of how bad Navy's defense is and it's porous... The Midshipmen's defense makes Nebraska's D look like the Steel Curtain. Think I'm joking? Navy has allowed 121 points to I-AA Delaware and 1-8 North Texas this year. Those scores were in regulation. Neither went to overtime. They now face 2-8 Northern Illinois, who's coming off a 27-20 win over Kent State. The Huskies should be able to score a few points, but not enough to match Navy. Off to the Poinsettia Bowl they go.
Navy 45 Northern Illinois 28
Navy 35 Northern Illinois 24 (28-11)

North Carolina State at Wake Forest: NC State has won four consecutive games and are one game away from becoming bowl eligible in Tom O'Brien's first season in Raleigh. Wake has been struggling mightily of late, as their 44-10 loss to Clemson could clearly illustrate, and I see NC State winning their fifth straight in this one to improve to 6-5 on the season, while Wake drops to 6-5.
North Carolina State 27 Wake Forest 24
Wake Forest 38 North Carolina State 18 (28-12)

New Mexico at Utah: I would not want to play Utah right now. Maybe that 44-6 win over UCLA earlier in the year wasn't so much an aberration as what could come to be expected later in the season. Even though the Mighty Lobos come into the game at 7-3, they've accumulated those seven victories against some fairly weak competition and I don't see them beating the 7-3 Utes in Salt Lake, especially following a 37-0 showing against 5-5 TCU a couple weeks ago, where the Lobos were on the short end of the stick.
Utah 38 New Mexico 24
Utah 28 New Mexico 10 (29-12)

Oregon State at Washington State: WSU is playing for head coach Bill Doba's job and have showcased their passion in the past few weeks. At 4-6 and in desperate need for a couple victories to ensure bowl eligibility, I look for them to ensnare that 5th win of the season at home in Pullman over the 6-4 Beavers.
Washington State 34 Oregon State 31
Oregon State 52 Washington State 17 (29-13)

Oklahoma State at Baylor: Baylor will play with everything they have in this one, as it will be head coach Guy Morris' last game in Waco. But, against the explosive Cowboys' offense, I don't see the Bears having enough in the end to be rewarded the victory.
Oklahoma State 38 Baylor 24
Oklahoma State 45 Baylor 14 (30-13)

Louisiana-Lafayette at Florida International: Florida International is 0-9 this year and dating back to last season, have lost 21 consecutive games. At home and coming off a rather impressive (for them) 3-point loss to Arkansas State, I want to take FIU in this one. I really do. But, I can't. Lafayette wins their second straight to improve to 3-8.
Louisiana-Lafayette 27 Florida International 20
Louisiana-Lafayette 38 Florida International 28 (31-13)

San Jose State at Louisiana Tech: Dick Tomey's San Jose State Spartans have finally begun to show some signs of life this year, following their bowl run a season ago. At 4-6 and in desperate need of a couple more victories, I look for Tomey's crew to nab one of those two with a big road win against the 4-6 Bulldogs of Louisiana Tech.San Jose State 38 Louisiana Tech 31
Louisiana Tech 27 San Jose State 23 (31-14)

UNLV at TCU: At one point in the season, it appeared as if UNLV had a decent club and would improve upon last year's awful season, but at 2-8, that no longer looks to be the case. No matter how inconsistent the Horned Frogs have been this year, they should improve to 6-5 with this game being at home.
TCU 31 UNLV 14
TCU 34 UNLV 10 (32-14)

Southern Mississippi at UTEP: Both clubs come into this game struggling. Southern Miss is at an even 5-5, coming off a heartbreaking 29-26 loss to Memphis and UTEP is 4-6 following a fifteen-point loss to 3-7 Tulane. Even with the game being on the road, Southern Miss hasn't been quite as woeful of late as UTEP, so I'm tentatively going with them.
Southern Mississippi 34 UTEP 28
Southern Mississippi 56 UTEP 30 (33-14)

Boston College at Clemson: The Tigers are rolling along following their 44-10 smackdown of Wake Forest this past Saturday and BC comes in with two consecutive conference losses under their belt (should be three). I look for those trends to continue with Clemson going into their rivalry bout with South Carolina at 9-2.
Clemson 38 Boston College 27
Boston College 20 Clemson 17 (33-15)

West Virginia at Cincinnati: I want to pick Cincy in this one, but see them having problems with West Virginia's unique offense and unique speed to go with that offense. The Mountaineers keep their national championship hopes alive with a huge conference road win against the 8-2 Bearcats.
West Virginia 38 Cincinnati 31
West Virginia 28 Cincinnati 23 (34-15)

Louisville at South Florida: With the game being played in Tampa and USF having snapped their three-game losing streak this past Saturday, I look for them to get back on track and improve to 8-3 with a win over the Cardinals.
South Florida 45 Louisville 27
South Florida 55 Louisville 17 (35-15)

Oklahoma at Texas Tech: Without a defense, I have trouble believing Texas Tech will beat Oklahoma. They may put up a few points, as they did against Texas (43), but if they can't stop the opposition, they're not going to come out victorious.
Oklahoma 48 Texas Tech 31
Texas Tech 34 Oklahoma 27 (35-16)

Ineligible Games
Georgia Southern at Colorado State
Morehead State at Western Kentucky

Week 12 Record: 35-16 (.686)
Overall Record: 397-177 (.692)