The race to the College Football Playoff is officially on, as the 2025 college football regular season is beginning to draw to a close. Week 12 of the season was one of the best yet, with important victories by the likes of Oklahoma, Georgia, Notre Dame, USC and Navy serving as the latest wrinkles in a season that’s been spectacular so far.
Week 13 of the season may not have the same number of high-drama matchups as last week, but there are plenty of important games to be keeping your eyes on this Saturday. While the Sooners will once again be playing a crucial game, one that will certainly be what we are focusing on, there are pivotal games to the CFP race sprinkled throughout a busy slate.
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While the playoff isn’t the only important thing about this portion of the college football season, there are plenty of teams that believe they still have a good shot to get into the final 12 teams in the bracket. Here are the top five college football games to watch in Week 13.
1. USC at Oregon, 2:30 p.m. CT
Nov 11, 2023; Eugene, Oregon, USA; USC Trojans defensive lineman Jack Sullivan (99) tackles Oregon Ducks running back Jordan James (20) during the second half at Autzen Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Troy Wayrynen-USA TODAY Sports
USC and Oregon will meet in one of the most important Big Ten games of the entire season, in an old rivalry matchup from the Pac-12 days. The two programs used to compete for just about everything on the West Coast, and when they were both peaking at the same time, it was really fun football.
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While neither team looks likely to make the Big Ten title game, this game still has massive implications. Lincoln Riley and the Trojans could vault into the CFP with a win, while Dan Lanning and the Ducks could start securing a first-round home game if they emerge victorious. The Big Ten hasn’t had many heavyweight fights in 2025, but they might get one on Saturday in Eugene.
2. Missouri at Oklahoma, 11:00 a.m. CT
Nov 9, 2024; Columbia, Missouri, USA; Missouri Tigers quarterback Drew Pyne (6) runs the ball against Oklahoma Sooners defensive lineman Ethan Downs (40) and Oklahoma Sooners linebacker Dasan McCullough (1) during the first half at Faurot Field at Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jay Biggerstaff-Imagn Images
The Tigers and the Sooners face off in the SEC game of the day, with a highlight matchup between old Big 12 league opponents. Missouri is out of the CFP race, but they’re still gunning for a high-end bowl game, and they’ve had a really good season again under Eliah Drinkwitz. Mizzou can get to nine wins if they win out.
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Oklahoma has punched their way into the CFP bracket, but they’ll need to win out to stay there. One loss would knock Brent Venables and OU out of the top 12, but they’ve shown remarkable resiliency in November. Another week, another game in the spotlight against a really good team for the Sooners, and it’ll be a big test against the Tigers in Norman.
3. Pittsburgh at Georgia Tech, 6:00 p.m. CT
Oct 1, 2022; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Pittsburgh Panthers offensive lineman Matt Goncalves (76) blocks at the line of scrimmage against Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets defensive lineman Kyle Kennard (9) during the second quarter at Acrisure Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports
Pittsburgh and Georgia Tech are two of the four teams in the ACC with one conference loss at this point in the year. With two weeks remaining, someone has to win that league, and whoever does will find themselves in the playoff. The Panthers are coming off of a bad loss to Notre Dame, but they’re still firmly in the mix to make the conference title game under Pat Narduzzi.
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The Yellow Jackets came back to beat woeful Boston College last week, and they’re the second-highest ranked team in the ACC after the latest CFP rankings. Brent Key’s team started the year hot, but they’ve been stumbling as of late. There are no great teams in the ACC, but the winner of this game can take a big step toward punching a ticket to the league title game and helping to eliminate the loser.
4. BYU at Cincinnati, 7:00 p.m. CT
STILLWATER, OK – OCTOBER 18: Head coach Scott Satterfield of the Cincinnati Bearcats congratulates quarterback Brendan Sorsby #2 after a 26-yard touchdown on a throw against the Oklahoma State Cowboys in the first quarter at Boone Pickens Stadium on October 18, 2025 in Stillwater, Oklahoma. (Photo by Brian Bahr/Getty Images)
The Cougars and the Bearcats meet in an important Big 12 game on Saturday, with BYU sitting just on the outside of the CFP bracket. Kalani Sitake’s team has just one loss, and if they can navigate their way to the conference title game, they’ll have an opportunity to earn an automatic bid to the playoff. Saturday is their biggest remaining test.
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Scott Satterfield and Cincinnati are one of four Big 12 teams with two conference losses, and they’re hoping that BYU slips up. Unlike those teams, Cincinnati can do something about it, and they’ll try to slip their way into the league title game instead. With Texas Tech almost looking like a CFP lock no matter what, the only real hope for the Big 12 to get multiple teams in would be an upset in the conference title game.
5. Louisville at SMU, 11:00 a.m. CT
Sep 27, 2025; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Louisville Cardinals head coach Jeff Brohm (right) leads the team onto the field to play the Pittsburgh Panthers at Acrisure Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images
Louisville and SMU meet in another ACC clash with conference title implications. The Cardinals are reeling right now, with two straight losses taking them out of the league’s title race. Last week’s loss to Clemson was a gut punch, as Jeff Brohm and the ‘Cards couldn’t take advantage in a completely wide-open conference.
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On the other hand, the Mustangs are one of those four ACC teams with one conference loss. With Pittsburgh and Georgia Tech playing each other and Virginia on a bye, Rhett Lashlee and the ‘Stangs would be in a good spot to go to the league title game if they can win this week in Dallas. Again, the winner of the ACC gets an auto bid to the playoff, and the while the Ponies have a shot to go to the conference title game, they’ve got really no chance to make the CFP as an at-large team. They’ll have to win the ACC if they want to go back to the playoff this year.
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Week 0 – Featured Game: Iowa State vs. Kansas State (in Dublin, Ireland)
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Week 1 – Featured Game: Texas at Ohio State
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Week 2 – Featured Game: Michigan at Oklahoma
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Week 3 – Featured Game: Georgia at Tennessee
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Week 4 – Featured Game: Auburn at Oklahoma
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Week 5 – Featured Game: Alabama at Georgia
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Week 6 – Featured Game: Miami at Florida State
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Week 7 – Featured Game: Oklahoma vs. Texas (in Dallas, Texas)
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Week 8 – Featured Game: Ole Miss at Georgia
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Week 9 – Featured Game: Ole Miss at Oklahoma
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Week 11 – Featured Game: BYU at Texas Tech
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Week 12 – Featured Game: Oklahoma at Alabama
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This article originally appeared on Sooners Wire: 5 college football games to watch in Week 13
