Pick 6! CFB Predictions for Week 12

PICK 6! CFB PREDICTIONS FOR WEEK 12

Last week, LSU @ Alabama headlined our Pick 6 predictions competition. It was billed as the “Game of the Century” and it did not disappoint. Whether you’re Geaux Tigers or Roll Tide, you have to admit it was an instant classic.

As impressive as LSU’s victory in Tuscaloosa was, it wasn’t the biggest shock of College Football Week 11. That honour went to the Minnesota Golden Gophers, who extended their undefeated run with victory over 4th ranked Penn State.

The wild scenes inside TCF Bank Stadium, and in the locker room, sum up everything that’s great about College Football. The passion, unpredictability, and fairytale storylines are unparalleled in sports.

Despite this unpredictability, each week in Pick 6 we try and predict the winners of 6 of the biggest games in College Football. Each week we’re joined by a guest picker who contributes to a total for the season as well as competing for a guest leaderboard.

Last week, we were joined by Jim Weber who got 4 out of 6 right. Unfortunately for Jim, our Alex Chinery achieved Pick 6 perfection to tie the predictions table heading in to Week 12.

Pick 6 Predictions Table After Week 11

Guest – 48
Alex Chinery – 48
Oli Hodgkinson – 46
George Somerville – 41

Pick 6 Guest Leaderboard After Week 11

Cam Mellor – 6
Olivia Dekker – 6
Nat Coombs – 5
Dane Brugler – 5
Jordan Reid – 4
Brian Baldinger – 4
Trevor Sikkema – 4
NFL Draft Diamonds – 4
Jim Weber – 4
Mello – 3
Ross Dellenger – 3

For Pick 6 this week, we’ve got an extra special guest.

If you’ve ever frequented The Knott Bar, Manchester, you may have seen this man “working every hour”. He may have served you a craft beer, or a homemade pizza.

However, Simon Carroll is also the head of College Football content here at The Touchdown. He’s been covering the NFL Draft since 2009, and is the co-host of the Collapsing Pocket Podcast. He’s an avid Texas Longhorns and Los Angeles Chargers fan.

So, to this week’s Pick 6 games!

Wisconsin @ Nebraska

Alex Chinery: Wisconsin

Wisconsin hasn’t lived up to the hype this season, but they’ve certainly been better than Nebraska. I expect this Wisconsin defense and running game to keep the Badgers in front.

George Somerville: Wisconsin

Scott Frost’s woes to continue. Badgers win.

Oliver Hodgkinson: Wisconsin

The Badgers travel to Lincoln to take on a Huskers team giving up 174 rushing yards a game. Jonathan Taylor, anyone?

Simon Carroll: Wisconsin

A matchup that you would be forgiven for pencilling in as a must-see before the year began. Not quite as important now, but still an interesting contest. Wisconsin have won the last six games in this series, and with Jonathan Taylor back to his best, expect more of the same at Camp Randall Stadium later today.

Michigan State @ Michigan

Alex Chinery: Michigan

State is bad, Michigan is improving. Michigan will win here to get the hype rolling ahead of the Ohio State game, where they will promptly get blown out.

George Somerville: Michigan

Rivalry games are notoriously difficult to predict, but Michigan have much more to lose with this game. Big Blue is on a roll, and Harbaugh finally seems to have found a system that Shea Patterson can play in. Wolverines win.

Oliver Hodgkinson: Michigan

Brian Lewerke vs Shea Patterson? No thank you. State have had a tough run of 4 losses, and are missing Joe Bachie due to suspension. Michigan to win this fierce rivalry game.

Simon Carroll: Michigan

It’s taken far too long for their Big Ten aspirations, but this Michigan offense has finally turned the corner. And whilst I expect the Spartans to improve from their embarrassing loss to Illinois, they still can’t match the talent level of the Wolverines. Michigan State’s defense will keep it closer than it should be, but expect Jim Harbaugh’s team to pull away in the fourth quarter and retain the Paul Bunyan Trophy.

Georgia @ Auburn

Alex Chinery: Georgia

This Georgia defense is stifling. They are playing at a level that is too elite for Freshman QB Bo Nix to best. Expect Georgia to win this, but it’ll be close.

