College football week 12: The most intriguing game in each conference

Each week, On3 takes a look at the most intriguing matchup in each Power 5 conference, along with a Group of 5 game worth keeping an eye on. Here’s our Week 12 edition, excluding our game of the week — the Big Ten Conference showdown between No. 4 Ohio State and No. 7 Michigan State.

All games are Saturday and all times are Eastern.

ACC: No. 10 Wake Forest (9-1, 6-0) at Clemson (7-3, 5-2)

Time/TV: Noon, ESPN
Wake Forest has scored at least 35 points in every game this season. That may be about to change. Clemson is third nationally in scoring defense (15.3 points per game) and hasn’t allowed more than 24 points in regulation this season. The Tigers have won five of six since their 2-2 start, including three in a row. Wake can clinch the ACC’s Atlantic Division title with a win. Clemson is a 4.5-point favorite.

Big Ten: No. 6 Michigan (9-1, 6-1) at Maryland (5-5, 2-5) 

Time/TV: 3:30 p.m., Big Ten Network
Michigan is one victory away from its first 10-win season since 2018 and its second since 2016. While Maryland QB Taulia Tagovailoa has thrown for 350 yards in each of the Terrapins’ past three games, Maryland has been limited to 35 points total in its two most recent games (losses to Penn State and Michigan State). Michigan is eighth nationally in total defense. The Wolverines are a 15-point favorite.

Big 12: Iowa State (6-4, 4-3) at No. 13 Oklahoma (9-1, 6-1)

Time/TV: Noon, Fox
Iowa State has been one of the more unpredictable teams in the country. The Cyclones beat No. 9 Oklahoma State and lost by two to No. 11 Baylor but have dropped two of their past three games, to West Virginia and Texas Tech. Oklahoma will be looking to bounce back from a 27-14 loss to Baylor in which the Sooners were held to 260 yards, their lowest output since Lincoln Riley was hired as coach in 2017. Oklahoma is a 3.5-point favorite and needs a win to stay in the hunt for a berth in the conference title game.

Pac-12: No. 3 Oregon (9-1, 6-1) at No. 23 Utah (7-3, 6-1)

Time/TV: 7:30 p.m., ABC
Oregon has continued to look far from invincible. At the halftime of four of their past five games, the Ducks have either trailed (once), been tied (once) or led by three or fewer (twice). None of those four opponents have more than six wins. Utah, meanwhile, has won three in a row since a loss to Oregon State, although it’s worth noting that the Utes last week led by only two before a late game-sealing touchdown against the worst team in the Pac-12 (Arizona, which is 1-9). The teams seem likely to meet again in the conference title game in two weeks. Oregon is a 3.5-point favorite.

SEC: No. 21 Arkansas (7-3, 3-3) at No. 2 Alabama (9-1, 5-1)

Time/TV: 3:30 p.m., CBS
Arkansas has followed up a three-game losing streak with a three-game winning streak, including a win over then-No. 17 Mississippi State and an overtime victory last week over LSU. For comparison’s sake, that same LSU team was competitive with Alabama during a 20-14 loss November 6. The Crimson Tide, who can lock up the SEC West title with a victory, is a 20.5-point favorite.

Group of 5:  SMU (8-2, 4-2) at No. 5 Cincinnati (10-0, 6-0)

Time/TV: 3:30 p.m., ESPN
Cincinnati hasn’t helped its cause recently in terms of the College Football Playoff ranking. The Bearcats’ past four games? There has been a 27-20 win over 2-7 Navy. A win over 1-9 Tulane that Cincinnati led 14-12 at halftime. A 28-20 win that required two late goal-line stands against 4-6 Tulsa. And a 45-28 victory last week over 2-8 USF that Cincy led by just 10 late in the fourth quarter. Cincinnati enters this matchup against SMU as an 11.5-point favorite. The Mustangs bounced back from a two-game losing streak with a dominant 55-28 win over UCF last week. The Bearcats clinch a spot in the AAC title game against Houston with a victory.