Week 13 brought absolute turmoil in the SEC, as three top title contenders—Alabama, Ole Miss, and Texas A&M—suffered losses that likely ended their aspirations for the College Football Playoff. At the same time, Indiana faced a significant challenge against Ohio State, but with only one loss and the shake-up in the SEC, it still stands a good chance of making the playoff field. This unexpected turn of events also benefited Tennessee, which has improved its prospects of joining the playoff race as the fourth SEC representative.
A breakdown of teams with odds of +4000 or better reveals the following:
Ohio State earned an A+ for its impressive performance against Indiana, winning decisively 59-21. Despite allowing a touchdown on Indiana’s opening drive, the Buckeyes’ defense stifled the Hoosiers afterward, allowing just 81 offensive yards for the rest of the game.
Georgia received a B- for its blowout victory over UMass, although giving up 21 points and 351 yards raised eyebrows, particularly against a 2-9 team that had just fired its coach. Carson Beck’s continued improvement is a silver lining, as he threw for four touchdowns and 297 yards.
Texas earned an A- after using a lengthy touchdown drive to crush Kentucky’s hopes, nursing a 10-point lead in the fourth quarter. The defense performed admirably, yielding only one touchdown and 232 total yards, helping the Longhorns inch closer to their potential.
Another standout was Notre Dame, which received an A for its dominating 49-14 win over Army. The offense was prolific, highlighted by running back Jeremiyah Love’s three touchdowns. The defense was equally strong, holding Army to a season-low 233 yards.
In contrast, Penn State received a disappointing D. Despite narrowly defeating Minnesota 26-25, the Nittany Lions’ performance raised doubts about their status in the rankings, as they struggled against a mediocre opponent.
Tennessee also made a positive impression with a B+ grade. After an early struggle against UTEP, quarterback Nico Iamaleava found his rhythm, contributing four touchdowns to an eventual 56-0 victory. The Vols stand in a favorable position for the playoffs, especially in light of their SEC rivals’ losses.
Miami earned a B after a solid 42-14 win over Wake Forest, although the game wasn’t as comfortable as the score suggests. Despite this, the Hurricanes accrued over 500 yards of offense, a positive takeaway for the playoff selection committee ahead of their impending ACC title game.
Finally, SMU received an A- for clinching an ACC Championship spot with a commanding 33-7 victory over Virginia. Quarterback Kevin Jennings had a standout performance, signaling SMU’s growth as a legitimate playoff contender.
The chaos of Week 13 has set the stage for a thrilling conclusion to the college football season. With several teams still vying for top playoff spots, fans can anticipate an exciting finale as the contenders battle for their place in history.
Overall, the shifting dynamics in the rankings remind us that anything can happen in college football. Whether it’s through impressive victories or unexpected upsets, there’s still hope for teams aspiring to reach the playoff, proving that resilience and determination often lead to success on the field.