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Jackson's Week 13 college football predictions for all ranked games and top-25 matchups. His picks for USC vs. Oregon, Pitt vs. Cincinnati, and more.
Week 13 College Football Predictions
Just two weeks of the college football regular season remain, meaning rivalry week is just around the corner. However, be sure not to overlook the Week 13 slate, as there are several games with CFP implications on the line. Yes, there are a few snoozefests in the SEC on tap, but overall, it should be another exciting weekend of action.
Let’s dive in below and predict all games featuring top 25 teams vis the College Football Playoff rankings.
No. 25 Arizona State at Colorado
The season hasn’t gone as Kenny Dillingham had hoped for, but the Sun Devils have pieced together two straight wins under quarterback Jeff Sims and find themselves back in the top 25. Jordyn Tyson could return for this game, but Arizona State has the pieces to win on the road against a struggling Colorado squad even if he is not available.
Deion Sanders is having a down year after the departure of Shedeur Sanders and Travis Hunter, and his 2025 team hasn’t shown much fight. Sun Devils roll here.
Prediction: Arizona State 27, Colorado 17
No. 24 Tulane at Temple
The American Conference has been a wild ride this season, and it looked like Memphis or USF was going to inevitably win the conference and claim the G5 spot in the College Football Playoff. Not so fast! Tulane now stands in the best position to make the dance, and all it needs to do is win out.
Luckily for Jon Sumrall’s team, their regular-season toughest games are in the rearview mirror. Survive and advance, Tulane.
Prediction: Tulane 38, Temple 24
No. 23 Houston vs. TCU
This showdown between two Lone Star state teams is one of the most underrated games on the Week 13 slate. Sure, CFP spots aren’t up for grabs, but Conner Weigman vs. Josh Hoover is one of the better QB duels you’ll see this weekend.
When you think of Big 12 football, you likely envision a high-scoring passing affair. Houston has a balanced offense and actually runs more than it passes, but TCU is one of the better run-stopping units in the conference. These teams appear to be evenly matched, so expect a four-quarter fight. I’ve got the Horned Frogs in an upset.
Prediction: TCU 33, Houston 29
No. 21 Illinois at Wisconsin
Many expected Illinois to be a top team in the Big Ten and compete for a CFP spot, but blowouts against the No. 1 and No. 2 teams in the country, and a tough road matchup with Washington, have effectively knocked them out of contention. Still, Luke Altmyer, at his best, is a high-quality starter at QB.
The Badgers have shown life in recent weeks, and since the game is in Madison, I think it’ll be closer than the experts think. Illinois finds a way to win in the end, though.
Prediction: Illinois 24, Wisconsin 20
No. 20 Tennessee at Florida
Tennessee has not won in Gainesville since 2003 and is 2-15 in its last 17 trips to the Swamp. No matter what shape these teams are in, Florida always seems to find a way to send the Vols home with a loss. Will this year be different?
I think so, as long as Joey Aguilar doesn’t turn the ball over more than once, which has been about the only thing stopping Tennessee’s offense this year.
Prediction: Tennessee 31, Florida 20
No. 18 Michigan at Maryland
Michigan still controls its playoff destiny, but the Wolverines have not been a great team on the road this season. In true road games against Oklahoma, USC, Nebraska, and Michigan State, Michigan has averaged 21 points per game and surrendered 25 points per game. It’s a much better team at home, and Maryland has been in a ton of close games that just haven’t gone their way.
I’m not calling for an upset here, but don’t be surprised if the Terps give Michigan, who might be looking ahead to next week’s showdown with Ohio State, a scare. By the way, this is a fantastic battle between two of the nation’s top true freshman quarterbacks.
Prediction: Michigan 21, Maryland 20
No. 17 Texas vs. Arkansas
Texas laid an egg on the road in Athens last week, but hey, most teams do. Many have debated whether the Longhorns can still make the College Football Playoff with a win over No. 3 Texas A&M next week, but that’s looking unlikely after the committee dropped the Longhorns to No. 17.
The motivation to come out hot against Arkansas might not be there, but the Razorbacks have failed to deliver a win in several close games, and picking them to beat Texas in Austin feels foolish.
Prediction: Texas 40, Arkansas 27
No. 16 Georgia Tech vs. Pitt
Fresh off being dominated by Notre Dame at home, Pitt is looking to pick itself off the mat and stay alive in the ACC title race. The Panthers are still mathematically alive, but Georgia Tech has the best odds to win the ACC right now.
Georgia Tech likely needs to win out the make the CFP, and the Yellow Jackets have survived several scares this season en route to a 9-1 record. Neither team really looks like they belong in the dance, but they’re somewhat evenly matched, so we’ll ride with the home team with the sixth-year senior quarterback over the road team with a true freshman under center.
