Overall, Week 13 of the college football season felt like the appetizer to Rivalry Week’s main course.
Quite a few teams were out of action with late-season byes, while even more faced comparably easy challenges compared to what lies ahead next week. Still, there were a few results that shook up the College Football Playoff picture ahead of what should be an eventful final week of the regular season.
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We got some clarity in the Big Ten as Oregon took down USC, while in the SEC, Oklahoma remained in line to earn a CFP bid after taking care of business against Missouri.
The biggest surprise, however, came in the ACC. Pittsburgh threw a wrench in the conference title game race once again as it handed Georgia Tech its second loss. Now, there are quite a few potential championship game outcomes as the ACC will come down to the final week of the regular season.
As we recap all the action from Week 13, here were the winners and losers from the penultimate weekend of the regular season.
Winner: Oregon leans on run game in big win
Nov 22, 2025; Eugene, Oregon, USA; Oregon Ducks running back Noah Whittington (6) celebrates with teammate after scoring a touchdown during the second half at Autzen Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Troy Wayrynen-Imagn Images
Based on the Ducks‘ standing in the CFP rankings, it’s clear the committee remains skeptical about this team’s lackluster resume. Perhaps gutsy wins in recent weeks over Iowa and, now, USC will serve to change things.
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Oregon took advantage of a vulnerable USC defense, scoring 42 points behind a 179-yard rushing day. Noah Whittington led the way, eclipsing 100 yards, while Dante Moore supplemented it with a solid passing performance.
The Ducks’ defense wasn’t exactly stellar, allowing nearly 400 yards, but it was enough to get the job done.
Oregon’s big win probably wasn’t enough to give it lock status despite sitting at 10-1 on the season, and it will have to score one more tough win in a rivalry showdown against Washington next week to feel good about where it stands.
Loser: Lincoln Riley’s limbo at USC continues
EUGENE, OREGON – NOVEMBER 22: Lincoln Riley of the Southern California Trojans speaks with QB Jayden Maiava #14 of the Southern California Trojans during the second half at Autzen Stadium on November 22, 2025 in Eugene, Oregon. (Photo by Tom Hauck/Getty Images)
Riley’s tenure in Los Angeles has been maddeningly difficult to evaluate. There have been some high highs and undeniable progress from the Clay Helton era, but at the end of the day, the results don’t exactly reflect that. After a loss to Oregon dropped the Trojans to 8-3, it seems 2025 isn’t going to give us a satisfying datapoint in either direction.
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USC’s offense remains a strength under Riley, and though his decision to retain Jayden Maiava as the starting quarterback was questioned, that call has mostly worked out. Unfortunately, the defense — while improved from the Alex Grinch years — is still a weakness in D’Anton Lynn’s second season.
After allowing nearly 200 yards on the ground to Oregon, it’s clear this unit still isn’t equipped to stop talented offenses. That’s been a frustrating, lingering problem throughout Riley’s tenure.
If the Trojans take care of business against UCLA, they’re still in line for a 10-win season with a bowl game. Things could be worse in L.A., but hopes that Riley’s program would take the next step this fall by reaching the CFP have been all but dashed.
Winner: Pittsburgh took Pat Narduzzi seriously
ATLANTA, GEORGIA – NOVEMBER 22: Ja’Kyrian Turner #25 of the Pittsburgh Panthers runs for a touchdown against the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets during the fourth quarter at Bobby Dodd Stadium on November 22, 2025 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Paras Griffin/Getty Images)
Pitt coach Pat Narduzzi raised more than a few eyebrows when he said he didn’t care if his team lost to Notre Dame by “100 points,” as long as it won its final two ACC games. While it wasn’t quite that bad in the loss to the Fighting Irish, it seems his team did internalize his message.
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The Panthers came out firing in a massive ACC showdown against Georgia Tech, jumping out to a 28-0 lead on the Yellow Jackets’ struggling defense. GT didn’t go down without a fight, cutting the lead to 35-28 late in the game, but a late 56-yard touchdown run from Ja’Kyrian Turner — who ran for 201 yards — iced it for the Panthers.
Mason Heintschel continues to play impressive ball as a true freshman, and with Miami to close out the season, Pitt has the opportunity to make another statement. Unfortunately, the Panthers don’t control their own ACC destiny, as they would need a loss from Virginia or SMU in the final week of the season, even with a win over the Hurricanes.
Loser: Georgia Tech’s defense may have cost it a CFP bid
ATLANTA, GEORGIA – NOVEMBER 22: Haynes King #10 of the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets drops back against the Pittsburgh Panthers during the second quarter at Bobby Dodd Stadium on November 22, 2025 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Paras Griffin/Getty Images)
The signs were there ahead of Georgia Tech’s collapse on Saturday night. In its first loss against NC State, it allowed 48 points and followed that up by allowing more than 30 to a struggling Boston College team. Those issues culminated in a 412-yard performance for Pitt as Georgia Tech’s playoff hopes are likely finished.
