College Football Week 12 Game Predictions

Its another big week of college football action as we get closer and closer to finding out the College Football Playoff participants. There are plenty of games that will have an impact on that.

Irish Breakdown will have its eyes on four games in particular.

#22 Utah (7-3) at #17 Arizona (7-3)

Time: 2:30 PM ET
Network: Pac 12 Network
Line: Arizona -1.0, O/U: 46.5

There are four games this weekend that will matchup a pair of ranked teams. This is one that has us intrigued. A win by Arizona keeps them ahead of Notre Dame in the rankings, but a loss means the Irish likely jump up ahead of both teams. How the Pac 12 is perceived is also somewhat at play in this game. But more importantly, it's just a good game between two well coached football teams, and a win by Arizona means a team that was 1-11 just two years ago has a legitimate chance to finish the season in the Top 15. Quite the turnaround.

Bryan Driskell, Publisher - Arizona 27, Utah 24

This is going to be a battle, and both teams are battle tested. I'm going with Arizona to win because they are at home and because they have the balance to give Utah problems.

Vince DeDario, Football Analyst - Arizona 24, Utah 21

This is basically a pick 'em type game with Utah gging on the road to Arizona. Utah has been known to win the big games but this year they have faltered against ranked teams. Some have been close but at the end of the day they have not gotten it done. I think the Wildcats have the advantage of being at home in this one and it is a very early game as well.

Ryan Roberts, Recruiting Director - Utah 28, Arizona 27

Utah is a mentally tough team that seems to be outperforming the talent on their roster right now, especially at quarterback. If this game is a tight one, the experience of the Utes should win out. Arizona, regardless, is trending in a great direction.

Sean Stires, Staff Writer - Arizona 27, Utah 20

Arizona’s as surprising as anyone this season and Utah might be as disappointing. Wildcat quarterback Noah Fifita didn’t start the season as the starter, but he has 16 touchdown passes in the last six games.

Andrew McDonough, IB Contributor - Utah 27, Arizona 24

Wildcat freshman QB Noah Fifita has this team punching above its weight, but a veteran Utah team coming off a close loss to Washington finds a way to win this one in the desert.

#1 Georgia (10-0) at #18 Tennessee (7-3)

Time: 3:30 PM ET
Network: CBS
Line: Georgia -10.0, O/U: 58.5

Georgia has already secured its spot in the SEC Title game, but it needs to beat Tennessee this week to make them very, very hard to keep out of the playoff, even if it loses the title game. Tennessee took a step back this season, but a win over Georgia gives it a much-needed momentum boost. A loss and the Volunteers could find themselves fighting to hold onto a spot in the Top 25.

Bryan Driskell, Publisher - Georgia 41, Tennessee 17

Georgia smacked Tennessee a year ago even with Hendon Hooker and his talented pass catchers. The Volunteers are an incredibly overrated team, and Missouri exposed that last week. Georgia completely dominates this matchup.

Vince DeDario, Football Analyst - Georgia 34, Tennessee 27

The only thing that worries me about Georgia in this game is they are on the road for only the third time this season and they did not exactly fire on all cylinders against Vandy and Auburn. Tennessee is undefeated at home this season, but I still think the champs are the champs and will outlast the Vols.

Ryan Roberts, Recruiting Director - Georgia 41, Tennessee 20

Georgia is rolling right now. They head into a matchup with a Tennessee team that is not nearly as imposing as their record or ranking indicates. The Bulldogs continue their dominance offensively.

Sean Stires, Staff Writer - Georgia 32, Tennessee 17

Three-loss Tennessee has respectable losses but their best win might be over Jimbo-less Texas A&M. They were hammered by Mizzou last week and the Tigers played Georgia as close as anyone this season.

Andrew McDonough, IB Contributor - Georgia 41, Tennessee 13

The Vols let last week get away from them in a blowout loss to Missouri, and no amount of hoopla or Dolly Parton vibes is going to slow a Georgia team peaking at the right time and looking every bit the title contender. Dawgs big.

#20 North Carolina (8-2) at Clemson (6-4)

Time: 3:30 PM ET
Network: ESPN
Line: Clemson -7.5, O/U: 59.5

North Carolina is still fighting for a chance to play in the ACC title game. The Tar Heels need a win over Clemson and a Miami victory over Louisville to have a chance, along with some other outcomes to impact the tiebreaker. Clemson is looking to finish its disappointing season on a strong note. A win over North Carolina and South Carolina to end the regular season would allow the Tigers to finish the season with some positive vibes.