Prediction: Georgia Tech 33, Pitt 27
No. 14 Vanderbilt vs. Kentucky
Vanderbilt is on the outside of the CFP bracket looking in, but there are likely to be upsets down the stretch, and the Commodores just need to focus on the task at hand and let the chips fall where they may. First up is a home stand against Kentucky, arguably the worst team in the conference.
I expect Diego Pavia and company to take care of business coming out of the bye week, setting up a dramatic in-state clash with Tennessee on the road next week.
Prediction: Vanderbilt 36, Kentucky 23
No. 13 Miami (FL) at Virginia Tech
Miami looked like a clear top-five team early in the season, but for the second season in a row, the Canes have found a way to lose two games they shouldn’t have. However, it appears the committee is positioning Miami to make the CFP as long as it wins out, and this is another matchup where they have a massive talent advantage.
You can never count on Miami to take care of business, but they certainly should here as 17-point favorites
Prediction: Miami 35, Virginia Tech 14
No. 12 Utah vs. Kansas State
Kansas State has played much better football in the second half of the season and has won three of its last four. The Wildcats’ only loss during that stretch was against Texas Tech, which has dominated almost everyone in the conference. Meanwhile, the Utes are playing for their playoff life and have won three straight games by at least 27 points since their last loss on October 18 to BYU.
It’s hard to envision Utah losing this one at home.
Prediction: Utah 41, Kansas State 19
No. 11 BYU at Cincinnati
As long as BYU doesn’t get in a big hole and has to pass to keep up, the Cougars are in good shape to win. That might be easier said than done against Brendan Sorsby, who ranks fifth in the conference in passing yards (2,218) and fourth in passing touchdowns (22).
However, I don’t see Cincinnati stopping BYU’s excellent rushing attack led by Bear Bachmeier and LJ Martin.
Prediction: BYU 32, Cincinnati 24
No. 10 Alabama vs. Eastern Illinois
There’s not much to say about this matchup, except that it would be nice to see Alabama be able to run the football against an FCS team, because it hasn’t happened in conference play. The Tide still controls its destiny, and the goal here is keeping everyone healthy.
Prediction: Alabama 48, Eastern Illinois 10
No. 9 Notre Dame vs. Syracuse
When the Irish fell to 0-2 to start the season, it looked like the College Football Playoff would be a long shot. But for the second year in a row, Notre Dame is on a big win streak and is dominating all of its opponents ahead of Selection Sunday.
Syracuse hasn’t been awful since the loss of starting quarterback Steve Angeli, and its defense is one of the worst units in the country. Notre Dame rolls.
Prediction: Notre Dame 55, Syracuse 13
No. 8 Oklahoma vs. No. 22 Missouri
Oklahoma is riding high off one of the most impressive two-game winning streaks in the nation this season. Winning at Neyland Stadium and Bryant-Denny Stadium in back-to-back games is an impressive feat, and Brent Venables’ stock has never been higher.
However, the Sooners’ defense has been creating turnovers in bunches, which has overshadowed how poorly its passing offense has played since John Mateer’s hand surgery. If Missouri takes care of the ball, this should be a nailbiter and a defensive-centric game. Missouri has the best offensive player in this game, and I’m calling for the upset.
Prediction: Missouri 21, Oklahoma 20
No. 7 Oregon vs. No. 15 USC
The game of the week comes in Eugene on Saturday, as both new Big Ten squads look to keep their CFP hopes alive. The Ducks might be able to afford a loss, but the Trojans cannot. Don’t expect this one to be an old-school PAC-12 shootout, though. These are two of the nation’s best running teams, and Oregon has one of the best passing defenses in the country.
Ultimately, it’s tough to go into Autzen Stadium and come out with a victory, despite what Indiana did several weeks ago. The home-field advantage is key here.
Prediction: Oregon 27, USC 21
No. 4 Georgia vs. Charlotte
Georgia just keeps getting better. The Bulldogs were a missed field goal away from losing to Tennessee earlier this season, and they suffered a home defeat against Alabama, but they are now blowing teams out after struggling to do so in the first half of the season.
Now, they’ll be rewarded with a matchup against Charlotte, which has no chance here.
Prediction: Georgia 44, Charlotte 6
No. 3 Texas A&M vs. Samford
Texas A&M survived last week via a heroic comeback against South Carolina, and they shouldn’t need an all-world half of football to roll Samford here. Like Alabama and Georgia, the goal here is to stay healthy and get the backups in.
The Aggies will travel to Austin next week to face Texas, in a game with major seeding implications.
Prediction: Texas A&M 52, Samford 17
No. 1 Ohio State vs. Rutgers
Needless to say, the Buckeyes should roll here. But will they be looking ahead to the matchup with Michigan? Ohio State had a far superior team last year, yet they let The Game slip away once again. Losing to Michigan would also help the Wolverines get into the CFP, but there is plenty on the line there
Surely, the Buckeyes will finally flip the script in 2025, right? But first, it must take care of Rutgers, and it should.
Prediction: Ohio State 42, Rutgers 13
