Around the Country: Week 12

Noah Ruiz, Kolton Becker, and Roman Arteaga

November 11, 2024

A Texas A&M player waits for a drill to begin during the first day of fall football practice at the McFerrin Athletic Center in College Station Texas, on July 31, 2024. (Hannah Harrison/The Battalion)

No. 23 Clemson @ No. 18 Pittsburgh – Noah

Saturday, Nov. 9 — Acrisure Stadium — Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

11:00 a.m. on ESPN

Miami kicked open a hornet’s … well … a Yellow Jacket nest this past weekend in Atlanta, tightening up the race for the Clemson Tigers to reach the Atlantic Coast Conference Championship, as they now sit second in the conference standings. On the other hand, Pittsburgh lies in fifth place, banking on others’ losses to carry them to Charlotte. Both teams are in the mix for a spot for glory, but only one team’s hopes will survive Saturday’s contest.

Pittsburgh will be challenged by a capable and methodical passer in junior quarterback Cade Klubnik, who has rebounded from a Week 1, 34-3 thrashing by Georgia with 24 touchdown passes to only four interceptions this season. The ground game is headed by senior running back Phil Mafah, whose 981 yards are good for Top-15 in the country and gives the advantage to the Tigers.

The Panthers have themselves a powerful defensive duo in sophomore linebackers Kyle Louis and Rasheem Biles, with their combined efforts accounting for ten sacks and five interceptions. Louis and Biles form a wall that the Tigers will need to break through in order to force Pittsburgh into a three-game losing streak, as they pose the biggest threat to Klubnik and Co.’s charge for a championship berth.

However, after being outscored 72–44 in the past two games, it may be time for another Panther defender to step up to the plate if Pitt is to make it out alive.

Prediction: Clemson 34 Pittsburgh 24

Boston College @ No. 13 SMU – Kolton

Saturday, Nov. 9 — Gerald J. Ford Stadium — Dallas

2:30 p.m. on ESPN

Few experts predicted that the SMU Mustangs would be first in the ACC, but they have proved the haters wrong. The program is in the driver’s seat in its first year in the ACC with quality wins against TCU and Florida State, along with ranked wins against Louisville and Pittsburgh. They have their first-ever opportunity to make it to the ACC Championship Game and control their destiny the rest of the way to the College Football Playoffs.

As for the Boston College Eagles, the program has undergone a culture change with newly hired coach Bill O’Brien leading the way. Under his first season, he has experienced a lot of ups and downs with an opening weekend win against a then-ranked Florida State team. Then the Eagles ran into Missouri, suffering its first season loss before dropping three more games against Virginia, Virginia Tech and Louisville.

Sophomore QB Thomas Castellanos leads the Boston College offense, but last week against Syracuse, junior QB Grayson James replaced Castellanos after he went 2-of-7 for 14 yards, with one touchdown and an interception. There will be questions about what O’Brien plans to do this weekend, but one thing is for sure: Whoever starts will be ready to go with their two top weapons, junior WR Lewis Bond and senior RB Kye Robichaux.

The Mustangs sophomore QB Kevin Jennings has thrown for 1,900 yards in the air, completing 64.8% of his passes with 12 touchdowns and five interceptions. A clean day in the pocket with the help of the offensive line and a busy day on the ground from RB Brashard Smith will give the Mustangs the edge in this one.

Prediction: SMU: 45 Boston College: 30

No.1 Oregon at Wisconsin- Roman

Saturday, Nov. 16 — Camp Randall Stadium — Madison, Wisconsin.

6:30 p.m. on FBS

Coming into this match with an impressive 10-0 record, Oregon has no intention to take its foot off the gas. In their last game, the Ducks pounced on Maryland as senior QB Dillon Gabriel looked confident under center, throwing for 183 yards and three touchdowns on their way to a 39-18 victory. Junior RB Jordan James added a touchdown while junior WR Evan Stewart and senior TE Terrance Ferguson combined for 90 receiving yards, and each contributed a touchdown.

In its last game, Wisconsin struggled against Iowa as they only recorded 261 yards of total offense compared to 422 yards by Iowa. Redshirt sophomore QB Braedyn Locke threw for 137 yards, a touchdown and two interceptions under center. Junior WR C.J. Williams contributed 32 receiving yards and a touchdown, while senior RB Tawee Walker had 52 rushing yards on 16 carries.

On its home field, Wisconsin has a positive 3-2 record — and because they are just one-win away from being bowl-eligible — they will be sure to bring intense energy and physicality.

The undefeated Ducks will be sure to bring No. 1-type energy into the Badgers home field and will test them on both offense and defense.

Camp Randall Stadium will pose a hostile and intense environment for the Ducks and it will be interesting to see if Wisconsin will keep this matchup close..

Still, there is no way I am taking Wisconsin over Oregon in this one, the Ducks will stomp on Wisconsin and continue its undefeated season.

Prediction: Wisconsin 17, Oregon 42

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About the Contributors

Noah Ruiz, Sports Writer

Noah Ruiz is a junior sport management major with minors in business and Spanish from New Braunfels, Texas.

Kolton Becker, Sports Writer

Kolton Becker is an agricultural communications and journalism major with a minor in sport management from Port Lavaca, Texas. He started at The Battalion in 2024 as a sports writer. During his time as a reporter, he has covered football, baseball, softball, volleyball, swim and dive, track and field, cross country and equestrian. Kolton previously interned with the Victoria Generals for two seasons and also had the opportunity to work in operations at the Valero Alamo Bowl in 2023. In his spare time, he loves to fish, cook, watch and play sports, attend church and spend time with his family, friends and dog, Bella.

Roman Arteaga, Sports Writer

Roman Arteaga is a sophomore sports management major from San Antonio, Texas. Roman has written about football, volleyball, women’s tennis, men’s tennis, soccer, basketball and golf for The Battalion. In his free time, Roman likes to support his favorite sports teams, play video games and hangout with friends.

Hannah Harrison, Assistant Photo Chief

Hannah is an Agricultural Communication and Journalism junior from New Braunfels, TX. Hannah is serving her first semester as Assistant Photo Chief after spending time as a Battalion sports photographer. Before transferring to A&M, Hannah spent a year at Colorado Christian University working as a photographer for CCU Athletics. She is expected to graduate Fall of 2026.