Week 12 of college football arrives with plenty on the line as teams make their final push toward the postseason. With just three weeks left in the regular season, the stakes are rising and every matchup matters.
USC continued its strong play with a 38-17 win over Northwestern, improving its record behind standout performances from Makai Lemon (161 receiving yards, two touchdowns) and Jayden Maiava (299 passing yards and a rushing score). King Miller added 127 yards and a touchdown on the ground as the Trojans remained in rhythm offensively. They will look to stay unbeaten at the Coliseum this Saturday when Iowa comes to town.
Houston showed grit in a 30-27 comeback win over UCF, sealed by Ethan Sanchez’s clutch field goal and Kentrell Webb’s first career interception in the end zone. The Cougars’ balanced play continues to impress, and they will have a week off before hosting TCU on November 22.
Cincinnati suffered a tough road loss at Utah but remains one of the nation’s most efficient teams, ranking fifth in yards per play and leading the country in fourth-down conversions. The Bearcats return home this week to take on Arizona, hoping to bounce back and stay in the Big 12 title conversation.
BYU saw its first loss after an 8-0 start but continues to play with discipline and defensive energy, tying a season high in sacks in recent weeks. The Cougars will look to regroup at home against TCU this Saturday.
Washington came up just short in a 13-10 battle with Wisconsin but showed plenty of fight. Denzel Boston’s one-handed touchdown catch and strong efforts from Jonah Coleman and quarterback Demond Williams Jr. highlighted the Huskies’ performance. Washington returns home to host Purdue in its annual Salute to Service game, looking to get back on track in front of the home crowd.
Media Projections:
Athlon Sports: Houston vs. USC
ESPN (Bonagura): Cincinnati vs. USC
Pro Football & Sports Network: BYU vs. Washington
USA Today: Houston vs. USC
Team Selection Rights:
For the final year of its current bowl agreement, the Valero Alamo Bowl will match up the first choice from the following two 12-team pools after the College Football Playoff field is selected:
- Big 12 Conference Pool – Baylor, BYU, UCF, Cincinnati, Houston, Iowa State, Kansas, Kansas State, Oklahoma State, TCU, Texas Tech, and West Virginia.
- Pac-12/former Pac-12 Pool – Arizona, Arizona State, California, Colorado, Oregon, Oregon State, Stanford, UCLA, USC, Utah, Washington, and Washington State.
As part of this agreement, the Pac-12’s current two members (Oregon State and Washington State) and the former Pac-12 members Cal and Stanford (ACC), Oregon, USC, UCLA, and Washington (Big Ten), and Arizona, Arizona State, Colorado, and Utah (Big 12) will remain in the Pac-12 bowl lineup for the 2025-26 season.
Bowl Eligible Teams (6+ wins):
Big 12 Pool:
- BYU
- Cincinnati
- Houston
- TCU
- Texas Tech
- Iowa State
Pac-12/ Former Pac-12 Pool:
- Oregon
- Utah
- Washington
- USC
- Arizona State
- Arizona
- Cal
Game Schedule:
*all times CST
Big 12 Pool:
Saturday, November 15:
Arizona @ Cincinnati | 11:00 a.m. | FS1
Kansas State @ Oklahoma State | 11:00 a.m. | ESPNU
West Virginia @ Arizona State | 12:00 p.m. | TNT / truTV / HBO Max
UCF @ Texas Tech | 2:30 p.m. | FOX
Utah @ Baylor | 6:00 p.m. | ESPN2
TCU @ BYU | 9:15 p.m. | ESPN
Pac-12 / Former Pac-12 Pool:
Friday, November 14:
Minnesota @ Oregon | 8:00 p.m. | FOX
Saturday, November 15:
Arizona @ Cincinnati | 11:00 a.m. | FS1
Oregon State @ Tulsa | 12:00 p.m. | ESPN+
West Virginia @ Arizona State | 12:00 p.m. | TNT / truTV / HBO Max
Iowa @ USC | 2:30 p.m. | BTN
Utah @ Baylor | 6:00 p.m. | ESPN2
Purdue @ Washington | 6:00 p.m. | FS1
UCLA @ Ohio State | 6:30 p.m. | NBC
Louisiana Tech @ Washington State | 9:00 p.m. | The CW Network
The official team selection will be announced on Sunday, December 7 at 3:00 p.m., so purchase your tickets here to watch another Top 25 matchup battle it out Tuesday, December 30th at 8 p.m. in the Alamodome.