College football Week 12 picks against the spread: Georgia-Tennessee, Penn State-Purdue, more

The 2024 college football season is rolling into Week 12. Georgia-Tennessee is the headliner, but there's a handful of interesting games. So let's make some predictions.

We bounced back last week with our picks against the spread, going 3-2 on the big board . We did miss our "best bet." Oregon beat Maryland by 21 as a 24-point favorite. Pesky Terps.

Through six weeks, we're now 21-28-1 on our normal picks ATS and 1-1 on best bets. Some work to do.

Here are my picks, including Penn State -Purdue, for Week 12. As always, tail (or fade) responsibly.

UCLA at Washington (-4)

Washington, after getting thumped in the White Out, returns home needing one win in its final two games to go bowling. And it's not going to come next week at Oregon. UCLA has looked better. But the Huskies are undefeated at home with wins (and covers) against USC, Michigan and Northwestern. Look for a Washington bounce back. The pick: Washington -4

Utah at No. 17 Colorado (-11)

These are two teams on different ends of the motivation spectrum. Sure, Utah needs to win to keep bowl hopes alive. But the Utes sank so much emotion into last week's Holy War against BYU only to throw away the upset bid in the fourth quarter. Colorado controls its own destiny. Win out, and the Buffs will be Big 12 champs and headed for a first-round bye in the CFP. It'll be all gas and no brakes for Shedeur Sanders and Co. The pick: Colorado -11

No. 4 Penn State (-28.5) at Purdue

Some might be scared by the hook, but I wouldn't be. Purdue was outscored 146-7 in losses to Ohio State, Oregon and Notre Dame. Expect something similar. The pick: Penn State -28.5

No. 7 Tennessee at No. 12 Georgia

The big question surrounding this game is the health of Vols QB Nico Iamaleava, who entered concussion protocol last week. But with or without Nico, Tennessee is going to run the ball. And Georgia, with QB Carson Beck and his FBS-leading 12 interceptions, should, too. Both teams boast top-tier defenses. This could be a rock fight. The pick: Under 48.5

BEST BET

No. 1 Oregon at Wisconsin

We're going back to the well with the Ducks because I don't get this spread. Wisconsin had a nice midseason run, beating Purdue, Rutgers and Northwestern. But against Alabama and USC on the front end of that run and against Penn State and Iowa on the back end, the Badgers are 0-4 ATS. Why should anyone believe they can hang with Oregon? The pick: Oregon -14