College Football Picks for Every Top-25 Game: Week 13 Best Bets & Score Predictions

🔮 Score prediction: Ohio State 45, Rutgers 10

It's not unfathomable to think that Ohio State may already be thinking about The Game next week, which could lead to a slow start against a feisty Rutgers team. However, even when the Buckeyes don't bring their best, they've consistently beaten the Big 10 bottom feeders by three-plus scores, which is why they're overhwelming favorites by the college football national championship odds.

With Julian Sayin playing more efficiently than any QB in the country, Jeremiah Smith making jaw-dropping plays, and a dominant defense, the Scarlet Knights should get blown out in Columbus, despite having legit playmakers like Antwan Raymond, Ian Strong, and KJ Duff.

🔮 Score prediction: Texas A&M 62, Samford 3

Texas A&M is coming off its biggest comeback in school history against South Carolina. The second-half momentum from that game, where Mike Elko's defense looked transformed and Marcel Reed woke up, should continue into this matchup with Samford. This is essentially a bye for the Aggies ahead of the Lone Star Showdown on Black Friday with Texas. The Bulldogs are just 1-10 at the FCS level, and their one win came against a VMI team that's also 1-10.

🔮 Score prediction: Oklahoma 23, Missouri 17

Though Oklahoma is in the driver's seat to earn a spot in the College Football Playoff thanks to a resume that includes wins over Michigan, Texas, Tennessee, and Alabama, the Sooners can't afford a third loss. Could Brent Venables' team be dealing with somewhat of hangover after last week's win over the Crimson Tide when it plays Missouri? Could the Tigers pull off an upset if Beau Pribula is healthy enough to play?

Ultimately, I think the Sooners come out on top thanks to a ferocious defense that's one of the five best in the sport. But John Mateer continues to struggle, and Missouri's front seven is no joke. This is going to be a defensive fist fight, and the Tigers have the best offensive player taking the field in this top 25 showdown, running back Ahmad Hardy.

🔮 Score prediction: Miami 38, Virginia Tech 10

This game is not short on storylines, even if it will be short on competitiveness. For starters, Virginia Tech fans can revel in the fact that their program just made one of the best hires in an already crazy coaching cycle by bringing in James Franklin. That alone should help distract from the fact that they're not going to stand a chance against a Miami team that's already checked the box on Mario Cristobal's annual head-scratching losses.

The Hurricanes are also in this strange spot where they have next to no chance at playing in the ACC Championship, but the CFP selection committee keeps ranking them highest among ACC teams. So Miami continues to appear as the ACC automatic qualifier during bracket reveals, but to actually get in, they'll need to earn an at-large bid, hence their College Football Playoff odds. To do that, Carson Beck, Malachi Toney, Rueben Bain Jr., and Co. will need to continue lighting up bad ACC programs like Virginia Tech.

🔮 Score prediction: Georgia 52, Charlotte 3

Not quite on the same "SoCon Saturday" level of nefarious scheduling as what other SEC programs are doing this week, but Georgia can sleepwalk through this game and win by 40 ahead of "Clean, Old-Fashioned Hate" on Black Friday. Charlotte is 1-9 in Tim Albin's first season after leaving Ohio for the 49ers, and there have been very few bright moments, so don't expect them to put up a fight with how well Kirby Smart's team is playing. If Gunner Stockton pads his stats enough in this one, he could even jump up the Heisman Trophy odds. 

🔮 Score prediction: Alabama 55, Eastern Illinois 3

No SEC team needs the breather of playing an FCS opponent like Alabama, after the Crimson Tide were upset by Oklahoma last week. This can build Kalen DeBoer's team's confidence back up ahead of the Iron Bowl, with a win over Auburn set to put Alabama into the CFP. This matchup should also help Ty Simpson get back into a rhythm after the favorite to go No. 1, according to the  2026 NFL Draft odds, had his most sporadic game of the season since Week 1 (Florida State) against the Sooners.

