College GameDay podcast predicts Tennessee at Georgia, other marquee Week 12 games

Week 12 has arrived and with it comes another slate of high-stakes games that could impact the College Football Playoff race.

Heading into game week, the ESPN College GameDay Podcast crew including Rece Davis, Pete Thamel, and Matt Miller ran through the most exciting matchups while making their betting picks ahead of another exciting week in college football.

Tennessee at Georgia

Rece Davis: Georgia -10
Pete Thamel: Georgia -10
Matt Miller: Taking the under (O/U 47.5)

Tennessee’s road trip to Athens to take on Georgia will headline the Week 12 slate. Questions surrounding the strength of both offenses have been the main concern heading into Saturday. Still, the consensus opinion from the College GameDay podcast appears to predict a low-scoring victory in favor of the Bulldogs.

Michigan State at Illinois

Rece Davis: Illinois -2.5
Pete Thamel: Michigan State +2.5 (and outright)
Matt Miller: Illinois -2.5

The Spartans can become bowl-eligible with wins in two of its last three games. If they lose to Illinois on the road on Saturday, winning out will be the only option for Michigan State if they want to make the postseason for the first time since 2021. Meanwhile, the Fighting Illini will be looking to snap a two-game skid and still has a shot to win 10 games this year.

Kansas at BYU

Rece Davis: BYU -2.5
Pete Thamel: Kansas +2.5, BYU wins
Matt Miller: Kansas +2.5, and outright

BYU boasts a perfect 9-0 record in 2024, but the College GameDay podcast’s majority is in favor of the 3-6 Jayhawks. The Cougars have proven they can win in multiple ways this season, but Kansas appears to be playing their best football of the season just in time for this all-important game for the Jayhawks.

Cincinnati at Iowa State

Rece Davis: Iowa State -9.5
Pete Thamel: Iowa State -9.5
Matt Miller: Iowa State -9.5

Iowa State may no longer be in the conversation to make the College Football Playoff, but they’re in strong shape to win 10 games for the first time in program history. With 7 wins and three games left on their regular season slate, not to mention the bowl game, the Cyclones are in strong shape to do just that in 2024. However, Cincinnati is one win away from becoming bowl-eligible and would love to down Iowa State on the road to get there.

Utah at Colorado

Rece Davis: Colorado -11.5
Pete Thamel: Utah +11.5
Matt Miller: Colorado -11.5

Colorado would be in the Big 12 Championship game if the regular season ended today. Like Iowa State, the Buffaloes can win 10 games during the regular season if they win out. However, Utah is hungry after controversially losing to rival BYU. Thamel stood alone in his pick for Utah to cover the two-score spread as Colorado continues to ride its hot stretch.

Texas at Arkansas

Rece Davis: Texas -13.5
Pete Thamel: Arkansas +13.5
Matt Miller: Texas -13.5

Arkansas hasn’t been the easiest place for top 10 SEC teams to play in this season, which is why Thamel once again went against the grain and picked the Razorbacks to cover. However, Texas is looking to separate itself as the team to beat in the SEC heading into the postseason. Beating Arkansas is the next step on its way to the goal.

UCLA at Washington

Rece Davis: Washington -4
Pete Thamel: UCLA +4, and outright
Matt Miller: UCLA +4, and outright

Both teams sit around the middle of the Big Ten Conference rankings heading into the final stretch of regular season action, but that doesn’t mean this game doesn’t have anything on the line. Both programs still have the chance to become bowl-eligible by the end of the season. Washington can do so with a win on Friday night.

Tulane at Navy

Rece Davis: Tulane -7
Pete Thamel: Tulane -7
Matt Miller: Tulane -7

Tulane came in at No. 25 in the most recent College Football Playoff rankings and can earn a quality victory over the 7-2 Navy Midshipmen on Thursday night. With all signs pointing toward the Green Wave meeting Army in the AAC Championship game, Tulane must take care of business against the Black Knight’s bitter rivals first.