B/R's 2025 College Football Experts Top 25 Rankings After Week 13
The same storylines are destined to headline this week's debate topics after a favorite-filled set of results in Week 13.
Subsequently, B/R's Top 25 didn't have many changes, either.
Georgia Tech tumbled down the rankings after the devastating loss to Pitt, and losses bumped Missouri and Houston from the poll. But a late comeback saved Utah, while Oregon and BYU held off pesky USC and Cincinnati teams to set up an incredibly dramatic Week 14 schedule.
Bleacher Report's college football writing staff of David Kenyon Adam Kramer and Brad Shepard cast a ballot this week. A first-place vote was worth 25 points, followed by 24 for second and so on.
Nos. 25-21
1 of 11
25. Georgia Tech (9-2, Previous Rank: 12)
Week 13 Result: Loss vs. Pitt (42-28)
Next Week: vs. Georgia
At this worst possible moment, Georgia Tech imploded. Pitt sprinted out to a 28-0 lead, and the Yellow Jackets—who certainly fought to the finish—could not pull off a miracle. Winning an ACC title was Tech's only path to the CFP anyway, even with a showdown against Georgia up next. Dropping a second conference game may prevent the Jackets from having a shot at that league crown.
24. Tulane (9-2, Previous Rank: NR)
Week 13 Result: Win at Temple (37-13)
Next Week: vs. Charlotte
Fresh off landing as the CFP selection committee's highest-ranked G5 team, Tulane took care of business at Temple. Jake Retzlaff accounted for three touchdowns, and Patrick Durkin drilled all five field goals—including a pair from 50-plus yards—in a 37-13 triumph. Tiebreakers in the American are a little complicated, but a win over Charlotte should send the Green Wave to the conference title game.
23. Pitt (8-3, Previous Rank: NR)
Week 13 Result: Win at Georgia Tech (42-28)
Next Week: vs. Miami
Pitt assembled a bounce-back effort after an embarrassing home loss to Notre Dame. The initial 28-0 surge proved critical for Pitt, which fell quiet offensively in the second half but sealed the upset with Ja'Kyrian Turner's late 56-yard touchdown. He rushed for 201 yards in the win. Pitt hosts Miami in Week 14.
22. SMU (8-3, Previous Rank: 25)
Week 13 Result: Win vs. Louisville (38-6)
Next Week: at Cal
Capitalizing on the absence of Louisville QB Miller Moss, the Mustangs breezed their way to a critical 38-6 home win. They played a terrific all-around game as Kevin Jennings threw for 303 yards with three touchdowns, and the defense ceded 228 yards. SMU is alive in the hunt for the ACC Championship Game but needs to win at Cal next weekend.
21. James Madison (10-1, Previous Rank: 22)
Week 13 Result: Win vs. Washington State (24-20)
Next Week: at Coastal Carolina
If the Dukes can finish 12-1 with a Sun Belt crown, they'll have a serious case at representing the Group of Five in the CFP. That dream stayed alive as JMU clipped Washington State 24-20. Wayne Knight ripped off a game-winning 58-yard touchdown run late in the fourth quarter to help the Dukes jump to 10-1. They close the regular season at Coastal Carolina.
Nos. 20-16
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20. North Texas (10-1, Previous Rank: 20)
Week 13 Result: Win at Rice (56-24)
Next Week: vs. Temple
As with any Group of Five program in 2025, the Green Wave's single path to the CFP requires a conference title. North Texas took one more valuable step toward earning that appearance in the American Championship Game, rolling Rice 56-24 and rising to 10-1. Drew Mestemaker threw for 469 yards and totaled four touchdowns in the blowout. Temple comes to UNT on Friday.
19. Tennessee (8-3, Previous Rank: 23)
Week 13 Result: Win at Florida (31-11)
Next Week: vs. Vanderbilt
Not since 2003 had Tennessee won in Gainesville. Finally, the streak is over. Defense owned the evening for the Volunteers, who surrendered 261 yards in a 31-11 win at The Swamp. In comparison, UT alone rushed for 248 yards. Tennessee closes the regular season at home against Vanderbilt.
18. Texas (8-3, Previous Rank: 19)
Week 13 Result: Win vs. Arkansas (52-37)
Next Week: vs. Texas A&M
Arkansas was a pest, as usual, but Texas pulled away in the third quarter for a 52-37 win. Arch Manning passed for 389 yards and four scores—three of which went to DeAndre Moore Jr.—rushed for a fifth and caught a sixth touchdown on a trick play. Texas has an opportunity to play the spoiler role in Week 14 when it hosts unbeaten Texas A&M.
17. USC (8-3, Previous Rank: 16)
Week 13 Result: Loss at Oregon (42-27)
Next Week: vs. UCLA
Though they hung around into the late minutes, the Trojans could not spring the upset at Oregon and lost 42-27. The setback ended the dream of crashing the Big Ten Championship Game—and even the CFP. That certainly doesn't make the season a failure for USC, which is 8-3 and will be favored at home against UCLA next weekend. Still, it was a disappointing finish.
