As we roll into Week 12 of the college football season, things are getting spicy. There are pivotal matchups on deck that could shake up conference races and the College Football Playoff (CFP) picture.
This week’s slate has some real sizzle. We’re talking a top-10 collision between Texas and Georgia, a handful of make-or-break games in the ACC and American Conference, and a few players trying to elbow their way into the Heisman conversation.
Top-10 Showdown: Texas vs. Georgia
The game everyone’s buzzing about? No. 10 Texas facing off with No. 5 Georgia. It’s set for Saturday at 7:30 p.m. ET on ABC, and it’s huge for both teams’ playoff dreams.
Texas is 7-2 overall, 4-1 in the SEC, and has strung together four straight wins. But Georgia’s a whole different animal, sitting at 8-1 and 6-1 in the conference.
Texas’ Road to Redemption
Texas did stumble against Florida back on October 4. Since then, though, they’ve bounced back in style.
If they can pull off a win over Georgia, the door to the SEC Championship game stays open, even if only barely. But honestly, even if they lose, Texas probably lands a pretty decent bowl thanks to recent results.
Georgia’s Dominance
Georgia’s been rolling since a tight loss to Alabama, rattling off five straight wins. Even if they slip up against Texas, their playoff hopes aren’t dead yet.
They beat Texas twice last season, including in the SEC title game. Another win would just add to their reputation.
Other Key Matchups
Sure, Texas vs. Georgia is the headliner, but there are plenty of other games with big stakes this week.
Oklahoma at Alabama
No. 11 Oklahoma heads to No. 4 Alabama for a showdown with playoff implications. Both teams are right in the mix for the CFP.
Alabama’s 9-1 and likely on a crash course with Texas A&M for a showdown in Atlanta come December 6. This one could set the tone.
Notre Dame at Pittsburgh
No. 9 Notre Dame travels to No. 23 Pittsburgh, looking to pad their playoff résumé. The Irish have won seven in a row, but Pitt is no pushover.
Winning here would make Notre Dame’s playoff case that much stronger.
ACC and American Conference Races
The ACC and American Conference races are getting messy. Lots of teams are still in the hunt for a title shot or maybe even a playoff bid.
ACC Contenders
Five ACC teams have just one conference loss, and two more have two. This week, No. 20 Virginia visits Duke—both with one loss—while Miami (with two losses) hosts N.C. State, who can be a handful.
These games could really start to separate the contenders from the rest.
American Conference Showdowns
The American’s just as crowded. Five teams have one loss and are fighting for a spot in the title game and maybe a crack at the CFP.
No. 25 South Florida heads to Navy for a big one, while Memphis (with two losses) visits one-loss East Carolina. Tulane, fresh off a win at Memphis, can’t afford to slip against Florida Atlantic. And North Texas is away at UAB, who just knocked off Memphis.
Heisman Watch
The Heisman race is starting to get interesting, with some new faces making noise.
Diego Pavia’s Breakout
Vanderbilt’s Diego Pavia is making a legit case. Last week, he threw for 489 yards against Auburn, with three passing touchdowns and one on the ground.
Pavia leads the SEC with seven rushing touchdowns and is tied for most passing TDs (21). His 70% completion rate is tops in the conference, and his Heisman odds have climbed to 25-to-1. Not too shabby.
Top Contenders
Right now, Ohio State’s Julian Sayin and Indiana’s Fernando Mendoza are the favorites, both at 7-to-4 odds. Alabama’s Ty Simpson is next (11-to-2), then Texas A&M’s Marcell Reed (15-to-2).
Pavia’s hot streak has him in the mix, and if he keeps it up, those odds could get even shorter.
Statistical Highlights
Some numbers just jump out as the season goes on:
- 2 — Sacks allowed by Cincinnati and Maryland, the fewest in the nation.
- 17 — FBS-leading blocked kicks by Notre Dame since 2022.
- 25-0 — UConn quarterback Joe Fagnano’s touchdown pass-interception ratio, the best in the nation.
- 41-0 — Lincoln Riley’s record when his team holds the opponent to 20 points or less over his nine seasons at Oklahoma and Southern California.
- 32 — Tulane’s consecutive wins when entering the fourth quarter with the lead.
Coaching Hot Seat
The pressure’s piling up for Michigan State’s Jonathan Smith. It’s only his second season, but things haven’t gone well—Smith’s Spartans are 8-13 overall and just 3-12 in Big Ten play.
Right now, they’re stuck in a seven-game conference losing streak. There’s even talk about a winless Big Ten season, which nobody in East Lansing wants to see.
Smith’s future? Honestly, it’s looking shaky. His buyout sits at $34 million if they let him go after the season, so that complicates things even more.
For more in-depth analysis and updates on the AP Top 25 throughout the season, visit the full article.
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