Bryan Driskell, Publisher - Clemson 30, North Carolina 27

Clemson has played much better ball of late and the Tar Heels have been scuffling. Drake Maye keeps the Tar Heels in this one, but their fourth quarter woes continue as the Tigers get it done.

Vince DeDario, Football Analyst - Clemson 28, North Carolina 24

Clemson is a very good team at home and say what you want they have a lot of momentum after that Notre Dame win a couple weeks ago. They smoked Georgia Tech at home last week. The Heels are a good team for sure but I just do not think they have the weapons around Drake Maye to put this one away in Death Valley.

Ryan Roberts, Recruiting Director - Clemson 31, North Carolina 28

Clemson has shown some life. Their victory over Notre Dame could propel them to a solid finish. UNC quarterback Drake Maye should be able to score some points but the Tar Heel defense just hasn’t been trending in a great direction after a solid start.

Sean Stires, Staff Writer - Clemson 35, North Carolina 31

Clemson’s offense has come to life over the last two games. Cade Klubnik had four touchdowns against Georgia Tech last week. Drake Maye will still get his, but the Tigers will slow him just enough.

Andrew McDonough, IB Contributor - Clemson 31, North Carolina 28

The Tigers have had North Carolina's number during the mini-Tar Heel resurgence under Mack Brown, and Clemson will throw the kitchen sink at Drake Maye. That will be enough for a finally-healthy Clemson offense to continue building momentum. Tyler from Spartanburg will have much to be thankful for this week.

#5 Washington (10-0) at #11 Oregon State (8-2)

Time: 7:30 PM ET
Network: ABC
Line: Oregon State -1.0, O/U: 62.5

Washington and Oregon State are two of the best teams in the country, and both have a lot to play for. Washington is still in control of its own playoff destiny, and a win over the Beavers gets it one step closer to a second playoff berth. Oregon State is pushing for a New Year's Six Bowl game, and an upset win over the Huskies vaults them into the Top 10. This is two of the best coached teams in all of college football.

Bryan Driskell, Publisher - Washington 31, Oregon State 24

I love what Jonathan Smith has done in Corvallis, but Washington is battle tested and Michael Penix Jr. will lead a pass attack that ultimately gets it done.

Vince DeDario, Football Analyst - Washington 42, Oregon State 21

This will just be a speed bump on the way to Michael Penix and his Heisman Trophy and the Huskies getting into the CFP. Oregon State has a nice win over Utah and maybe UCLA. This game being in Corvallis gives the Beavers some life but I do not think this game will be close.

Ryan Roberts, Recruiting Director - Washington 31, Oregon State 24

Washington has been showing warts as a football team but they just keep winning. Their hypothetical rematch with Oregon in the Pac 12 championship feels like where the loss is going to happen. Oregon State just doesn’t have enough pass game weapons to pull off an upset.

Sean Stires, Staff Writer - Washington 42, Oregon State 35

This will be the third straight ranked opponent for Washington and they finish with rival Washington State next week. Oregon State will make things interesting, but it won’t be enough.

Andrew McDonough, IB Contributor - Washington 34, Oregon State 27

The Beavers flipped to a 1-point favorite after the lines opened and though Oregon State is a solid team, Washington has the better quarterback and athletes galore at the skill positions. Jonathan Smith has worked wonders at his alma mater, but the Beavers have historically lost these games. The difference maker in this one isn't Michael Penix Jr. though - it's RB Dillon Johnson, who gets the ugly yards and opens up the seams for Penix, Rome Odunze, and company.

Be sure to check out the Irish Breakdown message board, the Champions Lounge

Irish Breakdown Content

2023 Scholarship Chart
2023 Football Schedule

Notre Dame 2024 Scholarship Offers

2024 Commit Rankings - Offense
2024 Commit Rankings - Defense

2023 Recruiting Class Grades - Offense
2023 Recruiting Class Grades - Defense

———————

Become a premium Irish Breakdown member, which grants you access to all of our premium content and our premium message board! Click on the link below for more.

BECOME A MEMBER

Be sure to stay locked into Irish Breakdown all the time!

Join the Irish Breakdown community!
Subscribe to the Irish Breakdown YouTube channel
Subscribe to the Irish Breakdown podcast on iTunes
Follow me on Twitter: @CoachD178
Like and follow Irish Breakdown on Facebook

Sign up for the FREE Irish Breakdown daily newsletter