Our Week 13 preview and picks for the 2025 CFB season come at a time when we still don’t know much about the College Football Playoff.
Yes, we know the latest rankings, which were released on Tuesday, November 18. We also know the teams suspected to be in the field, if the season were to end today. The problem with that is that the season does not end today, and there is still a lot of uncertainty around which teams will get into the field of 12.
Sure, there is a lack of uncertainty around a few particular teams. Ohio State appears to be a lock for the playoff, as do teams like Indiana, Texas A&M, and Georgia. The first three of those teams are undefeated, while Georgia has one loss, but will contend for the SEC title. However, after that, one loss could heavily compromise or even wreck your season.
It must be an exciting time for those teams hoping to get into the playoff. It may also want to make their fans stock up on adult beverages – either way.
CFB Week 13 Preview: Who’s In For Now?
This week, Bracket Yard projected a field of the following:
Ohio State (Big Ten champ)
Indiana (At-large)
Texas A&M (SEC champ)
Georgia (At-large)
Texas Tech (Big 12 champ)
Ole Miss (At-large)
Oregon (At-large)
Oklahoma (At-large)
Notre Dame (At-large)
Alabama (At-large)
Georgia Tech (ACC champ)
Tulane (Group of Five top champ)
The more official projections from other media sources have Miami in the ACC slot as they are the highest-ranked ACC team. However, the Hurricanes are in 5th place in the ACC standings, and would not make the conference title game. They need help to get there, and without that ACC title, they are likely not a playoff team. Georgia Tech is in first place and only a few spots behind Miami in the rankings.
Notre Dame may not do better than ninth or so. Keep in mind, there will be at least three, perhaps four conference champions which jump them in the CFP rankings. The Irish do not play in a conference championship game, so their resume will lack that compared to some other teams. Furthermore, they do not have difficult games in their final two weeks. This is also a peril for Notre Dame: Surging teams below them in the standings could knock them out, even if the Irish win out and go 10-2.
Most Consequential Games of the Week
Probably not Alabama vs. Eastern Illinois, that much we know. Although, if the Tide somehow loses that game, their CFP chances are absolutely over.
We will keep an eye on USC at Oregon, our game of the week. USC is inching closer to playoff position, but need one more signature win to make things very interesting. Meanwhile, even though things have gone well to this point, Oregon might have trouble sustaining a loss here. It would be their second, which is not necessarily problematic, but their best win this season might be Iowa. Not a bad one, but far from elite.
Missouri at Oklahoma also looks interesting. The Sooners just beat Alabama last week to jump into the top 12, but that can all be undone with a loss here. In fact, with a third loss, it seems certain that Oklahoma would be done if they lose to Mizzou at home. Unfortunately for the Tigers, they aren’t playing for anything aside from a good bowl game, but they can take a step towards that here.
CFB Week 13 Preview: Picks
Our picks are straight-up and against-the-spread. Before consulting our picks, please familiarize yourself with Bracket Yard’s disclosures.
