After a chaotic Week 11 where LSU climbed to the top of the rankings, Minnesota showed that they belong in the playoff conversation, and Clemson tried to reassert themselves as the team to beat this season; Week 12 will be pivotal for teams on the bubble to try and angle themselves to play on New Year’s.

No. 8 Minnesota Golden Gophers @  No. 20 Iowa Hawkeyes

There’s no rest for the weary as Minnesota goes on the road to take on the Iowa Hawkeyes. 

While Iowa isn’t in a position to reach the playoff, they’re more than capable of playing spoiler to a rival. They ruined Ohio State’s chances in 2017 when they beat them 55-24 in Kinnick Stadium and a win over Minnesota would flush the Gophers’ playoff hopes right down the drain. 

No. 4 Georgia Bulldogs @ No. 12 Auburn Tigers

The team that benefited the most from Alabama losing to LSU was the Georgia Bulldogs, who, since they have two wins over top 25 teams, should be ranked ahead of the Crimson Tide when the 2nd rendition of the college football rankings came out. 

If they can get a win over the Auburn Tigers, they’ll be in prime position to make the SEC championship and the playoff if they win out. 

As for Auburn, they’re in the same situation as Iowa. Their shot at making the playoff has likely come and gone after losses to Florida and LSU, but they’re more than capable of playing spoiler this weekend and when they face Alabama in the Iron Bowl.

No. 10 Oklahoma Sooners @ No. 13 Baylor Bears

The winner of this game puts themselves in the best position to represent the Big 12 in the playoff, as well as win the conference.

Oklahoma barely squeaked by Iowa State 42-41 and Baylor did the same when they beat TCU 29-23 in triple overtime. 

It’ll be a battle of contrasting styles, as Oklahoma has gotten into shootouts the last two games and Baylor is seemingly the only team in the Big 12 who plays in regular football games as if they aren’t in a Road Runner cartoon.