Week 12 of the college football season saw another undefeated team fall by the wayside when BYU suffered its first loss late Saturday night. They were not the only top-ten team to lose, as Tennessee got knocked off by Georgia, putting five SEC teams now with two losses. Georgia, Tennessee, and Alabama all going 1-1 against each other makes it difficult to evaluate who should be ranked ahead of who.
Head-to-head, when the teams have the same number in the loss column, is the first thing I consider when making my rankings, so BYU had to remain ahead of SMU. This made me bump Miami back up to the top-ranked ACC team despite SMU currently sitting in first place. It then becomes tricky to decide where to put those teams among the two-loss SEC teams. There is a similar conundrum at the bottom of the rankings where it’s deciding between what two-loss group of five teams or three-loss power four teams should wrap up the bottom of the rankings following losses by LSU, Kansas State, and Washington State. While there is not one right answer to these questions, so here is my answer for the week 13 college football top 25 rankings.
1. Oregon Ducks
It took a 10-point 4th quarter, but the Ducks remain undefeated and at the top of the poll following a 16-13 win over Wisconsin. Jordan James scored the only touchdown for Oregon and rushed for 121 yards on top of that. Atticus Sappington went 3/3 on field goals, including the game-winner with 4:13 to play. The Ducks’ defense came up big on the following two possessions forcing a turnover on downs and an interception by Matayo Uiagalelei. Oregon is on bye this weekend before ending their regular season with Washington in two weeks.
2. Ohio State Buckeyes
Ohio State went into Wrigley Field and took down Northwestern 31-7. After trailing 7-0 in the 2nd quarter, Ohio State scored 31 unanswered points, including Will Howard throwing two touchdowns to Chicago native Carnell Tate. The Buckeyes’ offense was also led by Quinshon Judkins, who rushed for 76 yards and two touchdowns, and 100 yards receiving from Jeremiah Smith. Ohio State hosts Indiana in a top-five showdown next weekend.
3. Texas Longhorns
Texas beat Arkansas 20-10 in Fayetteville on Saturday. Quinn Ewers threw for 176 yards and connected with Matthew Golden for two touchdowns. Jaydon Blue was the Longhorns leading rusher with 83 yards. Texas also forced two turnovers with an interception by Jahdae Barron and a fumble recovery by Michael Taaffe. The Longhorns currently sit at the top of the SEC all alone but cannot overlook Kentucky this week before going on the road to Texas A&M in two weeks.
4. Indiana Hoosiers
The Hoosiers were on a bye this past weekend before heading to Columbus this weekend to take on Ohio State in arguably the biggest game in program history.
5. Penn State Nittany Lions
Penn State had 539 yards of total offense in their 49-10 win over Purdue on the road. Nittany Lions quarterback Drew Allar threw for 247 yards and three touchdowns. Tyler Warren caught one of those touchdowns and had 127 receiving yards on top of rushing for 63 yards and a touchdown. Backup QB Beau Pribula came in in the second half and had both a passing touchdown and a 49-yard rushing touchdown. Penn State heads on the road once again next weekend to take on Minnesota.
6. Boise State Broncos
Boise State doubled up San Jose State 42-21 on Saturday night. Ashton Jeanty once again added to his potential Heisman campaign by rushing for 159 yards and three touchdowns. The Broncos were also able to move the ball through the air as Maddux Mansen passed for 286 yards and a touchdown, as well as rushing for a touchdown. Defensively, Boise State forced four turnovers, including a 70-yard interception returned for a touchdown by Davon Banks. The Broncos once again head on the road next week to take on Wyoming.
7. Notre Dame Fighting Irish
Notre Dame took care of business at home, taking down Virginia 35-14. Jeremiah Love led the Fighting Irish by rushing for 137 yards and two touchdowns, including a 76-yard TD run. The other three Notre Dame touchdowns were three touchdown passes by Riley Leonard to go with his 214 passing yards. Leonard also threw an interception, but the Fighting Irish defense picked off Anthony Colandrea three times and forced five turnovers total. Notre Dame takes on Army in a ranked match-up at Yankee Stadium on Saturday night.
