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We highlight the college football games of Week 12 that are the most important or should be the best games to maximize your viewing pleasure.
The 25 Best College Football Games Of Week 12
This is shaping up to be one of the best college football weeks of the season. There are elimination games for Notre Dame, Texas, Oklahoma, and South Florida. On top of that, Virginia is a road dog, Florida gets a chance to beat Lane Kiffin so they can interview him for the coaching vacancy sooner, and Miami has to face the original ACC team to overturn the apple cart: North Carolina State. It’s going to be a great weekend of college football. We’ll let you know where to find everything. All times are Eastern time.
25. UCLA at (1) Ohio State
Where to watch: NBC, 7:30 p.m.
We’re watching to see if Julian Sayin can complete 80% of his passes yet again against a decent defense. The UCLA offense won’t get any traction here, but I want to see if Sayin stays nearly perfect and if the Buckeyes can figure out their muddled run game. This is a glorified night practice for the Buckeyes.
24. Minnesota at (8) Oregon
Where to watch: Fox, 9 p.m. (Friday)
Minnesota’s defense has looked good at times, but the Gophers were blasted by Cal on the left coast once already this year. They’ll likely struggle here as well. I just want to see if the Oregon offense really works, or if it was only the elements and the Iowa defense that made them look terrible. Inquiring minds want to know.
23. North Texas at UAB
Where to watch: ESPN+, 2 p.m.
Man, I wish more people could see this game. Drew Mestemaker against the mind of interim coach Alex Mortenson. The North Texas offense is very, very good, and the committee paid them no mind. Neither did the AP Poll. The Mean Green should be ranked for the first time in 50 years. This is a fun team that could still make the playoff if things break right. The story of Mestemaker would even intrigue College Gameday if it could quit riding the SEC long enough to pay attention.
22. North Carolina at Wake Forest
Where to watch: CW Network, 4:30 p.m.
Will the slow mesh frustrate Bill Belichick enough to have a meltdown on (somewhat) national television? Wake could still play its way back into the ACC race, and Carolina is trying to salvage something out of this experiment and make a bowl game. There is at least an interesting side story, and the game should be close. Wake is favored by just under a touchdown (-6.5).
21. Appalachian State at James Madison
Where to watch: ESPN+, 3:30 p.m.
The Dukes have everything in front of them. The cannibalization of the American could be a problem for everyone in that league. James Madison just needs to keep dominating the Sun Belt and hope for chaos in either the AAC or ACC…or both. They also need to win and win big. The committee is paying more attention to the “eye test” this year.
20. Tennessee Tech at Kentucky
Where to watch: SEC+, 1:30 p.m.
Kentucky isn’t very good at much of anything when it comes to football. That includes the scheduling of cupcakes. Tennessee Tech is undefeated in FCS and ranked 14th in the nation. I understand the talent discrepancy between FCS and the SEC, but games like this can be hard to prepare for. The Wildcats are near the bottom of the SEC. Is it really that far out of bounds to think that they could struggle here?
19. Air Force at Connecticut
Where to watch: CBS Sports Network, noon
Air Force got after Walker Eget last week and forced him into mistakes that he usually doesn’t make. This week, the Falcons and their third-worst pass defense (288.1 yards per game) try to get Joe Fagnano to throw an interception. He hasn’t yet this season in 343 pass attempts. We could see a monster from the best quarterback that no one outside of Connecticut knows about.
18. Florida at (7) Mississippi
Where to watch: ESPN, 7 p.m.
So…if Florida wants to interview Lane Kiffin earlier, all they have to do is beat Ole Miss to give them a bad loss and have them teetering on the edge of the playoff. We are seeing things that we thought we would never see, such as almost a dozen coaches being fired, and even an interim coach being fired. This is another one of those anomalies that only 2025 can bring. In a notoriously drunk season, it would be one of the most hilarious things ever to see Ole Miss lose to a historically bad Florida team. This team got mauled by Kentucky last week! DJ Lagway is likely to still play in some capacity, but Florida winning this is still a big long shot. I’ll be watching just for the storyline and to see if the sideline reporter mentions the Florida job to Lane at any point, and how unhinged he will become if it happens.
