The end of the college football season is approaching fast. Week 13 features the last full slate of games before the extended Thanksgiving schedule leads into championship weekend.

This weekend’s matchups present numerous chances for unexpected outcomes, as the pressure peaks for teams aiming for conference titles and possible College Football Playoff appearances. Ohio State and Notre Dame are set to face ranked opponents, as are Brigham Young and Penn State on the road. So where could the surprises unfold this Saturday?

Our YSL News Sports college football team is ready to share their bold predictions for Week 12 of the season: Scooby Axson, Jordan Mendoza, Paul Myerberg, Erick Smith, and Dan Wolken offer their insights:

Ohio State’s 29-game winning streak over Indiana

Indiana can’t help that their 2024 schedule has been relatively easy. Like all teams, they play the opponents in front of them and there’s no shame in achieving victories against them; that’s a hallmark of strong teams.

This Saturday at noon, Indiana faces a significant challenge as they head to Ohio State, who are nearly 11-point favorites. This suggests either a lack of respect for Indiana or that Vegas has insights that we don’t. If this matchup were in Bloomington, many would give Indiana a fighting chance, but it’s not. With Ohio State having won 28 straight against them, the odds don’t appear favorable for the Hoosiers. A loss could essentially knock one of these teams out of contention for the Big Ten title game, so expect Ohio State to come through again, further solidifying their playoff ranking. — Scooby Axson

Indiana pulls off a surprise against Ohio State to stay unbeaten

Why not keep the dream alive?

Despite dominating much of the season, Indiana isn’t receiving enough recognition due to their relatively light schedule. Their duel with Ohio State serves as the ultimate test to see if they are playoff-worthy. While many expect the Buckeyes, boasting one of the nation’s top defenses, to overpower Indiana, don’t dismiss Curt Cignetti’s squad. Aiming to prove themselves, Indiana’s offense could rise to the occasion, delivering a shocking performance to beat the Buckeyes and achieve an 11-0 record. After such a victory, Indiana’s playoff status would be unquestionable. — Jordan Mendoza

Kansas continues its winning with an upset over Colorado

Kansas is set to take down another ranked Big 12 opponent by beating Colorado, bringing them within a win of achieving bowl eligibility. Even though a defeat wouldn’t eliminate Colorado’s chances at the conference title, they would need help to remain in playoff contention. The Jayhawks have endured six losses, often in tough circumstances, but they appear to have bounced back after a rivalry setback against Kansas State, looking more like the Top 25 team they were anticipated to be at the start of the season. — Paul Myerberg

Could Penn State face playoff elimination at Minnesota?

The Nittany Lions have climbed to No. 4 in the College Football Playoff ranks, overcoming challenges except for a slip against Ohio State. Their last two road games against strong opponents were hardly easy wins; they found themselves trailing at halftime against Southern California and Wisconsin before pulling off come-from-behind victories. A slow start against the Golden Gophers could be dangerous, considering they possess one of the top defenses in the nation and scoring against them will be tough. Expect a low-scoring game that might hinge on a single critical play or a turnover. It wouldn’t be surprising if the Nittany Lions were the ones to stumble and lose out on a playoff spot. — Erick Smith

Big 12 chaos is coming

We could witness total pandemonium in the Big 12 this weekend, leading to a potential four-way tie for first place.

The plan involves Arizona State beating Brigham Young in Tempe, a likely outcome due to the current form of both teams. Also, Colorado would need to lose to Kansas, which—while less likely—is plausible given the Jayhawks’ recent improvements. Lastly, Iowa State must secure a road win against the struggling Utah Utes. Will it all unfold as expected? Absolutely. Get ready for some tiebreaker drama. — Eddie Timanus

Auburn stuns Texas A&M, shaking the SEC landscape

Texas A&M has had a strong season, and they still have a shot at the playoffs. Their upcoming home game against Texas, renewing a rivalry that’s been dormant since 2011, is drawing significant interest. It even has the potential to influence SEC championship game bids. However, the Aggies must first head to Auburn. Despite their issues this season, Auburn boasts a solid defense and has only suffered a major defeat to Georgia. They seem poised for a major victory, and knocking a solid Texas A&M team out of playoff contention would be a classic Auburn move. So expect an upset on Saturday. — Dan Wolken