The 2025 college football season is barreling toward its climax. With just one full Saturday left before bowl season, everything feels like it’s on the line for a handful of teams.
Week 13 is stacked with matchups that could shake up the College Football Playoff picture and decide conference titles. Let’s dig into some of the games everyone’s talking about—like USC vs. Oregon, Missouri vs. Oklahoma, and a few others. If you’re looking for a little betting guidance, I’ll throw in some picks and thoughts along the way.
Massive Matchup: No. 15 USC at No. 7 Oregon
The showdown between USC and Oregon is easily one of the biggest games of the weekend. For USC, the path ahead is simple: win everything or go home.
They’re still in the Big Ten title conversation, but they’ll need a little luck elsewhere. Oregon, meanwhile, is dealing with injuries to key guys like Dakorien Moore and Gary Bryant Jr., but they keep grinding.
Oregon’s Rushing Attack vs. USC’s Defense
The Ducks have leaned hard on their rushing game this season. They’re second in the nation in EPA (Expected Points Added) per rush and fifth in explosive rush rate.
That’s a big advantage against a USC defense that’s been, honestly, pretty rough against the run. USC sits at 119th nationally in run success rate allowed and 126th in EPA per rush given up.
Key Players to Watch:
- Jordon Davison – Oregon’s top rusher, a real workhorse
- Dierre Hill Jr. – Another big piece of Oregon’s ground game
- Jayden Maiava – USC’s quarterback, but he’s had a tough time on the road
Betting Insight
The line here is interesting, especially the total points. Oregon’s ground game is rolling, USC’s offense disappears on the road, so taking the under 59.5 at DraftKings feels like the move.
Defensive Battle: No. 22 Missouri at No. 8 Oklahoma
Oklahoma’s defense has been the story all season. They’ll need it again as Missouri comes to town.
The Sooners’ offense didn’t exactly light it up last week against Alabama, but the defense bailed them out. Missouri might get quarterback Beau Pribula back after his ankle injury, but it’s a big question mark how effective he’ll be.
Missouri’s Quarterback Situation
If Pribula isn’t 100%, Missouri’s offense could be in for a long day against one of the country’s top defenses. Even if he does play, it’s hard to know what to expect.
Key Factors:
- Oklahoma’s Defense – Just consistently strong
- Beau Pribula’s Health – Still a big unknown
- Missouri’s Offense – Needs something extra this week
Betting Insight
Both teams have questions on offense and big strengths on defense, so the under 42.5 at FanDuel makes a lot of sense to me.
Washington State at James Madison
James Madison is still feeling snubbed by the CFP committee after Tulane got the nod. They’ve got something to prove and need to keep winning big to get any respect.
Washington State is fighting for bowl eligibility. They’ve shown some grit this year, even with a brutal schedule.
James Madison’s Motivation
The Dukes are fired up, and they’ll have the home crowd behind them. Washington State has bounced back from tough spots before, but James Madison is a tough out right now.
Key Players to Watch:
- James Madison’s Offense – Needs to make a statement
- Washington State’s Resilience – Can they shake off recent losses?
Betting Insight
With James Madison playing with a chip on their shoulder, I like James Madison -13.5 at FanDuel.
Underdog Alert: Arkansas at No. 17 Texas
Arkansas is only 2-8, but their point differential is actually +18. They’re way more competitive than their record suggests.
Texas is coming off a tough loss to Georgia, and their defense has been shaky. Arkansas has found ways to stick around in games, which makes them a sneaky underdog pick.
Arkansas’ Competitive Edge
Texas’ defense has given up an average of 34.7 points in their last three games. Arkansas’ offense isn’t flashy, but it’s not far off from Mississippi State’s, and they dropped 38 on Texas earlier.
Key Factors:
- Arkansas’ Offense – Could surprise Texas
- Texas’ Defense – Needs to wake up fast
Betting Insight
Given how Arkansas keeps games close, grabbing Arkansas +8.5 at DraftKings feels pretty reasonable.
Slow and Steady: Minnesota at Northwestern
This one’s not for the impatient. Both Minnesota and Northwestern play at a crawl, and neither has much luck punching it in when they get close to the goal line.
November in the Midwest means slow, grind-it-out football. Expect a defensive slog, not a fireworks show.
Key Factors:
- Pace of Play – Both teams are methodical, maybe to a fault
- Red Zone Efficiency – Both are outside the top 80 in scoring per red zone trip
Betting Insight
With both teams struggling to score and playing slow, the under 40.5 at DraftKings is hard to argue with.
Upset Watch: No. 18 Michigan at Maryland
Michigan hasn’t looked great on the road this year. Now they’re facing a Maryland team that’s desperate for wins to get bowl eligible.
With Michigan possibly looking ahead to Ohio State, this could be a trap. Maryland’s coach Mike Locksley just secured his future, which might help calm things down in the locker room.
The Terrapins need a big game to keep their season alive, and motivation shouldn’t be an issue here.
Key Factors:
- Michigan’s Road Woes – They’ve struggled in away games
- Maryland’s Bowl Hopes – Must win out
- Lookahead Factor – Michigan could be distracted by Ohio State looming
Betting Insight
Michigan’s road struggles are hard to ignore. Meanwhile, Maryland’s got plenty of motivation this week.
The Maryland (+460) bet at FanDuel is tempting if you’re feeling bold. It’s not for the faint of heart, but hey, sometimes you have to chase the upside.
The final full Saturday of the 2025 college football regular season is almost here. These matchups are shaping up to be dramatic and, honestly, probably a bit wild.
Whether you’re watching as a die-hard fan or just hoping for a lucky bet, Week 13 is packed with storylines. If you want more detailed analysis and picks, check out CBSSports.com.
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