Rock M Nation Pick Em: Week 12

The week prior to Thanksgiving Weekend is “Cupcake Saturday” around the majority of the SEC, but the No. 9 Missouri Tigers have a conference game on Senior Night at Faurot Field against the Florida Gators looking to keep their NY6 bowl hopes alive. The other SEC games feature the No. 1 Georgia Bulldogs at No. 18 Tennessee Volunteers and the Kentucky Wildcats at South Carolina Gamecocks.

Some other Top 25 showdowns on the Saturday slate give us No. 21 Kansas State Wildcats at No. 25 kansas Jayhawks and No. 5 Washington Huskies at No. 11 Oregon State Beavers.

Let’s make some picks. Standings recap through Week 11:

Sammy: 34-11 overall (29-16 ATS)

Kortay: 29-11 (20-20)

Parker: 33-12 (26-19)

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(Odds per Draftkings Sportsbook)

Florida at No. 9 Missouri (-11): 6:30 p.m. CST on ESPN

Missouri defensive back Daylan Carnell runs back an interception for a touchdown in the fourth quarter of a game against Tennessee on Nov. 11, 2023, at Faurot Field, in Columbia, Mo. Carnell's catch, which was the last score of the game, increased Missouri's lead to 29 in the 36-7 victory. (Cal Tobias/Rock M Nation)

Parker Gillam, Beat Writer: Florida will put up more of a fight than Tennessee did. The Gators’ offense is well-balanced and capable of putting some points up on the board, and I believe that they keep this one close throughout because of that unit. Graham Mertz has really come along throughout the season, Ricky Pearsall and Eugene Wilson are dangerous receivers and the backfield duo of Trevor Etienne and Montrell Johnson Jr. is tough to contain.

With that being said, Mizzou’s veterans will not lose on Senior Day, and I believe that a forced turnover or two by the Mizzou defense in the fourth quarter will prove to be the difference in a 31-23 Missouri win.

Sammy Stava, Staff Writer: This one isn’t going to be easy as Florida will be playing for bowl eligibility — but it’s also Senior Night for Mizzou with NY6 bowl hopes on the line. Missouri is the better team with bigger aspirations. Another big night coming from the Cook, Schrader, and Burden trio. 35-23 MU.

No. 1 Georgia (-10) at No. 18 Tennessee: 2:30 p.m. CST on CBS

Photo by Jeffrey Vest/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images

Parker Gillam: Mizzou cracked the code to slowing down UT’s rushing attack last week, and Georgia is even more well-equipped to do so on defense. The Bulldogs are hitting their stride at the right time, and I believe they should have little trouble in Knoxville despite the immense home field advantage Neyland Stadium provides. Unless Joe Milton plays the best game of his career, Georgia will win handily. Dawgs 35-17.

Sammy Stava: Georgia will be playing in a tough road environment, but it won’t matter too much with Brock Bowers back. Kirby Smart and the Dawgs will put together another complete performance. 37-21 UGA.

No. 21 Kansas State (-10) at No. 25 kansas: 6:00 p.m. CST on FS1

Photo by John Rivera/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images

Parker Gillam: K-State is one fourth-down conversion away from being on a 5-game winning streak. The Wildcats are a legitimately great team, and they will be in the Big 12 title game for the second year in a row when the regular season concludes. Will Howard has figured out his turnover woes from early in the season, DJ Giddens is a standout back and Phillip Brooks leads a dangerous receiving core. And, it’s Kansas State, so they’re throwing a top-tier defense on the field no matter what.

K-State dominates Kansas in the trenches and wins 35-20.

Sammy Stava: Chris Klieman is a really good coach and will have the Wildcats ready for this one led by Will Howard. Also, there’s just too many injury issues for kansas. KSU gets it done on the road, 31-20.

No. 5 Washington at No. 11 Oregon State (-1.5): 6:30 p.m. CST on ABC

Photo by Steph Chambers/Getty Images

Parker Gillam: Corvallis, Oregon is a scary, scary place. Countless top teams have walked into Reser Stadium and left shell-shocked...and I think the same happens to Washington.

The Huskies have been playing with fire for much of the past month while Oregon State has largely been tearing through the competition behind one of the more balanced offenses in the nation. On top of that, the Pac-12 has two teams with playoff chances at this point of the season. This is the time of the year when the conference begins to cannabilize itself, and I think both UW and Oregon are in trouble this weekend. Beavers win 27-23 in dramatic fashion.

Sammy Stava: This is the toughest one to pick of the week. Oregon State will be tough especially in Corvallis — but Washington will find a way to keep their undefeated season alive as Michael Penix continues his run for a Heisman Trophy. 35-31 UW.

Kentucky (-1.5) at South Carolina: 6:30 p.m. CST on SEC Network

Photo by Bob Levey/Getty Images

Parker Gillam: South Carolina will yet again look to make a late-season push this season, but it’s for a bowl berth this time. Halfway through their four-game home stand to end the season, Spencer Rattler and Co. have looked much improved on both sides of the ball in recent weeks. Devin Leary should play better this week, but teams have figured out how to contain Ray Davis, and the Wildcats struggled when their offense is not balanced. Mario Anderson, Xavier Legette and Rattler will all have big days as SC wins a 38-28 affair.

Follow the Rock M Nation Pick Em staff on Twitter (X): @StavaonSTL, @gillam_parker and @Kortay_Vincent.