We’re rolling into the last week of the 2025 college football regular season, and honestly, it feels like the entire sport is teetering on a knife’s edge. Rivalry Week is here—where every play, every mistake, and every weird bounce could mean a championship shot, a playoff ticket, or just a full year of trash talk.
This week, let’s dig into the key games and the wild scenarios at play. What does each team need to pull off to keep the dream alive? From Ohio State’s chase for a playoff bye to Texas A&M’s shot at history, here’s what could define Week 14.
The High-Stakes Rivalries
Rivalry Week’s never just about the scoreboard. It’s pride, it’s payback, and sometimes, it’s just about not letting the other guys ruin your year. A few games are going to shake up the entire college football landscape.
Ohio State vs. Michigan
No. 1 Ohio State (11-0) heads to Ann Arbor to face No. 15 Michigan (9-2). Michigan’s gunning for a fifth straight win in the series, which would be their best run since the 1920s.
If Michigan wins and Oregon or Indiana slips up, the Wolverines could sneak into the Big Ten title game and maybe even the playoff conversation. Ohio State, meanwhile, has a shot at a first-round playoff bye and the No. 1 seed. Not to mention, they’d finally snap Michigan’s recent streak in this rivalry.
Ohio State wins if: They just play like themselves. The Buckeyes are fourth in offensive efficiency and have allowed only 84 points all year. Jeremiah Smith and Carnell Tate need to show up big.
Michigan wins if: They keep it close late and crank up the pressure. Freshman QB Bryce Underwood and running back Jordan Marshall have to find cracks in Ohio State’s defense.
Texas A&M vs. Texas
No. 3 Texas A&M (11-0) takes on No. 16 Texas (8-3) in a matchup that’s got more juice than usual. Texas needs an upset to stay in the playoff hunt.
For A&M, they’re chasing a school-record 12th win and a ticket to the SEC title game.
Texas A&M wins if: The offensive line holds strong. Quarterback Marcel Reed can’t be running for his life, and the Aggies have to convert on third downs.
Texas wins if: Arch Manning keeps things efficient. The Longhorns need to avoid giving up big plays and hit quick strikes to Ryan Wingo and Emmett Mosley V.
Games with Little Postseason Impact but High Emotional Stakes
Not every game this week will shake up the playoff picture, but you better believe the emotions are running high for these teams and their fans.
Georgia vs. Georgia Tech
No. 4 Georgia (10-1) squares off against No. 23 Georgia Tech (9-2). Georgia Tech’s playoff hopes fizzled after a rough loss to Pitt, and Georgia’s basically locked in for the playoff.
Georgia wins if: They can finally slow down Haynes King, Tech’s quarterback who gave them fits last season.
Georgia Tech wins if: They stop the run—plain and simple. Their defense hasn’t done that well this year, and they can’t let Georgia push them around.
Vanderbilt vs. Tennessee
No. 14 Vanderbilt (9-2) meets No. 19 Tennessee (8-3), and it’s a bigger deal for the Commodores. A win means Vandy’s first 10-win season and keeps their playoff hopes flickering.
Tennessee’s looking for at least nine wins for the fourth year in a row.
Vanderbilt wins if: Diego Pavia keeps doing his thing. He’s got the fourth-best Heisman odds and has been red-hot lately.
Tennessee wins if: They keep Pavia in check and hog the ball. Last year, they held him to just 104 passing yards and controlled the clock.
Playoff Scenarios and Title Game Implications
Some teams are scrapping for pride, but a few are fighting for a shot at their conference title games or even the College Football Playoff.
Alabama vs. Auburn
No. 10 Alabama (9-2) heads to Auburn (5-6). For Alabama, it’s simple: win and they’re in the SEC title game.
Auburn, though, could snag bowl eligibility and a season-defining win if they pull this off.
Alabama wins if: Ty Simpson and his receivers torch Auburn’s shaky secondary. Ball security’s got to be a priority.
Auburn wins if: Jeremiah Cobb keeps running wild. Auburn needs to milk the clock and get the crowd into it early.
Miami vs. Pitt
No. 12 Miami (9-2) visits No. 22 Pitt (8-3). Miami needs a win and a little chaos elsewhere to keep their playoff dreams alive.
Pitt can reach the ACC title game if they win and either Virginia or SMU loses.
