• Mon. Dec 23rd, 2024

Georgia and Tennessee set for defensive battle; BYU faces potential upset and other Week 12 highlights.

We’ve reached the nerve-wracking phase of the college football season for fans. Your team may be doing well and poised for the College Football Playoff, leaving you anxious that something could derail it, or it’s underperforming and making you want changes. Georgia fans, in particular, are frustrated with how the selection committee is handling their Bulldogs. If the season ended today, they’d just miss the 12-team playoff bracket.

Tennessee coach Josh Heupel is likely thrilled that the committee has given extra motivation to Kirby Smart’s Georgia team ahead of their high-stakes clash in Athens, Ga., on Saturday night. This is a must-win for Georgia to stay in the CFP race. A win could create chaos in SEC tiebreakers involving two-loss teams. However, Tennessee could simplify matters by defeating Georgia, a challenge that may be tougher if QB Nico Iamaleava isn’t available. Georgia’s Carson Beck, known for turnovers, will also be under scrutiny.

Expect both defenses to dominate, so betting on a low-scoring game seems wise.

What else to watch for in Week 12:

Will Kansas upset another season?

Kansas has had an unusual season, managing to keep their coach and quarterback despite recent success, yet they sit at 3-6 near the bottom of the Big 12. However, their win over then-No. 17 Iowa State, with QB Jalon Daniels tallying over 350 yards and RB Devin Neal scoring twice, was their best game so far. This sets up an intriguing matchup against BYU in Provo this weekend.

BYU remains undefeated but has shown vulnerability, needing comebacks against Oklahoma State and Utah to stay perfect. Will Kansas end BYU’s streak, or can the Cougars continue their push toward the Big 12 title game and a possible CFP spot?

Is it time to take a closer look at Oregon?

Oregon, ranked No. 1 in both CFP and AP polls, has flown under the radar since their thrilling win over Ohio State at Auzten. That suits Dan Lanning and his team fine, as they steer clear of the season’s turmoil. The Ducks’ consistent performances contrast with other top teams’ struggles, which is why Vegas rates them so highly. They are two-touchdown favorites playing at Wisconsin — always a challenging venue, even if Wisconsin isn’t at its peak. Luke Fickell’s Badgers haven’t managed such wins under his leadership, so an upset would be a surprise.

This week, Oregon’s offensive line was recognized as a semifinalist for the Joe Moore Award. Their offense looks far more cohesive compared to its early season struggles when it struggled to protect QB Dillon Gabriel or establish a strong ground game.

How is the Heisman race unfolding?

The Heisman Trophy race is extremely competitive this year. The main contenders — Boise State’s Ashton Jeanty, Colorado’s dual-threat Travis Hunter, Miami’s Cam Ward, and Oregon’s Dillon Gabriel — have stayed consistent in the conversation through mid-November. Currently, Hunter leads in betting odds, according to BetMGM, ahead of Week 12. His impressive 118 snaps per game and dual role as a standout receiver and defender have kept Colorado in the Big 12 title race. Despite early doubts about Colorado’s success, Hunter’s performance strengthens his case for a Heisman finalist spot.

I still have Jeanty as my top choice. While his average yards per carry have dropped, he continues to deliver historic stats and is pushing Boise State towards its first Playoff appearance. Although he’s faced mostly Group of 5 opponents, his standout game against Oregon cannot be overlooked. Jeanty deserves a trip to New York, along with Gabriel and Ward. Also, Indiana QB Kurtis Rourke is on my radar, as he leads the unbeaten Hoosiers, one of this season’s best stories, with an efficient offense. To boost his Heisman chances, he’ll need a standout performance against Ohio State next Saturday — a perfect chance for a “Heisman moment.”

 

 

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