It is the final week of the 2025 College Football regular season. That means it is “Rivarly Week”, where teams (mostly) face their rivals. With conference championship game participants and playoff teams to be decided, this is a pivotal week. So, let’s see whose journey will continue.
Ohio State Wins “The Game.”
The Game. One of the biggest moments in every College Football season, and something that should be the appetiser to the Big Ten Conference Championship game, especially now that the conference has removed divisions. The number one-ranked Ohio State Buckeyes face the number 15-ranked Michigan Wolverines. The battle between the last two national champions. Michigan has won the last four meetings and would hope to win a fifth to end the Buckeyes’ undefeated season. Could their streak continue?
The Wolverines had the first possession of the game and would be able to take the lead from it. Starting from their 25-yard line, freshman QB Bryce Underwood led the offense down to the Buckeyes’ 27-yard line. The drive stalled here, setting up kicker Dominic Zvada with a 45-yard field goal attempt, something he was successful with.
The luck continued for the Wolverines on the next drive, as Buckeyes’ quarterback Julian Sayin threw an interception in his own territory. This mistake proved costly, as Zvada was able to convert this new possession into another three points for Michigan.
Embed from Getty ImagesThe following drive was better for Ohio State. Sayin was able to move his offense down to the Wolverines’ six-yard line but not further. This set up kicker Jayden Fielding with a 24-yard field goal attempt, which he made. This score put the Buckeyes on the board. Their next drive gave them the lead when Sayin found Jeremiah Smith for a 35-yard touchdown pass.
Michigan was able to respond to this on its next drive. Underwood and company slowly moved down the field to the Buckeyes’ 30-yard line. The offense stalled here, but Zvada was able to kick another field goal, this time from 49 yards out, to make it a one-point game.
This deficit did not last long. As halftime was approaching, the Buckeyes were able to strike again. From the Wolverines ‘ four-yard line, Sayin found B Innis for the touchdown pass.
This meant that at halftime, the Buckeyes had a 17-9 lead over the Wolverines.
The second half did not start in the same way as the first half. It was a lot slower to get going. However, the Buckeyes were able to increase their lead in the third quarter. At the 50-yard line, Sayin found Carnell Tate for the touchdown pass. The Wolverines did nothing in response, and their hopes of getting another win over their rivals were slipping away.
Embed from Getty ImagesLuckily, the Wolverines had time on their side, with a quarter left to play. The Buckeyes took that from them as well. Their next drive took 12 minutes to complete, as Ohio State slowly made its way down the field to reach the Wolverines’ five-yard line. The drive stalled here, but Fielding’s 23-yard field goal sealed the win.
The number one-ranked Ohio State Buckeyes had defeated the number 15-ranked Michigan Wolverines 27-9.
This win gives the Buckeyes an undefeated regular season and a spot in the Big Ten championship game, where they will face fellow undefeated side Indiana. This is also their first win over Michigan since 2019, and gives them a massive springboard to make another run for the national championship. Michigan’s season ends here; its lack of any notable wins should inspire the playoff committee to put them in.
Goodbye to A&M’s Undefeated Season (5,482 days and Counting!)
The number three-ranked Texas A&M Aggies have not beaten the number 16-ranked Texas Longhorns in 5,482 days (November 25, 2010). The rivals played their first game against each other in 13 years last year, and this is the Aggies’ first trip to Austin since that win. A&M comes into this game undefeated, but the Longhorns have been on a revival in the last few weeks, with the team on the fringes of the CFP. A win here would give their playoff hopes a serious boost.
The first five drives of the game all ended in punts. This is not surprising, especially considering that Texas does seem to take a bit of time to warm up. The Aggies had the first scoring chance on the sixth drive. Led by quarterback Marcel Reed, the Aggies’ offense made its way down to the Longhorns’ 18-yard line. The drive stalled here, setting up a 35-yard field goal attempt from kicker Jared Zirkel. The kick was blocked.
In response to this, the Longhorns were able to open the scoring. Arch Manning and company were able to slowly make their way down to the Aggies’ 23-yard line, where the drive would stall. Kicker Mason Shipley was able to find the uprights from 41 yards out to give the Longhorns to lead. The lead would not last long, as Zirkel was able to kick a 31-yard field goal on the Aggies’ next drive to level things up.
Embed from Getty ImagesA&M would then take the lead. From the Longhorns’ eight-yard line, KC Concepcion found the endzone for the rushing touchdown. Texas was unable to respond before halftime, meaning that as the teams went into the locker rooms, the Aggies had a 10-3 lead over the Longhorns.
Texas was able to close the deficit on its first drive of the second half, with Shipley making a 46-yard field goal. On their next drive, the Longhorns took the lead for the first time. On the Aggies’ 29-yard line, Manning found Ryan Wingo for the touchdown pass. This gave them a three-point lead going into the final quarter.
The Longhorns extended their lead to begin the fourth quarter, with Nick Townsend finding the endzone for a two-yard rushing touchdown. A few drives later, A&M brought itself back into the game when EJ Smith scored a 13-yard rushing touchdown. This made it a three-point game again. But it did not last long, as Manning would score a 35-yard rushing touchdown to provide some breathing room for the Longhorns.
Embed from Getty ImagesWith time running out, the Aggies had to put something on the board if they were going to keep their undefeated season and place in the SEC Championship game alive. On their next drive, Reed and company made their way down to the Longhorns’ 18-yard line. Here, a massive mistake happens, as Reed’s pass was intercepted by Michael Taaffe. This play essentially sealed the win.
The number 16-ranked Texas Longhorns had defeated the number three-ranked Texas A&M Aggies 27-17.
