CFB Week 13 picks: ACC, Big 12 clashes headline Saturday's slate
Only two weeks remain in the regular season. There are many lookahead spots in Week 13 as teams prepare for rivalry matchups next weekend. While we'll cover bowl games and the College Football Playoff, let's end the regular season by returning to our winning ways after a 3-4 Saturday last week.
π Check out all college football Week 13 lines on ESPN BET and theScore Bet here
Game time: 12 p.m. (all times ET)
π Pick: Oklahoma (-7.5)
While this could be considered a letdown spot after Oklahoma's win over Alabama, the focused Sooners are on a clear path to a playoff spot. All Oklahoma has to do is win its final two games at home to qualify.
Missouri is an average SEC team, having defeated inferior opponents like South Carolina, Auburn, and Mississippi State while losing to superior teams like Vanderbilt, Texas A&M, and Alabama. Oklahoma is significantly more talented and can neutralize Missouri's strength. The Tigers have the top rushing attack in the SEC, but Oklahoma has the best rushing defense. Without its ground attack, Missouri won't be able to keep pace.
Game time: 3:30 p.m.
π Pick: USC (+10.5)
Oregon's pass rush is elite, and it's fair to ask whether USC's offensive line can hold up, but the Trojans' offense is too prolific to be double-digit underdogs against anybody right now. They've won four of their last five games, and their only loss was by 10 to Notre Dame, a title contender. USC is still in the playoff hunt and would leap into the playoff picture with a win while simultaneously knocking out Oregon.
The Trojans lead the Big Ten in passing yards. The Ducks boast the conference's second-best defense, but even Iowa couldn't stop USC last week. This is just too many points in a high-stakes showdown.
Game time: 7 p.m.
π Pick: Pittsburgh (+2.5)
Before its loss to Notre Dame last week, Pittsburgh had won five straight and was playing its best football. There's no shame in losing to Notre Dame, one of the nation's best teams, in a game that was meaningless for Pitt's ACC championship chances. But Pittsburgh must win its final two games to potentially make the ACC championship, starting with a matchup against first-place Georgia Tech.
Georgia Tech's had a remarkably easy schedule to get to 9-1, but the team is starting to crumble in November. The Yellow Jackets lost to NC State earlier this month and nearly lost to a 1-10 Boston College squad last week. Plus, Georgia Tech plays Georgia next week, creating a lookahead spot this Saturday. All the signs point to Pitt.
Game time: 8 p.m.
π Pick: Cincinnati (+2.5)
Cincinnati is desperate for a win after dropping its last two games to Utah and Arizona. While BYU only has one loss, this line tells you everything you need to know. BYU is a completely different team away from home than in Provo, Utah. The Cougars average 40.4 points per game at home and 27.8 on the road. They also average over 70 yards per game more at home than on the road. I don't trust BYU on the road, and apparently, neither do the oddsmakers.
π Check out all college football Week 13 lines on ESPN BET and theScore Bet here
Game time: 4 p.m.
π Pick: Maryland (+13.5)
There's no bigger lookahead spot than the week before playing rival Ohio State for a potential spot in the College Football Playoff. Maryland has lost six straight and disappointed after an incredible start, but the program did receive some clarity this week, announcing it will keep coach Mike Locksley for next season. While that angered fans, it also eliminated a distraction.
Michigan's offense has struggled in recent weeks, failing to distance itself from bad Big Ten opponents. The Wolverines only beat Northwestern by two last week and defeated Purdue by five the week before. Maryland is on the same level as those teams and should keep it within two touchdowns at home.
Game time: 12 p.m.
π Pick: Miami (-17.5)
Despite two disappointing losses in the span of three weeks earlier this season, Miami is playing its best football now, beating its past two opponents by a combined 62 points. The Hurricanes still have a backdoor route into the College Football Playoff if they win out, so their goals are still alive. Virginia Tech, meanwhile, just hired James Franklin for the 2026 season. Many Hokies players are likely thinking more about their future than their present. With nothing to play for, Virginia Tech doesn't stand a chance.
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