College football Week 12 predictions: Colorado vs. Utah, more picks against the spread

Deion Sanders was everything wrong with the sport. Then, he was the toast of it. He was put in his place. Then, he started another victory lap.

Sanders’ two seasons at Colorado have shared striking resemblances to his career as a two-sport star — in which he could be seen as underappreciated and magnetic, or overrated and off-putting.

Sanders’ method of rebuilding a program in shambles — inheriting a one-win team — was shameful, in which the coach essentially expunged the roster and brought 118 new scholarship players to campus in two recruiting/transfer cycles.

Last year brought praise, then mockery, as the Buffaloes started 3-0 then finished 4-8 and in last place in the Pac-12. This year, Colorado is in position to reach the College Football Playoff, and Sanders is considered a candidate to jump to the NFL, after his son, Shedeur, is selected with one of the top picks in the draft.

Despite the return of Heisman frontrunner Travis Hunter, another roster overhaul and the hiring of two new coordinators, Colorado didn’t appear set up for great success this season. It opened with a five-point win against North Dakota State. It suffered an 18-point loss at Nebraska. It needed a Hail Mary to avoid a loss to Baylor.

Now, the Buffaloes need three more wins to reach the Big 12 title game. But like the start of last season, the hype is overblown.

Colorado lost its only game against a ranked opponent (Kansas State). It has avoided the other four teams fighting for a Big 12 championship berth. It will finish with the easiest schedule in the conference. 

The Buffaloes currently own the nation’s fourth-worst rushing attack, an offensive line that can’t be trusted, a defense too reliant on turnovers and special teams units ranked outside the top 100. Their only meetings with top-50 defenses resulted in Colorado’s two losses this season.

Utah (+11.5) is too banged up to end its five-game losing streak, but its top-15 defense — allowing fewer than 20 points per game — may foreshadow the end of Sanders’ second honeymoon. 

Tulane (-7) over NAVY

Jon Sumrall’s first season at Tulane is right on schedule. The former Troy coach, who has never lost a regular season game after Sept. 17, has led the Green Wave (7-1 against the spread as a favorite) to seven straight wins by an average of nearly 28 points per game.

Ohio State (-28.5) over NORTHWESTERN

The Buckeyes defense hasn’t allowed a touchdown in three weeks. The thrill of playing in one of the country’s most beloved stadiums (Wrigley Field) should help prevent Ohio State from looking ahead to next week’s matchup with Indiana.

ARKANSAS (+13.5) over Texas

Shed a tear for the Southwest Conference and celebrate the renewal of an historic rivalry. The Hogs, quietly a top-10 offense, present the greatest challenge the Longhorns’ top-ranked defense has seen. Let’s find out how much of Texas’ defensive success is due to facing no power conference offenses ranked inside the top 50.

PITTSBURGH (+10) over Clemson

Neither side inspires much confidence at the moment. Neither side has proven much. When in doubt, take the points.

Penn State (-28.5) over PURDUE

The Nittany Lions haven’t scored more than 35 points in any of their seven games against power conference opponents, but they might not need to. The nation’s third-ranked defense could post a shutout against the Boilermakers — the nation’s fourth-worst offense — as Ohio State and Oregon both did.

Virginia (+22.5) over NOTRE DAME

The Cavaliers are 3-0 against the spread as underdogs, coming off an outright upset at Pittsburgh. Though they boast one of the nation’s worst secondaries, Irish quarterback Riley Leonard won’t take advantage, averaging one touchdown pass and 175 yards passing per game.

Boston College (+18.5) over SMU

The Mustangs sit alone atop the ACC. Yes, they are in the ACC. No, it still makes no sense.

Lsu (-4.5) over FLORIDA

Even if DJ Lagway plays, the dual-threat QB isn’t going to pull a Jalen Milroe with a bad hamstring.

Missouri (+12.5) over SOUTH CAROLINA

The Gamecocks have been one of the most impressive teams in the past month. The Tigers lost their starting center for the season. Quarterback Brady Cook could be sidelined, too. Still, this number is too large for Shane Beamer, who has never won four straight SEC games and is 0-3 all time against Eli Drinkwitz.

SAN JOSE STATE (+13.5) over Boise State

The pressure only grows for the Broncos, who are one slipup away from playoff elimination. Ashton Jeanty’s worst game of the year came against UNLV, which is tied for the Mountain West lead for the fewest yards allowed per carry (3.6). San Jose State shares the honor.

Arizona State (+9.5) over KANSAS STATE

The Wildcats, coming off two of their worst performances of the season, are an upset candidate against the surprising Sun Devils, led by 34-year-old coach Kenny Dillingham. Even if Arizona State falls short, its balanced offense could storm through the back door.

Oregon (-14) over WISCONSIN

Dillon Gabriel will take the spotlight as he adds to his FBS touchdown record, before the Ducks defense prevents the Badgers from padding their stats. Oregon has allowed an average of fewer than seven second-half points over its past five games, winning every game over the past two months — besides its heavyweight bout with Ohio State — by at least three touchdowns.

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Tennessee (+10.5) over GEORGIA

Pretend Kirby Smart is coaching at a different school. If not for the jerseys, it’d be easy to see this is not the Bulldogs of years past. There is no bigger reason why than the free fall of Carson Beck, who is tied for the most interceptions (12) in the nation. It isn’t wise to lay double-digit points with a team that has covered one of eight games as a favorite and is facing a defense that hasn’t allowed 20 points in a game this season.

BYU (-3) over Kansas

The Jayhawks have the talent to pull another upset, but the unbeaten Cougars deserve the benefit of the doubt against a team that is 0-4 on the road, whose season has been defined by collapses in the clutch.

Best bets: Utah, Arkansas, Tennessee
Season: 84-80-1 (12-20-1)
2014-23 record: 1,272-1,206-30

Why Trust New York Post Betting

Howie Kussoy has long been the New York Post’s main handicapper in college basketball (since 2011) and college football (since 2013).