Week 13 of the 2024 college football season brought with it a whirlwind of excitement and surprises that could reshape the playoff picture. With No. 1 Oregon taking a breather, the spotlight turned to several key matchups that had fans on the edge of their seats.
Ohio State makes a statement
In Columbus, Ohio, the second-ranked Buckeyes faced off against the fifth-ranked Indiana Hoosiers, who entered the game with an impressive undefeated record. The atmosphere was electric as the Hoosiers struck first, but Ohio State quickly asserted its dominance. The Buckeyes showcased their offensive prowess, ultimately cruising to a resounding 38-15 victory. This win not only solidified Ohio State’s position in the rankings but also sent a clear message to the rest of the college football world.
Top teams hold their ground
While Ohio State was busy making headlines, other top-tier teams were also in action. No. 3 Texas took care of business at home, defeating unranked Kentucky by a comfortable 17 points. Meanwhile, No. 4 Penn State faced a nail-biter against Minnesota, managing to escape with a narrow one-point victory. These results helped maintain the status quo among the top five teams, but the chaos was just beginning.
Chaos beyond the top five
The day was far from predictable as several ranked teams faced unexpected challenges. At Yankee Stadium, No. 6 Notre Dame delivered a crushing blow to No. 19 Army, handing the Black Knights their first loss of the season. This defeat likely dashed Army’s hopes of a surprise playoff run, leaving fans in disbelief.
In stark contrast, No. 7 Alabama found itself in a tough spot, managing to score only three points in a disheartening 21-point loss to unranked Oklahoma. The Crimson Tide, once a powerhouse, are now left questioning their path forward.
No. 9 Ole Miss also struggled on the road, falling to unranked Florida by a touchdown. The woes didn’t stop there; No. 14 BYU lost to No. 21 Arizona State, No. 15 Texas A&M suffered an overtime defeat to unranked Auburn, and No. 16 Colorado was taken down by unranked Kansas. It was a tough day for many ranked teams, and the implications for the playoff picture were significant.
The shifting landscape of rankings
With just one week left in the regular season, the college football landscape is set for major changes. The results from Week 13 will undoubtedly shake up the Coaches and AP Top 25 polls. Fans are eagerly anticipating how the rankings will reflect the chaos that unfolded on Saturday.
Coaches poll for Week 14
As we look ahead to Week 14, here’s how the Coaches poll stands:
Coaches poll
| Rank | Team | Record | Points (No. 1 votes) |
| 1. | Oregon | 11-0 | 1,375 (55) |
| 2. | Ohio State | 10-1 | 1,318 |
| 3. | Texas | 10-1 | 1,267 |
| 4. | Penn State | 10-1 | 1,175 |
| 5. | Notre Dame | 10-1 | 1,150 |
| 6. | Georgia | 9-2 | 1,103 |
| 7. | Miami (FL) | 10-1 | 1,023 |
| 8. | Tennessee | 9-2 | 972 |
| 9. | SMU | 10-1 | 917 |
| 10. | Indiana | 10-1 | 867 |
| 11. | Boise State | 10-1 | 838 |
| 12. | Clemson | 9-2 | 780 |
| 13. | Alabama | 8-3 | 621 |
| 14. | South Carolina | 8-3 | 596 |
| 15. | Arizona State | 9-2 | 592 |
| 16. | Ole Miss | 8-3 | 569 |
| 17. | Iowa State | 9-2 | 473 |
| 18. | Tulane | 9-2 | 434 |
| 19. | Texas A&M | 8-3 | 357 |
| 20. | BYU | 9-2 | 329 |
| 21. | UNLV | 9-2 | 205 |
| 22. | Army | 9-1 | 165 |
| 23. | Memphis | 9-2 | 151 |
| 24. | Missouri | 8-3 | 148 |
| 25. | Illinois | 8-3 | 132 |
AP Top 25 rankings
The AP Top 25 also reflects the shifting dynamics of the season:
AP Top 25
| Rank | Team | Record | Points (No. 1 votes) |
| 1. | Oregon | 11-0 | 1,525 (61) |
| 2. | Ohio State | 10-1 | 1,463 |
| 3. | Texas | 10-1 | 1,463 |
| 4. | Penn State | 10-1 | 1,301 |
| 5. | Notre Dame | 10-1 | 1,278 |
| 6. | Georgia | 6-2 | 1,242 |
| 7. | Tennessee | 9-2 | 1,110 |
| 8. | Miami (FL) | 10-1 | 1,096 |
| 9. | SMU | 10-1 | 1,001 |
| 10. | Indiana | 10-1 | 998 |
| 11. | Boise State | 10-1 | 984 |
| 12. | Clemson | 9-2 | 789 |
| 13. | Alabama | 8-3 | 739 |
| 14. | Arizona State | 9-2 | 727 |
| 15. | Ole Miss | 8-3 | 661 |
| 16. | South Carolina | 8-3 | 639 |
| 17. | Iowa State | 9-2 | 498 |
| 18. | Tulane | 9-2 | 446 |
| 19. | BYU | 9-2 | 445 |
| 20. | Texas A&M | 8-3 | 399 |
| 21. | UNLV | 9-2 | 231 |
| 22. | Illinois | 8-3 | 188 |
| 23. | Colorado | 8-3 | 161 |
| 24. | Missouri | 8-3 | 142 |
| 25. | Army | 9-1 | 133 |
As we gear up for the final week of regular season action, the anticipation is palpable. Who will rise, who will fall, and what surprises await us? The college football world is buzzing, and fans are ready for the thrilling conclusion to the season!
