Week 12 has several big games on the schedule, but Sportsvival has its eyes locked on three heavyweight showdowns that could reshape playoff paths and late‑season narratives. From a hostile trip to Tuscaloosa where Oklahoma’s tempo meets Alabama’s home‑field power, to an explosive Texas offense trying to crack Georgia’s SEC‑hardened defense in Athens, and finally a primetime rivalry tilt in Pittsburgh where Notre Dame must survive a physical Panthers front, these games promise big‑play moments, trench warfare, and NFL‑caliber talent on both sides of the ball.
#10 (7-2) Oklahoma Sooners at #4 (8-1) Alabama Crimson Tide
Kickoff: Saturday, Nov. 15 | Time TBA | TV: National Location: Bryant‑Denny Stadium, Tuscaloosa, AL
This is a true pivot game for College Football Playoff positioning — Oklahoma will push tempo and try to keep Alabama from settling into its power identity, while the Tide will look to control the line of scrimmage and manufacture third‑down stops. Expect special‑teams swings and fourth‑quarter decisions to matter.
Key Players to Watch
Oklahoma - John Mateer, QB: Athletic pocket passer with a clean release. Comfortable throwing on the move and excels on intermediate crossers and RPO reads.
Oklahoma- Kendal Daniels, LB : Instinctive off‑the‑ball linebacker with sideline range; frequently among team leaders in tackles, strong against inside runs, and capable in short‑area coverage on checkdowns and RB routes.
Alabama- Ty Simpson, QB : Rhythm pocket passer who combines timing‑based accuracy with designed‑run boots that keep defenses honest.
Alabama- Justin Jefferson, LB : Physical inside linebacker who leads the Tide in tackle production in multiple games, shows strong block‑shedding and gap integrity, has produced tackles for loss and the occasional takeaway while playing downhill with violent hands and dependable pursuit angles.
Sportsvival Prediction: Alabama’s offense is too much for the Sooners defense to handle…Alabama 38 Oklahoma 17
#11 (7-2) Texas Longhorns at #5 (8-1) Georgia Bulldogs
Kickoff: Saturday, Nov. 15 | Time TBA | TV: ABC/ESPN Location: Sanford Stadium, Athens, GA
This matchup should come down to trench dominance and complementary play: Texas has playmakers who can flip the field with big plays and a disruptive edge presence, while Georgia will try to control the line, shorten the game with its running attack, and let its defense set the tone.
Key Players to Watch
Texas- Arch Manning, QB: Timing‑based passer who thrives on intermediate concepts; posts efficient yards per attempt, shows pro‑level pre‑snap processing, and uses subtle mobility to extend plays without forcing throws.
Texas - Colin Simmons, EDGE: Explosive off‑edge rusher with a quick first‑step and developing counter moves; produces consistent pressures and creates negative plays in the backfield.
Georgia - Nate Frazier, RB: Physical downhill runner averaging 5.7 YPC on a committee workload; breaks tackles between the tackles, converts short‑yardage, and complements play‑action passing work.
Georgia -Gabe Harris Jr., OLB: Lengthy, athletic edge defender who sets the edge, flashes in blitz packages, and is strong in pursuit on the second level; used heavily on third‑down pressure snaps.
Sportsvival Prediction: Which Arch Manning and Texas offense show up? Sportsvival says not the consistent one needed to win a big game in Athens. Georgia 34 Texas 13
#8 (7-2) Notre Dame Fighting Irish at #21 (7-2) Pittsburgh Panthers
Kickoff: Saturday, Nov. 15 | Time TBA | TV: ESPN Location: Acrisure Stadium, Pittsburgh, PA
GameDay in Pittsburgh brings a hostile atmosphere and a physical test for Notre Dame’s offense. Expect a chess match between Notre Dame’s timing‑based passing attack and Pitt’s aggressive front seven. Turnovers, special teams, and red‑zone efficiency should decide this one.
Key players and scouting notes (one offensive, one defensive from each team)
Notre Dame-CJ Carr, QB: Accurate young passer who is completing around 68% of his passes, comfortable manipulating tempo and hitting intermediate windows; shows incremental growth in downfield reads and ball‑security in high‑leverage spots.
Notre Dame — Drayk Bowen, LB : thumping inside linebacker who wins with leverage and pursuit; racks up tackles near the line, blows up inside runs, and shows reliable coverage on short RB routes.
Pitt — Desmond Reid, RB: Explosive, home‑run threat who creates yards after contact and contributes as a receiver out of the backfield; dangerous in space and on swing/pitch reads.
Pitt — Braylan Lovelace, LB : Sideline‑to‑sideline tackler who ranks among team leaders in stops; plays fast downhill, fills gaps against inside runs, and shows occasional pass‑rush snaps in sub packages.