What to Watch: College Football Week 12

I’ll be honest, there isn’t a whole lot to look forward to this weekend. Of the three head-to-head conference games we’ll get (Georgia Tech-Miami and Wake Forest-Duke have both already been postponed), two have current point spreads of 19 points or greater.

And yet, there’s still bound to be some intriguing play on Saturday - because there’s rarely any sustained dull moments in college football. Here’s where you might find it:

Virginia Tech Hokies at Pittsburgh Panthers

A pair of 4-4 squads will meet at Heinz Field for what could be a season-turning or season-breaking Week 12 matchup.

Virginia Tech is reeling after a pair of close losses to Liberty and Miami and needs a win against a Pittsburgh team that’s lost four of five. Pitt, however, will have starting quarterback Kenny Pickett back under center for a second straight game.

TV - ACCN, Saturday, 4:00 PM

Abilene Christian Wildcats at Virginia Cavaliers

By all accounts, Virginia should take care of 1-4 Abilene Christian on Saturday afternoon. After dropping four in a row, the Cavaliers seemed to have righted the ship following back-to-back wins over North Carolina and Louisville.

But let’s not forget that we said similar things ahead of the Old Dominion game last year, before the Orange and Blue found themselves in a 17-0 hole midway through the second quarter (the Monarchs were 27-point underdogs). Might this be another look-ahead week?

TV - ESPN3, Saturday, 4:00 PM

No. 21 Liberty Flames at NC State Wolfpack

Who would’ve thought Liberty would be playing in the most interesting ACC game some twelve odd weeks into the season (2020, right)? Well, when you start 8-0, beat Syracuse and Virginia Tech, and climb all the way up to No. 21 in the country, you’ve earned that right.

Should Head Coach Hugh Freeze and the Flames make it three straight against the ACC with a victory in Raleigh, they’ll have a real shot at a New Year’s Six bowl.

TV - ESPN3, Saturday, 7:30 PM