Chris ‘The Bear’ Fallica’s 2024 College Football Week 12 ‘Bear Bytes’ promises excitement for football enthusiasts and bettors eager to explore new wagering opportunities.
While he has shared his top betting picks for the upcoming Week 12 matchups, he also introduces an engaging twist with his “Bear Bytes.”
These “bytes” serve as intriguing tidbits, offering fans entertaining conversation starters as they enjoy the games with friends and family or engage in lively discussions at work. Below are some standout insights uncovered during his analysis.
(All times ET)
FRIDAY, NOV. 15
Houston @ Arizona (10:15 p.m., FS1)
Arizona struggles this season, holding the unfortunate title of FBS’s worst team against the spread (ATS) at 1-8, with their only cover coming as a 7.5-point underdog against Utah.
SATURDAY, NOV. 16
Utah @ No. 20 Colorado (noon, FOX and FOX Sports app)
Under Deion Sanders, Colorado has been a double-digit favorite three times, but they failed to cover in each instance. Their history suggests caution, as they struggled against FCS powerhouse North Dakota State and narrowly beat Colorado State last year. Conversely, Utah finds itself as a double-digit underdog for the first time since 2017, when they almost upset Washington.
No. 20 Clemson at Pitt (noon, ESPN)
This matchup marks nearly eight years since Pitt’s stunning 43-42 victory over No. 2 Clemson in Death Valley on November 12, 2016.
UL Monroe @ Auburn (12:45 p.m., SEC Network)
Auburn head coach Hugh Freeze has faced challenges, with a record of 4-10 in SEC play and an alarming 0-12 against teams with winning records. The Tigers face a must-win against UL Monroe if they hope to reach bowl eligibility.
No. 4 Penn State @ Purdue (3:30 p.m., CBS)
Purdue finds itself as a greater than 28-point underdog for the third time this season. The last occurrence of a Power Five team facing such odds multiple times in one season was Indiana last year. Purdue has struggled, suffering significant defeats against ranked opponents, being outscored 146-7.
Nebraska @ USC (4 p.m., FOX and FOX Sports app)
Nebraska faces a tough road ahead, having lost eight consecutive games when starting with five wins. As they head into a matchup against USC, fans are left wondering if they will face another disappointing season.
No. 23 Missouri @ No. 21 South Carolina (4:15 p.m., SEC Network)
Missouri, with a 3-2 SEC record, has had a rollercoaster season, narrowly escaping losses against teams they should have beaten. Their performance raises questions about their consistency as they head into this matchup.
No. 1 Oregon @ Wisconsin (7:30 p.m., NBC)
Historically, No. 1 ranked teams have performed exceptionally well in road games against unranked opponents in November and December. Oregon enters this matchup with a strong track record, yet Wisconsin’s recent struggles against top-ten teams raise concerns.
No. 7 Tennessee @ No. 11 Georgia (7:30 p.m., ABC)
Kansas @ No. 6 BYU (10:15 p.m., ESPN)
This week presents a unique scenario, as BYU, with a 9-0 record, is a mere 3-point favorite against a 3-6 Kansas team. Historically, teams with such records have been double-digit favorites, making this matchup particularly intriguing.
Complete Teams
Ohio State, Alabama, Ole Miss, and Penn State stand out as the only teams ranked in the top 10 for both offensive and defensive efficiency, showcasing their well-rounded performance this season.
SEC Dominating Ranked Matchups
The SEC has been a dominant force in ranked matchups since October, with 12 out of 18 games featuring SEC teams, highlighting their competitive edge in college football.
Indiana wins 2024 National Title … Kind of
In a surprising turn of events, Indiana recently defeated Michigan, marking a rare occurrence where a team has beaten both participants of the previous season’s national championship during the regular season.
2024
Indiana
Michigan (5-5)
Washington (5-5)
2015
Michigan State
Oregon (9-4)
Ohio State (12-1)
2011
LSU
Oregon (12-1)
Auburn (8-5)
2000
Miami
Florida State (11-2)
Virginia Tech (11-1)