This defeat ended the Aggies’ undefeated season, and with it, they lost their chance to play in the conference championship game. The defeat will also add another year to the last time the Aggies defeated the Longhorns. A CFP spot is guaranteed for the Aggies as an 11-7 record is more than enough. The Longhorns end the regular season with a 9-3 record, and should be in the playoff conversation, especially as two of those losses came against top-five-ranked teams.
What Happened to the Other Ranked Teams?
#2 Indiana @ Purdue
The number two-ranked Indiana Hoosiers faced the Purdue Boilermakers to end the regular season. This game went as expected. Indiana dominated their rivals to record a 56-3 win, keeping their undefeated season alive and securing a spot in the Big Ten Championship game next week against Ohio State.
#4 Georgia @ #23 Georgia Tech
The number four-ranked Georgia Bulldogs faced rivals, the number 23-ranked Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets. In a low-scoring fair, the Bulldogs shut down Haynes King and recorded a 16-9 win over their rivals. This win puts them into the SEC Championship game.
#5 Texas Tech @ West Virginia
The number five-ranked Texas Tech Red Raiders sealed their spot in the Big 12 Conference championship game this week with an easy win over the West Virginia Mountaineers. Tech QB Behren Morton threw for 310 yards and three touchdowns in their 49-0 win.
Embed from Getty Images#6 Oregon @ Washington
We had Pac-12 football in the Big Ten this week as the No. 6-ranked Oregon Ducks faced the Washington Huskies. Ducks QB Dante Moore threw for 286 in their 26-14 win over their rivals. This win seals a playoff spot for the Ducks, who could very much play spoiler in the bracket.
#7 Ole Miss @ Mississippi
In the “Battle for the Golden Egg”, the number seven-ranked Ole Miss Rebels faced the Mississippi State Bulldogs. Rebels QB Trinidad Chambliss threw for four touchdowns in the Rebels’ 38-19 win, to seal both the Golden Egg and a playoff spot. However, it is not all good news for the Rebels, as reports state that coach Lane Kiffin is heading to LSU.
LSU @ #8 Oklahoma
The number eight-ranked Oklahoma Sooners strengthened their CFP status against the LSU Tigers. A late 58-yard touchdown from John Mateer gave the Sooners a 17-13 win over the Tigers.
#9 Notre Dame @ Stanford
The number nine-ranked Notre Dame Fighting Irish faced the Stanford Cardinal to end their season. Notre Dame recorded a 49-20 win to end with a 10-2 record. They are making the playoffs, which makes predicting those who play conference football a little bit harder.
#10 Alabama @ Auburn
The number 10-ranked Alabama Crimson Tide faced rivals Auburn in the Iron Bowl to end their regular season. A late touchdown for Bama gave them a 27-20 win, which seals their spot in the SEC Championship game.
UCF @ #11 BYU
The number 11-ranked BYU Cougars sealed their spot in the Big 12 Championship game with a win over the UCF Knights to end the season. Bear Bachmeier threw for 289 yards and one touchdown in the 41-21 win. Could a Natty be coming to Mormon Country?
#12 Miami @ #22 Pittsburgh
The number 12-ranked Miami Hurricanes faced the number 22-ranked Pittsburgh Steelers this week, with a spot in the ACC Conference championship game up for grabs. Carson Beck threw three touchdowns in the 38-7 win for the Hurricanes. But, it was not enough to make the championship game, but they could make the playoffs.
Embed from Getty Images#13 Utah @ Kansas
The number 13-ranked Utah Utes faced the Kansas Jayhawks with a slim chance to make the Big 12 championship game. Utes QB Devon Dampier threw for three touchdowns in their 31-21 win over the Jayhawks, but missed out on the conference championship game, and potentially the CFP.
#14 Vanderbilt @ #19 Tennessee
The number 14-ranked Vanderbilt Commodores’ strong season came to an end (potentially) this week against the number 19-ranked Tennessee Volunteers. Diego Pavia threw for 268 yards and two touchdowns in the 45-24 win for Vandy. Unfortunately, I do not think they will make the playoffs, considering one of their losses came against Texas, and if Texas is not getting in, Vandy shouldn’t either. I hope I’m wrong.
UCLA @ #17 USC
With nothing to play for, the number 17-ranked USC Trojans faced the UCLA Bruins. Jordan Maiava threw for two touchdowns and 257 yards in the 29-10 win.
Virginia Tech @ #18 Virginia
The number 18-ranked Virginia Cavaliers faced rivals the Virginia Tech Hokies with a spot in the ACC Championship game on the line. The Cavs won the game 27-7 to get into the game next week. Their opponents? The 7-5 Duke Blue Devils (ACC still uses a division system, and Duke won their division)
#25 Arizona @ #20 Arizona State
The number 20-ranked Arizona State Sun Devils faced the number 25-ranked Arizona Wildcats this week, with little to play for for both teams. The Wildcats recorded five turnovers in their 23-7 win.
#21 SMU @ California
The 21-ranked SMU Mustangs faced the California Golden Bears ( not a rivalry game, but in the ACC, who else do they have?) to end the season. A late Kendrick Raphael touchdown gave the Golden Bears a 38-25 win.
Embed from Getty ImagesCharlotte @ #24 Tulane
The number 24-ranked Tulane Green Wave is the strongest Group of Five team, and are likely to make the CFP because of that (another element that makes predicting the bracket slightly more complicated than it needs to be). Tulane sealed its spot in the American Conference championship game with a 27-0 win over the Charlotte 49ers.
That is the end of the 2025 College Football regular season. Next week is championship week, where the following teams will meet for their respective conferences (and for some, an automatic bye in the first round of the CFP):
SEC: Georgia vs Alabama
Big Ten: Indiana vs Ohio State
ACC: Duke vs Virginia
Big 12: BYU vs Texas Tech
American: North Texas vs Tulane