College Football Games to Watch Week 12: Matchups, Info, Odds

Looking at the biggest matchups and most interesting betting lines for Week 12 of the 2022 college football season.

Henry John

Last updated: January 1, 0001 12:00 AM EST • 6 min read

Breaking down the opening odds and early betting action for some of the biggest matchups on the Week 12 college football schedule.

Week 12 will have a hard time surpassing what went down in the sport of college football this past Saturday. A whopping eight ranked teams were knocked off last weekend. We can expect a whole lot of shuffling when the updated College Football Playoff Rankings drop on Tuesday night.

As we turn the page to the penultimate week of the regular college football season, there are plenty of impactful games to note. Midweek MACtion continues with several key conference matchups to follow on Saturday. In addition to conference title pictures, plenty of teams are in the hunt to simply become bowl eligible and play in the postseason.

Here are the top games to watch in Week 12 of the 2022 college football season (all odds via DraftKings Sportsbook).

Top College Football Games to Watch in Week 12

(4) TCU vs. Baylor

Date: Saturday, Nov. 19, Noon ET
TV: FOX
Location: McLane Stadium, Waco, TX
Odds: TCU -2.5 | O/U 58

Not only did TCU get it done again last week, but the win over Texas saw the Horned Frogs’ defense surpass expectations in a big way. It’s no secret how powerful TCU is on offense. If the defense can replicate last week’s performance going forward, look out for this squad. Speaking of tough defenses, TCU will go up against what figures to be an upset Baylor outfit on Saturday.

Baylor had its three-game winning streak snapped with an ugly 28-point home loss to Kansas State last week. Having won the Big 12 title last year, the Bears certainly know how to win big games. However, the defense isn’t nearly what it was a year ago. As such, it actually wouldn’t be a huge surprise to see the market move in favor of the Horned Frogs in this spot.

Miami vs. (9) Clemson

Date: Saturday, Nov. 19, 3:30 p.m. ET
TV: ESPN
Location: Memorial Stadium, Clemson, SC
Odds: CLEM -19 | O/U 48

For as miserable of a debut season as it has been for Mario Cristobal at Miami, the Hurricanes still have a chance to become bowl eligible. The problem is that this week’s road trip to Death Valley marks the first of two tough matchups to end the regular season. Of course, Clemson has no margin for error when it comes to making the College Football Playoff.

Early betting action has come in on the total for this game. The current over/under of 48 is already 2.5 points higher than where Las Vegas oddsmakers first opened the line. As for the point spread, 19 feels like a lot to lay with the Tigers, especially against a team with plenty of talent. Bettors should anticipate this line moving in Miami’s favor throughout the week.

South Alabama vs. Southern Mississippi

Date: Saturday, Nov. 19, 3:30 p.m. ET
TV: NFL Network
Location: M. M. Roberts Stadium, Hattiesburg, MS
Odds: USA -7.5 | O/U 46

Rather than go with an SEC clash between Georgia and Kentucky, we are keeping an eye on a high-stakes Sun Belt Conference showdown in the Saturday afternoon window. South Alabama turned several heads by taking UCLA to the limit earlier this season. The Jaguars have proved that result was no fluke by posting a 5-1 league record.

South Alabama’s only league loss to date came against Troy. As such, a road win over Southern Mississippi is vital for the Jaguars to stay in the mix for a conference title. The Golden Eagles have been pesky on several occasions this season, including a three-point road loss to Coastal Carolina last week. An opening line of USA -8 has already moved half a point in USM’s favor.

Boise State vs. Wyoming

Date: Saturday, Nov. 19, 7 p.m. ET
TV: CBSSN
Location: Jonah Field at War Memorial Stadium, Laramie, WY
Odds: BSU -14 | O/U 44.5

The winner of Saturday night’s showdown between Boise State and Wyoming will be in the driver’s seat to earn a trip to the Mountain West Conference title game. The two teams are separated by just one game in the league standings, but oddsmakers opened the Broncos as a double-digit road favorite for this head-to-head clash.

