College Football Picks: Week 13 Predictions for Every Game
All eyes are on Ann Arbor.
The collision course is ready for impact, as undefeated Ohio State travels to unbeaten Michigan. This showdown on the final week of the regular season will determine which team continues its charge to a potential Big Ten title and College Football Playoff appearance.
However, those sets of eyeballs will quickly shift to a different focus throughout a rivalry-filled slate in Week 13.
Nine programs remain in the CFP chase, and two more outside of the Big Ten teams—Oregon and Texas—still haven't officially sealed a place in their respective conference championship game, either.
Throw in the 25-plus teams angling for bowl eligibility, and the final weekend of the 2023 regular season will be a hectic one.
AP Nos. 25-21
1 of 8
Vanderbilt (2-9) at No. 25 Tennessee (7-4), 3:30 p.m. ET
This is a much-needed bounce-back opportunity for Tennessee, which lost to Missouri and Georgia by a combined 74-17 score in the last two weeks. Vanderbilt is headed for its third winless SEC record since 2020.
Prediction: Tennessee 41, Vanderbilt 14
No. 24 James Madison (10-1) at Coastal Carolina (7-4), 3:30 p.m. ET
James Madison wants to recover from a disappointing loss to Appalachian State, which is hoping Coastal Carolina loses and misses the Sun Belt Championship Game. Put simply, there's a lot at stake in Conway. But if Coastal quarterback Grayson McCall (concussion) remains sidelined, JMU will be the obvious favorite.
Prediction: James Madison 27, Coastal Carolina 20
No. 23 Toledo (10-1) at Central Michigan (5-6), Friday, Noon ET
After a furious comeback at Bowling Green saved Toledo's perfect run through the MAC, the Rockets end the regular season in Mount Pleasant. It shouldn't go by the wayside—if you know, you know—on Friday afternoon, either. Central has ceded 31-plus points in three straight games, and Toledo's solid defense should not waste a cushion that size.
Prediction: Toledo 34, Central Michigan 21
No. 22 Liberty (11-0) at UTEP (3-8), 3:30 p.m. ET
Other than a 21-16 win over Sam Houston in early October, Liberty has scored at least 33 points in every game. UTEP, conversely, has reached the mark in a single contest this season.
Prediction: Liberty 38, UTEP 21
BYU (5-6) at No. 21 Oklahoma State (8-3), 3:30 p.m. ET
Fortunately for BYU, it broke out of a miserable three-game funk and put a scare into Oklahoma last weekend. The problem is the Cougars aren't hosting this matchup, while Oklahoma State is a victory away from clinching a place in the Big 12 Championship Game.
Prediction: Oklahoma State 33, BYU 16
AP Nos. 20-16
2 of 8
No. 20 Iowa (9-2) at Nebraska (5-6), Friday, Noon ET
Save for a 31-0 loss to Penn State in September, Iowa hasn't given up more than 16 points in any game. It's been a remarkable year for the Hawkeyes, who continue to grind out tight wins and locked themselves into the Big Ten Championship Game last week.
Prediction: Iowa 17, Nebraska 9
Iowa State (6-5) at No. 19 Kansas State (8-3), 8 p.m. ET
Kansas State is a perfect 6-0 at home, where the defense comparatively cedes a staggering 1.8 yards fewer per snap. I won't argue with the numbers, even as Iowa State has—like so many previous Matt Campbell teams—started to compete well in the latter half of the season.
Prediction: Kansas State 26, Iowa State 23
UTSA (8-3) at No. 18 Tulane (10-1), Friday, 3:30 p.m. ET
Winner goes to the AAC title game. No pressure! UTSA has racked up 41.0 points per game in AAC play, while Tulane's defense has mostly carried the team. Something, as they say, has to give. I'm inclined to trust the Green Wave at home because they've consistently made their opponent a one-dimensional offense. (But I don't feel great about it.)
Prediction: Tulane 30, UTSA 27
No. 17 Notre Dame (8-3) at Stanford (3-8), 7 p.m. ET
Notre Dame has been vulnerable outside of South Bend, but Stanford has scored more than 20 points in only two games against power-conference teams. That's a tough sell for an upset.
Prediction: Notre Dame 31, Stanford 20
No. 16 Arizona (8-3) at Arizona State (3-8), 3:30 p.m. ET
Arizona State is delightfully inconsistent to the point it upset UCLA, nearly beat Washington and endured losses of 36-plus points to both Utah and Oregon. So, hey, Arizona should win easily. But maybe the Sun Devils have one final competitive game up their sleeves.
Prediction: Arizona 34, Arizona State 20
AP Nos. 15-11
3 of 8
No. 15 Oregon State (8-3) at No. 6 Oregon (10-1), Friday, 8:30 p.m. ET
See No. 6 Oregon for prediction.
Texas A&M (7-4) at No. 14 LSU (8-3), Noon ET
LSU has yielded 31-plus points in five of its seven SEC contests, and Texas A&M is certainly capable of hitting the mark. Trying to contain Jayden Daniels is a different story for A&M, though. Daniels has solidified himself as a top Heisman Trophy threat with 13 touchdowns in the last two games.
