Week 13 is here and somehow the regular College Football season has only two weeks left. The season is flying by and last weekend delivered everything fans could hope for, with big performances, major upsets, draft stock swings and players cementing their place in school history.
Oklahoma stole the national spotlight by walking into Tuscaloosa and shaking up both the SEC and College Football Playoffs (CFP) picture with a 23-21 win over Alabama. The Sooners generated 17 points off three turnovers and held Alabama to only 57 yards across their final four drives. Despite dominating most statistical categories, Alabama’s mistakes proved fatal. A pick-six and a missed 36-yard field goal allowed Oklahoma to steal momentum early and never give it back. The Sooners entered the weekend on the fringe of the playoff, but this win likely puts them in the driver’s seat if they can finish strong at home against Missouri and LSU. For Alabama, the loss isn’t necessarily the end, but it guarantees the Iron Bowl in two weeks becomes a must-win.
Later that night, Georgia took care of business against Texas. Gunner Stockton delivered one of his most complete performances, throwing four touchdowns and adding another on the ground as No. 5 Georgia pushed past No. 10 Texas, winning 35-10. With Alabama’s loss earlier in the day, the Bulldogs now find themselves in a position to vie for a first-round bye in the CFP and remain very much alive in the SEC title race.
At College Station, Marcel Reed authored a second-half masterpiece with his “November moment.” After two interceptions and a lost fumble put Texas A&M in a 30-3 hole, Reed responded with 439 passing yards and three touchdowns as the No. 3 Aggies stormed back to beat South Carolina 31-30. A&M is now 10-0 for the first time since 1992 and remains squarely in the playoff hunt.
In the Big Ten, everything went according to script. Oregon rolled past Minnesota on Friday night behind Dante Moore’s steady play and Jordon Davison’s two rushing scores. Indiana continued its record-breaking season with a 31-7 win over Wisconsin as Fernando Mendoza completed nearly 92% of his passes and moved the Hoosiers to 11-0 for the first time in program history. Ohio State showed its depth again in a 48-10 victory over UCLA despite Carnell Tate being out and Jeremiah Smith being limited.
As Week 13 approaches, the schedule thins out a bit ahead of rivalry week. But between playoff jockeying, undefeated seasons on the line and conference title berths up for grabs, there will be no shortage of drama.
2025 College Football Week 13 Preview: Best Bets & Devy Fantasy Football Storylines
Week 13 Games of the Week & Devy Storylines to Watch
USC Trojans (17) @ Oregon Ducks (8)
Autzen Stadium Stadium, Tuscaloosa, Ala. — Saturday, Nov. 22
Betting Odds: Oregon –9.5 | Total: 59.5
USC enters Week 13 with an offense that mirrors Lincoln Riley’s best units, and this will be the most potent offense Oregon has faced all season. The Trojans average 38.2 points and an explosive 7.4 yards per play while ranking second nationally in Expected Points Added (EPA) per play and success rate.
Quarterback Jayden Maiava continues playing his way up draft boards as other high-profile quarterbacks fade from early-season expectations. His main targets, Makai Lemon and Ja’Kobi Lane, create matchup problems across the field. Lemon has emerged as one of the most productive receivers in the country and leads all Power 4 players with 1,090 yards.
However, road play has been a concern since USC joined the Big Ten. The Trojans sit at 2-2 away from home with wins over Purdue and Nebraska but losses at Illinois and Notre Dame.
Oregon is dealing with uncertainty at wide receiver. Freshman star Dakorien Moore has missed back-to-back games with a knee injury, and former USC wideout Gary Bryant Jr. remains questionable after being carted off two weeks ago. The Ducks still have plenty of firepower, including a freshman RB duo alongside veteran Noah Whittington, and tight end Kenyon Sadiq, who continues to look like a future early-round NFL pick.
USC’s offensive ceiling meets Oregon’s roster depth and Autzen’s home-field advantage, setting up one of the most intriguing matchups of the week.
My Pick
USC +9.5
Oregon should score, but USC’s efficiency and explosive passing game give them a strong chance to keep this within one score.
Pittsburgh Panthers (22) @ Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets (16)
Bobby Dodd Stadium, Atlanta, Ga. — Saturday, Nov. 22
Betting Odds: Georgia Tech –2.5 | Total: 61.5
Georgia Tech comes into Week 13 on the heels of a 36-34 win over Boston College and now controls its path to the ACC Championship Game. Haynes King has continued building one of the best individual seasons in program history. Last week, the quarterback posted his eighth 300-yard passing game, a Yellow Jackets record, and surpassed 7,000 career passing yards. With senior night approaching and 26 seniors playing their final home game, King and company will be highly motivated to deliver another signature performance. The QB remains in the Heisman conversation, and Saturday will offer a chance to anchor his case with a trip to the ACC title game on the line.
Pitt’s loss to Notre Dame didn’t eliminate the playoff path, but the Panthers now need everything to go right. First, they must beat Georgia Tech and Miami, then hope that SMU drops one of its final two games and Virginia beats Virginia Tech. The Panthers’ midseason switch to true freshman Mason Heintschel at quarterback has paid off. Heintschel has provided a spark, with 1,673 yards and 12 touchdowns across six starts, playing with confidence and creativity. However, the team could be without star running back Desmond Reid after he went down last week with an ankle injury following a 27-yard run, their longest play of the game. His absence would dramatically shift Pitt’s offensive balance.
