We have two weeks left in the regular season for the 2025 College Football season. In the coming two weeks, the playoff picture will become very clear. But which teams will make the bracket?
Let’s look back at Week 13
Oregon ends USC’s hopes
In what could very much be seen as the game of the week, the number seven-ranked Oregon Ducks faced the number 15-ranked USC Trojans. Both of these teams came into the game with a 6-1 record in the Big Ten, putting them in a good position to make the conference championship game if Ohio State and Indiana slip up. While that may not happen, the win here would keep them in contention.
The Trojans had the first possession of the game and would be able to get the first score of the game from it. Led by quarterback Jaydan Maiava, the Trojans’ offense made its way down to the Ducks’ eight-yard line. Here, Maiava found Makai Lemon for the touchdown pass. But, this lead did not last long. The Ducks were able to immediately respond when Jordan Davidson found the endzone to score an 11-yard rushing touchdown
Embed from Getty ImagesOn their next drive, the Ducks were able to take the lead. Ducks’ quarterback Dante Moore was able to move his team down to the Trojans’ eight-yard line. Here, he found Kenyon Sadiq for the touchdown pass. But, in a similar way to what we saw above, this lead did not last for long. USC would score a touchdown on its next drive to again level the scores.
The Ducks would retake the lead via an 85-yard punt return touchdown. Things would get worse for the Trojans soon after. On their 43-yard line, Maivia threw a deep pass that was intercepted by the Ducks’ defense. This mistake proved costly, as Moore and company were able to use their new possession to move down to the Trojans’ one-yard line. Here, Bryce Boettcher found the endzone for the rushing touchdown to further add to their lead.
This meant that at halftime, the Ducks had a 28-14 lead over the Trojans.
The Trojans needed a good start to the second half if they were going to remain in this game. Unfortunately, this did not come. On their first drive of the half, Maivia threw his second interception of the game. Luckily, the Ducks were unable to do anything with the subsequent possession, with Moore’s pass being intercepted by the Trojans’ defense.
This gain for USC would help them, as the offense was able to make its way down to the Ducks’ four-yard line on the following drive. Here, Maiava found Lemon for the touchdown pass to make it a one-possession game.
This lasted for around three minutes. On the next drive of the game, Moore found Sadiq for a 28-yard touchdown pass to make it a two-possession game going into the final quarter.
Embed from Getty ImagesUSC was able to get itself back within one score in the fourth quarter, with Maiava finding Lake McRee for a nine-yard touchdown pass. However, their two-point conversion attempt failed, keeping the Ducks’ lead at eight points. Oregon added to this on their next drive when Noah Whittington scored a nine-yard rushing touchdown to seal the win.
The number seven-ranked Oregon Ducks had defeated the number 15-ranked USC Trojans 42-27.
This win should be enough to seal a CFP spot for the Ducks, giving them a chance to play for the national championship. They improve to 10-1 (7-1 Big Ten) for the season, and have the possibility of making the conference championship game if either Ohio State or Indiana loses next week. As for USC, they fall to 8-3 (6-2 Big Ten) for the season, and the chances they make the playoffs are slim.
Next week, the Ducks meet the Washington Huskies, while the Trojans play UCLA to end the season.
What Happened to the Other Ranked Teams?
Rutgers @ #1 Ohio State
The number one-ranked Ohio State Buckeyes continued their perfect season (and prepared for “The Game” against Michigan next week) with a win over the Rutgers Scarlet Knights. A two-touchdown performance from Buckeyes quarterback Julian Sayin was enough to give Ohio State a 42-9 win over the Scarlet Knights.
Samford @ #3 Texas A&M
The number three-ranked Texas A&M Aggies had an easy game this week against the one-win Samford Bulldogs. Marcel Reed threw for three touchdowns in the first quarter to give the Aggies a 48-0 win. This keeps their undefeated season alive, but is this a good preparation for the Longhorns next week?
Embed from Getty ImagesCharlotte @ #4 Georgia
Another team that played non-conference opposition this week was the number four-ranked Georgia Bulldogs, who played the Charlotte 49ers. This game went as expected, with Georgia recording a 35-3 win.
#22 Missouri @ #8 Oklahoma
The number eight-ranked Oklahoma Sooners kept their playoff hopes alive against the number 22-ranked Missouri Tigers. In what was a low-scoring game, the Sooners did enough to record a 17-6 win.
