College Football Week 13: Chaos, Comebacks, and Playoff Dreams

College Football Week 13: Chaos, Comebacks, and Playoff Dreams

What a wild ride Week 13 of college football turned out to be! Saturday’s matchups delivered upsets, redemption stories, and playoff chaos, leaving fans buzzing and analysts scrambling to make sense of it all. Four ranked teams fell to unranked opponents, including No. 16 Colorado’s shocking loss to Kansas. The ripple effects of these games are being felt across conferences, with the Big 12 and ACC standings now more tangled than a bowl of spaghetti. Let’s dive into the biggest takeaways from this unforgettable weekend.

Conference Championship Games Still Hold Weight

There’s been plenty of chatter lately about whether conference championship games still matter in the 12-team College Football Playoff (CFP) era. Ole Miss coach Lane Kiffin recently voiced concerns about the potential disadvantages of playing in these high-stakes games, especially if a loss could hurt a team’s playoff chances. But here’s the reality: the losers of Power 4 conference title games will still get serious consideration from the selection committee—if they’ve earned it.

Take the Big Ten, for example. The loser of the Oregon-Ohio State showdown is likely still in the playoff picture, assuming they finish as a one- or two-loss runner-up. The same goes for the SEC title game, depending on the teams involved (sorry, Texas A&M fans, a four-loss Aggies squad won’t cut it). And what about the ACC? If SMU and Miami both enter their title game as top-10 teams, does the loser get eliminated? It’s a question worth pondering.

One thing is clear: the four highest-ranked conference champions will earn a first-round bye in the CFP. That’s a prize no team will complain about. So, while the playoff picture remains murky, conference championship games still carry significant weight. Buckle up, because the road to Selection Day is only going to get bumpier from here.

Notre Dame Is Peaking at the Right Time

It’s time to stop sleeping on Notre Dame. The Fighting Irish have quietly put together a dominant season, capped off by a 49-14 dismantling of previously unbeaten Army on Saturday night at Yankee Stadium. That win marked Notre Dame’s ninth straight victory and showcased just how far this team has come since its Week 2 loss to Northern Illinois.

Notre Dame’s defense has been lights out, leading the nation with 26 forced turnovers. On offense, running back Jeremiyah Love has emerged as a game-changer, racking up 267 rushing yards and four touchdowns in his past two games. His explosive runs of 76 and 68 yards have added a new dimension to the Irish attack.

Coach Marcus Freeman isn’t getting caught up in the playoff chatter just yet, but he’s proud of his team’s consistency and growth. “We’ve improved, but we’re starting to be more consistent, and that’s the sign of great teams,” Freeman said. With a 10-1 record and a chance to make a statement against USC next week, Notre Dame is building serious momentum toward a potential playoff berth.

Big 12 Madness: A Four-Way Tie and Counting

The Big 12 title race is pure chaos, and we wouldn’t have it any other way. With one week left in the regular season, four teams—Arizona State, BYU, Colorado, and Iowa State—are tied at 6-2 in conference play. ESPN Analytics gives Arizona State the best chance (71%) of clinching a spot in the championship game, but nothing is guaranteed in this unpredictable league.

Here’s where things get really wild: there’s a 1-in-1,270 chance of an eight-way tie for first place. Yes, you read that right. If enough upsets occur in the final week, the Big 12 could be forced to break out its tiebreaker rulebook to determine who heads to Arlington for the title game. For now, Iowa State and Arizona State appear to have the inside track, but don’t rule out more surprises in this rollercoaster of a season.

SMU’s Playoff Case Is Growing Stronger

In its first year in the ACC, SMU has been nothing short of spectacular. The Mustangs are 10-1 and have already secured a spot in the ACC championship game, making history as the first team to do so in its inaugural season in the conference. With five wins over bowl-eligible teams—four of which have seven-plus wins—SMU’s resume stacks up favorably against other one-loss teams like Texas and Penn State.

Coach Rhett Lashlee knows his team has exceeded expectations. “We’ve caught everybody off guard, and everybody’s a little uncomfortable because they don’t know what to do with us,” Lashlee said. If SMU finishes the season 11-1 and wins the ACC title, it will be hard for the CFP committee to ignore their case. The Mustangs have done everything asked of them and then some, proving they belong in the playoff conversation.

Redemption for Embattled Coaches

Week 13 was a turning point for three coaches who have faced heavy scrutiny this season: Florida’s Billy Napier, Oklahoma’s Brent Venables, and Auburn’s Hugh Freeze. All three delivered signature wins that could serve as building blocks for the future.

• Billy Napier: Florida’s defense stepped up in a big way, allowing just three points in the final 39 minutes against Ole Miss. Young quarterback DJ Lagway also showed promise, giving Gators fans hope for 2025.
• Brent Venables: Oklahoma’s defense stifled Alabama, intercepting Jalen Milroe three times in a blowout win. It was the Sooners’ first victory against an FBS opponent since September.
• Hugh Freeze: Auburn’s offense finally came alive, with running back Jarquez Hunter rushing for 130 yards and three touchdowns in a win over Texas A&M.

While these wins don’t erase the struggles of the season, they provide a glimmer of hope for brighter days ahead.

USC and UCLA Struggle in Big Ten Debuts

It’s been a rough year for USC and UCLA in their first season in the Big Ten. The two programs, which helped spark the Pac-12’s dissolution, have combined for just nine wins and 11 losses. On Saturday, USC edged out a 19-13 win over UCLA to secure a bowl berth, but it was far from a convincing performance.

Both teams have a lot of work to do if they want to compete in the Big Ten moving forward. For now, they’re playing catch-up to conference heavyweights like Oregon and Michigan.

As the dust settles on Week 13, one thing is clear: college football is as unpredictable and thrilling as ever. With conference championships and playoff spots on the line, the final weeks of the season promise even more drama. Stay tuned!