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While Haynes King and the offense were fairly productive, it wasn’t his best game, either, as he tossed a pair of interceptions. His 76 yards also led the team in rushing.
Though Georgia Tech sits at 9-2, it needs losses from SMU, Cal, Virginia and Pittsburgh just to have a shot at re-entering the picture. Perhaps an upset win over Georgia could earn the Jackets an at-large bid, but even that seems ambitious.
It’s been a great season for Brent Key, who may have coaching carousel suitors, but this defense held Georgia Tech back from achieving something truly special in 2025.
Quick Hitters
NORMAN, OKLAHOMA – NOVEMBER 22: Linebacker Owen Heinecke #38 of the Oklahoma Sooners celebrates with a thumbs down after stopping running back Jamal Roberts #20 of the Missouri Tigers with a six-yard loss on 2nd-and-10 in the second quarter at Gaylord Family Oklahoma Memorial Stadium on November 22, 2025 in Norman, Oklahoma. Oklahoma won 17-6. (Photo by Brian Bahr/Getty Images)
Loser: Florida State
FSU lost to NC State on Friday night thanks to two late muffed punts, and the vibes got even worse in Tallahassee with the school announcing this weekend that embattled coach Mike Norvell will return in 2026.
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Winner: Oklahoma
The Sooners took care of business against Missouri with another dominant defensive performance. With a win over LSU next weekend, OU will lock up a CFP bid in a pivotal season for coach Brent Venables.
Loser: Missouri
Beau Pribula’s return didn’t save the Tigers, who scored just six points, against Oklahoma’s ferocious defense.
Winner: Notre Dame
The Irish are making a very strong CFP case after delivering an absurd 70-7 beatdown against a floundering Syracuse team.
Winner: BYU
The Cougars secured a huge win over Cincinnati, and they’ll get a rematch against Texas Tech if they can win at home against 5-6 UCF.
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Loser: Cincinnati
It looked like this was going to be a great season for Scott Satterfield, but with the Bearcats falling to 7-4, it’s just going to be a very solid one.
Winner: Utah
Utah held on to win a wild barnburner against Kansas State 51-47, but it won’t get to play for a Big 12 title unless BYU slips up in Week 14.
Winner: Vanderbilt
With Kentucky’s recent wins over Auburn and Florida, this looked like a potential trap game for Vandy. Instead, the Commodores rolled and are likely heading to the CFP if they can beat Tennessee in Rivalry Week.
Winner: Tennessee
Speaking of the Volunteers, they can finally breathe a sigh of relief. They rolled Florida 31-11 to earn their first win in Gainesville since 2003.
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Loser: Illinois
In one of the most head-scratching results of the week, Illinois lost 27-10 against Wisconsin. So much for those “Indiana of 2025” takes.
Winner: Wisconsin
The Badgers are quietly ending the season with some momentum. After announcing Luke Fickell would return in 2026, Wisconsin has notched ranked wins over Washington and Illinois. Perhaps there’s a glimmer of hope in Madison.
Loser: Houston
The Cougars are still ahead of schedule in Year 2 under Willie Fritz, but a loss to TCU killed their hopes of a 10-win regular season.
Winner: TCU
It seems the Horned Frogs fanbase has soured on coach Sonny Dykes, but the win over Houston should quiet those criticisms. At least, for now.
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Winner: SMU
It seems like everyone forgot about the Mustangs, but they dominated Louisville on Saturday. Now, it’s a win-and-in situation for the ACC title game in the season finale against Cal. Rhett Lashlee’s team may just sneak back into the playoff this year.
Loser: Louisville
Unfortunately, it seems like it’s a complete collapse for Louisville, which lost 38-6 to SMU without Miller Moss available. The Cardinals have now fallen to 7-4.
Loser: Baylor
After announcing Friday that Dave Aranda would return in 2026, the Bears were embarrassed 41-17 at Arizona. Now, they must beat Houston or risk missing a bowl for the third time under Aranda.
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Winner: Penn State
The Nittany Lions seemingly struck out in the Matt Rhule sweepstakes, but they got the last laugh after handing Nebraska an ugly loss. Penn State can somehow salvage a bowl game with a win over Rutgers.
Loser: Nebraska
It’s hard to fault Nebraska for struggling without Dylan Raiola, but with Iowa looming, a disappointing 7-5 finish seems more likely than not for the Huskers.
This article originally appeared on For The Win: College football winners and losers Week 13: Pitt shakes up ACC race
