Wow what a week in College Football! You had some big time moments that will define this season for a long time, and that’s just for the coaching changes, the games were outstanding and continued the trend of chaos that is happening this year.
Here are my final words on College Football week thirteen.
Jim Harbaugh And Michigan Finally Beat Ohio State
The Michigan Wolverines clinched the Big Ten East and a spot in the Big Ten title game next weekend with a huge win over the Ohio State Buckeyes on Saturday in Ann Arbor.
Michigan would defeat Ohio State for the first time in 3,654 hard and trampled days in their monster rivalry, and as the closing minutes drained toward the 42-27 final, the majority of the 111,156 in the biting cold and spitting snow looked uncommonly ready for the next 364 days.
The Wolverines controlled much of the game at the Big House, in the snow, Michigan took a 15-point lead in the second half. Ohio State made it close in the fourth quarter but Michigan was able to close the Buckeyes on the ground.
Wolverines running back Hassan Haskins scored five touchdowns and ran for 169 yards. Blake Corum returned from an ankle injury, adding 87 yards. Aiden Hutchinson had three sacks.
Michigan improves to 11-1 on the season, with the team’s only loss coming vs. the Spartans. The Big Ten Championship is on Dec. 4 in Indianapolis. Michigan will face Iowa for the title.
Observations From College Football Week Thirteen
Licoln Riley Leaves The Sooners For The Trojans
- In a surprising move, Licoln Riley left Oklahoma after their loss to Oklahoma State, to take on a new opportunity at USC. This move is already having ripple effects with multiple recruits de-committing from Oklahoma already and planning to check out USC. This could set up USC back to one of the elite teams and push Oklahoma down a peg or two before they have to join the SEC.
Florida Found Their Man
- After a short search, Florida has hired Billy Napier from Lousiana to be their next head coach. He has been waiting for the right opportunity after three 10+ win seasons, and this should be a good match for him.
Alabama Squeked Out Another Win
- Losing 10-3 late in the fourth quarter, it seemed like Alabama would be taken out of the playoff picture, but a crazy comeback forced overtime, and they found a way to win another close one. But I’m not sure they deserve to make the playoffs now if they lose to Georgia. This close win to another bad team is not a good look. They squeaked by Auburn, LSU, and Florida. And their loss to Texas A&M continues to look worse and worse.
Oklahoma State Finally Overcame Their Demons in Bedlam
- Oklahoma State’s defense held Oklahoma’s offense scoreless in the second half of 37-33 Bedlam win. Even though they did have to overcome a safety and a muffed punt, they finally got the big victory here.
Poor Nebraska
- Nebraska went 1-8 in Big Ten play with a point differential of zero. The Huskers’ 28-21 loss to Iowa was their eighth one-possession loss of the year, an FBS record. Nebraska lost seven Big Ten games by one possession and one by nine points, and it beat Northwestern by 49 points. In total, it scored 239 points in Big Ten play and gave up 239.
Georgia’s Defense Is Dominant
- Georgia’s defense allowed 69 points in 12 regular-season games, an average of 5.75 points per game. Two of the nine touchdowns scored against Georgia were returns by opposing defenses. In total, the Bulldogs have given up 83 points, the fewest through 12 games since 1986. They won big again on Saturday against their rival Georgia Tech, 45-0, which is their third shutout of the year.
Notre Dame Just Keeps Chugging A Long
- Since a 44-34 win against North Carolina, the Fighting Irish allowed six points to Navy, three to Virginia and none to Georgia Tech. On Saturday, Stanford scored touchdowns in the third and fourth quarters. It didn’t mean much, as Notre Dame won 45-14.
Cincinnati Is In A Groove
- Cincinnati after struggling for a few weeks, is back into a groove, beating East Carolina 35-13. They have one more game left against Houston, if they win that they should be in the playoff.
Oklahoma And Iowa State – Not Great
- Oklahoma and Iowa State combined for nine fumbles. Only one was recovered by the other team, and it was an Iowa State fumble returned for an Oklahoma touchdown late in the first half. Iowa State had six fumbles, and Oklahoma had three. Iowa State had allowed 12 sacks entering Saturday, but it gave up seven to Oklahoma.
My Prediction Record After College Football Week Thirteen
- Last week: 18-5
- Overall: 180-61
- Upset Picks Overall: 4-9
Another decent week of picks, predicted a couple of upsets that didn’t happen or I may have been more spot on in my percentage.
Here is to next week.
My Personal College Football Top 10 (And Playoff Predictions)
After week thirteen, here is who I have in my College Football top 10:
- Georgia
- Michigan
- Cincinnati
- Notre Dame
- Alabama
- Oklahoma State
- Baylor
- Ole MIss
- Ohio State
- Iowa
Here are my predictions for the College Football playoffs:
- Georgia
- Michigan
- Notre Dame
- Oklahoma State
My Heisman Predictions After Week Thirteen
- Bryce Young
- C.J. Stroud
- Kenneth Walker
- Sam Hartman
Looking Ahead To College Football Championship Week
Here are your biggest games for the upcoming Championship Week:
- Michigan vs. Iowa
- Georgia vs. Alabama
- Cincinnati vs. Houston
- Oklahoma State vs. Baylor
- Oregon vs. Utah
- Wake Forest vs. Pitt
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