George Somerville: Auburn

Arguably the toughest game on the Bulldogs schedule, and one which will ultimately prove if the College Play Off Committee is right to rank UGA at #4. Tough game, but I think the Auburn defense wins this one.

Oliver Hodgkinson: Georgia

This has got overtime written all over it. Possibly the closest game of the weekend. I’m taking Georgia’s defense, with a game winning D’Andre Swift performance on offense.

Simon Carroll: Georgia

Auburn, under Gus Malzahn, have frequently de-railed playoff hopefuls towards the end of the year. But I think they try and save that magic for the Iron Bowl in two weeks time. With two of the best defenses in all of college football pitting their wits against each other, it’s going to come down to quarterback play. Give me Jake Fromm over Bo Nix in a tight one.

Minnesota @ Iowa

Alex Chinery: Minnesota

The Golden Gophers keep rolling towards a West title, and showdown with Ohio State. Iowa is talented and will cause the Gophers issues, but I expect Minnesota to have too much.

George Somerville: Minnesota

#rowtheboat Gophers win.

Oliver Hodgkinson: Minnesota

Row, row, row the boat, gently to the BIG Ten title game. I bet against PJ Fleck and the Golden Gophers last week and it isn’t a mistake I’m making again.

Simon Carroll: Minnesota

I actually think this is a trap game for PJ Fleck and The Golden Gophers following last week’s fairytale win over Penn State. But Iowa have lost all three games against ranked opposition and if Tanner Morgan plays like he did last Saturday then the Hawkeyes are in trouble. Give me Minnesota with another big day from DB Antoine Winfield.

Oklahoma @ Baylor

Alex Chinery: Baylor

The best story of college football this year is the Bears incredible run this season. It continues for another game as the Bears shock the Sooners behind a well executed game plan.

George Somerville: Baylor

Game of the weekend. Baylor have been the surprise of the season so far, and defensively have been outstanding. Offensively they struggle at times but this is not a great Sooners defense, meaning it should be a ding dong of a game. Can the Bears fairytale continue? I think it can. #GoBears

Oliver Hodgkinson: Oklahoma

After dropping two games to Mr Chinery last week, I need to catch up and in this tightest of games where anyone could win, I’ll go against him. Baylor has been the story of the season alongside Minnesota, and it’s a travesty that they aren’t the favourite to win.

Simon Carroll: Baylor

Heart over head time. You’ll never see me picking Oklahoma, and I refuse to apologise for it. What Matt Rhule has achieved in Waco is nothing short of miraculous after the chaos left by Art Briles and the previous regime. With a spot in the College Football Playoffs at stake the Bears dig in with their defense and steal a historic win.

USC @ Cal

Alex Chinery: USC

In an old fashioned battle of offense vs defense, I have gone with the offense. Slovis has been excellent since taking the job. I expect him to throw for big numbers and put up too many points for Cal to live with.

George Somerville: USC

Tricky one to predict. Cal’s defence has stepped up this season, and already slowed Herbert and Eason, but they showed against Wazzu that they are susceptible to the air raid. Kedon Slovis is having a great debut season. In what has been an up and down season for both teams, I’m taking the Trojans in a close one.

Oliver Hodgkinson: USC

Cal ended a losing streak last time out against WSU. Their defense has some legitimate stars. However, I expect them to find USC’s wide receiver group too hot to handle.

Simon Carroll: USC

California football is so inconsistent right now, whether that be USC, Cal or UCLA. None of them have found any momentum. USC have the most to play for with Head Coach Clay Helton very much on the hotseat. Kedon Slovis is turnover prone, and he’s up against an experienced Cal secondary, but I still feel The Trojans have the edge. A win for USC that definitely won’t make a difference to Helton’s job propsects.

Feature Image Credit: Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports

Oliver Hodgkinson is a College Football writer for The Touchdown. He also writes on the NFL for the Pro Football Network. You can hear his opinions on all things College Football as one third of the College Chaps Podcast.

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Pick 6! CFB Predictions for Week 12