Frogs O’ War Staff Picks: College Football Week 12

Big 12

Arizona Wildcats at Cincinnati Bearcats – Sat. Nov. 15, 11:00 AM, FS1

Anthony: Things spiraled for the Bearcats in SLC last week, but Cinci remains better than that score and will bounce back with the win in Nippert. Arizona is happy to hit bowl eligibility and sleepwalks through this loss as the early start time sets up that western body clock up for failure.
Austin: This is a trickier pick than it looks. Cincinnati, sitting at 7-2 with home-field advantage, is the favorite, but Arizona has looked like a formidable squad this season, ranking in the top-five in the Big 12 in both total offense and defense. But the same goes for the Bearcats, who narrowly scrape by.

Caleb: Is this a bounce back game or a trap game for the Bearcats? Arizona has earned more respect with their 6-3 record to be regarded as a trap, thus Cincy should have their eyes wide open for it. Sorsby and the Cats rebound at home.
Drew: Despite a rough loss to Utah in their last game, the Bearcats are still in a very good spot to make the Big 12 championship game. Arizona is putting together a solid season, but I think the Cincinnati rushing attack is too much for the Wildcats who let up 170 yards on the ground to Kansas last week. I’ll take Cincinnati here.
Russ: The Wildcats are playing some good ball right now, but I’ll take the Bearcats as home favorites.

Kansas State Wildcats at Oklahoma State Cowboys – Sat. Nov. 15, 11:00 AM, ESPNU

Anthony: Wildcats by a billion.
Austin: Kansas State. There’s only one right answer here.
Caleb: K-State has their swagger back and the best thing I have to say about OK State is that their RG is transferring to TCU. Wildcats win.
Drew: Kansas State by multiple touchdowns.
Russ: The Wildcats bounce back from a tough loss to Texas Tech and beat the hapless Cowboys in Stillwater.

West Virginia Mountaineers at Arizona State Sun Devils

– Sat. Nov. 15, Noon, TNT / HBO Max

Anthony: Still no Jordyn Tyson in this one, but it doesn’t matter. ASU is at least two TDs better than the Mountaineers and run away with this one. Forks up.
Austin: The Mountaineers might just be turning a corner, but I can’t go against Kenny Dillingham and the Arizona State Sun Devils in this one. Give me ASU.
Caleb: I’m going to go all the way out on a limb in this one just based on a gut feeling. Jeff Sims is good for a stinker of a game every once in a while and Scotty Fox has emerged as a gamer for WVU. Rich Rod will have his team fired up to get to bowl eligibility with their next two games and knock off ASU ahead of their bye. Country roads, take me home.
Drew: Scotty Fox Jr. has given West Virginia some life but I think Arizona State is too talented to lose this one, especially at home. I’ll take ASU.
Russ: I can see this game being closer than expected, but I’ll roll with the Arizona State Sun Devils at home.

UCF Knights at Texas Tech Red Raiders – Sat. Nov. 15, 2:30 PM, FOX

Anthony: The poor Knights are about to be a smear on the Texas Tech windshield on the road to Arlington. Game is over before they get off the bus in Lubbock.
Austin: The Red Raiders lead the conference in both total offense and defense. Texas Tech has a clear shot at the College Football Playoff and won’t let UCF get in its way. Tech wins big.
Caleb: Texas Tech is riding high after Gameday las week and I think they throttle UCF here. As the tiers level out in the Big 12, UCF is clearly in the bottom one. Wreck them!
Drew: Texas Tech has won its last three games by an average of 29 points and UCF has just one Big 12 win this season. I’ll take the Red Raiders.
Russ: Texas Tech is surging toward a Big 12 title game spot. That surge continues witih a win over UCF.

Utah Utes at Baylor Bears – Sat. Nov. 15, 6:00 PM, ESPN2

Anthony: Baylor finds itself embroiled in controversy again with AD Mack Rhoades ousted amid a violation of the university’s “faith-based policies” in addition to his altercation with star TE Michael Trigg. While that may distract some, perhaps it takes the albatross off Dave Aranda’s neck with Rhoades no longer lurking ready to deliver the pink slip. No logic here, just vibes: Bears get the Top 15 upset in Waco.
Austin: This is a battle between the Big 12’s most prolific passing offense and the most stifling pass defense. However, it’s also between the Utes’ league-best rushing attack versus the Bears’ swiss cheese rush defense—because of this, the Utes win.
Caleb: Baylor seems to do well when their leadership is embroiled in controversy. If Baylor can limit Utah from getting off to a hot start, they could churn this thing out. Utah could be in a let-down spot after a huge emotional victory over Cincy and then a week off. How do you get fired back up for the remaining schedule they have? Bears get the upset win at home.
Drew: Baylor has fallen very short of expectations this season with a defense that has struggled tremendously. I expect Utah’s offense to have a big game and for the Utes to take down Baylor on the road.
Russ: I think Utah takes this game and pushes Dave Aranda one step closer toward the end of his Baylor tenure.

Top National Games

Notre Dame Fighting Irish at Pitt Panthers – Sat. Nov. 15, 11:00 AM, ABC

Anthony: As Pitt coach Pat Narduzzi said this week, this game is meaningless to the Panthers as its only path to the CFP is via an ACC Title. For the Irish, every game could spell elimination and will require a focus and urgency. Notre Dame gets multiple players with multiple TDs and shoves Pitt QB Mason Heintschel into a locker.
Austin: Both the Fighting Irish and Panthers are on win streaks of five games or more. Don’t be surprised if it’s a close one, but Notre Dame wins its eighth straight.
Caleb: Notre Dame is a real football team and Pitt is in the ACC, it’s a fairly simple choice. I think this is the first loss in a 3 game losing streak for the Panthers. Notre Dame is en route to a CFP berth, even if they lose their two remaining games after this one.
Drew: Pitt has scored at least 30 points in five straight games but I think Jeremiyah Love and CJ Carr score plenty of points to outpace the Panthers. I’ll take Notre Dame on the road.
Russ: Notre Dame hits the road and earns a hard-fought win over the Panthers.

