Texas and Washington ready for fall?

Get ready for the college football season’s most exciting matchups, where unexpected events and surprising performances shake up the College Football Playoff race, affect conference contests, and determine bowl berths.

In Week 12, college football fans anticipate tense battles, especially in the Pac-12 and Big 12. Will the urgency of the playoff and conference chases prompt teams to elevate their play or falter?

Our experienced USA TODAY Sports college football team – composed of Scooby Axson, Jace Evans, Paul Myerberg, Erick Smith, Eddie Timanus, and Dan Wolken – presents bold predictions for Week 12 of the college football season.

First up, Iowa State looks to maintain its track record of thwarting Big 12 title and national championship hopefuls as they face the Texas Longhorns, who will be without leading rusher Jonathon Brooks. Although Iowa State boasts the league’s best defense, Texas must keep up their high-scoring offense to avoid an upset. The Longhorns keep their title hopes alive with a close victory. — Scooby Axson

Riding the wave of their significant win over Oregon, No. 5 Washington hopes to maintain their unbeaten status. However, our expert, Jace Evans, believes that Washington’s luck runs out this week as No. 10 Oregon State takes down the Huskies in Corvallis.

No. 1 Georgia, heading into its third true road game of the season, faces potential trouble against Tennessee this week. Although prohibitive favorites, Georgia may underestimate the match against Tennessee, setting the stage for a potential nail-biter. — Erick Smith

Washington sets out to prove their unbeaten status by defeating Oregon State. Washington’s firepower and explosive offense are expected to overpower Oregon State’s style, leading to a double-digit win for Washington, against the top Pac-12 and FBS teams. — Paul Myerberg

As Washington contends for a playoff spot, Oregon State threatens their chances with an impressive offensive and defensive performance. The Huskies may face their first loss this week. — Eddie Timanus

Iowa State’s recent strong performance presents a threat to Texas as they battle at home. With standout runner Jonathon Brooks absent due to injury, the Longhorns may struggle and suffer elimination from the College Football Playoff race. — Dan Wolken

Be sure to catch the six biggest games in Week 12 and explore expert picks for every Top 25 game in Week 12 as the college football season continues to unfold.

Reference

Alex Martin

Alex Martin is your guide to the global phenomenon of football. With a focus on international leagues and tournaments, he provides match commentary, player interviews, and behind-the-scenes stories from the world of football.