The Auburn Tigers ran out of luck as a couple of last-minute fumbles put the nail in their coffin against the Texas A&M Aggies. Meanwhile, the Alabama Crimson Tide won in overtime to maintain their bid for the College Football Playoff. Those two results now set up the big SEC West showdown between the Crimson Tide and No. 1-ranked Mississippi State, which headlines Week 12 of the NCAA season.
For more on the best college football action, check out our preview for the Florida State Seminoles vs. Miami Hurricanes game as well as the SEC showdown between the Auburn Tigers and Georgia Bulldogs. In the meantime, keep your eyes here for the best college football games to watch (and bet on) in Week 12 of the 2014 NCAA season.
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Top Five Games to Watch in Week 12 of College Football
Clemson Tigers vs. Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets (Saturday, November 15, 12:00 PM ET)
[sc:NCAA240banner ]When the Clemson Tigers faced the Georgia Bulldogs to start the season, they were blown out 45-21, allowing 328 rushing yards and five touchdowns. They face an even more formidable rushing offense in the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets this week, who’ve torched opponents for 335.6 yards per game. If Clemson falters against the run, then Georgia Tech’s run-heavy quarterback Justin Thomas will have plenty of room to add to his 721 yards and four touchdowns this season. For more on this game see our preview here.
Writer’s prediction: The Yellow Jackets blitz past Clemson.
Mississippi State Bulldogs vs. Alabama Crimson Tide (Saturday, November 15, TBD)
Despite being ranked No. 1 in the college football rankings, the Mississippi State Bulldogs have the worst pass defense in the SEC, allowing well over 300 yards per game. Mississippi State’s weakness plays right into Alabama’s deep threat receiver Amari Cooper. However, expect the Bulldogs to bite back. Quarterback Dak Prescott and was once again lights out on Saturday with 206 passing yards and two touchdowns through the air and 54 yards and a score on the ground against UT Martin.
Writer’s prediction: Mississippi State remain unbeaten, but fail to cover the spread.
Auburn Tigers vs. Georgia Bulldogs (Saturday, November 15, 3:30 PM ET)
Auburn’s explosive offense was up to its usual self on Saturday. Quarterback Nick Marshall scored three touchdowns (one passing and two rushing), while running back Cameron Artis-Payne had a career-high 221 yards and two scores on 30 carries. But for all their offensive pop, their defense still needs a lot of work. They allowed Texas A&M true freshman quarterback Kyle Allen throw for 277 yards and four touchdowns.
The Tigers’ porous defense has to contend against the Georgia Bulldogs’ high-powered offense next. Bulldogs quarterback Hutson Mason completed 13 of 16 passes for 174 yards and four touchdowns in a 62-31 blowout win over Kentucky on Saturday, while running back Nich Chubb should add a threat on the ground averaging 167.8 yards per game with five scores in Todd Gurley’s absence.
Nebraska’s star running back Ameer Abdullah (138.9 yards per game and 17 touchdowns) is set to return in Week 12 after suffering an MCL strain on November 1. Abdullah won’t get much of a break as he takes on the Wisconsin Badgers’ top notch run defense which has limited opposing backs to 2.9 yards per carry, while allowing only seven rushing touchdowns in the season. Check out our complete game preview for this huge tilt.
Writer’s prediction: The Wisconsin Badgers hamper Nebraska’s offense. Take Wisconsin to win and cover at home.
Florida State Seminoles vs. Miami Hurricanes (Saturday, November 15, 8:00 PM ET)
The Floriday State Seminoles had a slow start once again as they fell behind 13-7 to Virginia in the first quarter on Saturday before exploding to a 34-20 victory. With how Florida State has struggled against lesser teams this year, the Miami Hurricanes will be itching for their turn in an attempt to upset the national champions.
The Hurricanes have one of the most dynamic running backs in the nation in Duke Johnson. The junior running back already has first-hand experience against Florida State in 2013, running for 97 yards on 23 carries. With the experience he’s gained, Johnson figures to be a more dangerous threat this time around, especially after Florida State allowed over 150 yards in three of their last four games.