This is a momentum matchup. Georgia Tech is surging behind Haynes King’s leadership, while Pitt is trying to keep their postseason dreams alive with a freshman quarterback slinging the ball like he’s playing with house money.
My Pick
Georgia Tech -2.5
At home, on senior night, with Haynes King chasing both history and the ACC title, the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets have the edge.
Devy Spotlight
CJ Carr (QB, Notre Dame Fighting Irish; 2027)
CJ Carr arrived at Notre Dame in December 2023 as the program’s most hyped passer since Jimmy Clausen, and he brings the full toolbox of a top-tier starter. His throwing motion is smooth and effortless, allowing him to place the ball accurately on deep sideline shots and layered seam throws. The redshirt freshman’s frame is well-built, with room to add strength, which should only enhance his velocity and durability.
The ball comes out of Carr’s hand with real juice, and his accuracy shows up both in structure and when the play breaks down. He adjusts arm angles naturally, slipping balls between defenders or firing with extra zip when under pressure. His feel inside the pocket is one of the most advanced traits in his game. Carr shows patience, poise and an intuitive sense of how to manipulate rushers while staying in rhythm with his progressions.
Coaches rave about his maturity and his approach to preparation. He treats the position like a chess match, consistently studying fronts, rotations and coverage tendencies. That competitive drive and football intelligence set him apart just as much as his physical ability.
Notre Dame hasn’t had a true long-term quarterback solution in years, but CJ Carr’s blend of anticipation, accuracy and instincts gives the Fighting Irish a player who can change the trajectory of the program.
Ahmad Hardy (RB, Missouri Tigers; 2027)
Ahmad Hardy has turned himself into one of the best stories in college football. Once a zero-star recruit, he now leads the nation in rushing thanks to a punishing running style built around contact balance, toughness and relentless effort after first contact. More than any other back in the country, Hardy creates his yards himself; a large portion of his production comes after defenders get their hands on him.
Hardy hasn’t fumbled in over four hundred college carries, highlighting both ball security and durability. His running approach fits perfectly within Missouri’s outside-zone system, where he reads leverage quickly, presses the line with patience and identifies cutback lanes with impressive vision. While he’s more than capable of lowering his pads and running through defenders, the running back will also make the efficient choice and slide past them when the opportunity is there.
One of his underrated traits is his blocking. Hardy embraces pass protection and perimeter blocking with enthusiasm, understanding their value in Missouri’s offense. That willingness, combined with his physical makeup, stands out to scouts.
He is coming off a monstrous 300-yard running game and sits atop the FBS in rushing, proving he can handle a bell-cow workload in the SEC. Ahmad Hardy’s combination of toughness, vision and elite yards-after-contact production makes him one of the most dependable backs in college football.
Ousmane Kromah (RB, Florida State Seminoles; 2028)
Ousmane Kromah profiles as a complete, three-down running back with a blend of downhill force and surprising agility. He attacks the line of scrimmage with urgency and rarely wastes movement, consistently falling forward to finish plays. His contact balance is excellent, allowing him to stay upright through glancing blows and bounce off direct hits.
Kromah’s footwork and spatial awareness allow him to navigate traffic with sharp jump cuts, giving him a dynamic element at the second level. He isn’t the fastest back in the country, but his blend of explosiveness, power and movement skills often produces highlight runs. His lower-body athleticism shows up off the field too, and his basketball background includes above-the-rim dunks.
As a receiver, the freshman back is natural and comfortable. He can motion out wide or work from the backfield, giving the offense meaningful flexibility. He’s also a willing and physical pass protector who embraces the dirty work expected of a feature back.
Physically, Ousmane Kromah carries a unique build, with long limbs and a slightly bow-legged gait that adds to his agility and lateral quickness. Florida State sees him as a future high-volume option who can anchor an offense competing for playoff berths, and devy players should take note.
RELATED: Freshman Fever | Devy Freshman RB Profiles (2025)
2025 Heisman Trophy Outlook
- Fernando Mendoza (QB, Indiana) +100
- Julian Sayin (QB, Ohio State) +200
- Marcel Reed (QB, Texas A&M) +550
- Diego Pavia (QB, Vanderbilt) +1500
- Gunner Stockton (QB, Georgia) +2500
Fernando Mendoza returns to the top spot after another efficient and poised performance last weekend. His 91.7% completion rate and four touchdowns helped carry Indiana to an 11-0 start and solidified him as the current Heisman frontrunner.
Gunner Stockton re-enters the mix after engineering Georgia’s comfortable win over Texas, while Marcel Reed stays in striking distance thanks to his heroic comeback in College Station. Even so, the race is shaping up to be a Fernando Mendoza versus Julian Sayin battle with two weeks left.
Thanks for reading my article on “2025 College Football Week 13 Preview: Best Bets & Devy Fantasy Football Storylines”. For more Devy and College Fantasy Football content, follow me on Twitter/X @PoshplaysFF.
*Photo Credit: Michael Clubb/South Bend Tribune – USA TODAY Sports*
