The Key Results and New AP Poll Rankings in College Football – Week #13

This was Rivalry Week, the final regular season schedule before the conference championships pitting an array of traditional rivalries and leading directly into bowl season. The first bowl games will take place on December 16, with a handful played on that Saturday - teams and matchups will be announced in the coming weeks.

This weekend was tense as far as the top of the rankings for the College Football Championship, with very close contests in games that will impact the penultimate playoff poll to be released Tuesday evening.

(2) Michigan 30 - (6) Ohio State 24

This was the highlight game of the day with a pair of Top-3 teams matched up to see who would be assured of playoff seeding. After a shaky start, the Buckeyes’ QB Kyle McCord settled in and brought the team back in the 3rd quarter to tie things, as Blake Corrum was again the go-to for the Wolverines, rushing for 88 yards and two touchdowns. Ohio State had the chance for a final go-ahead strike but an interception with less than a minute remaining sent Michigan forward. The Buckeyes need plenty of help in order to make this year’s playoffs.

(1) Georgia 31 - Georgia Tech 23

While not a game they would want to sleep on, this was something of a tune-up game for Georgia. QB Carson Beck had a manageable game, going a modest 13/20 for 175 yards and a touchdown. Instead, the Bulldogs were content to let Kendall Milton carry the load, as he ran for over 150 yards and added a pair of scores. Next up is a big match with Alabama in the SEC Championship, with its 29 game win streak on the line.

My son sent me this … from the end of the Michigan-Ohio State game today!

Go Blue! pic.twitter.com/47YCZEYSLJ
— Kevin - Classical Liberal 🇺🇸 (@gov_fails) November 25, 2023

(3) Washington 24 – Washington State 21

In a home game that was far closer than expected, it took some fortune for the Huskies to close out its undefeated season. Star QB Michael Pennix was actually outclassed by Cameron Ward for the Cougars, who threw for 317 yards and three touchdowns. It took a late drive for the Huskies to get close, with a dropped interception and then a gutsy 4th-down call to get them in position for the winning field goal as the clock expired.

(4) Florida State - 24 - Florida 15

Despite trailing most of the game and coming into the swamp without starting quarterback Jordan Travis, the Seminoles leaned on standout running back Trey Benson. He provided three touchdowns, including the backbreaker late in the 4th quarter that sealed the 12-0 season and probably pulled FSU back into the playoff seeding. UF will not be bowl-eligible for the first time in six seasons.

(6) Oregon 31 - (21) Oregon State 7

Any thoughts of The Beavers ruining the Ducks’ post-season chances with an upset were quickly quieted as Quarterback Bo Nix put on a clinic, throwing for 367 yards and two touchdowns while adding another score on the ground. This will lead to a rematch with Washington in the PAC-12 Title game after a narrow loss to the Huskies last month. The winner of that game will be locked into the final four teams in the Championship playoffs.

(8) Alabama 27 - Auburn 21

The annual Iron Bowl did not disappoint as the Tigers, after an embarrassment last week at the hands of lowly New Mexico State, put the scare into the Tide. It required something of a miracle, as Auburn carried a one-point lead into the fourth quarter and padded that with a field goal that looked to be enough to hold on. But then on a desperation 4th-and-goal from the 31, Jalen Milroe hit Isaiah Bond in the back of the end zone with just over 30 seconds remaining to pull off the win.

Here is this week’s new AP poll (with first-place votes), which will feed into the penultimate playoff rankings released on Tuesday night.