🔮 Score prediction: Oregon 34, USC 24

Everyone was so focused on Ohio State, Indiana, Oregon, and Penn State that we forgot to stop and consider the possibility of a 10-win USC making the College Football Playoff. Thanks to the Trojans beating Iowa in the rain last week, something I never thought a Lincoln Riley team would be capable of, this is essentially a CFP play-in game. Winner of this old Pac-12 rivalry is in (assuming they don't choke next week).

While Jayden Maiava and Makai Lemon have helped reignite USC this season, the Trojans' defense will be its downfall against Oregon. Dante Moore is playing like a top 10 pick, tight end Kenyon Sadiq is a mismatch nightmare, and Dan Lanning's team has a half dozen productive running backs. As long as the Ducks' defense continues to play like one of the best in the country, I just don't see USC keeping this very close at Autzen Stadium. 

🔮 Score prediction: Notre Dame 45, Syracuse 9

Any chance of Syracuse being a tough out again this season died when Fran Brown lost his QB1, Notre Dame transfer Steve Angeli, to a season-ending injury. Since losing Angeli to said injury in the upset over Clemson, the Orange have lost six straight games by double digits. So don't expect Marcus Freeman's team to struggle at home with the way CJ Carr and Jeremiyah Love have turned the Fighting Irish into an offensive juggernaut. 

🔮 Score prediction: Vanderbilt 33, Kentucky 20

It used to be that these two teams were the worst in the SEC, and then Kentucky got competent under Mark Stoops thanks to mobile QBs, physical trench play, and a sound defense. Now that describes Clark Lea's team at Vanderbilt. The Commodores shouldn't have much trouble against a Wildcats program that just hasn't been nearly as competitive the last few years under Stoops. The biggest storyline here is whether or not Diego Pavia continues to stuff the box score enough to earn an invite to the Heisman Trophy ceremony. 

🔮 Score prediction: Texas 40, Arkansas 27

This used to be a major rivalry, but even then, Arkansas rarely won it. And while these two teams are playing back-to-back seasons for the first time since 1990 and 1991, thanks to Texas's move to the SEC, don't expect the Longhorns to trip up. The Razorbacks have lost eight games in a row and have gone 0-6 under interim head coach Bobby Petrino. Even with an explosive offense led by dynamic QB Taylen Green, Arkansas doesn't stand much of a chance due to its defense.

Arch Manning should have a nice bounce-back game against the hogs, and light social media ablaze over his potential. There's going to be a lot of hype around Manning ahead of the Lone Star Showdown against Texas A&M next week.

🔮 Score prediction: Tulane 27, Temple 24

Given the weaker slate in Week 13, this is one of the best, and potentially most important, games on Saturday. Tulane is the only Group of Six program ranked currently, and if it wins out, it will be in the College Football Playoff. However, Green Wave head coach Jon Sumrall hasn't been that impressed by his team. "There must be a lot of bad football going on if we're one of the top 25 teams," Sumrall said earlier this week.

Well, Tulane could be in trouble if it doesn't bring its best to Lincoln Financial Field on Saturday. K.C. Keeler has worked his magic once again, turning around yet another program, with Temple one win away from going bowling for the first time since 2019. The Owls have some real talent on offense, like Evan Simon, Jay Ducker, and Peter Clarke. If the Green Wave lose, they'll likely miss the American Conference Championship.

🔮 Score prediction: Utah 33, Kansas State 13

Kansas State's disappointing season doesn't look like it will turn around anytime soon after the Wildcats barely beat a brutal Oklahoma State program, 14-6, last week. If Avery Johnson and Co. could only score 14 on the Pokes, they're going to have a lot more trouble against John Henry Daley and this Utah defense. 

It won't be any easier for Kansas State's defense, with Utah's run game taking it up a notch behind a head-smashing O-line the last few weeks. Led by offensive tackles Spencer Fano and Caleb Lomu, Utah's been running wild. Devon Dampier, Wayshawn Parker, and really anybody who touches the ball has had success. The Utes have been routinely running for 200-plus yards.