16. Virginia (9-2, Previous Rank: 18)
Week 13 Result: IDLE
Next Week: vs. Virginia Tech
Since the Cavaliers have no victory of note, their postseason upside is entirely contingent on winning the ACC Championship Game. Virginia, which is 9-2 overall with a 6-1 record in ACC action, has an extra week to prepare for Virginia Tech. If the Hoos win, they're in.
Nos. 15-11
3 of 11
15. Michigan (9-2, Previous Rank: 14)
Week 13 Result: Win at Maryland (45-20)
Next Week: vs. Ohio State
Michigan scored a touchdown on three straight drives to begin both halves. That's a solid recipe for a win. Bryce Underwood threw for 215 yards and two scores, while Bryson Kuzdzal rushed for 100 yards and three touchdowns in a 45-20 victory at Maryland. Heading into a home showdown with top-ranked Ohio State, the Wolverines are 9-2. They're on the fringe of the race, but the Big Ten Championship Game is attainable with a little help.
14. Utah (9-2, Previous Rank: 15)
Week 13 Result: Win vs. Kansas State (51-47)
Next Week: at Kansas
What an escape. Trailing by 12, Utah picked off a two-point conversion attempt, returned it and trimmed the deficit to 10. Over the next two drives—with a clutch defensive three-and-out sandwiched in the middle—the Utes converted a trio of fourth downs and completed a wild comeback in a 51-47 win over Kansas State. Utah remains in the hunt for the Big 12 Championship Game.
13. Vanderbilt (9-2, Previous Rank: 13)
Week 13 Result: Win vs. Kentucky (45-17)
Next Week: at Tennessee
At this point, it would be surprising if Diego Pavia isn't a finalist for the Heisman Trophy. He stacked the box score yet again, passing for 484 yards and rushing for 48 while totaling six touchdowns in a 45-17 demolition of Kentucky. Vandy is probably going to fall narrowly shy of the Playoff, but a win at Tennessee next weekend would be a 10-2 regular season and an incredible year for the 'Dores.
12. Miami (9-2, Previous Rank: 17)
Week 13 Result: Win at Virginia Tech (34-17)
Next Week: at Pitt
From the opening drive, the 'Canes dominated Virginia Tech. Miami scored on its first five drives and cruised to a 34-17 victory. Carson Beck threw for 320 yards and four touchdowns, connecting with star freshman Malachi Toney 12 times for 146 yards and a score. Miami closes the regular season with a trip to Pitt, a must-win game for the Hurricanes' hopes of sneaking into the CFP.
11. Alabama (9-2, Previous Rank: 10)
Week 13 Result: Win vs. Eastern Illinois (56-0)
Next Week: at Auburn
The bad news is Ty Simpson threw for a modest 146 yards with no touchdowns and two interceptions, ending his fleeting Heisman Trophy hopes. But there's no legitimately bad news in a 56-0 rout of Eastern Illinois, pushing the Crimson Tide to 9-2 with a trip to rival Auburn up next. Win there, and Bama will be headed to the SEC Championship Game on a tiebreaker edge.
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Nos. 10-6
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10. Notre Dame (9-2, Previous Rank: 9)
Week 13 Result: Win vs. Syracuse (70-7)
Next Week: at Stanford
Before the ND offense even touched the field, the Irish led 21-0 thanks to a pick-six, blocked punt for a touchdown and another pick-six. Jeremiyah Love turned eight carries into an absurd 171 yards and three scores, and Notre Dame steamrolled Syracuse 70-7. Next weekend, the Irish will be favored on the road but must beat Stanford to have a compelling CFP case.
9. BYU (10-1, Previous Rank: 11)
Week 13 Result: Win at Cincinnati (26-14)
Next Week: vs. UCF
For the first time on the road against a Big 12 opponent all year, BYU never trailed. The trend-busting performance could not have arrived at a better time, and the Cougars held on for a 26-14 triumph. LJ Martin scampered for 222 yards and two scores. BYU needs a win over UCF in Week 14 to make the Big 12 title game.
8. Oklahoma (9-2, Previous Rank: 8)
Week 13 Result: Win vs. Missouri (17-6)
Next Week: vs. LSU
It wasn't pretty! John Matter completed just under 50 percent of his passes, and Missouri outgained OU 301-276. But the Sooners nabbed two interceptions, blocked a field goal and forced a key turnover on downs in a 17-6 win over Mizzou. Oklahoma is a home win against LSU from booking a trip to the Playoff.