17. Boise State at San Diego State
Where to watch: CBS Sports Network, 10:30 p.m.
The Aztecs blew any chance at a playoff spot without an awful lot of help. Even then, how far can a convincing win over Cal carry them after blowout losses to Washington State and Hawaii? The committee, by its own admission, still respects the Boise State name. A big win here could go a long way for the Aztecs.
16. West Virginia at Arizona State
Where to watch: TNT, 1 p.m.
We’ll watch because the TNT production and call is top-notch. Arizona State is without QB Sam Leavitt and WR Jordyn Tyson once again. West Virginia, despite being the doormat for the rest of the Big 12 this year, still has a shot at a bowl game. That would be huge for this program and the progression of Scotty Fox Jr. Despite the rash of injuries for Arizona State, Vegas (-10.5 ASU) and FPI (85.9% ASU) aren’t buying into the feel-good story of the Mountaineers. Fun killers.
15. (13) Utah at Baylor
Where to watch: ESPN2, 7 p.m.
It has become a hot topic on a network that will remain nameless, with many predicting that Baylor will give Utah a fight. Why? This is not the 2024 Baylor team. Baylor has actually been better on the road this year! They beat SMU in Dallas! Baylor has lost to a bad Auburn team and Arizona State at home and needed a late score to escape Kansas State. There is no home-field advantage at McLane Stadium (which is too bad, it is a beautiful venue). The same network has been trying to poke holes in Utah since they are just outside the chosen ones in the CFP standings. That means a collapse by any Big Ten/SEC teams could result in three Big 12 teams in the CFP. Pearls would be clutched. Rules would be changed. This network absolutely cannot have that happen…yet they still own the rights to this game. We live in a weird world, my friends.
14. TCU at (12) BYU
Where to watch: ESPN, 10:15 p.m.
BYU is getting the same mess talked about them that Utah is. The committee was harsh on the Cougars, considering they lost to a top 10 team on the road, but optics matter. They didn’t look good against Texas Tech and were never in the game. Even though ESPN is dog-whistled into trashing the Big 12, their own FPI metrics heavily favor BYU to rebound at home (73.8%). Vegas has it as a close game (BYU -4.5), but we know that Vegas has been unkind to the Cougars all season. Last week was the first week they were right.
13. Arizona at (25) Cincinnati
Where to watch: FS1, noon
Arizona’s pass defense is among the best in the country. Brendan Sorsby can pass, but he is equally adept, if not more, as a runner. The Wildcats have an outside shot at clawing back into the Big 12 race. It’s unlikely, but if Arizona goes on a run, it could ruin the credibility of the Big 12 as a whole and may again render it a one-bid league. Much like Kansas and Baylor going scorched earth on the conference in November last season. FPI (68%) and Vegas (-6.5) have Cincinnati as a solid favorite, but those numbers admit that this is likely to be more of a fight than the Bearcats want.
12. (24) South Florida at Navy
Where to watch: ESPN2, noon
Both teams have one loss in the American Conference. With the American the most likely league to take the fifth autobid, this is an important game. If the ACC completely goes off the rails, we may even see two teams from the American try to sneak in. With the relative strength of the SEC, that remains VERY unlikely, which makes this even more important. Navy’s schedule is soft, and so is the defense. Byrum Brown isn’t making as many mistakes this year. His deep arm is better than advertised, and this is going to count as a nice win if USF bags it as Vegas (-9.5) and FPI (81.8%) expect them to.
11. Memphis at East Carolina
Where to watch: ESPNU, 4 p.m.
Do you want absolute chaos for the CFP committee? Everyone just assumes that the American Conference will sort itself out. They’re forgetting about the Pirates, who also only have one loss in the conference. ECU lost to NC State in the opener and BYU later in September before falling in New Orleans last month. There are five American teams with one loss. Four of them play each other this week. If you want total chaos, root for ECU to win out and win the AAC Championship game. A three-loss American, a three-loss ACC winner, and James Madison would be vying for two spots. That, folks, is theater…and not totally out of the question. ECU is a home favorite in this game. All they would have to do is beat Jeff Traylor at the Alamodome, and we all know that just doesn’t happen. Oh well, it was a fun breakdown while it lasted…
10. Arkansas at LSU
Where to watch: SEC Network, 12:45 p.m.
