“You’re remembered for what you do in November.” — Ty Simpson, Alabama QB
If Week 11 reminded us of anything, it’s that November is when College Football gets real. The pressure mounts, the margins shrink and the defining plays start to etch themselves into program lore.
The Big Ten once again stole the spotlight last weekend. Indiana and Oregon both survived by the skin of their teeth, fending off upset-minded opponents in dramatic fashion. For Indiana, the victory over Penn State meant more than just keeping a playoff dream alive; it proved character. Quarterback Fernando Mendoza had an uneven performance, but made plays when it mattered most, delivering under fire during a frantic final drive. Wide receiver Omar Cooper’s game-winning catch will be replayed in Bloomington bars for years, as it was the kind of moment that defines both a season and a player’s legacy.
Elsewhere, Texas Tech delivered perhaps the most consequential win of the weekend, handing BYU their first loss and establishing the Red Raiders as the new frontrunner in the Big 12. Their physicality at the line of scrimmage and efficiency in the red zone underscored a team that’s peaking at the right time.
With just two weeks left in the regular season, the new 12-team playoff format looms large. The five highest-ranked conference champions earn automatic berths, with seven at-large spots waiting for the best of the rest. The four top-ranked teams overall get first-round byes, leaving eight others to scrap it out in on-campus showdowns.
As Week 12 dawns, the stakes only grow. Which players and programs are ready to seize their “November moment”?
2025 College Football Week 12 Preview: Best Bets & Devy Fantasy Football Storylines
Week 12 Games of the Week & Devy Storylines to Watch
Oklahoma Sooners (12) @ Alabama Crimson Tide (4)
Bryant-Denny Stadium, Tuscaloosa, Ala. — Saturday, Nov. 15
Betting Odds: Alabama –6.5 | Total: 46.5
The road doesn’t get easier for Alabama, but this team looks built for the grind. Coming off a suffocating defensive performance against LSU that forced the Tigers to bench quarterback Garrett Nussmeier, the Tide now sets its sights on its ninth straight win and another statement victory against Oklahoma.
Ty Simpson has grown sharper with every passing week. Alabama’s offense continues to lean heavily on the aerial attack while searching for balance on the ground. Running the ball won’t be simple against an Oklahoma defense that ranks fourth nationally and second in the SEC against the run, holding opponents to just 82.4 yards per game and a stingy 2.49 yards per carry.
The Crimson Tide has found consistency in spreading the wealth. Ryan Williams hauled in a crucial touchdown against LSU, but it was Germie Bernard who led the team in yards. Tight end Josh Cuevas and freshman wide receiver Lotzeir Brooks continue to give Simpson reliable intermediate options, with each recording four receptions last week.
For Oklahoma, quarterback John Mateer is still shaking off the rust from a thumb injury that derailed his midseason rhythm. He hasn’t quite recaptured his early-season form, but his improvisational play and willingness to push the ball downfield keep the Sooners dangerous. Alabama’s secondary, however, is opportunistic and thrives off turnovers, something Oklahoma can’t afford this week.
My Picks
Alabama -6.5
The Tide defense is peaking and should suffocate Oklahoma’s one-dimensional attack. Under 46.5 points total also remains in play, given the form of both defenses.
Texas Longhorns (11) @ Georgia Bulldogs (5)
Sanford Stadium, Athens, Ga. — Saturday, Nov. 15
Betting Odds: Georgia –5.5 | Total: 47.5
Two proud programs, one high-stakes showdown. Georgia can’t afford another stumble with Alabama holding the tiebreaker in the SEC, while Texas is clinging to playoff hopes that seemed all but gone after Week 1.
It’s been a season of redemption for Arch Manning. After being crowned the heir apparent before ever taking a meaningful snap, the hype train derailed quickly following an ugly opener against Ohio State. But hindsight reveals that Buckeye defense as one of the nation’s best, and since then, Manning has quietly rebuilt both confidence and credibility. Over the last month, he’s begun to trust his reads, make anticipatory throws and use his legs more efficiently. The win over Vanderbilt showed glimpses of the quarterback Texas fans hoped for: composed, decisive and capable of making big-time throws in tight windows.
On the other side of the matchup, Georgia’s defense isn’t the dominant force of its title years, but it’s still disciplined and well-coached. The Bulldogs will mix coverages and test Manning’s poise under pressure. Offensively, the Dawgs will hope there’s more to come from running back Nate Frazier, who erupted for 181 yards on just 12 carries last week. Freshman Chauncey Bowens continues to eat into his workload, but the backfield looks dynamic again.
My Picks
Georgia -5.5
The Bulldogs have rediscovered their offensive rhythm behind Frazier’s backfield breakout and a steady, composed Gunner Stockton-led passing game. Texas has improved under Arch Manning, but Sanford Stadium in mid-November is a different kind of test. Georgia’s defense may not be vintage, but it’s disciplined enough to limit explosive plays and force Manning to drive the field methodically.
Expect Kirby Smart’s team to control tempo with the ground game and short passing attack, leaning on their depth and physicality late. Texas should keep things competitive early, but Georgia’s balance and home-field edge give them the upper hand over four quarters.
With both defenses trending upward, betting Under 47.5 also deserves a look.