8. Miami Hurricanes
Miami was on a bye this past weekend after suffering their first loss of the season at Georgia Tech the week before. They look to bounce back this week at home against Wake Forest.
9. Alabama Crimson Tide
Alabama defeated FCS opponent Mercer 52-7 on Saturday. Jalen Milroe threw for 186 yards and two touchdowns, as well as rushing for 43 yards and a touchdown. The Crimson Tide had 508 yards of total offense. Alabama heads to Norman to take on Oklahoma this weekend.
10. Ole Miss Rebels
Ole Miss had this past weekend off following their big win over Georgia the weekend prior. The Rebels head to the swamp this weekend to take on Florida, who is looking for their second straight upset win after beating LSU this past weekend.
11. Georgia Bulldogs
Georgia shutout Tennessee in the second half to defeat the Volunteers 31-17. Carsen Beck looked the best he has in weeks, throwing for 347 yards and two touchdowns, rushing for another, and, most notably, having zero turnovers. Oscar Delp caught two of those touchdown passes, and Nate Frazier rushed for the other Bulldogs touchdown. Georgia hosts UMass in a non-conference game this week.
12. BYU Cougars
BYU suffered their first season loss, falling 17-13 to Kansas at home late Saturday night. It was a muffed punt by return man Evan Johnson that set Kansas up for the game-winning 3-yard touchdown run. by Evan Neal. BYU had two drives end in the red zone without points as Jake Retzlaff threw an interception on a drive late in the first half, and the Cougars could not convert a 4th & 11 from the Kansas 16-yard line that essentially ended the game. The Cougars head to Tempe to take on Arizona State this weekend in a game with major Big 12 Championship implications.
13. SMU Mustangs
SMU got the win 38-28 over Boston College at home this past weekend to remain undefeated in ACC play. Kevin Jennings threw for 298 yards with three touchdowns and an interception. Jordan Hudson was the Mustangs’ leading receiver, catching one of those touchdown passes to go with his 99 receiving yards. Brashard Smith rushed for 120 yards and the other SMU touchdown. The Mustangs head on the road to take on Virginia this Saturday.
14. Tennessee Volunteers
Tennessee fell 31-17 to Georgia and massively hurt their chances to win the SEC. The Volunteers got off to a hot going on a 78-yard drive capped off by a Miles Kitselman touchdown run and took a 10-0 lead into the second quarter. Dylan Sampson rushed for a touchdown in the second quarter to go along with his 101 rushing yards in the game, but that would be the last time Tennessee scored. The Volunteers host UTEP in a non-conference contest this weekend.
15. Texas A&M Aggies
Texas A&M defeated New Mexico State 38-3 at home on Saturday. Marcell Reed led the Aggies by throwing for 268 yards and two touchdowns and rushed for another touchdown. Amari Daniels ripped off a big 71-yard touchdown run that helped Texas A&M outgain New Mexico State 565-214 in total yards. The Aggies head on the road to Auburn this weekend.
16. Clemson Tigers
Cade Klubnik’s 50-yard touchdown run in the 4th quarter gave Clemson a 24-20 road win over Pittsburgh on Saturday. Klubnik also threw for 286 yards and two touchdowns to go with his clutch rushing touchdown. Antonio Williams caught both of those touchdowns for the Tigers to go with his 149 receiving yards. Pitt outgained Clemson 438-346 in total yards and scored 13 unanswered points in the 4th quarter to take the lead, But Kahil Barnes had an interception, one of two turnovers the Tiger defense forced, to seal the deal on the final play. Clemson hosts FCS opponent, the Citadel, this Saturday.
17. Colorado Buffaloes
Colorado beat their former PAC-12 rival Utah 49-24 in their first game as Big 12 opponents. Despite getting picked off on the game’s first play, Shedeur Sanders threw for 340 yards and three touchdowns. Travis Hunter was a difference-maker for the Buffaloes in all facets of the game, having 55 yards receiving, rushing for a touchdown, and having an interception defensively, one of four turnovers the Buffaloes defense forced. Drelon Miller also added 108 receiving yards and a touchdown offensively. Colorado heads to Lawrence on Saturday to take on a Kansas team that has ranked wins the last two weeks.
