College football Week 13 predictions

Saturday, 3:30 pm ET

This year’s edition of the Iron Bowl has a little extra sauce on it. Auburn got hot heading into this matchup, beating No. 1 Georgia two weeks ago. Now, it’s in position to win the SEC West, and head to the SEC Championship. But standing in the Tigers’ way in the dynastic Alabama, who has won the last three SEC Championships. The Crimson Tide will be tough to beat with Jalen Hurts playing well, but they will have to get over some key injuries in their linebacker corp if they want to stop the hot Auburn offense. With both teams fighting for a playoff spot as well, this may be the most important Iron Bowl to date.

Pick: Auburn

Saturday, 12:00 pm ET

No fancy names here. When Ohio State and Michigan hook up, it is simply known as “The Game.” This game was supposed to have College Football Playoff implications. Ohio State somewhat held up its end of the bargain, coming into the game ranked in the top 10 in the latest CFP ranking. J.T. Barrett has thrown for an astounding 32 touchdowns this year, and will be tough to stop. Michigan hasn’t had a dream season, going 1-2 against ranked teams and is out of the picture in terms of even a division championship let alone a playoff spot. But Michigan can save its season by spoiling Ohio State’s national championship hopes with a win. Anything can happen.

Pick: Ohio State

Friday, 12:00 pm ET

After two strong showings against ranked teams, Miami showed it still has its lapses in performance playing a game against Virginia that was closer than box score would indicate. The Hurricanes have shown a propensity to play down to the level of their competition, which creates an exciting game for college football fans to enjoy, but causes Miami fans to panic. It hasn’t come back to bite them yet, but Pittsburgh could be the team that knocks them off.

Pick: Miami

Friday, 8:00 pm ET

The Commonwealth Trophy is on the line again as Virginia Tech travels to Virginia to battle for the 99^th time in their storied rivalry. The Hokies are just getting their legs back under them, winning against Pitt after losing two straight to Miami and Georgia Tech. Virginia is still recovering from a tough loss against Miami last week. This game will feature a quarterback dual between Virginia Tech’s Josh Jackson and Virginia’s Kurt Benkert. Expect the ball to be flying around.

Pick: Virginia Tech

Saturday, 3:30 pm ET

One of the more underrated rivalries, North Carolina and NC State have played some close games lately, including a seven-point nail biter last year. The Wolfpack come into this game with a loss against Wake Forest, but they’ve had overall success this season by beating teams like Florida State and Louisville. This has not been a season North Carolina has enjoyed, but it has won its last two games. The Tar Heels can salvage their season with a win against the Wolfpack.

Pick: NC State

Friday, 12:00 pm ET

The Horned Frogs survived their game against Texas Tech without their star running back and quarterback. Who needs offense, anyway? TCU’s defense held the Red Raiders to three points last week, and now face an inept Baylor Bears team with just one win this year. The Revivalry may not have the zip it had in years past, but these two teams always seem to put on a show. Don’t sleep on this game.

Pick: TCU

Friday, 4:00 pm ET

This rivalry may not have a lot of fanfare, but it features two teams that have been battling since 1891. Iowa has lost its last two games, including a trucking laid down by Wisconsin. Nebraska has also been on its own slide, losing five of its last six games. Both of these teams would love to end the season on a high note by beating one another. Who will prevail?

Pick: Iowa

Saturday, 7:00 pm ET

One of the more underrated rivalries in college football, Oregon’s very own “Civil War” is back. Both teams are out of the Pac-12 postseason picture, but the intensity these two teams play with against each other drives up the stakes anyway. Oregon State surprised Oregon with a win last year, and Oregon has quarterback Justin Herbert back. Oregon could avenge last year’s loss or the Beavers could win their first winning streak in this series since 2006-2007.

Pick: Oregon

Saturday, 8:00 pm ET

The Apple Cup is on the line once again with the Washington State Cougars making the trip to Seattle to face the Washington Huskies. Both teams have identical records and are on the outside looking in for the Pac-12 North title, but a win for Washington State would propel them to the Pac-12 lead via tiebreaker with Stanford. Washington would love nothing more than to crush the Cougars chances at competing for a Pac-12 Championship.

Pick: Washington State

Saturday, 3:45 pm ET

Tough break for College Football fans who were hoping to see a quarterback duel between Will Grier and Heisman Trophy favorite Baker Mayfield. Grier is out four to six weeks after undergoing surgery on his finger that was gruesomely injured last week. In steps redshirt sophomore Chris Chugunov, who could be a hero if he was able to pull off an epic upset against the playoff contending Sooners. The Sooners will be without Mayfield for a period of time due to disciplinary actions after he made lewd gestures in last week’s game against Kansas. If the Mountaineers can jump on Oklahoma quickly, they might have a shot.

Pick: Oklahoma

Saturday, 8:00 pm ET

The Fighting Irish have picked themselves up off the mat after getting floored by Miami two weeks ago, knocking off Navy last week. They are rewarded with their third straight rivalry game against Stanford, who beat top-10 Washington a couple weeks ago. The Cardinal has played their last four games close, and face a tough test against Notre Dame. But Stanford running back Bryce Love is up to the challenge. Who will take home the Legends Trophy?

Pick: Stanford

Saturday, 12:00 pm ET

Maybe Jim McElwain was the problem. The Gators destroyed UAB, 36-7 to win their first game since firing their former head coach. Now, they host in-state rival Florida State, who wrecked Delaware State 77-6 last week. Both teams are coming in with confidence after big wins, and could use this game to feel good about themselves after terrible seasons respectively. Florida State has won the last four games. But with both programs in disarray, the Sunshine Showdown is anyone’s game.

