Week 12 College Football Betting Preview: Key Matchups and Odds

As Week 12 of the college football season approaches, the stakes have never been higher, particularly for teams fighting for playoff positions. Texas and Oklahoma, once rivals now turned competitors in the playoff race, face crucial matchups that could determine their postseason fate.

According to the Las Vegas Sun, both teams are underdogs this week, with Texas at +6.5 against Georgia and Oklahoma at +6.5 against Alabama. These matchups are pivotal, as they present opportunities for both teams to enhance their resumes for the College Football Playoff.

The odds indicate a clear picture: teams like Ohio State, Indiana, Texas A&M, and Ole Miss are strong favorites for the playoff spots, while Texas and Oklahoma vie for the last at-large position. The betting market suggests that Texas at +180 and Oklahoma at +250 have favorable odds to secure that final playoff entry.

Meanwhile, Georgia is a significant favorite at -2000 to make the playoff, while Alabama is at -1600, reflecting their strong seasons so far. The Longhorns have a chance to prove their strength, coming off a bye week and boasting an offensive surge with quarterback Arch Manning leading the way.

With impressive offensive outputs in their last two games, scoring 45 and 34 points, Texas aims to exploit Georgia's weaknesses, particularly in their struggling defense, which ranks 111th in defensive EPA per pass.

Oklahoma's defense, the best unit on the field against Alabama, will also play a crucial role as they attempt to keep the game competitive. The Sooners' defensive strategies have previously troubled Alabama, having secured a 24-3 victory last year as 14-point underdogs.

Other notable games this week include Notre Dame favored by 10.5 points against Pittsburgh, as the Fighting Irish are viewed as one of the most complete teams outside of Ohio State. The underdog Virginia at +6.5 against Duke is another matchup to watch, especially with quarterback Chandler Morris potentially sidelined.

Additionally, Florida is a hefty underdog at +17 against Ole Miss, a line that some analysts believe is inflated given Florida's history of surprising performances against higher-ranked teams. The betting landscape for Week 12 is further complicated by games like USC at -6.5 against Iowa, where USC's high-octane offense seeks to capitalize on Iowa's defensive prowess.

Overall, with every game impacting playoff standings, the betting insights are crucial for fans and analysts as they navigate this pivotal week in college football.