In many ways, it’s remarkable that Boise State is in this position. Following a loss to UTEP in late September, the Broncos lost their starting quarterback to the transfer portal. Wyoming has defied expectations this year, but will need to do so again on Saturday as a two-touchdown underdog. The Pokes have only beaten Boise State once in 16 previous meetings.

(24) Oklahoma State vs. Oklahoma

Date: Saturday, Nov. 19, 7:30 p.m. ET
TV: ABC
Location: Memorial Stadium, Norman, OK
Odds: OU -7 | O/U 64.5

With Oklahoma leaving the Big 12 for the SEC in two years, college football fans are advised to enjoy the annual Bedlam rivalry game while it’s still around. Of course, this year’s game doesn’t carry anywhere near the same stakes as recent meetings between the schools. In fact, the Sooners have still yet to secure bowl eligibility.

Despite being ranked in the latest AP Poll and two games better in the standings, Oklahoma State finds itself catching a full touchdown on the road this week. Mike Gundy has a superb ATS record as an underdog, but OU has thoroughly dominated the Bedlam rivalry. The Cowboys’ win in last year’s game marked just their 19th victory in 116 all-time meetings.

(7) USC vs. (16) UCLA

Date: Saturday, Nov. 19, 8 p.m. ET
TV: FOX
Location: Rose Bowl, Pasadena, CA
Odds: USC -1.5 | O/U 75

The Pac-12 sure went out and did Pac-12 things last week. USC appears to be the conference’s last remaining hope of having representation in the College Football Playoff. Standing in the Trojans’ way this week is none other than UCLA. The SoCal rivals are set to battle for the Victory Bell at the Rose Bowl on Saturday night.

Of course, if the Bruins turn around and beat USC after squandering their own CFP hopes last week, it would be the ultimate example of the Pac-12 Conference dribbling down its leg in the national spotlight. The Trojans actually opened as a 4-point favorite, but the line has been bet down to under a field goal. Oh, and the ridiculously high total of 75 actually opened at 82.5 out in Las Vegas.

(10) Utah vs. (12) Oregon

Date: Saturday, Nov. 19, 10:30 p.m. ET
TV: ESPN
Location: Autzen Stadium, Eugene, OR
Odds: ORE -3 | O/U 61.5

Joining UCLA in choking under pressure last week was Oregon. How the Ducks managed to blow a late lead and lose to Washington on their home field remains one of life’s greatest mysteries. As a result of the loss, Saturday’s showdown against Utah essentially is a Pac-12 Championship play-in game.

Ever since losing back in Week 1 to Florida, Utah has been flying relatively under the radar. Despite being largely forgotten by the betting public, the Utes have maintained a high power rating. Bookmakers set the opening line for this high-stakes showdown at Oregon -1. It’s also worth noting the 6-point move to the Over. High-scoring affairs have certainly become the norm in the Pac-12 this season.

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Written By:
Henry John

Henry’s passion for sports dates all the way back to childhood and has ultimately led to a full-fledged career as an analyst and content creator. After getting his start penning fantasy football articles, he forrayed into the betting side of the business in early 2019. His love for sports and statistics proved to be an ideal match with the dedicated research and strategy that handicapping requires. Henry currently specializes in betting analysis and picks for college football, college basketball, and NASCAR. He counts NFL, WNBA, and NBA player props as additional leagues/markets of interest. Henry graduated from SUNY Buffalo in 2021 with a Communication Studies degree and a Psychology minor. A native of the Finger Lakes region in Upstate New York, he and his pup, Harold, have since relocated to Laramie, Wyoming. Thanks to his professional goals within the sports betting industry, there has been a whole lot of steam on the odds for a move to Las Vegas in 2023! Most of Henry’s free time is spent on outdoor adventures, playing chess, snowboarding, or reading a good book. He is also a competitive powerlifter and aspires to qualify for the USAPL Nationals meet within the next 2-3 years.