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College Football Betting Preview: Week 12 picks

Jamie Rhodes-USA TODAY Sports

Each week during the college football season, theScore's Dane Belbeck will handicap the board and offer up a pack of picks.

Season record

Last week's picks: 4-3
Gold/Silver/Bronze: 19-12-2
Other: 19-13
Twitter picks: 6-3
Overall: 45-29-2

Virginia (+19.5) at Miami

The Hurricanes are undefeated, the "turnover chain" is the hottest thing in college football and Miami sits No. 3 in the latest CFP rankings. It's safe to say that "The U" is officially back. Despite the national recognition, Virginia is the side to bet in this noon ET kickoff in south Florida. Miami is undoubtedly the much better team in this contest, but coming off such an emotional win against Notre Dame, there's sure to be a letdown of sorts by the Hurricanes. Miami will get the win but the Cavaliers will keep this much closer than it should be. Miami 27, Virginia 17

Maryland at Michigan State (-16)

Michigan State looked absolutely terrible last week as Ohio State stomped them 48-3, but the Spartans will rebound at home this week against Maryland. The Terrapins have been decimated at the quarterback position due to injuries, and Mark Dantonio's defense should be able to severely limit any offensive production from Maryland. Brian Lewerke should be able to air it out against the nation's 95th-ranked defense and get the Spartans back on track with a win. Michigan State 33, Maryland 13

Texas A&M at Ole Miss (-2.5)

It doesn't hold much consequence in the overall scheme of things this season, but Saturday's matchup between Ole Miss and Texas A&M could be among the most entertaining games of the SEC season. Jordan Ta'amu has looked fantastic at quarterback for the Rebels since taking over after Shea Patterson's injury, and should be able to move the ball against a defense giving up 30 points per game in SEC play this season. Ole Miss doesn't play a lick of defense, but the home team should be able to cover the small number in the raucous atmosphere in Oxford. Ole Miss 52, Texas A&M 45

Other games of note

Rutgers (+11) at Indiana

After a difficult first season under head coach Chris Ash, Rutgers has shown signs of life in 2017. The Scarlet Knights are 4-6 overall with a 3-4 record in Big Ten play, good for fifth spot in the conference. Rutgers has struggled against the elite teams in the conference, losing to Michigan, Penn State, and Ohio State, but has handled the lesser teams such as Maryland, Purdue, and Illinois. A trip to Indiana represents another good chance at a win against a Hoosiers outfit that is 1-6 in conference play. Rutgers may not have the firepower to walk away with the win, but 11 points is far too many. Indiana 27, Rutgers 23

Boston College at UConn (+21.5)

Just when Boston College's offense was beginning to look capable, the Eagles lost standout quarterback Anthony Brown to season-ending injury and scored only 14 points against NC State. UConn has been blown off the field in its last three games but with poor weather expected on Saturday night, expect a low-scoring affair that will put points at a premium. It won't be pretty, but a late Huskies score should keep this one under the number. Boston College 24, UConn 10

Louisiana Monroe (+36.5) at Auburn

A non-conference game against Louisiana Monroe sandwiched between matchups against then-No. 1 Georgia and current No. 1 Alabama? This one has look-ahead written all over it for Auburn. No, Louisiana Monroe isn't going into Jordan-Hare Stadium and walking away with a win, but the Warhawks haven't lost by more than 10 points all season. They will keep this one inside the number as Auburn has one eye on the Iron Bowl next Saturday. Auburn 34, Louisiana Monroe 10

Picks summary
Virginia +19.5 (Gold)
Michigan State -16 (Silver)
Ole Miss -2.5 (Bronze)
Rutgers +11
UConn +21.5
Louisiana Monroe +36.5

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