Week 13 College Football Power Rankings: Chaos, Upsets, and Playoff Dreams
Week 13 of the college football season delivered a rollercoaster of emotions, jaw-dropping upsets, and a reshuffling of the Power Rankings. The action-packed weekend left us with just one undefeated FBS team, as No. 5 Indiana fell to No. 2 Ohio State, and No. 19 Army was dismantled by No. 6 Notre Dame. To add to the chaos, four ranked teams were toppled by unranked opponents, shaking up the standings even further.
In the Big 12, the drama intensified as No. 16 Colorado’s loss to Kansas and No. 14 BYU’s defeat at the hands of No. 21 Arizona State created a four-way tie at the top of the conference standings. With the conference title game on the horizon, the stakes are higher than ever. Meanwhile, Ohio State’s dominant defensive performance against Indiana has set the stage for a potential rematch with Oregon in the Big Ten title game. But first, they must take care of business against Michigan.
So, how did all of this impact the Power Rankings? Let’s dive into the latest top 25 rankings, where our college football experts break down the highs, lows, and everything in between following Week 13.
No. 1 Oregon Ducks
Previous ranking: 1
The Ducks (11-0) enjoyed their second bye week of the season, which provided a perfect opportunity to reflect on their remarkable journey. Oregon’s offensive line has been a revelation, allowing just five sacks in their last nine games after giving up seven in the first two. The turning point came when sophomore Iapani Laloulu was moved to center, anchoring the line and transforming the offense. With quarterback Dillon Gabriel protected and the running game averaging over 5 yards per carry, Oregon looks unstoppable heading into the postseason. — Paolo Uggetti
No. 2 Ohio State Buckeyes
Previous ranking: 2
Ohio State (10-1) has been on a tear since their narrow loss to Oregon in October. Their defense, particularly the blitz, has been a game-changer. In their 38-15 win over Indiana, the Buckeyes sacked quarterback Kurtis Rourke five times, with linebacker Cody Simon leading the charge. If they can defeat Michigan, a rematch with Oregon in the Big Ten title game awaits. — Jake Trotter
No. 3 Texas Longhorns
Previous ranking: 3
The Longhorns (10-1) are riding high with back-to-back 10-win seasons for the first time since 2008-09. Their defense has been the key, cutting their passing yards allowed from 254.4 per game last year to just 143.5 this season, the best in the nation. With a rivalry game against Texas A&M looming, Texas has a chance to secure a spot in the SEC championship game. — Dave Wilson
No. 4 Notre Dame Fighting Irish
Previous ranking: 9
Notre Dame (10-1) made a statement with a 49-7 demolition of previously unbeaten Army. Running back Jeremiyah Love continues to shine, adding two more touchdowns to his season total of 14. With a win over USC, the Irish could lock up a playoff spot. — Chris Low
No. 5 Penn State Nittany Lions
No. 5 Previous ranking: 5
Penn State (10-1) survived a scare against Minnesota, thanks to tight end Tyler Warren, who has become the focal point of their offense. Warren’s clutch fourth-down catch sealed the game and kept the Nittany Lions’ playoff hopes alive. — Adam Rittenberg
Key Takeaways from Week 13
- Big 12 Drama: A four-way tie at the top of the standings has set up a thrilling final week.
- Notre Dame’s Surge: The Irish are peaking at the right time and look playoff-bound.
- Upset Central: Four ranked teams fell to unranked opponents, shaking up the rankings.
As the regular season winds down, the stakes couldn’t be higher. Rivalry Week and conference championship games will determine who gets a shot at the College Football Playoff. Buckle up, because the chaos is far from over!
Originally Written by: Paolo Uggetti
