College Football Week 13: Two Massive Showdowns, New Playoff Rankings & Virginia Tech Coaching News

College Football Week 13 just got even bigger. After the newest playoff rankings dropped, two ranked showdowns now headline the slate, and both carry major postseason implications.

College Football Week 13 Big Games

15 USC at 7 Oregon

This weekend, most eyes will be on Eugene as 15th-ranked USC travels to face 7th-ranked Oregon in a marquee Big10 clash.

Oregon comes in riding a high-powered offense, led by a balanced attack that thrives both on the ground and through the air. The Ducks’ home-field advantage and fast-paced tempo will be critical in testing USC’s ability to control the clock and limit explosive plays.

USC, meanwhile, brings a mix of tempo offense and disciplined defense. The Trojans know that any slip-up in the early stages could give Oregon the kind of cushion it needs to pull away. Expect a back-and-forth battle, with special teams and turnovers possible to play a decisive role in what could be a top-10 shakeup.

This game is a must-watch for playoff implications, conference seeding, and bragging rights in the Big10. Whoever controls the trenches and dictates tempo will have a major leg up.

22 Missouri at 8 Oklahoma

Missouri has a real shot to challenge an Oklahoma team freshly boosted by their rise in the rankings. The Sooners bring serious possibility for a big play at any time, but the Tigers’ physical style could turn this into a trench war. With Oklahoma fighting to climb deeper into playoff rankings, this matchup suddenly looms large.

Two ranked games. Two teams sitting in the playoff spotlight. And a whole weekend shaped by who steps up in the biggest moments.

Current 12-Team Playoff Picture After New Rankings Release

On Tuesday, we got another look at how the committee views the national landscape and what the 12-team playoff bracket would look like if the season ended today.

Here’s how the bracket currently stacks:

Top 4 Seeds (First-Round Byes):

1. Ohio State

2. Indiana

3. Texas A&M

4. Georgia

5–8 Seeds (Host First-Round Games):

5. Texas Tech

6. Ole Miss

7. Oregon

8. Oklahoma

9–12 Seeds (Travel to First-Round Games):

9. Notre Dame

10. Alabama

11. Miami

12. Tulane

First-Round Matchups (If the Season Ended Today):

• (12) Tulane at (5) Texas Tech

• (11) Miami at (6) Ole Miss

• (10) Alabama at (7) Oregon

• (9) Notre Dame at (8) Oklahoma

Virginia Tech Hires James Franklin as Head Coach

In major coaching news, Virginia Tech has officially hired James Franklin as their next head coach. Franklin brings a proven track record from Penn State, where he built a reputation for disciplined, competitive teams and strong recruiting classes.

The move signals Virginia Tech’s intent to return to ACC and national relevance, aiming to strengthen the roster, improve development pipelines, and elevate the Hokies’ program in a league that has grown increasingly competitive. Franklin’s experience navigating high-pressure environments and developing NFL-caliber talent will be key as he takes the reins.

Fans and alumni alike will be watching closely to see how quickly Franklin can reshape the program, with expectations high for both immediate competitiveness and long-term stability.

Pregame Sports Bar Crawl: Las Vegas Edition

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