7. Ole Miss (10-1, Previous Rank: 7)
Week 13 Result: IDLE
Next Week: at Mississippi State
While the stay-or-go drama around head coach Lane Kiffin lingers, Ole Miss is one victory from locking in its Playoff spot. The final obstacle is rival Mississippi State, which is set to host the Egg Bowl on Friday afternoon.
6. Texas Tech (10-1, Previous Rank: 6)
Week 13 Result: IDLE
Next Week: at West Virginia
Just win, baby. As long as Tech defeats West Virginia, it should be a CFP team no matter what happens in the Big 12 title game. But a victory at WVU ensures Tech has a shot to secure the league's automatic bid anyway.
5. Oregon (10-1, Previous Rank: 5)
5 of 11
Week 13 Result: Win vs. USC (42-27)
Next Week: at Washington
The critical stretch happened in the second quarter.
In a 14-14 game against USC, the Ducks saw Malik Benson break off an 85-yard punt return for a touchdown, then an interception set up a short touchdown run. Suddenly, it was 28-14, and Oregon would not relinquish the lead.
There's a good argument for UO already being a CFP lock, but winning at Washington would eliminate any doubt of whether the Ducks belong.
4. Georgia (10-1, Previous Rank: 4)
6 of 11
Week 13 Result: Win vs. Charlotte (35-3)
Next Week: vs. Georgia Tech (in Atlanta)
After last weekend's win over Texas, UGA could be penciled into the College Football Playoff field.
Truly, though, we were using a pen because of this Week 13 matchup. Georgia built a 35-3 lead early in the fourth quarter, then turned to the backups and started preparing for Saturday's clash with rival Georgia Tech.
The matchup will be played at Mercedes-Benz Stadium, home of the NFL's Atlanta Falcons, not on Tech's nearby campus.
3. Texas A&M (11-0, Previous Rank: 3)
7 of 11
Week 13 Result: Win vs. Samford (48-0)
Next Week: at Texas
There were a few more mistakes than you'd prefer to see, but Texas A&M essentially did what it should do opposite FCS team Samford.
Marcel Reed tossed three touchdowns, the defense gave up only 77 yards and the Aggies won 48-0.
They'll definitely be in the CFP. However, with a loss at Texas next weekend, A&M would miss the SEC Championship Game. No doubt the Aggies would love a shot at a conference title before the Playoff.
2. Indiana Hoosiers (11-0, Previous Rank: 2)
8 of 11
Week 13 Result: IDLE
Next Week: at Purdue
We know 11-0 Indiana is bound for the Playoff.
But if the Hoosiers win at rival Purdue, they'll also be going to their first-ever Big Ten Championship Game. That'll be a prime-time showcase for IU and Heisman Trophy favorite Fernando Mendoza on Friday.
1. Ohio State Buckeyes (11-0, Previous Rank: 1)
9 of 11
Week 13 Result: Win vs. Rutgers (42-9)
Next Week: at Michigan
As star receivers Jeremiah Smith and Carnell Tate sat with injuries, the Buckeyes had no issues dispatching Rutgers.
The defense held the Scarlet Knights to a meager 147 yards in a 42-9 victory, while OSU's running game totaled 254 yards and four touchdowns.
Ohio State is a CFP lock at 11-0. Nevertheless, the Buckeyes first will be focused on snapping a four-year skid to rival Michigan next Saturday and clinching a spot in the Big Ten Championship Game, as well.
B/R Top 25 Ranking After Week 13
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B/R Top 25
1. Ohio State
2. Indiana
3. Texas A&M
4. Georgia
5. Oregon
6. Texas Tech
7. Ole Miss
8. Oklahoma
9. BYU
10. Notre Dame
11. Alabama
12. Miami
13. Vanderbilt
14. Utah
15. Michigan
16. Virginia
17. USC
18. Texas
19. Tennessee
20. North Texas
21. James Madison
22. SMU
23. Pitt
24. Tulane
25. Georgia Tech
What's Next?
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Not to be overdramatic, but just about everything, really!
Within the Power Four conferences, exactly zero teams have clinched a spot in their respective league championship game.
There are indisputable front-runners, of course. Virginia and SMU (ACC), Ohio State and Indiana (Big Ten), Texas Tech and BYU (Big 12) and Texas A&M and Alabama (SEC) hold the coveted win-and-in scenarios.
But will it actually be that simple? This glorious sport rarely is.
Texas A&M plays at Texas. Ohio State, aiming to avoid a fifth consecutive loss in the series, heads to Michigan. Miami travels to Pitt for a massive ACC game, and Alabama goes to rival Auburn. Ole Miss, Texas Tech, Oregon, Notre Dame and Vanderbilt each hit the road, too.
Throw in key matchups within the undecided American and Sun Belt, and it's a beautifully chaotic Week 14 slate.
Many of those results will determine the conference title matchups. All of the others can impact the finalized résumés of hopeful at-large CFP teams.
Block out your Friday and Saturday, folks. We have a terrific week ahead.
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