Miami wins if: Their defense rises to the moment and rattles freshman QB Mason Heintschel.
Pitt wins if: Their defense forces mistakes and the run game, led by Ja’Kyrian “Boosie” Turner, actually makes Miami sweat.
Title Game Scenarios
Several teams are facing some pretty wild scenarios that could get them into their conference championship games. Let’s run through the key ones—brace yourself, it’s a lot:
- Virginia clinches a spot with: Win, OR SMU loss + Pitt loss + clinch tiebreaker over Georgia Tech/Miami/Pitt/SMU
- SMU clinches a spot with: Win, OR Pitt loss + Duke loss + clinch tiebreaker over Miami/Georgia Tech/SMU/Virginia
- Pitt clinches a spot with: Win + Virginia loss, OR Win + SMU loss
- Duke clinches a spot with: Win + Pitt loss + SMU loss, OR Win + Pitt loss + Virginia loss + clinch tiebreaker versus Miami
- Miami clinches a spot with: Win + Virginia loss + Duke loss + SMU win, OR Win + SMU loss + Duke loss + clinch tiebreaker over Virginia/Georgia Tech/SMU, OR Win + SMU loss + Virginia loss + clinch tiebreaker over Virginia/Georgia Tech/SMU, OR Win + SMU win + Duke win + Virginia loss + clinch tiebreaker over Duke
- Georgia Tech clinches a spot with: Pitt win + Virginia loss + SMU loss, OR Miami win + SMU loss + Duke loss + clinch tiebreaker over Virginia/Miami/SMU
- Indiana clinches a spot with: Win, OR Ohio State loss
- Ohio State clinches a spot with: Win, OR Indiana loss + Oregon loss
- Michigan clinches a spot with: Win + Indiana loss, OR Win + Oregon loss
- Oregon clinches a spot with: Win + Ohio State loss
- Texas Tech clinches a spot with: Win, OR ASU loss, OR BYU loss + Utah win
- BYU clinches a spot with: Win, OR ASU loss, OR Texas Tech loss + Utah loss
- Arizona State clinches a spot with: Win + BYU loss, OR Win + Texas Tech loss + Utah loss
- Utah clinches a spot with: Win + Texas Tech loss + BYU win + Arizona State win
- Georgia clinches a spot with: Alabama loss, OR Texas A&M loss
- Alabama clinches a spot with: Win
- Texas A&M clinches a spot with: Win, OR Alabama loss + Ole Miss loss
- Ole Miss clinches a spot with: Win + Texas A&M loss + Alabama loss
- Tulane clinches a spot with: Win, OR Loss by either North Texas or Navy if it has the highest composite computer average of the 6-2 teams
- North Texas clinches a spot with: Win, OR Losses by either Tulane or Navy if it has the highest composite computer average of the 6-2 teams
- Navy clinches a spot with: Win, and loss by either Tulane or North Texas
- South Florida clinches a spot with: Win, and loss by two of Tulane/North Texas/Navy if it has the highest composite computer average of the 6-2 teams
- East Carolina clinches a spot with: Win, and loss by two of Tulane/North Texas/Navy if it has the highest composite computer average of the 6-2 teams
- Jacksonville State clinches a spot with: Win, OR Kennesaw State loss
- Western Kentucky clinches a spot with: Win, OR Kennesaw State loss + finish ahead of Kennesaw State in computer metrics
- Kennesaw State clinches a spot with: Win, OR Western Kentucky loss + finish ahead of Western Kentucky
- Western Michigan clinches a spot with: Win, OR Ohio win, OR Miami (Ohio) loss
- Toledo clinches a spot with: Win + Western Michigan win, OR Win + Miami (Ohio) loss
- Miami (Ohio) clinches a spot with: Win + Western Michigan loss, OR Win + Central Michigan win
- Ohio clinches a spot with: Win + Northern Illinois win + Miami (Ohio) loss + Central Michigan win + Beat Central Michigan in team rating score metric
- Central Michigan clinches a spot with: Win + Ohio loss + Miami (Ohio) loss, OR Win + Western Michigan loss + Ohio loss + Miami (Ohio) win
The end of the 2025 college football regular season is shaping up to be a wild ride. Rivalry Week always brings drama, but this year feels especially tense—maybe even a little unpredictable.
For all the nitty-gritty details and more scenarios than your brain can probably hold, check out the full article on ESPN.
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