ESPN College GameDay: Picks for Week 12, USC vs UCLA

The regular season is moving fast, and some marquee games highlight the Week 12 slate. One of them is the USC vs. UCLA matchup that has some major College Football Playoff implications — and the ESPN College GameDay crew has logged its picks.

The matchup between the Trojans and the Bruins highlights Saturday’s games. USC came in at No. 7 in the latest College Football Playoff rankings, meaning a win would keep the Trojans in position to make things interesting heading into their regular season finale against Notre Dame. UCLA, meanwhile, dropped to No. 16 after falling to Arizona, but the Bruins still bring a high-powered offense that could put pressure on USC’s defense.

But that’s not the only notable game on Saturday. In the Big Ten, Michigan and Illinois are facing off in a game that will help set the stage for next week’s installment of “The Game” between the Wolverines and Ohio State. For the Fighting Illini, it’s a chance to not only make a statement against a top-four team, but they can also stay at the top of the jam-packed Big Ten West standings. Four teams enter Week 12 tied for first in the division with 4-3 records.

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Over in the SEC, what once looked like a highly anticipated matchup hasn’t stayed that way. No. 1 Georgia will take on Kentucky as it tries to remain unbeaten. The Wildcats are coming off a tough loss to Vanderbilt last week, dropping them to 6-4 on the season, while the Bulldogs have cruised through their schedule and clinched the SEC East title last week.

Most importantly, though, College GameDay analyst Lee Corso made his return to the set after a three-week absence. That means he’ll make the highly anticipated mascot head pick once again.

Games the crew picked for Week 12

Boise State vs. Wyoming

Stanford vs. Cal

Oklahoma State vs. Oklahoma

Texas vs. Kansas

TCU vs. Baylor

Illinois vs. Michigan

Utah vs. Oregon

USC vs. UCLA

Montana vs. Montana State — Lee Corso’s mascot head pick

ESPN College GameDay crew picks

Desmond Howard: Boise State, Cal, Oklahoma State, Texas, TCU, Michigan, Utah, USC, Montana State

Pat McAfee: Boise State, Stanford, Oklahoma State, Kansas, TCU, Michigan, Utah, USC, Montana

Celebrity Guest Picker — Sir Nick Faldo: Boise State, Stanford, Oklahoma, Texas, TCU, Michigan, Utah, USC, Montana State

Lee Corso: Boise State, Cal, Oklahoma State, Texas, Baylor, Michigan, Utah, USC, Montana State

Kirk Herbstreit: Boise State, Cal, Oklahoma, Kansas, TCU, Michigan, Utah, UCLA, Montana State