It’s week 12 and if this weekend's games are anything like last weeks, then we are all set for an exciting day. We, like many experts, were surprised by the Penn State loss to Minnesota last week, but we picked the LSU and Texas results (even the FG by Dicker at the end of the game). 

This week we have 2 huge Top 25 games and one massive rivalry game which should go down to the wire.

#13 Baylor University vs #10 University of Oklahoma

First up is the #10 Oklahoma Sooners travelling to Texas to take on the unbeaten #13 Baylor Bears. Oklahoma are 8-1 this season and haven’t looked their best of late, narrowly defeating Iowa State last week 42-41 when Iowa State failed on a 2-point conversion to win the game and losing the game before to Kansas State 48-41. Oklahoma currently have the wood on Baylor, winning the past 4 games against the Bears. The Sooners are scoring with ease this season and are 2nd in the nation in points per game with 48.4. A huge reason for that is senior QB Jalen Hurts and junior WR CeeDee Lamb. Hurts has 24 TDs and also 2,742 passing yards this season which puts him 10th in the nation. Lamb is 4th in the nation in yards reception with 22.8 and has 983 receiving yards and a nation leading 13 receiving TDs.

Baylor on the other hand are undefeated this season with 9 wins. They have won in OT twice in the last 4 games including last weeks crazy win over TCU. The Bears lead the Big12 in sacks and opposition points per game with 19 which isn’t a surprise after last weeks defensive showdown which ended at 9-9 after regulation.  Junior QB Charlie Brewer is having a solid year with 2,338 yards and 16 TDs. Senior WR Denzel Mims is making his case for the NFL with 675 yards and 8 TDs including 2 last week.

Watch out for:

Jalen Hurts. He is a Heisman chance if the Sooners win out and a very exciting player to watch.

Verdict:

They say good teams find a way to win, and Baylor seem to be just that. Sitting at 9-0, they have found a way to win every game this year. Taking on Oklahoma after 2 shaky games, there isn’t a better time for the Bears to go to 10-0. 

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#12 Auburn University vs #4 University of Georgia

The next game to watch is the biggest SEC game since… last week. #4 Georgia Bulldogs travel to the #12 Auburn Tigers. Georgia are 8-1 this season with their only loss coming against South Carolina, ouch. Auburn are 7-2 this season with their losses coming against #10 Florida and #2 LSU, pretty tough teams. The Bulldogs opponents are averaging a mere 10.10 points per game which puts them 2nd in the nation and the Tigers are 13th in the nation only allowing opponents 17.4 points per game. Georgia have given up 17 points in the past 3 games, with all 17 of those points coming against Florida. Georgia, as always, have some high calibre players and leading the backfield is junior RB D’Andre Swift, with 921 yards and 7 TDs this year. Junior QB, Jake Fromm, has thrown for 1,858 yards and 13 TDs this season. 

For the Tigers they have freshman QB Bo Nix who is slowly finding his feet under centre. Nix is surely going to be an NFL player in the future, just look at him. But for now the Tigers have to rely on TDs on the ground (23) more than TDs in the air (14). Nix has 1798 yards, 12 TDs plus 5 rushing TDs this year. Sophomore WR Seth Williams is dominating the air down there with 8 out of the 14 TDs for Auburn and 569 yards.

Watch out for:

Auburns Aussie punter Arryn Siposs, averaging 43 yards per punt this year.

Verdict:

In a big defensive game, all points will be like gold. Nix needs to have his best game for the year if the Tigers are to win, and looking at the stats, that doesn’t seem like it will happen. Georgia to keep their place in the Top 4 for one more week.

#15 University of Michigan vs Michigan State University

The third game of the weekend that I find pretty interesting is the battle between #15 Michigan Wolverines and the Michigan State Spartans. This will be the 112th meeting of the two teams and they play for the Paul Bunyan trophy… which the Wolverines won back last year. Ranked as high as 18 this year, the Spartans are 2-5 since winning their first 2 games. Michigan States last 4 games have been losses, but they have had a tough run, playing #6 Penn State, #8 Wisconsin and #4 Ohio State and a record breaking Illinois team last week. 

The Spartans were on the wrong end of a 27-point comeback. Michigan however are 2 touchdown favourites this weekend as they are 7-2 this season, with their losses coming against #13 Wisconsin and #7 Penn State. The Michigan defense has been strong, only allowing 17.1 points against per game, which ranks them 11th in the nation. The Wolverines beat Maryland last week 38-7. A few Michigan players to look out for this week: senior QB Shea Patterson, 1,773 yards and 12 TDs. Freshman RB Zach Charbonnet 559 yards and 11 TDs. Spartans: Freshman RB Elijah Collins, 715 yards and 5 TDs this season. Collins had 2 TDs and 170 yards last week. Senior QB Brian Lewerke, 2,012 yards and 12 TDs. But Lewerke had 3 interceptions last week.

Watch out for:

I am a big fan of Freshman RB Zach Charbonnet for Michigan. Watch him run up 100 yards and a TD this week.

Verdict:

This is probably going to be a win for Michigan but it's set to be a close game. The Spartans need to win 2 more games to be bowl eligible and they are running out of games to do it. They would love to beat rivals Michigan at Michigan but I think Michigan might have the overall advantage.

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