What To Expect On Saturday: CFB Week 12 Preview

Making Sense of It All

Joey Goodsir, Editor-in-Chief
November 14, 2019

After eleven weeks of buildup and talk, the most resonant voice in College Football has finally taken the final word…and the final score.

The Alabama Crimson Tide were dismantled on their first big stage in 2019, confirming the LSU Tigers’ status as the most proven team in the country, and a larger truth that fans all across the country have been waiting to hear: things will finally shake up.

Even though I have only been writing this column for a little over a season and a half, I’m tired of the beauty of this sport culminating in such predictable nothingness.

With these new results, the days of the Alabama and Clemson monopoly are seemingly behind us, and we should rejoice. This development has opened the doors of so many more exciting possibilities. Those unique stories, unique places, and unique moments that were discussed last week have been validated gloriously.

This week, it’s time to begin enjoying the fun this new era promises.

But first, we go back….

About Last Week

It’s no secret I loved last week’s results from a fan perspective, but my record wasn’t great (I guess that’s what I get when I pick Mizzou over Georgia for the heck of it). I went 4-5, which puts me at 87-30 (74.35%) overall this year.

The day kicked off with the Game of the Century — an entire state losing their collective minds over a program that is facing the most success they’ve had since 1904, welcoming a playoff team into town to win a silence the strength of record conversations.

They did, and it was a moment that CFB should cherish for a very long time:

Somehow that was just the beginning, and you guys already know what followed…

After two monumentally enjoyable games and results like those, one could easily think that was all the day had to offer. I cited a dangerous game for the Oklahoma Sooners in the Night Game of the Week, and that came just a little more true than expected:

Then, to close things out, the Late Game of the Week was a low-scoring Utah State win that was far from my expectations:

Before anyone could breathe after it was all over, the talks about Tuesday’s rankings began. Would Alabama still slither into the top four? Where would Minnesota end up? Who’s number one?

Well, here is what they did:

LSU
Ohio State
Clemson
Georgia
Alabama
Oregon
Utah
Minnesota
Penn State
Oklahoma
Florida
Auburn
Baylor
Wisconsin
Michigan
Notre Dame
Cincinnati
Memphis
Texas
Iowa
Boise State
Oklahoma State
Navy
Kansas State
Appalachian State

Not too much to say. LSU is the rightful #1 for the time being, but I think it’s difficult to argue Oregon and Clemson’s definitive placement over Minnesota at this point. I no longer tend to get too caught up in the stupidities of the committee, but the inconsistencies in those stupidities are what tends to bother me more. It’s hard to rank Penn State so high and then not rank Minnesota just as high after beating them to remain undefeated…just saying.

Noon Game of The Week

Indianahq.com
9WINDIANA. Is it a thing? Head Coach Tom Allen believes.

Indiana @ #9 Penn State

When: 11:00 CT

TV: ABC

Rain (Above 40%)? No.

Where: Beaver Stadium (State College, PA)

Series History: PSU leads 21-1 (Last Time: PSU won 33-28 in 2018)

There are a few dueling contestants for the big noon spotlight this week, but I couldn’t resist an opportunity to cover this phenomenon:

We have to start with Penn State. After sprinting off the stormed field in Minneapolis, the Nittany Lions have had a long week of transitioning and building for some big battles coming up, not to mention this week’s game against a team known for their abilities to scare big teams before they walk on with a win.

This week’s test is all about correcting the miscues that defined last week’s close loss, and building some versatility into Sean Clifford’s offensive production. The defense faced a very good Minnesota offense that was a big factor, but the game was ultimately decided on the offensive mistakes of Penn State.

As you saw above with the Indiana Hoosiers, the goal is simple: nine wins. With the remaining schedule ahead of them (@Penn State, Michigan, @Purdue), they will need a big upset in addition to their probable rivalry win to end the season. They will be playing with an effort to win ten, and that is how this game becomes interesting. With some explosive pass plays early on with a discouraged Penn State secondary and a decent Hoosier quarterback, things become far more dicey. This is certainly a game that will set the tone very early.

The Minnesota upset changes everything for me. Now, this Penn State team is far more on their toes. They will be seeking to put the loss away with a solid win, and they have even less of a desire to see the contrary. These intentions and motivations will be higher than planned, and it will be reflected in a less-chaotic-than-possible result.

Penn State Wins, 38-13

Who's Your Pick for Noon Game of the Week: Week 12?

#9 Penn State (100%, 1 Votes)
Indiana (0%, 0 Votes)

Total Voters: 1

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Other Noon Games of Note

11:00 CT:

Michigan State @ #15 Michigan (FOX) (Per Michael Raupp’s Unbiased Pick)

1:00 CT:

Deerfield @ Lake Forest (NFHS) Go Scouts!!

1:30 CT:

#23 Navy @ #16 Notre Dame (NBC)

Afternoon Game of The Week

Wake Forest @ #3 Clemson

When: 2:30 CT

TV: ABC

Rain (Above 40%)? Nope.

Where: Memorial Stadium (Clemson, SC)

Series History: Clemson leads 66-1-17 (Last Time: Clemson won 63-3 in 2018)

Wait, am I actually going to compare this to LSU/Alabama? Considering that this will be Clemson’s first data point with a solid team on the other side of the line of scrimmage, it makes sense. A win will validate things (albeit only slightly), and a loss will make the CFB world smile just a little bit larger than they did with the Tigers win last week.

Yes, I just called Wake Forest a “solid team.” What a year it’s been in the ACC…

I’m thinking this game will be about a quarter of closer-than-expected football, before Clemson gets settled and takes off. The Demon Deacons’ loss to Virginia Tech last week, as well as the loss of top receiver Sage Surrat, are both very discouraging headlines for the possibility of a groundbreaking upset.

But wouldn’t it be cool if I was wrong?

Clemson Wins, 42-27

Who's Your Pick for Afternoon Game of the Week: Week 12?

#3 Clemson (100%, 1 Votes)
Wake Forest (0%, 0 Votes)

Total Voters: 1

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Other Afternoon Games of Note

2:30 CT:

#4 Georgia @ #12 Auburn (CBS) *Keep a close eye on this

#19 Texas @ Iowa State (FS1)

3:00 CT;

#8 Minnesota @ #20 Iowa (FOX) *This too

Night Game of The Week

#10 Oklahoma @ #13 Baylor

When: 6:30 CT

TV: ABC

Rain (Above 40%)? Not at all.

Where: McLane Stadium (Waco, TX)

Series History: OU leads 25-3 (Last Time: OU won 66-33 in 2018)

Last week, it was all about Minnesota finally getting attention after quietly going undefeated all season long. This week, Baylor gets their spotlight as the Big XII’s best playoff shot, but GameDay is actually coming into town.

Despite that excitement, Oklahoma remains the favorite. The Sooners survived a close final score last week with Iowa State in town, and now hit the road for a game that will have hype from the beginning. If Oklahoma wins, their playoff hopes are faint, but still alive.

This game is all about when the Sooners have the ball. Baylor’s defense is one of the only legitimate ones in the conference, and they may keep things closer.

Ultimately, Oklahoma’s offense will prove to be closer to elite than merely good, and will win a hard fought primetime showdown.