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Jackson's Week 12 college football predictions for all ranked games and top-25 matchups. His picks for Georgia vs. Texas, Notre Dame vs. Pitt, and more.
Week 12 College Football Predictions
The College Football Playoff is so close, yet so far away. There are three weeks of regular-season action remaining, and while many teams might seem like CFP locks right now, last year taught us to never assume anything. In Week 12, Texas heads into Athens to keep its playoff hopes alive, Notre Dame travels to Pitt in a must-win situation, and Alabama seeks revenge against Oklahoma after last year’s blowout loss to the Sooners.
It’s going to be a great week of college football, so let’s dive into some predictions!
No. 25 Cincinnati vs. Arizona
Cincinnati has a chance to play for a Big 12 title if it can run the table, but overlooking Arizona ahead of a Week 13 showdown with BYU would be a mistake. The Wildcats are much improved from last season despite the loss of Tetairoa McMillan, and two of their losses were by one possession.
The Big 12 remains unpredictable, but I favor Cincinnati and standout quarterback Brendan Sorsby at home.
Prediction: Cincinnati 31, Arizona 23
No. 24 South Florida at Navy
This year’s American Conference reminds me of last year’s Big 12. For the most part, anyone can beat anyone, so never think you know who is going to win on any given Friday or Saturday. South Florida needs to win out to make the College Football Playoff, and this year’s Navy squad isn’t as dangerous as last year’s.
Look for Alex Golesh and the Bulls to make a statement to the CFP committee on Saturday.
Prediction: South Florida 41, Navy 20
No. 23 Tennessee vs. New Mexico State
Fresh off a bye following the loss to Oklahoma in Neyland Stadium, the Vols’ playoff hopes are slim. However, Tennessee can still beat Florida in The Swamp for the first time since 2003 and spoil Vanderbilt’s CFP hopes. There is still something to play for.
New Mexico State should not present much of a challenge, and Josh Heupel has never been shy about running up the score.
Prediction: Tennessee 51, New Mexico State 17
No. 20 Louisville vs. Clemson
Just when it looked like Jeff Brohm’s Cardinals had a path to the CFP, they suffered an unexpected home loss to Cal. Miller Moss hasn’t lived up to expectations in 2025, and the loss of Isaac Brown doesn’t help matters. Meanwhile, Clemson is far from the national championship contender it was expected to be this preseason.
Ultimately, it feels like both programs desperately need a win on Friday night to start a potential strong ending to the season. I’m rolling with Cade Klubnik here.
Prediction: Clemson 27, Louisville 21
No. 19 Virginia at Duke
Duke has been a bizarre team this season. Quarterback Darian Mensah has been excellent for much of the season, and the Blue Devils have shown flashes of being an ACC title contender. In fact, Duke is still alive in the ACC Championship race, despite four losses.
Only one loss has come in conference play. On the other hand, Virginia has squeaked out several wins but finally slipped up in last week’s matchup with Wake Forest. At both teams’ best, I view Duke as the better team, and the home-field advantage will make the difference here.
Prediction: Duke 30, Virginia 20
No. 18 Michigan at Northwestern
Michigan has not lost to a team that is not currently ranked in the top 25, and two winnable games are ahead before a showdown in Michigan Stadium against Ohio State. Is this young team looking ahead to The Game, or are they locked in and focused on the opponent ahead? Either way, the Wolvarines should be able to overpower Northwestern, which has allowed 142.9 rushing yards per game.
Prediction: Michigan 27, Northwestern 10
No. 17 USC vs. No. 21 Iowa
USC, known as a high-flying finesse offense under Lincoln Riley, has shown an ability to play “Big Ten” football this season. The Trojans have averaged over 200 rushing yards per game and dominated Michigan before winning a rock fight at Nebraska in conference play. They’ll need a similar recipe against Iowa, which is long-known for its defense and forcing teams into ugly games.
The difference is USC has a competent passing game and is at home. Iowa has neither of those benefits.
Prediction: USC 23, Iowa 14
No. 16 Georgia Tech at Boston College
Another player in the ACC title race, the Yellow Jackets are off a much-needed bye after being upset by NC State in Week 10. It seems like this team cannot win without Haynes King putting his Superman cape on, but Boston College is among the worst teams in the Power Four conferences.
It would be shocking if Brent Key’s team slipped up in this spot after the week off.
Prediction: Georgia Tech 34, Boston College 14
No. 15 Miami vs. NC State
NC State is yet another high-floor, low-ceiling ACC team this year. The Wolfpack have defeated Virginia and Georgia Tech, but they’ve also lost to Virginia Tech and been dominated by Notre Dame and Pittsburgh. Miami’s Carson Beck looks like a Heisman contender one week and a young, foolish quarterback the next, so it will be interesting to see which version we get in Hard Rock Stadium on Saturday.
If this game were in Raleigh, I’d pick NC State. Since it’s not, I’m going with the Hurricanes.
Prediction: Miami 38, NC State 26
No. 13 Utah at Baylor
The College Football Playoff committee has given Utah a lot of love in the early rankings, and it’s clear the Utes are in a good position to make the field if they can win out. They will presumably be favored in the rest of their games, so Kyle Whittingham has a chance to lead his program from a disastrous season last year to competing for a National Championship in 2025.
