Indiana, Arizona and Texas Lead College Football Week 12 Picks: Three Best Bets and Predictions | Deadspin

A crowded playoff picture

The writer says the gap between the strongest and weakest teams remains unusually small for this point in a college football season. More than 20 teams, in the writer’s view, could still reach one of the final playoff spots.

As the season advances, some teams are beginning to distinguish themselves, while others are taking on spoiler roles. The picks reflect that uncertainty.

Indiana backed against USC

Turbo Richards is likely to miss Indiana’s matchup with USC. The writer doubts Richards would be enough to repair Indiana’s running game, but still sides with coach Cignetti’s team.

USC has struggled on the road this season, while Indiana has continued to win games the writer thought it had little chance of winning. Those results shape the pick in Indiana’s favor.

Arizona gets the nod

The writer expects Noah Fifita and Arizona’s passing attack to win against Utah. That choice follows a recent game in which Utah’s Devon Dampier struggled, though he gave the ball away only once.

The writer had expected BYU’s Bear Bachmeier to play cleanly, but he turned the ball over four times. Even so, the writer remains unconvinced that Utah is a strong team.

Texas pick targets LSU

The writer says LSU’s defense was badly beaten at home by Alabama. Although the writer is not especially high on Texas, the bet is based on a negative view of LSU. LSU is described by the writer as overrated and not deserving to be favored against a top-10 team.