18. Army Black Knights
Army was off this past weekend, giving the Black Knights an extra week to prepare for their big game against Notre Dame at Yankee Stadium this Saturday.
19. South Carolina Gamecocks
South Carolina got a big win at home, 34-30 over Missouri. LaNorris Sellers had a big day, throwing for 353 yards and five touchdowns with only one interception. South Carolina led 21-6 at the half, but 24 second-half points by Missouri, including a go-ahead 37-yard touchdown reception by Luther Burden III with 1:10 to play made it look like the Tigers might steal the victory. But Gamecocks leading rusher Raheim Sanders caught the game-winning touchdown pass with 15 seconds left, to go with his 53 rushing yards and 21 receiving yards. South Carolina hosts FCS opponent Wofford this week, before finishing their season off with instate rival Clemson the week after.
20. Tulane Green Wave
Tulane went into Annapolis and picked up a shut-out victory 35-0 over Navy. The Green Wave offense was led by Makhi Hughes, rushing for 82 yards and two touchdowns. Quarterback Darian Mensah contributed to the other three Tulane touchdowns, rushing for one and passing for the other two. Tulane has clinched their spot in the American Conference Championship game following the win. They are off this weekend before their regular-season finale against Memphis on Thanksgiving.
21. Arizona State Sun Devils
Arizona State went into Manhattan and took down Kansas State 24-14 to make their way into the rankings this week. Sam Leavitt led the Sun Devils by throwing for 275 yards and three touchdowns. Jordyn Tyson caught two of those touchdown passes to go with his 176 receiving yards. Defensively, Arizona State picked off Avery Johnson twice, recovered a fumble, and kept the Wildcats off the scoreboard until late in the third quarter. The Sun Devils host BYU on Saturday and will move into the Big 12 title game with a win.
22. Iowa State Cyclones
Iowa State jumped back into the rankings following their 34-17 win over Cincinnati. Rocco Bendt led the Cyclones with two touchdowns, one rushing and one passing, on top of throwing for 234 yards. Abu Sama III was the leading rusher with 52 yards and a touchdown. Kicker Kyle Konrardy went 2/2 on field goal attempts, including a kick from 52 yards out. Iowa State heads out west to take on Utah this weekend.
23. Washington State Cougars
Washington State was upset 38-35 in New Mexico by the Lobos on Saturday, closing the door on the Cougars longshot playoff chances. John Mateer was a contributor to all five Cougar touchdowns, passing for four and 375 yards and rushing for the other to go with his 65 yards rushing. Kyle Williams caught three of those touchdowns and had 181 receiving yards in the game. However, New Mexico Quarterback Devon Dampier was unstoppable, throwing for a touchdown but more notably rushing for 193 yards and three touchdowns, including the game-winner with 21 seconds to play. Washington State heads to Corvallis to take on their PAC-2 rival Oregon State on Saturday.
24. UNLV Rebels
UNLV returns to the rankings following their 41-20 win at home over San Diego State. Hajj-Malik Williams had three total touchdowns, passing for 244 yards and one touchdown and rushing for the other two. The Rebels dominated on the ground, rushing 253 yards as a team, and Greg Burrell and Jai’Den Thomas both went for 50+ yards and a touchdown.
25. Illinois Fighting Illini
Illinois improved to 7-3 on the year following their 38-16 win over Michigan State. Luke Altmeyer led the Fighting Illini by throwing for 231 yards and two touchdowns. Pat Bryant caught one of those passes for a 57-yard touchdown, part of his 135 yards receiving on the game. The rest of the Illinois touchdowns came on the ground by Josh McCray, who had 61 yards with those three scores. Illinois heads out east to take on Rutgers at noon on Saturday.
Next Four Teams
Memphis Tigers: 53-18 win vs. UAB last week, this week on a bye
Kansas State Wildcats: 24-14 loss vs. Arizona State last week, this week vs. Cincinnati
Missouri Tigers: Loss 34-30 at South Carolina last week, this week at Mississippi State
Syracuse Orange: 33-25 win at Cal last week, this week vs. UConn