🔮 Score prediction: Michigan 30, Maryland 20

The selling point of this matchup is that it's a battle of two of the best true freshman QBs in the country, Bryce Underwood and Malik Washington. But this game will likely come down to which defense plays better, and it's hard to outplay the Wolverines' defense with how special Derrick Moore has been this season. Yet, Michigan has struggled to pull away against lesser Big Ten teams lately, and head coach Sherrone Moore could be more concerned with a win-and-in scenario against Ohio State in The Game next Saturday.

🔮 Score prediction: Houston 29, TCU 27

One of these teams has vastly overachieved (Houston) while the other has vastly underachieved (TCU). The Cougars have been almost as good as their basketball program, with Willie Fritz just two wins away from a 10-win season. That's due to several transfers on both offense (Conner Weigman, Dean Connors, Tannser Koziol) and defense (Eddie Walls III, Khalil Laufau, Jordan Allen). Meanwhile, TCU has been a major disappointment, with some fans even calling for Sonny Dykes' job with the Horned Frogs just 6-4. A win in Houston seems like too tall a task for TCU.

🔮 Score prediction: Georgia Tech 30, Pittsburgh 29

The ACC is a complete mess, so I wouldn't put it past Georgia Tech to get upset again and blow its chance at playing for the conference championship. The Yellow Jackets looked like the obvious ACC champ after Miami lost to Louisville, but in Georgia Tech's last two games it was upset by NC State and needed a comeback to beat horrendous Boston College team. While I do think Brent Key's team gets the win, it won't be easy against Pitt.

The Panthers have one of the best linebacker duos in the country leading one of the better ACC defenses, and freshman QB Mason Heintschel has transformed the Panthers' offense alongside offensive coordinator Kade Bell. This should be one of the most competitive games on Saturday.

🔮 Score prediction: Tennessee 33, Florida 24

It's been a down year for Tennessee, and a downright no-good, awful year for Florida. But the Gators can take solace in the fact that this season is almost over and they'll soon have a highly paid new head coach ... and maybe it will even be Lane Kiffin. While there's a world where the Gators could make this competitive, like they did against Georgia and Ole Miss, I think the dead cat bounce under interim Billy Gonzales doesn't have much springiness left to it.

Josh Heupel's team has shredded lesser opponents all season and I don't see this Florida team being any different. Joey Aguilar, Chris Brazzell II, and DeSean Bishop are too talented to not get a decisive win.

🔮 Score prediction: Illinois 23, Wisconsin 16

The least impressive-ranked team in the country might be Illinois. The Fighting Illini came into the year being talked about as a College Football Playoff contender, and was even being tagged as this year's Indiana. Then, the Hoosiers beat them by 53. While Illinois did beat USC, that's been its only relevant win, with double-digit point losses to Ohio State and Washington on its resume.

With Wisconsin playing a little more inspired lately, and Luke Fickell set to be back, I think the Badgers' defense can muck this game up at Camp Randall. This could be the ugliest game on the slate.

🔮 Score prediction: BYU 27, Cincinnati 24

There's a reason BYU is only a 2.5-point betting favorite at our best college football betting sites ... Cincinnati has a shocking amount of NFL talent. From QB Brendan Sorsby to tight end Joe Royer to linebacker Jake Golday, the Bearcats have dudes. However, they've also gone from an overachiever to an underachiever in the same season, once again raising questions around head coach Scott Satterfield.

With the Bearcats coming off back-to-back losses, losing by 31 to Utah and being upset at home by Arizona, I don't expect them to shock the Cougars. BYU has a formula that works under Kalani Sitake: run the ball and play hard-nosed defense. Freshman QB Bear Bachmeier is also coming off one of his best games of the season.

🔮 Score prediction: Arizona State 30, Colorado 23

Somehow, Kenny Dillingham has weathered the storm at Arizona State. Despite losing Cam Skattebo to the NFL and dealing a rash of injuries this season, the Sun Devils are ranked and winning games with sixth-year senior Jeff Sims at QB. Even if star wide receiver Jordyn Tyson isn't healthy enough for this matchup, Dillingham's offense will hang points on Deion Sanders' struggling defense. The Buffaloes have allowed 44.6 PPG in their last three games. But freshman QB JuJu Lewis is coming off a flashy game and should continue to provide a spark for Coach Prime.