The Battle for the Boot is a heated rivalry. Both teams are heading into this in disarray. Both head coaches have been fired. Taylen Green is the one-man gang for Arkansas. We’re not even sure that LSU still has a gang. Michael Van Buren Jr. is not redshirting this year as had previously been planned. That likely means interim coach Frank Wilson plans to start him for the last three games. After watching Van Buren at Mississippi State last year, I like this decision. He has upside, which Garrett Nussmeier does not. Was it this coaching staff that ruined Nussmeier? He was a Heisman favorite coming into the season. LSU remains a heavy favorite according to FPI (69.3%) due to its legitimate defense. Vegas only has the Tigers as a 5.5-point favorite, though. We should expect a good one here.
As for the trophy, it is a giant map of Arkansas and Louisiana on a gold sheet with a wooden base. It has become the favorite pastime of the winning team to polish only their state on the trophy, leaving the other looking worn. I respect that.
9. (18) Michigan at Northwestern
Where to watch: Fox, noon
This is kind of a road game. It’s at Wrigley Field, which means no more games at the little palace by the lake. There are a lot of Michigan transplants in Chicago. Maybe even more than Northwestern fans. I want to see how Michigan handles this game. A very vanilla offense against Purdue resulted in a lackluster showing. The CFP didn’t punish them for it. However, if Michigan messes around against a defense like Northwestern, this is a losable game. The Wildcats are a game away from bowl eligibility. Michigan is teetering on the brink of the CFP or the Outback Bowl.
8. Clemson at (20) Louisiville
Where to watch: ESPN, 7:30 p.m. (Friday)
This isn’t a big game for Clemson, except when it comes to bowl hopes. This is a monster for Louisville, as they are one of the only ACC teams that may have a chance at an at-large slot if they were to lose the ACC Championship Game. Clemson has never lost to Louisville in Louisville. The only loss to the Cardinals was last year at home. Isaac Brown is once again expected to miss this game, but Keyjuan Brown and Duke Watson filled in nicely last week. The secret is that Isaac Brown’s absence didn’t cost Louisville last week. It was the pass defense. Passing is one of the few things Clemson has done right this year. This has all the makings of another chaotic ACC game, and I’m here for it!
7. Kennesaw State at Jacksonville State
Where to watch: ESPNU, 8 p.m.
It’s going to be a big night in Jacksonville, Alabama. The winner of this game has a leg up on the CUSA title game. Kennesaw still has to play Liberty and Missouri State after this one. Imagine having to play most of the teams in your conference. The Power 4 would never! There is a very remote chance of the CUSA winner getting into the CFP, so this is likely just jockeying for bowl positioning. It doesn’t mean that this won’t be a fun game. FPI has Kennesaw as a slight road favorite (51.1%). Vegas has the Owls as a bigger favorite (-3.5), with the line up two points already. People are jumping on Kennesaw, and I see why.
6. North Carolina State at (15) Miami (FL)
Where to watch: ESPN, 3:30 p.m.
The Pack has lost to Duke, Virginia Tech, Notre Dame, and Pitt. They have beaten Virginia, Wake, and Georgia Tech. One could argue that NC State is the single most influential team in the ACC right now. They get another chance in Miami here. FPI (88.3% Miami) and Vegas (-16.5 Miami) don’t think much of this game, but I do. CJ Bailey is a human highlight reel. Hollywood Smothers is a wrecking ball. The defense will need to force Beck into some mistakes, but with Mark Fletcher Jr. likely out again, this furthers the chances for the Pack. Don’t sleep on this one. Miami has choked away games against lesser opponents than this in November in recent years.
5. (21) Iowa at (19) USC
Where to watch: Big Ten Network, 3:30 p.m.
