2024 College Football Week 12 action report reveals that this is an elimination game for Georgia. Coach Prime and his team have positioned themselves as serious contenders for a College Football Playoff spot. Colorado stands as a significant favorite against Utah on the Week 12 betting board.
The enthusiasm among bettors is palpable.
“We’ve certainly seen an uptick in Colorado action, week after week,” noted Joey Feazel, head of football trading at Caesars Sports.
College Football Rocks On FOX
In last week’s Big Noon Kickoff on FOX, Colorado overcame a 13-point deficit against Texas Tech, securing a 41-27 victory as 4.5-point favorites. This victory improved the Buffaloes’ record to 7-2 straight up (SU) and against the spread (ATS).
This week, Colorado finds itself in another Big Noon Kickoff, facing Utah at noon ET on Saturday. The Buffaloes have seen their odds rise to 11.5-point favorites at Caesars, up from an opening line of -10.
Under the leadership of Deion Sanders, Colorado boasts a strong record of 6-1 SU and an impressive 7-0 ATS in their past seven games.
“This is a team with a lot of talent,” Feazel highlighted, referencing Heisman Trophy hopeful Travis Hunter and quarterback Shedeur Sanders, among others. “The Buffaloes were kind of over-hyped last year, but they’re now proving themselves.”
On the other hand, Utah, once a preseason favorite to win the Big 12, is struggling with a disappointing 4-5 SU and 3-6 ATS record. After starting the season 4-0 SU, the Utes faced a five-game losing streak. Quarterback Cameron Rising, who missed three of the first six games, has been ruled out for the remainder of the season due to a leg injury sustained against Arizona State.
Given these circumstances, it’s no surprise that the point spread has shifted 1.5 points in favor of the home team, Colorado.
Another SEC Showdown
Each week, there seems to be a significant SEC matchup. In Week 11, the spotlight is on Tennessee versus Georgia. Both teams face high stakes and cannot afford a loss.
Georgia (7-2 SU/2-7 ATS) recently suffered a defeat at Ole Miss, losing 28-10. A third loss could jeopardize their chances of making the College Football Playoff.
Caesars opened Georgia as a 9-point home favorite, with the line fluctuating to -10.5 by Wednesday afternoon.
On-Campus Sharp Side
College football betting expert Paul Stone has shifted his focus from Utah versus Colorado to another pivotal Big 12 clash: Arizona State versus Kansas State, where both teams are vying to stay in contention for the conference title.
Both teams hold a 7-2 SU record overall and a 4-2 SU record in the Big 12. However, Arizona State has a better showing against the spread at 7-2 ATS, while Kansas State stands at 3-6 ATS.
Stone mentioned that the winner of Saturday’s 7 p.m. ET kickoff will need assistance but can still qualify for the Big 12 Championship Game.
Kansas State, coming off a bye week after a 24-19 loss to Houston as a 12.5-point favorite, has a strong history of bouncing back. The Wildcats have covered the spread in nine consecutive games following a straight-up loss, dating back to late in the 2021 season.
Stone anticipates a strong performance from Kansas State, emphasizing their success as home favorites in recent years. K-State is currently an 8-point favorite against Arizona State.
“Handicappers shouldn’t rely solely on point-spread trends. But they certainly can complement the other pieces of your handicapping process,” Stone advised. “Kansas State is off both a bye and a loss — plus the Wildcats are 13-4 ATS as a home favorite since the start of the 2022 season. I view all those elements as positives from the Kansas State perspective.
“Additionally, Kansas State quarterback Avery Johnson is looking to recover from a two-interception performance against Houston. I expect Kansas State to put forth their best effort and win by double digits over Arizona State.”
I Like Big Bets And I Cannot Lie
As of late Wednesday night, only a handful of significant bets were reported on college football Week 12 odds. The most intriguing wager involved a sizable sum placed to win a modest amount on the week’s biggest game.
At Caesars Sports, a customer wagered $20,000 on Georgia moneyline -355 against Tennessee. The bettor needs Georgia to win; the point spread is irrelevant.
Should the Bulldogs secure a victory, the bettor stands to gain $5,633.80, leading to a total payout of $25,633.80. While this might not appear substantial compared to the wager size, the return on investment of 28.1% is noteworthy.
Other significant early bets at Caesars include:
- $55,000 on Georgia State -2 against Arkansas State. A win and cover would yield a profit of $50,000 (total payout $105,000).
- $10,000 on Hawaii -2.5 at Utah State. A win and cover would result in a profit of $9,090.91 (total payout $19,090.91).