Prediction: LSU 45, Texas A&M 34
TCU (5-6) at No. 13 Oklahoma (9-2), Friday, Noon ET
Basically every game outside of Fort Worth has been an issue for TCU, which is staring at the prospect of missing a bowl altogether after making the national championship last season. Oklahoma quarterback Dillon Gabriel exited last week's victory over BYU with an upper-body injury but is expected to play, so the Sooners are sturdy favorites here.
Prediction: Oklahoma 36, TCU 24
No. 12 Ole Miss (9-2) at Mississippi State (5-6), Thursday, 7:30 p.m. ET
Ah, the Egg Bowl. What brand of nonsense do you have in store this season? Ole Miss is a far better team on paper, and the Rebels' balanced offense is the best unit on the field. Still, a road game on short rest is always tough to win handily.
Prediction: Ole Miss 31, Mississippi State 23
No. 11 Penn State (9-2) vs. Michigan State (4-7), Friday, 7:30 p.m. ET
The context of this matchup is awesome. Ford Field is set to host Michigan's high school state championships over the weekend, and this Big Ten battle will be the precursor to those games. Oh, and Penn State should have little issue rolling over MSU.
Prediction: Penn State 27, Michigan State 13
AP Nos. 10-6
4 of 8
No. 10 Missouri (9-2) at Arkansas (4-7), Friday, 4 p.m. ET
After escaping Florida with a last-second win, Missouri can beat Arkansas to secure a trip to a New Year's Six bowl. Knowing those stakes, Arkansas will be motivated to spring an upset. But that's a very uncomfortable pick, considering the Razorbacks' issues on offense this season.
Prediction: Missouri 27, Arkansas 13
Kentucky (6-5) at No. 9 Louisville (10-1), Noon ET
Kentucky hasn't surpassed 300 yards in three straight games, and the strength of Louisville's team is the defense. Not a great pairing for UK, which may relinquish its four-game winning streak in the series.
Prediction: Louisville 26, Kentucky 16
No. 8 Alabama (10-1) at Auburn (6-5), 3:30 p.m. ET
Auburn fell narrowly shy of an Iron Bowl upset two years ago, so it seems wise to not discount the Tigers. On the other hand, New Mexico State just throttled Auburn. So, I will discount Auburn as Alabama works to stay alive in the College Football Playoff race.
Prediction: Alabama 34, Auburn 17
Texas Tech (6-5) at No. 7 Texas (10-1), Friday, 7:30 p.m. ET
While a three-game winning streak has shuttled Texas Tech to bowl eligibility, the Red Raiders have a tough task ahead. Winning is Texas' safest path to the Big 12 Championship Game, and the Longhorns' stingy defense has surrendered just 4.6 yards per snap at home.
Prediction: Texas 37, Texas Tech 20
No. 15 Oregon State (8-3) at No. 6 Oregon (10-1), Friday, 8:30 p.m. ET
Oregon, similarly, needs a win to guarantee a Pac-12 Championship Game berth. Plus, there's a revenge factor for the Ducks, who squandered a 17-point fourth-quarter lead to Oregon State in last year's matchup. Oregon quarterback Bo Nix will further pad his Heisman Trophy resume in a high-scoring, clutch win.
Prediction: Oregon 41, Oregon State 31
AP Nos. 5-1
5 of 8
No. 5 Florida State (11-0) at Florida (5-6), 7 p.m. ET
While the Seminoles still have CFP dreams, their dreams of competing for a national title took a crushing hit when a leg injury ended Jordan Travis' excellent season. Tate Rodemaker steps in at quarterback, but FSU can lean on its defense to navigate rival Florida—which is dealing with a season-ending shoulder injury to QB Graham Mertz.
Prediction: Florida State 24, Florida 16
Washington State (5-6) at No. 4 Washington (11-0), 4 p.m. ET
After dropping six straight games, Washington State snapped its skid in a dismantling of Colorado. With bowl eligibility at stake, though, a trip to Washington is not ideal. The hosts finish off an unblemished regular season.
Prediction: Washington 38, Washington State 23
No. 2 Ohio State (11-0) at No. 3 Michigan (11-0), Noon ET
The winner of The Game has scored 42-plus points in four consecutive meetings. This should be a defensive battle, though. Ohio State has made enormous improvement on that side of the ball, but I believe Michigan's powerful offensive line and home-field advantage will win out—even as Jim Harbaugh isn't on the sideline.
Prediction: Michigan 31, Ohio State 27
No. 1 Georgia (11-0) at Georgia Tech (6-5), 7:30 p.m. ET
Not only has UGA posted five straight wins in Clean, Old Fashioned Hate, the Dawgs have recorded a 23-point margin of victory or greater in each one. Given how well Georgia has played lately, the trend should continue.
