What We Learned in Week 13: Chaos Strikes the SEC, Midnight Strikes for Cinderellas
Week 13 of the college football season was nothing short of a rollercoaster ride, filled with jaw-dropping upsets, playoff-shaking results, and a whole lot of chaos. The SEC, long considered the gold standard of college football, found itself in the middle of a storm as underdogs rose to the occasion, leaving fans and analysts alike scratching their heads. Meanwhile, the clock struck midnight for some of this season’s Cinderella stories, and the playoff picture became murkier than ever. Let’s dive into the madness.
SEC Chaos: Underdogs Take Over
Somewhere, SEC Commissioner Greg Sankey is likely asking ChatGPT to craft an argument for why the SEC still deserves to dominate the College Football Playoff conversation. But after Saturday’s results, even the most advanced AI might struggle to make that case. The SEC’s depth, often touted as its greatest strength, turned into its Achilles’ heel in Week 13 as teams like Auburn, Florida, and Oklahoma delivered stunning upsets.
The chaos began with Florida, a team that had been left for dead just a month ago. The Gators pulled off a shocking 24-17 victory over No. 9 Ole Miss, effectively granting Lane Kiffin his wish to avoid the SEC Championship Game. Florida’s defense was the star of the show, forcing three turnovers, including two late interceptions of Jaxson Dart. DJ Lagway threw two touchdown passes, and Montrell Johnson added 107 rushing yards and a score. The Gators celebrated by slapping their logo on Ole Miss’ prop basketball hoop and dunking on the Rebels—both figuratively and literally.
Next up was Oklahoma, a team that had been struggling offensively all season. The Sooners leaned on their defense to stun No. 7 Alabama with a 24-3 victory, marking the Tide’s first three-loss regular season since 2010. Oklahoma’s Jackson Arnold threw for just 68 yards but ran for 131, while the defense picked off Jalen Milroe three times. The win not only secured bowl eligibility for the Sooners but also gave their fanbase a glimmer of hope for the future.
The grand finale came in Auburn, where the Tigers outlasted Texas A&M in a four-overtime thriller. Auburn overcame a 21-0 deficit to tie the game late and eventually won when Marcel Reed’s pass was dropped in the end zone. The loss was a devastating blow to Texas A&M’s playoff hopes, leaving the Aggies with three losses on the season.
Midnight Strikes for Cinderellas
Every Cinderella story has its end, and for teams like Indiana, Colorado, and Army, Week 13 was the moment the clock struck midnight. Indiana, despite entering the week undefeated, was no match for Ohio State. The Buckeyes’ defense dominated, holding Kurtis Rourke to just 68 passing yards and sacking him five times in a 38-15 rout. Indiana’s playoff hopes are now all but dashed.
Colorado, another feel-good story of the season, was dismantled by Kansas in a 45-24 loss. Devin Neal ran for 207 yards and three touchdowns as the Jayhawks racked up 331 rushing yards. The loss leaves Colorado’s playoff hopes hanging by a thread, with only a Big 12 title run offering a glimmer of hope.
Army, meanwhile, was steamrolled by Notre Dame in a 49-7 blowout. Riley Leonard threw for two touchdowns, and the Irish added five more on the ground. Notre Dame has now won eight straight games, with an average margin of victory of 32 points during the streak. The Irish are firmly in the playoff hunt, while Army’s magical season came to a crashing halt.
Playoff Picture: A Murky Mess
As the dust settles on Week 13, the playoff picture is as unclear as ever. The SEC, once thought to be a lock for multiple playoff spots, now finds itself in a precarious position. Georgia has clinched a spot in the SEC Championship Game, but Alabama and Ole Miss are officially out of the race. Texas, at 10-1, still has a shot, but its strength of schedule has come under scrutiny.
Here’s a quick look at the SEC’s top teams and their résumés:
- Texas: 10-1, but its only game against a team with seven or more wins was a blowout loss to Georgia.
- Georgia: Clinched a spot in the SEC title game but has shown vulnerabilities.
- Ole Miss: Beat Georgia but lost to Kentucky and Florida.
- Alabama: Beat Georgia but lost to Vanderbilt and Oklahoma.
- Tennessee: Beat Alabama but lost to Arkansas.
Outside the SEC, teams like Oregon, Ohio State, and Michigan continue to make strong cases for playoff inclusion. Meanwhile, the ACC could hilariously punch its third ticket to the dance, with Clemson lurking as a potential spoiler. The first 12-team playoff can’t come soon enough, as this year’s chaos has made it clear that no conference has a monopoly on greatness.
Final Thoughts
Week 13 reminded us why we love college football. It’s unpredictable, chaotic, and endlessly entertaining. Whether it’s Florida dunking on Ole Miss, Oklahoma’s defense stealing the show, or Auburn’s dramatic overtime win, this week had it all. As we head into the final week of the regular season, one thing is certain: the chaos isn’t over yet.
Originally Written by: David Hale
