Week 12 SEC Picks and College Football Best Bets

CLEMSON, SOUTH CAROLINA - NOVEMBER 11: Jamal Haynes #11 of the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets runs the ball against the Clemson Tigers in the second quarter at Memorial Stadium on November 11, 2023 in Clemson, South Carolina. (Photo by Eakin Howard/Getty Images)
CLEMSON, SOUTH CAROLINA - NOVEMBER 11: Jamal Haynes #11 of the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets runs the ball against the Clemson Tigers in the second quarter at Memorial Stadium on November 11, 2023 in Clemson, South Carolina. (Photo by Eakin Howard/Getty Images)
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Oregon Ducks quarterback Bo Nix (10) throws a pass against the Stanford Cardinal
Sep 30, 2023; Stanford, California, USA; Oregon Ducks quarterback Bo Nix (10) throws a pass against the Stanford Cardinal during the first quarter at Stanford Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Darren Yamashita-USA TODAY Sports

Best Bets

Evan: No. 6 Oregon @ Arizona State – I really like Dan Lanning in this spot. Earlier this week he made his declarative statement that he has no intentions of leaving Eugene anytime soon and I think Saturday is his chance to flex a little on the field. Oregon still has a way into the College Football Playoff as a one-loss team, I think. Oregon -23.5

Justin: Georgia Southern at Old Dominion – Georgia Southern likes to throw the ball a lot. They throw it as much as, if not more than, anyone else in the country. Old Dominion is not very good at stopping the passing game of their opponents. Georgia Southern -6

Andrew: App State @ James Madison – James Madison has been one of the best stories of the season. The Dukes are 10-0 in just their 2nd year as a FBS program. But stupid NCAA rules prohibit them from playing for a league title or bowl game. They’ve tried to appeal it, but the losers in change have ruled against them. College Gameday is visiting Harrisonburg with an App State team coming to town that, while improved in recent weeks, has still not been that impressive. JMU uses this opportunity to make a statement about how dumb the NCAA truly is. James Madison -8.5

Ethan: Louisiana Tech @ Jacksonville State – Jacksonville State has been thrilling this season. While I don’t want Rich Rod coaching the Bulldogs, I understand why some who have seen the way he’s succeeded this season would want him in Starkville. If this is the only part of his career you’ve paid attention to, you’re having a ton of fun because he’s having a ton of fun right now. Meanwhile, Sonnie Cumbie is miserable and losing and preventing journalists from having access to Louisiana Tech. Expect the Gamecocks to win big here. Jacksonville State -8

Ryan: No. 3 Michigan @ Maryland – Michigan is a cover machine and everyone can debate as to why with the scandal going on with them, but they’re still letting them play football and they’re playing it very well. Michigan -19.5

John: Iowa @ Illinois – Friendly reminder to fade my best bet. I’ve tried everything, and I can’t get a win on these. I hear “best bet” and I fold under pressure like a lawn chair. Anyway, the show must go on. What’s safer than the Iowa/Illinois under? Let’s go with that. Iowa/Illinois Under 31.5