Iowa’s inflated ranking will help the Big Ten in its quest to get more than three teams into the college football playoff. If that fourth team happens to be USC, it also carries the Irish in if Notre Dame wins out. Who knew that all of these teams would be tied together? There are more tie-ins for Notre Dame not being in a conference than there are for teams in a super-mega-big-ass conference. No one can make this make sense.
You know what else doesn’t make sense? That USC is only a 6.5-point favorite. FPI has them at 75.8% to win. That’s along the lines of what I’m thinking. Iowa is much better at home, and Jayden Maiava is one of the better quarterbacks Iowa has faced. Makai Lemon is the best receiver Iowa has come across. The Hawkeyes have a habit of making things interesting, but pulling out a win here seems unlikely.
4. (19) Virginia at Duke
Where to watch: ESPN2, 3:30 p.m.
The Wahoos are a road dog to Darian Mensah and Duke. Part of that is the uncertain status of Virginia QB Chandler Morris, who left the loss to Wake Forest with a concussion. Morris is still listed on the depth chart for this week, but he will have to clear concussion protocol. We saw Arch Manning do it in a week, a couple of weeks ago, so it’s not out of the question. What is the question is, will it even matter? The way to beat Duke is through the air, and Virginia would rather run you over. Virginia only averages 243.5 passing yards per game. That’s 11th in the conference. Can Virginia throw enough to get a win on the road? Vegas (-3.5 Duke) and FPI (60.7% Duke) don’t think so. Neither do I.
3. (9) Notre Dame at (22) Pittsburgh
Where to watch: ESPN, noon
Many feel that the ACC has been treated unfairly by the CFP. This is the chance to prove the committee wrong, and to knock the Irish out of the playoff (thereby creating room for a second ACC team). Pitt is now the torchbearer for the ACC. For the record, Pitt is being unfairly represented by the committee. They have won five straight under freshman quarterback Mason Heintschel. This is a different team than the one that lost the Backyard Brawl. If this is true, Pitt can prove it here.
Before you say it’s not possible, realize that Pitt has the third-best run defense in the nation. They are allowing just 80.9 rushing yards per game and have only allowed seven touchdowns on the ground in nine games. Notre Dame will have to win this through the air, something they haven’t been able to pull off yet. They tried against A&M and fell just short.
2. (10) Texas at (5) Georgia
Where to watch: ABC, 7:30 p.m.
This should be an elimination game for Texas. If they beat both Georgia and A&M… fine. Give them a shot at the title. If they lose one, it should be over. We don’t, and never will, need a three-loss champion. I will die on this hill. Two mulligans are more than enough. We used to be a proper sport where you only got one. Texas had two cracks at Georgia last year and couldn’t get it done either time, even with Gunner Stockton getting his first meaningful playing time in the SEC Championship Game. If Texas couldn’t do it at home and at a neutral site with a better offense (and a worse Georgia offense), how can we expect them to do it in Athens? FPI doesn’t (59.8% Georgia). Neither does Vegas (-5.5 Georgia).
1. (11) Oklahoma at (4) Alabama
Where to watch: ABC, 3:30 p.m.
Would you believe that Oklahoma and Alabama have only played seven times? Four of those were in Bowl games, most recently in the 2018 CFP playoff in the Orange Bowl. Oklahoma picked up unlikely wins over the Tide in the 2014 Sugar Bowl (shout out to Eric Striker…still one of the best defensive games in Oklahoma history) and last year in Norman. These two teams have only played in Tuscaloosa once, back in 2003. Alabama won 20-13.
This is an elimination game for Oklahoma. Closing the season with Missouri and LSU isn’t the flex we thought it would be, and honestly, I don’t want to live in a world where a three-loss team can be crowned national champions. I didn’t want it last year with Alabama, and I don’t want it this year with Oklahoma, even though I’m an Oklahoma fan. I’m enough of a fan to admit that this is not a championship team. I could be proven wrong if Oklahoma walks out of Tuscaloosa with a win. Then the Sooners would at least deserve a chance to prove it. The spread has already dropped to -5.5 in Vegas after opening at 7.5. Vegas is paying attention to this game as well.
