There were multiple games with big playoff implications that people had circled in Week 13 of the College Football season and a couple of others that surprising upsets could cost some teams from making it. After Ohio State won by three scores, it looked like Indiana would probably find themselves on the outside looking in, but Florida and Oklahoma came to the Hoosiers’ aid. The SEC is not the only conference cannibalizing itself, as, after this weekend’s Big 12 results, there is now a four-way tie for first place in the conference and 256 different scenarios for who would play in the conference championship game. Here are my Week 13 College Football winners and losers.
Winner: Ohio State
The Buckeyes took care of business at home against Indiana, winning handily 38-15. Despite trailing 7-0 after the first quarter, the Buckeyes scored twice in the second quarter, and Caleb Downs broke the game wide open with a punt return touchdown in the third quarter. Will Howard threw for two touchdowns and ran for another late in the 4th to run up the score on the Hoosiers. Ohio State faces off against its biggest rival, Michigan, next week and looks to beat the Wolverines for the first time since 2019. The Buckeyes are currently 21-point favorites and will get a rematch with Oregon in the Big Ten Championship with a win.
Loser: The SEC
Going into the week, it looked like the SEC would get at least four, if not five or six, teams in the playoffs. However, Alabama and Ole Miss’s third losses of the year significantly hurt those chances. Florida knocked off a ranked opponent for the second week in a row when they took down Ole Miss 24-7. Alabama got blown out 23-3 by Oklahoma in Norman. Both Alabama and Ole Miss are now eliminated from playing in the SEC championship and probably need Georgia, who they have both beaten, to argue to make the playoff, but there are no previous playoff results to base that claim on for sure.
Winner: The ACC
All three of SMU, Miami, and Clemson got victories on Saturday, and with Alabama and Ole Miss suffering losses, it opens the door for potentially two ACC teams to make the playoff. Miami took down Wake Forest 42-14 behind two passing touchdowns from Cam Ward to Jacolby George and scored 22 unanswered points in the 4th quarter. If the Hurricanes defeat Syracuse this weekend, they are in the ACC championship game. SMU handled Virginia 33-7 behind 323 passing yards and three total touchdowns from Kevin Jennings and clinched their spot in the ACC Championship game. Clemson took down the Citadel 51-14 led by Jay Haynes rushing for 118 yards and 2 touchdowns. Clemson makes the ACC title game if Miami loses on Saturday.
Loser: Colorado
Colorado went from looking like they were going to make the playoff if they could keep their winning ways going in the Big 12 Championship to most likely finding themselves on the outside looking in after their loss to Kansas this past weekend. The Buffaloes could not stop Kansas running back Devin Neal, as he ran for 207 yards and three touchdowns, on top of catching a touchdown. Colorado is now one of 4 teams in the Big 12 with a 6-2 conference record, so they will need to win against Oklahoma State and need help from other teams losing and tiebreakers. Even if Colorado does win the Big 12 still, they will probably find themselves playing a road game in the first round due to having three losses now on the season.
Winner: Arizona State
Arizona State now finds itself as the favorite to win the Big 12 following their 28-23 win over BYU. Cam Skattebo had another big game, rushing for 147 yards and three touchdowns. The Sun Devils also had a good game defensively, intercepting BYU quarterback Jake Retzlaff twice, including a virtually game-ending interception by Javan Robinson. Arizona State heads to Tuscon to take on their in-state rival Arizona on Saturday, and with a win should be in the Big 12 Championship game unless some tiebreaker in a three-way tie does not go their way.
Loser: Army
Army suffered their first loss of the season and significantly hurt their outside chance at getting the group of five automatic bid to the college football playoff following their 42-14 loss against Notre Dame. The Black Knights only had 233 total yards and a turnover compared to Notre Dame’s 464 total yards and no turnovers. Bryson Daily still rushed for 139 yards and two touchdowns, but the Army offense did not have the firepower to keep up with Notre Dame. Army is still in the American Conference Championship game against Tulane in two weeks, but will need to win that game and most likely have Boise State suffer another loss to have a chance to make the playoff.