Syracuse @ #9 Notre Dame
The number nine-ranked Notre Dame Fighting Irish faced the Syracuse Orange this week. Fighting Irish running back Jeremiyah Love scored three touchdowns in a 70-7 blowout win for Notre Dame. This should be enough to seal their spot in the CFP.
Eastern Illinois @ #10 Alabama
The number 10-ranked Alabama Crimson Tide also faced non-conference opposition this week when they faced the Eastern Illinois Panthers. This was another one-sided affair, with six different players scoring touchdowns as Bama recorded a 56-0 win.
#11 BYU @ Cincinnati
The number 11-ranked BYU Cougars faced the Cincinnati Bearcats this week in their hopes of making the CFP and the Big 12 Championship game. The Cougars were the stronger team throughout this game, recording a 26-14 win.
Kansas State @ #12 Utah
The number 12-ranked Utah Utes played the Kansas State Wildcats. This was a high-scoring game that went down to the wire. A late touchdown scored by Utes QB Devon Dampier gave Utah a 51-47 win. This win should keep them in consideration for the playoffs.
#13 Miami @ Virginia Tech
The number 13-ranked Miami Hurricanes faced the Virginia Tech Hokies this week, who will have former Penn State coach James Franklin in their corner from next season. Carson Beck scored four touchdowns and threw for 320 yards in the ‘Canes’ 34-17 win.
Kentucky @ #14 Vanderbilt
The number 14-ranked Vanderbilt Commodores should be considered as a playoff contender. This week, they faced the Kentucky Wildcats. We saw another strong performance from Diego Pavia, who threw for 484 yards and five touchdowns in Vandy’s 45-17 win.
Embed from Getty ImagesPittsburgh @ #16 Georgia Tech
The playoff hopes for the number 16-ranked Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets are on the ropes, and they needed a win against the Pittsburgh Panthers this week. Unfortunately, this win did not happen. Pitt was able to record a 42-28 win, making it a three-way tie at the top of the ACC.
Arkansas @ #17 Texas
The number 17-ranked Texas Longhorns faced historic rivals, the Arkansas Razorbacks, this week. This was an impressive performance from Arch Manning, who threw for 389 yards and four touchdowns in the Longhorns’ 52-37 win. There is still a slim chance that the Longhorns could make the playoffs. A win next week is essential for this to happen.
Embed from Getty Images#18 Michigan @ Maryland
The number 18-ranked Michigan Wolverines will prepare for Ohio State next week with a game against the Maryland Terrapins. The Wolverines won this game 45-20, and now have a 9-2 record for the season, putting them into playoff contention going into The Game next week.
#20 Tennessee @ Florida
The number 20-ranked Tennessee Volunteers were playing for pride against the Florida Gators this week. This was a dominant affair, with the Volunteers having a 31-0 lead at the half. Not much happened in the second, as Tennessee recorded a 31-11 win over the Gators.
#21 Illinois @ Wisconsin
This has not been the best season for the Wisconsin Badgers, and they have struggled throughout. This week, they faced the number 21-ranked Illinois Fighting Illini in a game that many thought would only have one winner. Except, the Badgers were able to record a 27-10 upset, with the team recording 44 rushing attempts.
TCU @ #23 Houston
The number 23-ranked Houston Cougars faced the TCU Horned Frogs in what was, on paper, a very close game. In reality, this game was a close one. A fourth-quarter field goal from Nate McCashland gave the Horned Frogs a 17-14 win over their ranked opponents.
#24 Tulane @ Temple
It is normal at this time of the year to see Tulane in the top 25. This week, the 24th-ranked Green Wave faced the Temple Owls. Former BYU quarterback Jeff Retzlaff had another strong game, throwing for 231 yards and two touchdowns in Tulane’s 37-13 win.
#25 Arizona State @ Colorado
The number 25-ranked Arizona State Sun Devils faced the Colorado Buffaloes this week. Running back Raleek Brown recorded 255 yards in the Sun Devils’ 42-17 win over the struggling Buffaloes.
That was a look back at week 13 of the 2025 College Football season. Next week is the final week of the regular season and is rivalry week. We have “The Game” between Ohio State and Michigan, the Iron Bowl between Alabama and Auburn, and Texas A&M faces the Texas Longhorns.