Miami lost, Georgia lost, and LSU got smoked. However, it was a game out west in the Big 12 that had everyone talking. Week 11 was dominated by a thrilling BYU/Utah game where the Utes seemed to get the short end of the stick on an officiating call that cost their athletic director $40,000 when he publicly called it out. The win keeps BYU atop the Big 12 and makes the CFP conversation much more intriguing after another ranking was released. This week has far fewer star-studded matchups, but some immensely important ones as we head down the final stretch. Here are our top 3 picks for 2024 College Football Week 12.
No. 7 Tennessee vs No. 12 Georgia
Georgia is coming off a massive upset that slid them all the way down to number 12. You might be thinking, “at least they are still in the bracket!” But you would be wrong. Boise State, ranked 13th, would claim that final spot as the fifth highest-ranked conference winner. So that means Georgia is in a must-win situation this week against the Vols in Athens. The bad news for Tennessee is that QB Nico Iamaleava is in concussion protocol, so his status is up in the air for Saturday’s important game. Put it this way, if he plays, I am backing the Vols. This Georgia team seems like a shell of itself from former years. Carson Beck is proving that he is not the answer we thought he was at the beginning of the year. UGA had no answers last week for an Ole Miss team that has some serious issues themselves. If the Vols field a healthy Iamaleava this weekend, the end of Georgia’s CPF hopes are near. Prediction: Tennessee 23 Georgia 17
No. 13 Boise State vs San Jose State
Didn’t expect to see this game on the slate, did you? Here’s the deal. Boise State currently has that final spot locked down. Their final three games are against San Jose State, Wyoming, and Oregon State. The best shot at them losing a game would come this weekend. This Spartans team is drastically improved with former Navy coach Ken Niumatalolo calling the shots. SJSU is 6-3 entering this game and their offense is fun to watch. They took Washington State down to the wire, but this would certainly be the upset of the year. The reality is that Ashton Jeanty does his thing, rushes for six touchdowns, and calls it his Heisman moment. I could see a world where that goes down, but I think Sparty at the very least keeps it close and keeps it interesting enough that Boise State gets a scare. Prediction: Boise State 35 San Jose State 31
Utah vs No. 17 Colorado
It might not be the sexiest matchup, but this is another important game for the College Football Playoff. Right now Colorado would play BYU in the Big 12 Championship with the winner getting an auto playoff-bid. The Big 12 is only set to produce one team in the CFP at this moment, so any sort of stumble to prevent Colorado from playing in that game would be a disaster. Arizona State and Kansas State are sitting back, praying for a spot to open so that they can pounce. Utah just took BYU to the very end and in my opinion, should have won. Colorado can get too big for its britches at times, and this feels like a letdown game after a massive win. College kids can get distracted and with all the eyes on the Buffs, this could be the week it comes down. Prediction: Utah 30 Colorado 25