Baylor is dangerous in any matchups thanks to its elite passing offense led by Sawyer Robertson, but it’s hard to pick against Utah after the drumming of Cincinnati the last time we saw it. I expect a close contest, though.
Prediction: Utah 34, Baylor 31
No. 12 BYU vs. TCU
BYU was physically dominated by Texas Tech last week, but the CFP committee didn’t punish Kalani Sitake’s team too much in the rankings. Everything BYU wants is still out in front of them, but a tricky matchup with Sonny Dykes and BYU comes on Saturday night.
Unfortunately for the Cougars, the matchup with TCU’s high-powered passing attack led by Josh Hoover doesn’t set up to be a great one. If BYU gets behind, it doesn’t appear they have what it takes to pass their way back into the game. Upset alert!
Prediction: TCU 30, BYU 21
No. 9 Notre Dame vs. No. 22 Pittsburgh
Just like last season, Notre Dame has been dominating its opponents ever since it entered “must-win” territory. After an 0-2 start, the Irish have won seven straight games, all by at least two scores. Pittsburgh has an elite run defense that will be tested against Jeremiyah Love and Jadarian Price, but its secondary could be an issue against the surging CJ Carr.
The same can be said for Notre Dame, though, as its secondary hasn’t been even close to as good as expected. That said, I trust Marcus Freeman to find a way to disrupt a true freshman quarterback in a big spot. This will be a close game early before the Irish defense forces mistakes, leading to a lopsided final score.
Prediction: Notre Dame 38, Pittsburgh 17
No. 8 Oregon vs. Minnesota
After a Gutsy win at Iowa, Oregon hosts Minnesota on a short week. The Ducks’ offense hasn’t been consistent as of late, but quarterback Dante Moore continues to find a way to deliver in the big moments. This matchup features a massive talent gap, and the Golden Gophers have to travel to Eugene. Blowout alert!
Prediction: Oregon 36, Minnesota 13
No. 7 Ole Miss vs. Florida
After easily handling The Citadel last week, Lane Kiffin is seeking revenge against Florida, which cost the Rebels a trip to the College Football Playoff a year ago. Rumors continue to swirl about Kiffin’s potential move to Gainesville, but for now, the Gators remain the enemy.
The Gators fought hard against Georgia in the first game without Billy Napier on the sideline, but they evidently quit in the blowout loss to Kentucky last week. The bottom has likely fallen out on DJ Lagway and the 2025 Florida team.
Prediction: Ole Miss 33, Florida 19
No. 6 Texas Tech vs. UCF
Texas Tech needs some style points to make its case for being ranked over the likes of Georgia and Alabama, and it’ll have the chance to do that as heavy favorites in its final two games of the regular season. Scott Frost has not ignited the UCF program back to where he had it in his first tenure just yet, and this sets up to be a difficult trip to find success in Lubbock. Red Raiders win — by plenty.
Prediction: Texas Tech 45, UCF 14
No. 5 Georgia vs. No. 10 Texas
Georgia won both meetings last season in Austin and Atlanta, so they’ll definitely win this one, right? Not necessarily, as the Bulldogs’ defense is far more friendly than what we have become used to seeing under Kirby Smart, and Arch Manning appears to be finally turning a corner.
However, Gunner Stockton has arguably been the best quarterback in the SEC in conference play, and Georgia doesn’t lose at home unless Alabama is in town.
Prediction: Georgia 35, Texas 30
No. 4 Alabama vs. No. 11 Oklahoma
Last season, the Sooners dominated Jalen Milroe and Alabama to the tune of a 21-point win. Kalen DeBeor’s stock took a huge hit after that game. What a difference a year makes. The Tide are firmly in the CFP discussion and can likely afford to lose this one, but it’s difficult to knock them off in Bryant-Denny Stadium.
John Mateer hasn’t been the same since undergoing thumb surgery ahead of the Red River Shootout, and it’s difficult to imagine Oklahoma’s offensive line holding up here. Bama wins and covers the spread.
Prediction: Alabama 31, Oklahoma 20
No. 3 Texas A&M vs. South Carolina
South Carolina had high hopes this season after the fantastic freshman campaign by LaNorris Sellers, but the young quarterback hasn’t had much help around him. The best team the Gamecocks have beaten is Kentucky, and they’re heading into another brutal matchup on the road against the only undefeated SEC team.
Texas A&M can win in a lot of ways, and Mike Elko isn’t dropping this one.
Prediction: Texas A&M 35, South Carolina 16
No. 2 Indiana vs. Wisconsin
The Hoosiers survived a scare in Happy Valley thanks to late-game heroics by Fernando Mendoza and should have a clear path to achieving an undefeated season with matchups against two far inferior teams ahead. Wisconsin upset Washington last week, but the road trip to play Indiana is a whole new challenge.
Look for Mendoza to pad his stats here for a potential Heisman trophy campaign boost.
Prediction: Indiana 50, Wisconsin 14
No. 1 Ohio State vs. UCLA
The last time Nico Iamaleava played in Columbus, it ended in an ugly first-round College Football Playoff loss. How can we expect anything different here with the highly-touted quarterback surrounded by far less talent compared to what he had at Tennessee? No chance the Bruins find a way to compete here.
Prediction: Ohio State 40, UCLA 9
