Key Highlights
- No. 9 Notre Dame vs No. 22 Pittsburgh game to watch on ABC at noon
- Ohio State, Indiana, and Texas A&M remain undefeated heading into Week 12
- Clemson Tigers’ win over Louisville Cardinals secures ACC win
- Aaron Donald returns to Pitt for College GameDay event
College Football Week 12: Schedule and Key Games
The college football season is heating up as we approach the final weeks of the regular season. Week 12 brings some pivotal matchups that could significantly impact playoff hopes, including a highly anticipated game between No. 9 Notre Dame and No. 22 Pittsburgh. The match-up, which will be broadcast on ABC at noon, holds immense importance for both teams as it could influence their standings in the College Football Playoff race.
No. 1 Ohio State, No. 2 Indiana, and No. 3 Texas A&M remain unbeaten heading into this critical weekend of games. With just three weeks left until conference championships begin, these undefeated teams are closely watched by playoff committee members as their performances could determine who advances to the postseason.
Notre Dame vs Pittsburgh: A Crucial ACC Battle
The highly anticipated game between No. 9 Notre Dame and No. 22 Pittsburgh will take place on Saturday, November 15, at noon on ABC. Notre Dame has faced challenges this season but remains a force to be reckoned with in the ACC. A win over Pittsburgh could boost their playoff hopes significantly.
Pittsburgh still holds onto some hope of an ACC championship and a spot in the College Football Playoff.
However, a strong showing against Notre Dame would put them closer to securing both. The Panthers’ fanbase is expected to turn out en masse, as seen during the last time GameDay visited Pittsburgh, which was back in September 2022.
Notable Games and Their Implications
No. 4 Alabama faces No. 11 Oklahoma at 3:30 PM on ABC, a game that could have significant implications for both teams’ playoff chances. The Sooners have already suffered two losses but will treat this matchup as if it were a playoff game. A strong performance by the Crimson Tide would put them in pole position to secure a spot in the championship.
In the Big Ten, No. 17 Southern California faces No. 21 Iowa at 3:30 PM on the Big Ten Network. USC remains in contention for a spot in the conference championship and will need a win this weekend to stay in that conversation.
College GameDay Returns to Pittsburgh
The College GameDay crew visited Pittsburgh ahead of the Notre Dame vs. Pitt game, marking their first appearance since September 2022. The event was met with a massive crowd of Panther fans, who showed up bright and early on a chilly November morning.
Notable moments included Pat McAfee’s attempt at “Country Ro” being overpowered by the crowd singing “Sweet Caroline.” Additionally, there were numerous signs in the crowd referencing Notre Dame’s Rudy mascot and creating their own version of Touchdown Jesus. The game resulted in a one-million-dollar miss when a student attempted to replicate McAfee’s kicking challenge but failed under pressure.
Conference Standings and Playoff Rankings
The CFP selection committee released its second College Football Playoff rankings on November 14, with Ohio State, Indiana, and Texas A&M remaining at the top. The rankings offer a snapshot of where teams stand heading into Week 12 but are subject to change based on the results of upcoming games.
Notably, the ACC saw significant shuffling in its rankings after Virginia and Louisville suffered losses. Miami and Georgia Tech now occupy higher spots within the conference, creating more uncertainty as we head towards the final weeks of the regular season.
The full schedule for Week 12 can be found here, providing detailed times and TV channels for all games. Fans are encouraged to tune in as this weekend promises some of the best college football action of the season, with games that could dramatically alter playoff possibilities.
