Another chaotic Saturday in college football has come and gone, reaffirming why we live for the unpredictability of this sport. From stunning upsets to statement victories by well-positioned teams, Week 13 delivered the drama that makes the season so fun. As the playoff race heats up, here are the top takeaways from another wild weekend folks!
1. ACC, Georgia, and Notre Dame Are the Big Winners
The ACC, in particular, looks poised to make a historic Playoff push. With Ole Miss and Alabama each suffering their third losses, the ACC now has a real chance to place two teams in the 12-team field. SMU, currently on the outside looking in, could slip into an at-large spot, especially if they perform well in the conference championship. Miami and SMU both have a solid shot to stay relevant, even if they lose the ACC title game. The committee typically rewards teams for playing an extra game, which could keep the ACC in the mix for multiple Playoff spots.
Meanwhile, Georgia’s playoff hopes are looking a lot brighter. The Bulldogs should rise in the rankings after both teams they lost to—Alabama and Ole Miss—suffered additional losses. Georgia might now be in a position to host a first-round game or at least secure a high seed with a win in the SEC title game.
Notre Dame, already on a nine-game win streak and one of the most dominant teams over the last two months, is quietly moving up the rankings. The Irish’s defense and rushing attack have been consistently elite, and with a favorable schedule ahead, they could be in position to host a first-round game. The loss to Northern Illinois in September should be all but forgotten, and the Irish are playing their best football when it matters most.
2. Indiana’s CFP Dreams Should Be Over But Are Hanging by a Thread
While Indiana’s 38-15 loss to Ohio State didn’t result in a blowout, it did expose significant weaknesses, particularly on offense. The Hoosiers struggled to move the ball outside of their opening drive, tallying just 169 yards over the last six quarters. Indiana’s path to a Playoff spot isn’t entirely out of the question—an 11-1 record with only one loss to the No. 2 team in the country might still be enough—but with such a weak strength of schedule, they’ll need a lot of help to stay in the mix. They’ll likely stay in the rankings for now, but their playoff hopes are no longer in their own hands.
3. Ole Miss is Officially Out of the Playoff Race
For all the talk about the expanded Playoff benefiting teams like Ole Miss, Lane Kiffin’s Rebels won’t be making the cut this year. Despite their win over Georgia, the Rebels’ three losses—two to teams barely above .500 (LSU and Florida) and another to a mediocre Kentucky team—are too much to overcome. Even with a strong SEC resume, Ole Miss failed to win the games they couldn’t afford to lose, and that’s a major blow to their Playoff hopes.
4. DJ Lagway Shines, Sets the Stage for Next Season
Florida’s DJ Lagway is proving to be one of the most exciting young quarterbacks in the country. The Gators’ freshman signal-caller led Florida to a second win over a ranked opponent, this time against Ole Miss. Lagway’s arm strength, poise under pressure, and accuracy make him one of the most promising quarterbacks in college football, and he’s showing it on the big stage. If Florida can continue to build around him, the future looks bright in Gainesville.
5. Kansas and Florida Are the Ultimate Spoilers
Kansas, which had been underperforming all season, made history by becoming the first sub-.500 team to beat three consecutive ranked opponents. Their victories over Iowa State, BYU, and Colorado not only spoiled the playoff hopes of those teams but also left their marks on the Big 12 race. Meanwhile, Florida took down both LSU and Ole Miss, effectively knocking both teams out of the Playoff race in back-to-back weeks. These two teams may not be in contention for titles, but they’ve earned their place as the season’s ultimate chaos agents.
6. SMU may be the Best Team in the ACC
In its inaugural season in the ACC, SMU has emerged as the conference’s most complete and reliable team. The Mustangs are now riding an eight-game win streak, and their balanced offense and stout defense make them a legitimate contender. Quarterback Kevin Jennings has grown into a reliable leader, and running back Brashard Smith provides the explosiveness. SMU has already clinched a spot in the ACC Championship Game, and if they can take care of business, they’ll be a serious Playoff contender.
7. Big 12 Chaos: Arizona State and Iowa State Could Meet in the Title Game
Week 13 produced more upsets in the Big 12, further complicating the race for the title. Arizona State’s win over BYU has them in a position to potentially reach the Big 12 Championship if they beat Arizona. Meanwhile, Iowa State holds the tiebreaker over its fellow two-loss teams and could make it if they win out. The Big 12 title race is still wide open, and no one can be counted out—least of all Colorado, which would need some help to get in.
8. Notre Dame: The Most Reliable Team in the Country
Since their early-season loss to Northern Illinois, Notre Dame has been nothing short of dominant. The Irish have outscored their opponents 399-92 over their nine-game win streak, with a defense that has been suffocating and an offense that has found its rhythm. The Irish are a team you can count on to show up every week, and with the committee likely elevating them after another commanding win, they could be on track to host a first-round game in the Playoff.
9. Penn State’s Status Is in Jeopardy
Penn State’s 10-1 record is deceiving. The Nittany Lions barely scraped by Minnesota, a team with a losing record, and their offense continues to struggle without tight end Tyler Warren. While the selection committee may keep Penn State near the top of the rankings, they aren’t playing like a top-tier team, and with no marquee wins, they’ll likely drop when the rankings are updated. If I were on the committee, I’d place Notre Dame ahead of them.
10. Nebraska Is Finally Going Bowling
It’s been eight long years since Nebraska last played in a bowl game, but Matt Rhule’s squad has finally broken the curse. The Huskers rolled past Wisconsin 44-25 to clinch bowl eligibility, marking a significant step forward for a program that has struggled to find consistency. The offense, which had been anemic all season, exploded for its most points since Rhule took over. Nebraska’s bowl bid is a feel-good story, and after years of disappointment, their fans have something to cheer about once again. And to make it even better, the offense was led this year by a son of former Cornhusker Dominic Raiola.
Week 13 was another reminder of why we love college football ! It is so thrilling—anything can happen. The Playoff race remains as unpredictable as ever, but several teams are beginning to separate themselves from the pack, setting the stage for a thrilling conclusion to the season.