Top College Football Matchups to Watch in Week 13 2025

As the 2025 college football regular season winds down, the pressure is mounting for some of the nation’s top programs. With just two weeks left before the postseason, teams are running out of chances to impress the College Football Playoff selection committee.

Five conference champions are guaranteed playoff spots. That leaves seven at-large bids still up for grabs, so every game suddenly feels make-or-break.

This weekend is loaded with matchups that could totally scramble the playoff picture. If you’re trying to figure out what to watch in Week 13, here’s a quick rundown of the can’t-miss games.

Key Matchups to Watch

Week 13 is stacked with games that will shape conference titles and playoff berths. Some of these are just too important to miss.

No. 22 Missouri at No. 8 Oklahoma

Time: Noon on ABC, fuboTV (try for free)

Oklahoma’s been on a tear lately, picking up back-to-back road wins against ranked teams like No. 20 Tennessee and No. 10 Alabama. Now, the Sooners come home to face Missouri, an old rival.

The Tigers actually beat Oklahoma last year, so if they pull that off again, it could knock the Sooners out of playoff contention. That’s a lot riding on one game.

No. 15 USC at No. 7 Oregon

Time: 3:30 p.m. on CBS, CBSSports.com, CBS Sports App, Paramount+ Premium

The Pac-12 might be gone in name, but this USC-Oregon clash feels like a throwback. It’s also one of the most crucial Big Ten games left in the regular season.

With Ohio State and Indiana looking set for the Big Ten Championship, both USC and Oregon are desperate for a win to keep their playoff hopes alive. The Ducks are fighting for homefield advantage, and USC, already with two losses, can’t afford another slip.

Pittsburgh at No. 16 Georgia Tech

Time: 7 p.m. on ESPN, fuboTV (try for free)

Pittsburgh’s playoff dreams ended with a loss to Notre Dame last week, but the Panthers aren’t out of the ACC Championship hunt. They’ll need to get past Georgia Tech to stay alive.

If the Yellow Jackets win, they’re headed to Charlotte. But after last week’s shaky game against Boston College, they’re going to have to step it up.

No. 11 BYU at Cincinnati

Time: 8 p.m. on Fox, fuboTV (try for free)

BYU sits just outside the playoff and totally controls its own fate in the Big 12. If the Cougars win out, they’re in the conference title game.

Cincinnati, with two losses, is still hanging on but needs a win here. They’ll also need a bit of help—losses from Arizona State, Houston, and Utah wouldn’t hurt their chances either.

Other Notable Games

Sure, those are the headline matchups. But there are a bunch of other games this weekend that could shake up conference standings or playoff dreams.

Rutgers at No. 1 Ohio State

Time: Noon on Fox, fuboTV (try for free)

Ohio State is still perfect and wants to keep it that way against Rutgers. A win here keeps them right on track for the Big Ten title game and pretty much locks up their playoff spot.

No. 13 Miami at Virginia Tech

Time: Noon on ESPN, fuboTV (try for free)

Miami’s playoff hopes are hanging by a thread and they really can’t afford a loss. Virginia Tech, meanwhile, would love to play spoiler and shake things up for the Hurricanes.

Louisville at SMU

Time: Noon on ESPN2, fuboTV (try for free)

Both Louisville and SMU are fighting for bowl eligibility, so this one matters a lot to both programs. Expect a scrappy, hard-fought game with everything on the line.

Syracuse at No. 9 Notre Dame

Time: 3:30 p.m. on NBC, fuboTV (try for free)

Notre Dame can’t afford any mistakes if they want to stay in the playoff hunt. Syracuse would love nothing more than to mess up the Irish’s top 10 status.

Arkansas at No. 17 Texas

Time: 3:30 p.m. on ABC, fuboTV (try for free)

Texas is looking to move up the rankings and needs a win over Arkansas. The Longhorns have to finish strong if they want a good bowl matchup.

Duke at North Carolina

Time: 3:30 p.m. on ACC Network, fuboTV (try for free)

This in-state rivalry is even spicier this year, with both teams fighting for bowl eligibility. Expect a tense, emotional game—these two always bring the drama.

Kansas State at No. 12 Utah

Time: 4 p.m. on ESPN2, fuboTV (try for free)

Utah needs to win to stay in the playoff hunt. Kansas State would love to play spoiler and shake up the Big 12 standings.

No. 18 Michigan at Maryland

Time: 4 p.m. on Big Ten Network, fuboTV (try for free)

Michigan has to beat Maryland to keep its playoff hopes alive. The Wolverines are looking for a strong finish to lock in a solid bowl spot.

TCU at No. 23 Houston

Time: 4 p.m. on Fox, fuboTV (try for free)

Houston wants to keep its ranking and needs a win over TCU. The Cougars are also eyeing a good bowl game, so this one’s big for them.

Nebraska at Penn State

Time: 7 p.m. on NBC, fuboTV (try for free)

Penn State’s playoff hopes aren’t dead yet, but they need to take care of business against Nebraska. The Nittany Lions want to finish strong and improve their bowl outlook.

No. 20 Tennessee at Florida

Time: 7:30 p.m. on ABC, fuboTV (try for free)

Tennessee is hoping to climb the rankings with a win at Florida. The Volunteers need every win they can get to wrap up the season on a high note.

No. 25 Arizona State at Colorado

Time: 8 p.m. on ESPN2, fuboTV (try for free)

Arizona State can’t afford a stumble against Colorado if they’re going to keep their playoff dreams alive. The Sun Devils are also pushing for a better bowl game, so they’ve got plenty to play for.

Conclusion

Week 13 of the 2025 college football season looks wild. High-stakes matchups are everywhere, and honestly, who knows what’ll happen?

Oklahoma facing Missouri, and then USC taking on Oregon—these games could totally flip the playoff picture. Every matchup feels like it matters just a bit more right now.

If you want the full schedule or need details on where to watch, check out this comprehensive guide.