South Florida Bulls at Navy Midshipmen – Sat. Nov. 15, 11:00 AM, ESPN2

Anthony: The top of the American has been a fun battle all season and this should be another banger. Even if Navy QB is back after missing the game vs. Notre Dame, Byrum Brown and the Bulls are too explosive, scoring enough to topple the Midshipmen in a close one.
Austin: This affair between the American Conference’s top two squads will certainly be a fun one. Considering the Bulls have won handily in practically every contest, I’ll side with USF here.
Caleb: The oars are falling off for the Midshipmen as they reach the testy portion of their schedule and I think things will get worse against USF. USF may have lost to Memphis but it wasn’t the full scale exposure that Navy went through last week. Bulls win on the road.
Drew: After a 7-0 start to the season, Navy has lost their last two games, both by at least two touchdowns. I have USF winning on the road.
Russ: South Florida outmanuevers the Midshipmen for the AAC victory.

Oklahoma Sooners at Alabama Crimson Tide – Sat. Nov. 15, 2:30 PM, ABC

Anthony: If this one was in Norman I might side with the Sooners for the upset, but Ty Simpson and the Tide have been playing elite ball since the head-scratcher loss to FSU in the season opener. Bama escapes with the win if only by a bit.
Austin: The Crimson Tide are on a heater, and the Oklahoma Sooners can do no such thing to put it to a halt. Alabama wins.
Caleb: Alabama is rolling and OU has been knocked off their path a bit, I think the Tide take care of business at home and OU’s postseason dreams are crushed.
Drew: I am a bit concerned about Alabama’s offensive line going up against a very good defensive front from Oklahoma. I think the Sooners get to Ty Simpson multiple times and Oklahoma picks up their second straight big time road win here.
Russ: Alabama remains red hot with a win over the Sooners in Tuscaloosa.

Virginia Cavaliers at Duke Blue Devils, Sat. Nov. 15, 2:30 PM, ESPN

Anthony: The absurd traffic jam at the top of the ACC standings is an indictment on the dangers of overexpansion, but it should give us some meaningful football down the stretch. Darian Mensa and the Blue Devils get the W and continue the path towards a conference championship that could keep the ACC out of the CFP.
Austin: If Chandler Morris misses this game, the Cavaliers will be in for a hard-fought battle with the Blue Devils. However, Virginia Head Coach Tony Elliot did say Morris looked “OK” after coming back to the sidelines. With Morris likely to play, Virginia wins.
Caleb: Chandler Morris looks to be a go so I think Virginia takes care of business on the road. Their schedule is virtually over after this one so their focus should be solid. It will be a good QB battle nonetheless, I like what Mensah has to offer. Just not enough to get it done.
Drew: Both of these teams suffered disappointing losses in their last games but I think Duke bounces back here with an upset win at home.
Russ: Virginia goes on the road and takes down the Blue Devils.

Iowa Hawkeyes at USC Trojans – Sat. Nov. 15, 2:30 PM, Big Ten Network

Anthony: “Don’t let them beat you twice” Iowa very nearly took down the Ducks last week, but the comedown from that disappointment mountain is going to be harsh as the road trip to the Coliseum flattens the Hawkeyes. USC keeps its Big Ten championship hopes alive.
Austin: Iowa played Oregon better than I, and most would have guessed last weekend. Yet, for the second straight week, the Hawkeyes fall short. Fight On.
Caleb: Defense travels! And Iowa’s offense is a defense in and of itself. USC will have their eyes set on their trip to Eugene next week and Iowa will strike. Hawkeyes win in LA.
Drew: I think Iowa drags USC into a defensive slugfest and comes away with a win on the road in a low scoring game.
Russ: I’ll side with the Hawkeyes in this “Big Ten” matchup in Southern California.

Texas Longhorns at Georgia Bulldogs – Sat. Nov. 15, 6:30 PM, ABC

Anthony: Arch Manning goes between the hedges in Athens and delivers a signature upset victory. Bulldogs haven’t been the unstoppable juggernaut of recent years and picks up a second loss.
Austin: After losing confidence in the Longhorns earlier this season, they’ve looked more like the powerhouse many expected them to be in recent weeks. Texas earns its biggest win of the year (yes, even more so than The Red River Rivalry) against Georgia.
Caleb: Georgia at home should be an easy win against a UT team that has had a tough time playing a complete game. Give me the Dawgs.
Drew: Texas has really struggled on the road this season and Georgia is rolling right now. I’ll take the Bulldogs at home here.
Russ: Could Texas be back? Not so fast. Georgia wins in Athens.

Boise State Broncos at San Diego State Aztecs – Sat. Nov. 15, 9:30 PM, CBS Sports Net

Anthony: The MWC is almost certainly already eliminated from the CFP, but this showdown at the top of the standings likely puts the winner into the conference title game.
Austin: Both Boise State and San Diego State are coming off dismal losses. This contest between Mountain West foes will go down to the wire, but San Diego State comes out on top.
Caleb: Both of these teams got caught looking ahead at one another so last week’s losses come out in the wash. That said, SDSU is the better team playing at home so I favor them by default. Aztecs win it home.
Drew: I think San Diego State bounces back from a tough loss to Hawaii last week with a win over the Broncos here.
Russ: Aztecs hold off the Broncos at home.