Pick: Florida

Saturday, 12:00 pm ET

This isn’t a rivalry. This is clean, old fashioned hate. Despite losing to Auburn, Georgia is still alive in its chase to make the College Football Playoff if it takes care of business the rest of the season. Next on its hit list is in-state rival Georgia Tech. The Yellow Jackets beat ranked Virginia Tech two weeks ago, but couldn’t keep pace with Duke last week. They will need dual-threat quarterback DaQuon Marshall to get back to his usual self if they want to have any chance at unseating the mighty Bulldogs.

Pick: Georgia

Saturday, 12:00 pm ET

These are supposed to be basketball schools, right? While they aren’t going to be competing for any national championships in football, this Governor’s Cup matchup features a former run-away Heisman Trophy winner, and a talented running back. Louisville quarterback Lamar Jackson is not being considered for a Heisman this year, but he sure has the numbers, accounting for 30 touchdowns, and 4,560 yards passing and rushing. Kentucky running back Benny Snell Jr. has 1,107 rushing yards and 16 touchdowns, and would love to carve up the Louisville D to sending them home crying. Bragging rights are enough to make these two rivals go all out against each other.

Pick: Louisville

Saturday, 7:30 pm ET

Two teams, two two-game winning streaks—while there aren’t titles on the line in this matchup, this rivalry could still produce some fireworks. LSU has won its last six games against Texas A&M, and that trend may continue with the Tigers ranked in the CFP ranking. But the Aggies have recovered from a two-game slide with a couple wins. Its season may not have gone the way it hoped, but Texas A&M has every reason to ruin LSU’s last game.

Pick: LSU

Saturday, 7:30 pm ET

The Palmetto Bowl returns for its 115^th edition as Clemson and South Carolina face off in their in-state rivalry game. The Tigers have won the last three games against the Gamecocks with former Clemson quarterback Deshaun Watson being the driving force behind it. Now, it is quarterback Kelly Bryant’s and the defense’s turn to torture South Carolina. But Gamecocks’ quarterback Jake Bentley and his defense can put up a surprising fight. With South Carolina hosting, it could have a fighting chance against the playoff contending Clemson.

Pick: Clemson

Saturday, 4:00 pm ET

There’s probably no team that wants the season to end more than Tennessee. The Volunteers have gotten blown out, fired a coach, and lost to some soft opponents in one of the most turbulent years they’ve had recently. Tennessee is coming into its rivalry game with Vanderbilt winless in the SEC. Fortunately for the team, the Commodores are also without a win in the conference, which makes for an extra special game with both teams desperately fighting for their only league win. Both schools may not play in a bowl game this year, so a win in this rivalry game might be the biggest victory of the year.

Pick: Vanderbilt

Thursday, 7:30 pm ET

With rivalry names like “Civil War” and “Clean, Old Fashioned Hate,” the “Egg Bowl” doesn’t sound like the battle to end all battles. Still, the game between Ole Miss and Mississippi State should have plenty of intensity. This blue collar vs. white collar rivalry has a little extra juice with the investigation into former Ole Miss head coach Hugh Freeze’s phone records, which resulted from a Mississippi State fan’s overzealous investigation. The Rebels have bowl eligibility on the line, and the Bulldogs would love to keep them out of the post season.

Pick: Mississippi State

Friday, 3:30 pm ET

The War on I-4 is back on, and everything is on the line this year. All looked lost for South Florida when it lost to Houston a couple weeks ago, but the Bulls still have a shot at winning the American Athletic East Division. UCF comes into the game undefeated, but one loss will put them in a tie with USF in the conference standings, but without the benefit of the head-to-head tiebreaker. Who will rule I-4 this year, and come out with a division championship.

Pick: USF

Saturday, 3:30 pm ET

One of the oldest rivalries in college football, the Duel in the Desert promises to be hot ticket this year. Both teams are out of the Pac-12 South Division title picture, but with each team tied in the conference standings, a win against one another would be a huge recruiting boost in the state. Arizona comes into the game with a loss against Oregon last week, while Arizona State has a little momentum with a win against Oregon State. The matchup features two talented quarterbacks in Manny Wilkens and Khalil Tate. Who walks away with the Territorial Cup?

Pick: Arizona

Saturday, 3:30 pm ET

Paul Bunyan’s Axe might be one of the coolest trophies in all of college football, and this week, Wisconsin and Minnesota will be playing for the honor of swinging it. The Badgers come into the game answering any questions of its ability to win against ranked teams by defeating Michigan and Iowa two weeks in a row. They have a chance to make the College Football Playoff, but they will have to beat Minnesota first.

Pick: Wisconsin

Saturday, 3:30 pm ET

There are a lot of cool trophies in college football, but one of the most offbeat ones is the Milk Can featured in Boise State and Fresno State’s rivalry. This year’s game in the regular season could also be a preview of the Mountain West Championship. Both teams have offensive firepower and defensive toughness that have dominated the conference. But who will be carrying the Milk Can home this year?

Pick: Fresno State

Friday, 8:00 pm ET

Other than barbecue and gun ownership, there is nothing more Texas than spurs. The Chancellor’s Spurs will be handed out to the winner of Texas Tech versus Texas, and this year’s game will have plenty of intrigued despite the two teams’ records. The Longhorns have won their last two games, while the Red Raiders have dropped five or their last six games. But with 34-touchdown quarterback Nic Shimonek behind center for Texas Tech, the Red Raiders always have a shot to win.

Pick: Texas Tech

Saturday, 3:30 pm ET

Kansas State has had a fun time beating up Iowa State the last nine years, beating the Cyclones in every football game since 2008. But this year could be the year little brother hits back. Iowa State has beaten ranked teams like Oklahoma and TCU this year. Still, Kansas State just beat ranked Oklahoma State, and has obviously dominated the series lately. Can Iowa State reverse its fortunes?

Pick: Iowa State