College Football 2024: Week 13 Predictions for Every Game
Most races around college football lack clarity, but Week 13 is destined to provide some long-awaited answers.
In the Big 12, BYU travels to Arizona State for a critically important game. Indiana plays at Ohio State in a matchup that effectively will decide who takes on Oregon for the Big Ten championship.
And for unbeaten Army, a showdown with Notre Dame is a chance to show whether it can compete on the national stage.
For some programs, this is truly a make-or-break weekend. Dreams of reaching a conference championship game or making the College Football Playoff may officially vanish with a loss.
We've assembled a brief preview of each Top 25 matchupโbased on the latest AP poll, not the CFP selection committee's rankingsโwith a prediction for every game involving an FBS team.
AP Nos. 25-21
1 of 7
No. 25 Washington State (8-2) at Oregon State (4-6), 7 p.m. ET
Since a quality 4-1 start to the campaign, Oregon State has taken a nosedive. Last weekend's 28-0 loss to Air Forceโwhich entered the game holding a 2-7 recordโis a "rock bottom" type of result. Sure, Washington State just disappointingly lost at New Mexico, but there's not much reason to have confidence in Oregon State.
Prediction: Washington State 38, Oregon State 21
No. 24 Illinois (7-3) at Rutgers (6-4), Noon ET
In all likelihood, this will be a low-scoring game. Neither team commits many turnovers, but neither defense is particularly adept at creating them, either. I'll lean toward home-field advantage in such an even matchup.
Prediction: Rutgers 23, Illinois 20
No. 23 UNLV (8-2) at San Jose State (6-4), Friday, 10 p.m. ET
UNLV is markedly the better team, in my mind. Although strange things happen on the road, it seems like the expectation is more that SJSU should be able to hang around than UNLV will actually lose. It's tough to trust a San Jose State offense with four turnovers in three of the last four games.
Prediction: UNLV 37, San Jose State 24
No. 22 Iowa State (8-2) at Utah (4-6), 7:30 p.m. ET
Speaking of struggling offenses, Utah has mustered 259 and 272 yardsโits lowest outputs of the seasonโover the last two weeks. Any hopes of an upset are heavily dependent on Utah's defense, once again.
Prediction: Iowa State 24, Utah 16
No. 14 BYU (9-1) at No. 21 Arizona State (8-2), 3:30 p.m. ET
For prediction, see No. 14 BYU.
AP Nos. 20-16
2 of 7
No. 20 Tulane (9-2), Idle
Wofford (5-6) at No. 19 South Carolina (7-3), 4 p.m. ET
After an emotional last-minute win over Missouri and before a trip to rival Clemson, the goal for South Carolina may be avoiding a sluggish start and building a comfortable early lead. But, as you can imagine, I'm not worried about the scorching Gamecocks against an FCS team.
Prediction: South Carolina 45, Wofford 10
No. 6 Notre Dame (9-1) vs. No. 18 Army (9-0) (in Bronx, NY), 7 p.m. ET
For prediction, see No. 6 Notre Dame.
The Citadel (5-6) at No. 17 Clemson (8-2), 3:30 p.m. ET
Clemson should quickly dispatch the lower-division opponents. The bigger story is Clemson has wrapped up ACC action with a 7-1 record in conference play. Without a loss from Miami or multiple by SMU, however, the Tigers will not be going to the ACC title game.
Prediction: Clemson 56, The Citadel 7
No. 16 Colorado (8-2) at Kansas (4-6), 3:30 p.m. ET
You want absolute chaos in the Big 12? Pull for Kansas, which upended then-undefeated BYU last weekend. Colorado's improvement looks genuine, though, and the Buffs are surging toward the league championship game. Kansas has a habit of playing close games, but CU keeps winning.
Prediction: Colorado 31, Kansas 26
AP Nos. 15-11
3 of 7
No. 15 Texas A&M (8-2) at Auburn (4-6), 7:30 p.m. ET
I hate my prediction. It's not a product of Texas A&M coach Mike Elko mistakenly saying "Our focus is singlehandedly on Texas. I mean, Auburn." in a press conference. Auburn is not good. Yet for one evening, as a desperate team at home in a night game, it might be good enough.
Prediction: Auburn 24, Texas A&M 19
No. 14 BYU (9-1) at No. 21 Arizona State (8-2), 3:30 p.m. ET
Arizona State understandably is favored, especially being at home. Despite the loss to Kansas, I'm not bailing on BYU because of its sturdy defense. But there's no question the offense is becoming a concern after scoring one touchdown in seven red-zone trips and converting just 4-of-22 third-downs attempts in the last two games.