Devy Spotlight
Antonio Williams (WR, Clemson Tigers; 2026)
Antonio Williams plays the game like a seasoned veteran trapped in a 21-year-old’s body. His body control is exceptional; he adjusts to off-target throws mid-air with the balance of a gymnast and the awareness of a point guard. Despite a 5-foot-11-inch frame, he plays much bigger, especially on boundary routes.
Williams is a craftsman as a route runner. He manipulates defenders with subtle tempo shifts, violent head fakes and razor-sharp cuts. It’s artistry more than athleticism, and he wins by outthinking corners rather than simply outrunning them. His hands are as natural as they come, consistently plucking the ball away from his body and extending his catch radius.
He’s dangerous after the catch, with a compact running style that slips tackles rather than breaks them. More slippery than explosive, he doesn’t possess true home-run speed but compensates with vision and acceleration through tight windows. Williams’ intelligence pops on film; he finds soft zones, adjusts routes instinctively and becomes a quarterback’s safety valve in broken plays.
The concerns are straightforward: he’s undersized, not a burner and has already battled injuries. But his technical polish and spatial IQ make him an NFL-ready slot option. His ability to return punts only boosts his value. Antonio Williams won’t redefine the position, but he’s the type of player who quietly produces 80 catches a year for a decade.
Kevin Concepcion (WR, Texas A&M Aggies; 2026)
Kevin “KC” Concepcion brings the kind of smooth, deceptive craft that makes defensive backs miserable. He’s a route artisan who thrives on nuance, varying his tempo, snapping off breaks and using his eyes to sell fakes like a poker player holding pocket aces. His spatial sense really shines when working the middle of the field, with a natural feel for when to throttle down and present his quarterback with a clean window, especially against zone coverage.
Concepcion is electric after the catch, and his low center of gravity and core balance makes him a nightmare for first tacklers. He’s the kind of receiver who can turn a five-yard drag into a 20-yard gain with one smart angle. The transfer from NC state plays with visible edge and toughness, refusing to go down easily.
Still, his limitations are clear. At 5-foot-11 and 187 pounds, he’s not built to win many 50-50 balls, and he lacks elite burst off the line. He’s not slow, with a perfectly respectable forty-yard speed of 4.46 seconds, but he doesn’t consistently separate vertically. His sophomore slump, totalling only 460 yards compared to 839 as a freshman, raises consistency flags, but he’s having a bounce-back season following his move to Texas A&M.
KC Concepcion’s long-term value lies in his versatility. He’s a movable chess piece who can line up in the slot, outside or even motion into the backfield. He won’t be a true WR1, but his football IQ and route detail give him a high floor and plenty of scheme flexibility.
Eli Stowers (TE, Vanderbilt Commodores; 2026)
Few players in college football present a more fascinating study than Eli Stowers. Once a quarterback, he’s now a tight end who moves like a wide receiver and jumps like a high jumper — literally. A former Texas 6A state high-jump champion, Stowers was featured on Bruce Feldman’s 2025 “Freaks List,” clocking a 21.43 mph speed on GPS and posting an 11-foot-3-inch broad jump with a 39-inch vertical.
On the field, those numbers translate to real playmaking ability. He stretches seams vertically with elite acceleration and body control, routinely leaving linebackers flailing. His hands are natural and forgiving; he plucks passes out of the air effortlessly, often through contact. Stowers’ background under center gives him an intuitive understanding of zone spacing and coverage leverage, allowing him to sit perfectly in soft spots.
But the redshirt senior is still learning how to play tight end. At 235 pounds, he’s undersized for in-line duties and struggles to sustain blocks against larger defensive ends. His hand placement and leverage need major refinement, and power rushers can walk him back into the pocket.
Despite those shortcomings, Eli Stowers offers rare mismatch potential. He’s best deployed as a “move” tight end, flexed into the slot or off the line, where his burst and vertical speed can create chaos for safeties. His transition is ongoing, but the ceiling is sky-high for Stowers if a creative offensive coordinator builds around his strengths.
RELATED: Mid-Season 2026 Dynasty Rookie Mock Draft | Superflex, TE Premium
2025 Heisman Trophy Outlook
- Julian Sayin (QB, Ohio State) | +160
- Fernando Mendoza (QB, Indiana) | +170
- Ty Simpson (QB, Alabama) | +500
- Marcel Reed (QB, Texas A&M) | +850
- Diego Pavia (QB, Vanderbilt) | +2000
Ohio State’s Julian Sayin remains the favorite after another 300-yard performance, his sixth such game this season. He surpassed an 80% completion rate in the last three matches, and the Buckeyes hum because of him. Yes, Sayin has the keys to the best offense in the nation, but he’s one hell of a driver!
Fernando Mendoza had the weekend’s biggest Heisman moment, leading Indiana 75 yards with no timeouts to beat Penn State. It was equal parts grit and poise, and the kind of moment voters remember when ballots are cast.
Ty Simpson and Marcel Reed both remain in the hunt, though Julian Sayin’s statistical dominance and Ohio State’s likely playoff berth keep him in pole position.
Thanks for reading my article on “2025 College Football Week 12 Preview: Best Bets & Devy Fantasy Football Storylines”. For more Devy and College Fantasy Football content, follow me on Twitter/X @PoshplaysFF.
*Photo Credit: Steve Roberts– USA TODAY Sports*
