Welcome to Glass Slipper! Heal up, Quentin Lake; please enjoy the show.

- Jacob Rhee

Each Saturday morning of the college football regular season, I will be predicting the outcome of the six best games of the weekend. Every time I pick the wrong team to win, it costs me $15. At the end of the year, I will use the total pot of money to buy gifts for random Glass Slipper subscribers. That’s right; you literally benefit from my failures. Let’s go.

Game 1: No. 22 Missouri vs. No. 8 Oklahoma

The pick: Oklahoma wins, 24-16.

It’s feeling rather likely that Eli Drinkwitz leaves for another job. Beau Pribula returns to the lineup, and remains hungry for his first ranked win as a starter. Ahmad Hardy is chasing the Doak Walker Award. In summary, the Tigers’ headliners are all itching for a signature performance. Can they deliver?

This is going to be 200 minutes of pure stress for the people of Norman. Mizzou famously broke their hearts a year ago, on a game-winning scoop-and-score with 22 seconds remaining. When it’s tight heading into the fourth, those nightmarish flashbacks will undoubtedly flick on.

The Sooners’ pass-rushing group asserted its dominance against Alabama, and I can’t imagine the Tigers having a better solution. OU evades disaster.

Game 2: Louisville vs. SMU

The pick: SMU wins, 26-21.

Believe it or not, the Mustangs possess a path to the playoff. Yep. A squad that was defeated in three of its first six Power-Four matchups and boasts exactly one ranked victory could make a return trip to the dance. That’s the ACC for you.

SMU will need some help, but running the table is obviously a prerequisite. This defense has found a really nice rhythm, and I think Kevin Jennings engineers a late touchdown drive that pushes the Mustangs to 8-3. The poor Cardinals have already had their campaign torpedoed by back-to-back gut-wrenching losses; that unfortunate streak continues this afternoon.

Game 3: No. 15 USC vs. No. 7 Oregon

The pick: Oregon wins, 27-14.

You want to beat USC? You better have a rock-solid secondary that’s hungry for a challenge.

The Ducks actually match up really well here. Their young corners play with an impressive maturity, and Dillon Theineman is an absolute superstar back there. On the other side, I think D’Anton Lynn’s unit is going to have all kinds of problems trying to contain Oregon’s stable of productive running backs. Dante Moore and the boys quickly build a double-digit advantage, and pick up a comfortable win that eliminates the Trojans from CFP contention.

Game 4: Pittsburgh vs. No. 16 Georgia Tech

The pick: Georgia Tech wins, 30-17.

I’m going to wait a few years, then connect with a member of the 2025 Pitt football roster. By that time, they’ll be free to answer my burning question honestly. What was the reaction in the locker room when Pat Narduzzi made those oh-so-stupid comments?

Maybe I’m overreacting to a 30-second sound bite. I just find it hard to believe that those players were ready to run through a wall for their head coach last week. After getting thumped by 22, the Panthers will now enter the biggest contest of their season with zero confidence. Nice work, Pat.

The Yellow Jackets have yet to be held under 24 points, and their offensive style almost feels like one big homage to Paul Johnson. Georgia Tech grabs a spot in the conference title game behind another excellent showing from Haynes King.

Game 5: No. 20 Tennessee vs. Florida

The pick: Florida wins, 23-20.

Though it’s been an undeniably rough campaign in Gainesville, this is a competitive and prideful football team. The Gators beat Texas, and hung tough with Georgia and Ole Miss; they’re not nearly as far away from true contention as that record might suggest.

Even in dark times, Florida supporters bring the noise. I think the fan base is about to get rewarded with a feel-good upset victory. A certain father of three in Oxford will have a hard time containing his smile.

Game 6: No. 11 BYU vs. Cincinnati

The pick: BYU wins, 28-13.

This conference devolves into total chaos if the Bearcats steal one here. Assuming Utah, Houston, and Arizona State handle business today, there would be four teams with a 6-2 record in Big 12 play. That’s a lot of scenarios to sort through.

Fortunately, the Cougars will make things slightly more simple for us. Bear Bachmeier gets it done on the road, and BYU moves a step closer to a potential rematch with Texas Tech.

• Week 12 Results: 5-1

• Overall Season Picks Record: 45-27

• Current CFB Prize Pot: $405

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