Prediction: BYU 27, Arizona State 23
No. 13 SMU (9-1) at Virginia (5-5), Noon ET
On paper, I cannot find a convincing reason to expect Virginia will be a threat. The offense is a below-average unit and hasn't cracked 350 yards in a month, and the defense is 90th nationally in yards allowed per play. Nevertheless, the spread has hovered around 10 points. I envision SMU rolling, but what am I missing that Vegas sees?
Prediction: SMU 38, Virginia 21
No. 12 Boise State (9-1) at Wyoming (2-8), 7 p.m. ET
Just three defenses have surrendered more yards per carry than Wyoming. Ashton Jeanty is the best running back in the country. This is not a good combination for the hosts.
Prediction: Boise State 45, Wyoming 17
Wake Forest (4-6) at No. 11 Miami (9-1), Noon ET
Except for a disastrous Florida State team, every ACC opponent has scored at least 28 points against Miami. I fully expect Wake Forest's unique slow-mesh offense will be a problem for a defense that has dealt with a litany of issues from alignment to communication to execution. Simultaneously, the 'Canes should be able to score a ton of points on a bad defense.
Prediction: Miami 41, Wake Forest 31
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AP Nos. 10-6
4 of 7
UTEP (2-8) at No. 10 Tennessee (8-2), 1 p.m. ET
Taking down UTEP? No problem. Finding a way back to the correct side of the projected College Football Playoff bracket? That, on the other hand, is a true dilemma for the Vols.
Prediction: Tennessee 48, UTEP 7
No. 9 Ole Miss (8-2) at Florida (5-5), Noon ET
Florida was a nuisance for Tennessee and Georgia before upsetting LSU, so the Gators certainly aren't being overlooked here. Given that Ole Miss is better on both sides of the ball, I'm not picking UFโbut Ole Miss likely won't be comfortable until the fourth quarter, if at all.
Prediction: Ole Miss 24, Florida 13
Massachusetts (2-8) at No. 8 Georgia (8-2), 12:45 p.m. ET
As usual, SEC teams have a painlessโwell, it should beโnonconference game on the November slate. Georgia will cruise past UMass and set up a critical clash with rival Georgia Tech, where a victory should lock in UGA as a Playoff-bound team.
Prediction: Georgia 56, UMass 3
No. 7 Alabama (8-2) at Oklahoma (5-5), 7:30 p.m. ET
Oklahoma simply makes too many mistakes to believe it can assemble a shocking win over Alabama. The offense has lost multiple turnovers in four straight SEC games, and Alabama has notched three-plus takeaways in five straight tilts.
Prediction: Alabama 38, Oklahoma 17
No. 6 Notre Dame (9-1) vs. No. 18 Army (9-0) (in Bronx, NY), 7 p.m. ET
The short version is Notre Dame's defense should rule the evening. But how about Army's physical group? While the competition level is lower for Army, only one opponent has surpassed 14 points. This is an informative matchup about ND's offense and Army's upside.
Prediction: Notre Dame 28, Army 19
AP Nos. 5-1
5 of 7
No. 4 Penn State (9-1) at Minnesota (6-4), 3:30 p.m. ET
Minnesota must be respected, considering the defense has yielded just 17.7 points per game. The problem is Minnesota's offense has notched a conference-low seven gains of 30-plus yards, and lacking explosiveness against a sturdy Penn State team is asking for trouble.
Prediction: Penn State 27, Minnesota 13
Kentucky (4-6) at No. 3 Texas (9-1), 3:30 p.m. ET
Look, I have no confidence in anything about Kentucky. I think the Wildcats play up to their competitionโsee Georgia, Ole Miss and even Tennesseeโbut they've also had several awful performances this season. Texas wins, largely since UK averages 14.1 points against power-conference teams. Will it be close or a blowout? Who knows!
Prediction: Texas 34, Kentucky 14
No. 5 Indiana (10-0) at No. 2 Ohio State (9-1), Noon ET
This is a tremendous prove-it opportunity for Indiana, which has received criticism for a soft Big Ten slate. Right or wrongโand, remember, the conference put that togetherโthe noise can be silenced with a strong day at Ohio State. Though the Buckeyes should win because of their defense, a turnover or two could flip the game in a hurry.
