Lowell's Locks: Week Twelve

Back on the right side again with a 4–2 card, bringing the season winning percentage over 60 percent (40-26, 60.6%). Wins on Texas Tech, Texas A&M, Alabama, and Notre Dame; losses on Oregon and Florida State. We stay with the same formula: win first down, protect field position, and finish drives. 

Friday, November 14th:

Clemson at #20 Louisville (-2.5)

Louisville’s balance plays clean at home. The Cards have been efficient on scripted drives and sturdy enough on early downs to keep opponents in long fields. Clemson’s best path is a low-possession game and a +1 turnover margin, but if Louisville avoids the sudden-change mistake, the middle quarters tilt red and black. Preliminary ACC availability has Clemson trending healthier on the interior DL, but nothing that flips the read.

Score Prediction: 35-27 Louisville

Lowell’s Lock: Louisville covers -2.5

Saturday, November 15th:

South Carolina at #3 Texas A&M (-19.5)

This is trench ball. A&M’s front has played well all year, and the Aggies’ early-down defense sets up short fields for an offense that doesn’t need to be flashy to separate. South Carolina needs explosives or a special-teams swing to stay in contact; their weekly availability continues to feature multiple two-deep hits, while A&M’s game notes reflect a settled core heading into Kyle Field. If the Aggies stay turnover-neutral, this stretches after halftime.

Lowell’s Lock: Texas A&M covers -19.5

#9 Notre Dame (-12.5) at #22 Pittsburgh

Pitt can muddy it with field position, but Notre Dame has more ways to finish drives and a defense that squeezes red-zone attempts into field goals. The Irish expect a key corner back this week, while one of their headline WRs was ruled out Thursday; the offensive structure remains intact and should be enough against a Panthers depth chart that’s still patching spots after recent injuries. Two early stops put this on schedule to separate late.

Lowell’s Lock: Notre Dame covers -12.5

#11 Oklahoma at #4 Alabama (-6.5)

Bryant-Denny tilts close games. Alabama’s defense has been the more stable side, and if they win first down, they can force Oklahoma into long-yardage snaps where crowd and cadence matter. OU’s availability lists a few key defenders as questionable; Bama’s report still holds some front-seven outs, but their rotational depth has handled it. If the Tide avoid sudden-change giveaways, the final two possessions lean crimson.

Lowell’s Lock: Alabama covers -6.5

#21 Iowa at #17 USC (-6.5)

Styles clash. USC wants pace and explosives; Iowa wants a rock fight and short fields. The Trojans have the superior playmaking on offense, and their pass rush is good enough to keep Iowa behind the sticks. The Hawkeyes’ defense and special teams can absolutely drag this into the fourth, but if USC protects the ball and finishes two red-zone trips, the number is live. Iowa’s skill room still carries a couple questionable tags; USC’s injuries are more rotational than top-line this week.

Lowell’s Lock: USC covers -6.5

#10 Texas at #5 Georgia (-6.5)

Heavyweight feel. Georgia leans on four-man pressure and red-zone defense; Texas counters with explosives and third-down answers. The Longhorns come in healthier after a bye with multiple contributors cleared, while the SEC availability report lists several Bulldogs to monitor. Between Texas’ clean injury slate and their ability to hit shot plays, this profiles as tighter than a full touchdown, but Georgia’s defensive floor at home keeps them in control late if they cap explosives. Lean to the home side to win; respect Texas enough to expect a fourth-quarter game.

Lowell’s Lock: Georgia -6.5.