College Football Picks: Week 12

Is this a little hot streak after an October swoon? I went 8-2 last week on winners, and more importantly 6-3-1 against the spread to get me back above the .500 mark against the wise guys. Time to stay there.

Georgia Tech at #8 Clemson (-10.5) (Thursday)
Georgia Tech needs this game to clinch a share of the ACC Coastal division. Clemson cannot win the Atlantic, but the Tigers can keep themselves in position for an at-large BCS bid with a win here. While Clemson is a clear level below Florida State, the Tigers are a clear step above the rest of the ACC. They'll have an impressive showing.
The pick: Clemson 45-28

Washington at #13 UCLA (-2.5) (Friday)

Freshman Myles Jack is emerging
as a two-way star for the Bruins.

Vegas still doesn't want to give UCLA's opponents very many points. They were only 1-point favorites last week at Arizona and now less than a field goal favorite at home. The Bruins still have a good shot at the BCS. Washington is squarely middle of the pack in the Pac-12 right now. They're way better than Colorado and Cal, but they're a clear level below Stanford and Oregon. UCLA is closer to those elite teams than Washington, and the Bruins are at home.
The pick: UCLA 49-33

#23 Miami at Duke (+3)
The ACC Coastal division is wide open, and both of these teams need this win to stay in the mix. While the talent on paper points to a Miami win, I've got a weird feeling that Duke is hitting is just starting to get. Miami has struggled in its last two games (although everyone struggles against Florida State). I'll take Duke in a nice upset win at home to make the ACC very interesting.
The pick: Duke 24-21

Florida at #10 South Carolina (-13.5)
Florida is in freefall and may even be without Tyler Murphy. The win for South Carolina should be easy against this struggling offensive team. I like SC to cover as well.
The pick: South Carolina 33-13

Michigan (+2.5) at Northwestern
It's the Free Fall Bowl! These two teams have been in a downward spiral for weeks. Northwestern's can partly be blamed on injuries, but I'm not sure what Michigan's excuse is. While I'm tempted to pick Michigan to keep tumbling, there's just little reason to pick Northwestern. The Wildcats are 0-5 in the Big Ten. I think it goes to 0-6.
The pick: Michigan 20-17

West Virginia (-6.5) at Kansas
Picking Kansas to not stay within a touchdown of anyone has to be the easiest call of the week.
The pick: West Virginia 35-10

#25 Georgia at #7 Auburn (-3.5)

If Tre Mason and Auburn can handle Georgia this week,
that would set up an potentially epic Iron Bowl in 2 weeks.

Georgia has rebounded a little after some tough injuries early on, but Auburn has been rolling. While Georgia is holding out hope to somehow win the SEC East, Auburn is playing for the BCS. The Bulldogs just don't have the horses to go into Jordan-Hare and slow down or outscore War Eagle.
The pick: Auburn 33-28

#12 Oklahoma State (-3) at #24 Texas
The winner of this game immediately starts thinking about with Baylor: Oklahoma State hosts next week while Texas visits Waco December 7. We'll wait to call either one a Big 12 championship game.
It's been a fun ride for Mack Brown and his Texas Longhorns, but I think they run out of magic this week. The injuries have piled up, and the loss of RB Jonathan Gray and DT Chris Whaley will really hurt this week. I'll pick Oklahoma State to win the turnover battle end the 'Horns Fiesta Bowl dreams.
The pick: Oklahoma State 38-30

#16 Michigan State (-6.5) at Nebraska
This game has huge implications on who wins the Big Ten Legends division. While it's a bit early to say that the winner definitely takes the Legends, it's close. I'll take the Spartans' third-ranked defense to shut down Nebraska. With just Northwestern and Minnesota left, Sparty fans could start pricing hotels in Indianapolis.
The pick: Michigan State 17-9

#4 Stanford (-3.5) at USC
Vegas must be really impressed by USC's blowout of 1-8 Cal to make the Trojans only a 3.5-point underdog against Stanford. This seems like the lock of the week to me. USC has played better under Ed Orgeron, but Stanford is really hitting its stride. Cardinal will win this one by a lot more than 3.5
The pick: Stanford 38-17