We’re down to three weeks left in the 2025 college football regular season, and there’s no shortage of big games and things to play for in Week 12. Pivotal wins by Texas Tech, Texas A&M, Oregon, Alabama, and Wake Forest last week all helped to shape the College Football Playoff race. We’ve got an even better slate of games this Saturday.

The SEC takes center stage this week, with two mammoth matchups. Oklahoma travels to Alabama, and Texas travels to Georgia in battles of new conference members versus old league powers. Those games, among others, will be very important to determining who makes the CFP and who gets left out.

Obviously, our eyes will be on how the Sooners fare against the Crimson Tide, but Week 12 is loaded with great games. Here are the top five games you need to be watching this week.

1. Oklahoma at Alabama, 2:30 p.m. CT

Oklahoma and Alabama are two of the top five blue blood programs in the history of college football, and the two iconic teams will meet again on Saturday. The Sooners won in shocking upset fashion last year in Norman, so the Crimson Tide will be looking to return the favor this season in Tuscaloosa. Brent Venables and OU need this one to stay in the playoff hunt, while Kalen DeBoer and ‘Bama need it to get closer to a berth in the SEC title game.

OU’s defense has been tested by Ole Miss and Tennessee over the past couple of games, and the Tide are another good offense that they’ll have to battle against. Oklahoma’s offense might have a tough time because Alabama is really good defensively. There’s a reason why ‘Bama looks like one of the best teams in the country right now. Both John Mateer and Ty Simpson will be looking to play clean football on Saturday, to give their teams the best chance to win.

2. Texas at Georgia, 6:30 p.m. CT

The Longhorns and the Bulldogs meet for the third time in two seasons, with this matchup coming in Athens. Texas lost both matchups in 2024, with Georgia winning in Austin in the regular season before doubling up with a victory in the SEC Championship Game. The ‘Horns come in with two losses, while the ‘Dawgs have just one.

There’s no question that both of these teams are loaded with talent, as both Steve Sarkisian and Kirby Smart have done an excellent job of roster building at their respective programs. Texas really can’t afford a third loss if they want to make the CFP, while a second loss would hamper Georgia’s hopes of going back to the conference title game. Quarterback play could make the difference in this one. Which version of Arch Manning do the Longhorns get? Can Gunner Stockton continue to make the plays for the Bulldogs? Getting Oklahoma-Alabama and Texas-Georgia on the same day is an absolute treat for college football fans.

3. Notre Dame at Pittsburgh, 11:00 a.m. CT

Notre Dame and Pittsburgh will get some of the spotlight in Week 12. ESPN’s “College GameDay” bypassed the two giant SEC clashes to instead head to Acrisure Stadium for a game that has sneaky CFP implications. The Fighting Irish look like they’d be in if they win out, and this is really their only remaining test. The Panthers are trying to make some noise in the mess that is the ACC this year, and they’re in the race to make the league title game.

This game could turn into a slugfest. Marcus Freeman and Pat Narduzzi both preach defense, and there’s also a bit of a rivalry element to this matchup. The Irish have won seven straight games after two opening losses, while Pitt has won five straight. It should be a physical, hard-fought battle in the Steel City to start the day.

4. Iowa at USC, 2:30 p.m. CT

In the biggest game of the day in the Big Ten, the Hawkeyes will meet the Trojans in a battle of teams looking to prove that the CFP committee should be giving them more respect in their weekly rankings. Iowa lost a heartbreaker last week against Oregon, while USC got a win they needed over Northwestern. Neither team looks like they’re in line to go to the Big Ten title game, but the winner boosts its chances of earning an at-large CFP bid.

Kirk Ferentz’s Haweyes always seem to be playing in low-scoring games, while Lincoln Riley’s Trojans are always playing in shootouts. The style of this game will determine who has the upper hand, as the two teams are so different. Iowa will look to slow the game down and win on defense, while USC needs a faster-paced, offensive-minded game.

5. USF at Navy, 11:00 a.m. CT

USF and Navy isn’t the week’s most notable matchup, but it’s in important game that will help determine which team gets the Group of Five’s automatic bid to the CFP. If you believe that styles make fights, this is the game for you. The Bulls play fast, they score a lot of points, and they throw the ball all over the yard. They are in the pole position right now to get the auto bid, and this is their final test of the regular season.

On the other side you have a Midshipmen team that started hot, but has cooled off over the last couple of games. They slow the game down, limit possessions and run the triple option, keeping the ball on the ground. They’re likely out of the race for the playoff, but they’re right in the thick of the race to make the conference championship game. It won’t make the biggest headlines, but USF-Navy is worth keeping your eye on during Week 12.

• Week 0 – Featured Game: Iowa State vs. Kansas State (in Dublin, Ireland)
• Week 1 – Featured Game: Texas at Ohio State
• Week 2 – Featured Game: Michigan at Oklahoma
• Week 3 – Featured Game: Georgia at Tennessee
• Week 4 – Featured Game: Auburn at Oklahoma
• Week 5 – Featured Game: Alabama at Georgia
• Week 6 – Featured Game: Miami at Florida State
• Week 7 – Featured Game: Oklahoma vs. Texas (in Dallas, Texas)
• Week 8 – Featured Game: Ole Miss at Georgia
• Week 9 – Featured Game: Ole Miss at Oklahoma
• Week 10 – Featured Game: Oklahoma at Tennessee
• Week 11 – Featured Game: BYU at Texas Tech

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This article originally appeared on Sooners Wire: The 5 best college football games to watch this week