Week 13 came and went without too many surprises. Only a couple of ranked teams lost, and just one upset truly impacted the rankings. The polls barely moved, which is typical this late in the season, with teams now preparing for rivalry week, conference title shots, and playoff positioning.
A handful of ranked matchups still carried weight, and as we head into the bitter rivalry battles of Week 14, the playoff picture and conference championship paths are clearer than ever. Here’s how things unfolded and which teams are fighting for their postseason lives.
Biggest Games and Upsets of the Week
Pittsburgh 42, Georgia Tech 28
Georgia Tech drops its second game of the season to an unranked opponent, and the damage could be significant. Their defense has completely fallen apart, and while Pitt’s offense has been solid all year, allowing 42 in a must-win spot is a tough pill. Their playoff case is almost certainly over without a massive rivalry win against Georgia in Week 14.
Oregon 42, USC 27
In a battle between Dante Moore and Jayden Maiava, Oregon’s rushing attack became the difference. Noah Whittington ran for 104 yards on 19 carries with a touchdown, outgaining the entire USC ground game. Oregon is back inside the Top 5 and is securely in the playoff mix. USC, meanwhile, has likely sealed its fate on the outside.
Oklahoma 17, Missouri 6
Missouri quarterback Beau Pribula returned from injury and struggled, throwing two picks and no touchdowns while barely completing half his passes. Oklahoma’s John Mateer did just enough to keep the Sooners in playoff contention.
AP Top 25 Risers and Fallers
Risers
#15 Michigan (up 3): Michigan is part of a crowded 9-2 tier, but everything comes down to The Game against undefeated No. 1 Ohio State.
#17 Virginia (up 2): Leading the ACC but still behind Miami in the polls, Virginia needs Pittsburgh to do them another favor at Miami.
#5 Oregon (up 1): A return to the Top 5 is huge as they close the year against Washington with a chance at a one loss regular season.
Fallers
#23 Georgia Tech (down 8): Their season hangs by a thread. They need a rivalry win over Georgia to salvage any playoff argument.
#19 USC (down 3): At 8-3, USC is likely headed for a non-playoff bowl with too many two loss teams ahead of them, including four from their own conference.
Missouri (unranked): Falling out after a poor offensive showing, even against a strong Oklahoma defense, felt inevitable.
Betting Strategy: Adjusting After Week 13
In-State Rivalry Week Means Chaos
Rivalry games always come with surprises. Expect at least one or two upsets to blow up parlays this weekend.
Fringe Playoff Teams Will Be Desperate
Georgia Tech, Texas, and Michigan are all underdogs fighting for survival. Their games may be tighter than lines suggest, and each comes with upset potential.
Enjoy the Final Week of the Regular Season
This is your last chance to hit obscure matchups before conference titles take over. If you have the time, look deeper down the slate and take a shot on a creative parlay or two.
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