Prediction: Ohio State 27, Indiana 16
No. 1 Oregon (11-0), Idle
Rest of the Slate, Part 1
6 of 7
North Carolina State (5-5) at Georgia Tech (6-4), Thursday, 7:30 p.m. ET
Prediction: Georgia Tech 27, NC State 23
Temple (3-7) at UTSA (5-5), Friday, 7 p.m. ET
Prediction: UTSA 34, Temple 21
Purdue (1-9) at Michigan State (4-6), Friday, 8 p.m. ET
Prediction: MSU 31, Purdue 20
North Carolina (6-4) at Boston College (5-5), Noon ET
Prediction: Boston College 27, UNC 24
Connecticut (7-3) at Syracuse (7-3), Noon ET
Prediction: Syracuse 37, UConn 23
Iowa (6-4) at Maryland (6-4), Noon ET
Prediction: Iowa 22, Maryland 17
Sam Houston (8-2) at Jacksonville State (7-3), Noon ET
Prediction: Jax State 30, Sam Houston 24
Western Kentucky (7-3) at Liberty (7-2), 1 p.m. ET
Prediction: WKU 31, Liberty 27
Charleston Southern (1-10) at Florida State (1-9), 1:30 p.m. ET
Prediction: Florida State 45, Charleston Southern 10
Rice (3-7) at UAB (2-8), 2 p.m. ET
Prediction: Rice 28, UAB 20
Bowling Green (6-4) at Ball State (3-7), 2 p.m. ET
Prediction: BGSU 31, Ball State 21
New Mexico State (2-8) at Middle Tennessee (3-7), 2:30 p.m. ET
Prediction: MTSU 26, NMSU 23
James Madison (8-2) at Appalachian State (4-5), 2:30 p.m. ET
Prediction: JMU 34, App State 27
Arizona (4-6) at TCU (6-4), 3 p.m. ET
Prediction: TCU 33, Arizona 24
Charlotte (3-7) at Florida Atlantic (2-8), 3 p.m. ET
Prediction: Charlotte 27, FAU 22
Florida International (3-7) at Kennesaw State (1-9), 3 p.m. ET
Prediction: FIU 31, Kennesaw State 17
Louisiana-Monroe (5-5) at Arkansas State (6-4), 3 p.m. ET
Prediction: Arkansas State 38, ULM 27
South Alabama (5-5) at Southern Miss (1-9), 3 p.m. ET
Prediction: South Alabama 34, Southern Miss 16
Rest of the Slate, Part 2
7 of 7
Stanford (3-7) at Cal (5-5), 3:30 p.m. ET
Prediction: Cal 31, Stanford 24
Wisconsin (5-5) at Nebraska (5-5), 3:30 p.m. ET
Prediction: Nebraska 26, Wisconsin 21
Northwestern (4-6) at Michigan (5-5), 3:30 p.m. ET
Prediction: Michigan 27, Northwestern 14
UCF (4-6) at West Virginia (5-5), 3:30 p.m. ET
Prediction: WVU 30, UCF 28
Texas Tech (6-4) at Oklahoma State (3-7), 3:30 p.m. ET
Prediction: Texas Tech 38, Oklahoma State 31
East Carolina (6-4) at North Texas (5-5), 3:30 p.m. ET
Prediction: North Texas 36, ECU 30
Tulsa (3-7) at South Florida (5-5), 3:30 p.m. ET
Prediction: USF 33, Tulsa 21
San Diego State (3-7) at Utah State (3-7), 3:30 p.m. ET
Prediction: Utah State 34, SDSU 24
Georgia Southern (6-4) at Coastal Carolina (5-5), 3:30 p.m. ET
Prediction: Georgia Southern 28, Coastal Carolina 27
Pitt (7-3) at Louisville (6-4), 4 p.m. ET
Prediction: Louisville 27, Pitt 23
Louisiana Tech (4-6) at Arkansas (5-5), 4 p.m. ET
Prediction: Arkansas 41, Louisiana Tech 17
Missouri (7-3) at Mississippi State (2-8), 4:15 p.m. ET
Prediction: Missouri 35, Mississippi State 21
Troy (3-7) at Louisiana (8-2), 5 p.m. ET
Prediction: Louisiana 33, Troy 20
Baylor (6-4) at Houston (4-6), 7 p.m. ET
Prediction: Baylor 30, Houston 23
Georgia State (2-8) at Texas State (6-4), 7 p.m. ET
Prediction: Texas State 38, Georgia State 16
Marshall (7-3) at Old Dominion (4-6), 7:30 p.m. ET
Prediction: Marshall 31, ODU 27
Vanderbilt (6-4) at LSU (6-4), 7:45 p.m. ET
Prediction: LSU 26, Vanderbilt 21
Virginia Tech (5-5) at Duke (7-3), 8 p.m. ET
Prediction: Virginia Tech 27, Duke 24
Cincinnati (5-5) at Kansas State (7-3), 8 p.m. ET
Prediction: Kansas State 23, Cincinnati 19
USC (5-5) at UCLA (4-6), 10:30 p.m. ET
Prediction: USC 30, UCLA 26
Colorado State (7-3) at Fresno State (5-5), 10:30 p.m. ET
Prediction: Colorado State 27, Fresno State 24
Air Force (3-7) at Nevada (3-8), 10:30 p.m. ET
Prediction: Air Force 28, Nevada 20
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