Prediction: Georgia 42, Georgia Tech 17
Rest of the Slate, Part I
6 of 8
Miami (6-5) at Boston College (6-5), Friday, Noon ET
Prediction: Miami 23, Boston College 20
Memphis (8-3) at Temple (3-8), Friday, Noon ET
Prediction: Memphis 31, Temple 24
Ohio (8-3) at Akron (2-9), Friday, Noon ET
Prediction: Ohio 27, Akron 16
Utah State (5-6) at New Mexico (4-7), Friday, 3:30 p.m. ET
Prediction: Utah State 33, New Mexico 26
Air Force (8-3) at Boise State (6-5), Friday, 4 p.m. ET
Prediction: Boise State 27, Air Force 21
Pitt (3-8) at Duke (6-5), Noon ET
Prediction: Duke 24, Pitt 20
Indiana (3-8) at Purdue (3-8), Noon ET
Prediction: Indiana 23, Purdue 17
Houston (4-7) at UCF (5-6), Noon ET
Prediction: UCF 34, Houston 27
Navy (5-5) at SMU (9-2), Noon ET
Prediction: SMU 35, Navy 17
Middle Tennessee (4-7) at Sam Houston (2-9), Noon ET
Prediction: Sam Houston 31, MTSU 27
Northern Illinois (5-6) at Kent State (1-10), Noon ET
Prediction: NIU 26, Kent State 21
Miami (Ohio) (9-2) at Ball State (4-7), Noon ET
Prediction: Miami 24, Ball State 20
Troy (9-2) at Southern Miss (3-8), Noon ET
Prediction: Troy 34, Southern Miss 17
Connecticut (2-9) at Massachusetts (3-8), Noon ET
Prediction: UMass 24, UConn 13
Florida Atlantic (4-7) at Rice (5-6), 1 p.m. ET
Prediction: Rice 28, FAU 23
Rest of the Slate, Part II
7 of 8
Wake Forest (4-7) at Syracuse (5-6), 2 p.m. ET
Prediction: Syracuse 31, Wake Forest 24
Colorado (4-7) at Utah (7-4), 2 p.m. ET
Prediction: Utah 36, Colorado 17
UAB (4-7) at North Texas (4-7), 2 p.m. ET
Prediction: North Texas 38, UAB 30
Tulsa (3-8) at East Carolina (2-9), 2 p.m. ET
Prediction: ECU 24, Tulsa 20
Georgia State (6-5) at Old Dominion (5-6), 2 p.m. ET
Prediction: Georgia State 27, Old Dominion 23
Western Kentucky (6-5) at Florida International (4-7), 3 p.m. ET
Prediction: WKU 31, FIU 23
San Jose State (6-5), at UNLV (9-2), 3 p.m. ET
Prediction: UNLV 34, San Jose State 27
Louisiana-Monroe (2-9) at Louisiana (5-6), 3 p.m. ET
Prediction: Louisiana 35, ULM 14
Maryland (6-5) at Rutgers (6-5), 3:30 p.m. ET
Prediction: Rutgers 24, Maryland 19
Wisconsin (6-5) at Minnesota (5-6), 3:30 p.m. ET
Prediction Wisconsin 23, Minnesota 20
Northwestern (6-5) at Illinois (5-6), 3:30 p.m. ET
Prediction: Illinois 20, Northwestern 16
Virginia Tech (5-6) at Virginia (3-8), 3:30 p.m. ET
Prediction: Virginia Tech 27, Virginia 24
Georgia Southern (6-5) at Appalachian State (7-4), 3:30 p.m. ET
Prediction: App State 34, Georgia Southern 20
Arkansas State (6-5) at Marshall (5-6), 3:30 p.m. ET
Prediction: Arkansas State 24, Marshall 10
Jacksonville State (8-3) at New Mexico State (9-3), 4 p.m. ET
Prediction: NMSU 33, Jacksonville State 30
Rest of the Slate, Part III
8 of 8
West Virginia (7-4) at Baylor (3-8), 7 p.m. ET
Prediction: Baylor 27, WVU 24
South Alabama (6-5) at Texas State (6-5), 7 p.m. ET
Prediction: South Alabama 24, Texas State 20
Clemson (7-4) at South Carolina (5-6), 7:30 p.m. ET
Prediction: Clemson 26, South Carolina 19
Kansas (7-4) at Cincinnati (3-8), 7:30 p.m. ET
Prediction: Kansas 34, Cincinnati 16
Charlotte (3-8) at South Florida (5-6), 7:30 p.m. ET
Prediction: USF 31, Charlotte 17
North Carolina (8-3) at North Carolina State (8-3), 8 p.m. ET
Prediction: North Carolina 28, NC State 25
Wyoming (7-4) at Nevada (2-9), 9 p.m. ET
Prediction: Wyoming 27, Nevada 24
Cal (5-6) at UCLA (7-4), 10:30 p.m. ET
Prediction: UCLA 30, Cal 26
Fresno State (8-3) at San Diego State (3-8), 10:30 p.m. ET
Prediction: Fresno State 27, SDSU 13
Colorado State (5-6) at Hawai'i (4-8), 11 p.m. ET
Prediction: Colorado State 35, Hawai'i 14
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