The Big E College Football Picks: Week 12

So, Notre Dame's playoff chances are slim to none right now. Do not fret as there is still plenty to play for this season. Plus, doesn't anyone want to chase me down and win this league?

LEAGUE STANDINGS

Congratulations to our own alstein for rocking everyone in week 11 with a record of 16-2. However, ya boy went 12-6 last week and still remains atop the overall leaderboard.

Big E: 118-78 (1st place)

Let's get to the picks for this week...

Virginia Tech (+5.5) at No. 21 Duke

Pick: Virginia Tech

If the Hokies lose this game that'll give them 6 losses with 2 games left to make a bowl game. Virginia Tech hasn't lost 7 or more games in 20 years. I don't think Duke is going 11-1 and this may be their final test with UNC and Wake Foret left on the schedule. I think Virginia Tech springs an upset in the early afternoon games.

No. 19 Clemson (-3) at No. 22 Georgia Tech

Pick: Clemson

Georgia Tech quietly raced out to 8 wins this season. Now they finish with Clemson and Georgia. The Tigers will have Deshaun Watson back and presumably fully healthy. That's bad news for the bees.

No. 8 Ohio State (-12.5) at No. 25 Minnesota

Pick: Ohio State

Get a good look at Minnesota because their time in the rankings will be short. They have the Buckeyes this week followed by road games at Nebraska and Wisconsin to finish the season. I'm a little worried about a let down game from Ohio State in the freezing Minneapolis weather but that is off-set by the Gophers' one-dimensional offense that is going to have a tough time keeping up with J.T. Barrett & Co.

Army (+10) at Western Kentucky

Pick: Western Kentucky

This is my pick.

Rice (+21.5) at Marshall

Pick: Rice

Rice has won 6 straight games since starting the season 0-3. The Herd haven't covered a spread this large only twice this year and this is going to be the third time.

No. 4 TCU (-28.5) at Kansas

Pick: TCU

How bad are things at Iowa State this year where they can lose a football game to Kansas by 20 points? Good for the Jayhawks, though. I'm tempted to take the points here. Yet, the Frogs might be looking to add some flash to their resume and keep their pedal to the metal for 4 quarters.

No. 16 Nebraska (+6.5) at No. 20 Wisconsin

Pick: Nebraska

I never trust Wisconsin in big games. You shouldn't either.

Washington (+9) at No. 14 Arizona

Pick: Arizona

I've picked Washington quite often this year and been burned. Their defense is good enough to keep them in games but their offense just can't keep up its end of the bargain. The Huskies have lost by double digits to every good offense they've faced this year.

No. 1 Mississippi State (+8.5) at No. 5 Alabama

Pick: Miss State

This is tough because Miss State's defense isn't that great. Then you factor in that the Bulldogs have scored 41 points total over the last 6 games against Alabama and that has me feeling the Tide will be rolling. However, I think Prescott and Robinson can do just enough damage on the ground to keep this game close.

Georgia Southern (+3) at Navy

Pick: Georgia Southern

Soon to be re-named the Burger23 Bowl. I like the Eagles in an outright upset.

Northwestern (+17.5) at Notre Dame

Pick: Northwestern

The Wildcats just sneak in a cover.

No. 23 Utah (+7.5) at Stanford

Pick: Utah

Is this line for real? The Utes have a nice defense and we all know about Stanford's offense. I'll take the 7.5 all day, ya heard.

UNLV (+24) at BYU

Pick: BYU

UNLV is bad at football.

No. 9 Auburn (+2.5) at No. 15 Georgia

Pick: Auburn

Todd Gurley will be back for Georgia. I just have a tough time seeing Auburn losing two straight even if this is on the road. I have more faith in Malzahn than Richt in big games.

No. 12 Michigan State (-12) at Maryland

Pick: Michigan State

The Terps are a surprising 6-3 and coming off a bye. But they've played two good teams and given up 50+ to both. Sparty is going to be pissed off about last week's loss. They'll take it out on Maryland.

No. 3 Florida State (-2) at Miami

Pick: Florida State

This feels like Vegas is getting too cute. The Canes have put together three straight nice wins and the Noles have been sputtering through their schedule all season long. I get it, but come on. Florida State should win by a field goal or more.

No. 17 LSU (+2) at Arkansas

Pick: LSU

Look at Vegas getting caught up in that SEC bias. How can a team that has been win-less in the league for so long be a favorite against the Bayou Bengals? I saw something on Twitter that LSU has an insane record coming off a loss over the past 10 years. That's good enough for me.

No. 6 Arizona State (-9.5) at Oregon State

Pick: Arizona State

This feels like a low spread and I wondered if it had to do with ASU's history up in Corvalis. Yup, that's it. They've lost their last 4 trips up to Oregon State. That is duly noted but to me this is a different breed of a Sun Devil team.