Week 13 of the 2025 college football season delivered a flurry of drama, upsets, and statement victories that have left fans and analysts buzzing about the shifting landscape of both the FCS and FBS Top 25 rankings. As the regular season nears its end, teams across the country are jockeying for position—some making their final cases for playoff contention, while others fight to preserve historic streaks or bounce back from late-season stumbles. With powerhouse programs flexing their muscle and dark horses making noise, the latest results have set the stage for a thrilling conclusion to the year.
In the FCS, North Dakota State, ranked No. 1 in both the media and coaches polls, continued to assert its dominance with a resounding 62-7 victory over St. Thomas. The Bison, who have become synonymous with postseason excellence, left little doubt about their championship ambitions, overwhelming their opponent with relentless offense and stifling defense. Their performance was emblematic of a week where several Top 25 teams either solidified their status or survived close calls to keep their seasons alive.
Elsewhere in the FCS, No. 3 Montana State edged out No. 2 Montana in a nail-biting 31-28 showdown, a result that could have significant implications for playoff seeding and regional bragging rights. Lehigh, holding the No. 4 spot, dispatched Lafayette 42-32 in another high-scoring affair, while Tarleton State, ranked No. 5, needed overtime to escape with a 45-44 win over Austin Peay—a testament to the razor-thin margins that often define late-season clashes.
Other notable FCS results included Tennessee Tech, ranked No. 6, eking out a 20-17 victory against UT Martin, and North Dakota, sitting at No. 13, prevailing in overtime 31-28 in a gritty contest. The Week 13 schedule was packed with matchups featuring ranked teams, with fans treated to everything from blowouts to overtime thrillers as the playoff picture began to crystallize. According to the official FCS scoreboard, "Every score involving Top 25 teams in the media and coaches polls will be published below after the games," highlighting the intense scrutiny and anticipation that accompanies each result at this stage of the season.
Turning to the FBS, the spotlight shone brightest on Oregon, which vaulted itself into the national conversation with a 42-27 triumph over USC. Improving to 10-1 on the season, the Ducks not only bolstered their playoff resume but also set the stage for a significant jump in the AP Top 25 rankings. As projected by CBS Sports, "Oregon is a team that could see a positive benefit from being at the center of the college football world in Week 13, outlasting USC for a 42-27 win that both bolsters the Ducks' resume and maintains their status as one of the top one-loss teams in the country." With Ole Miss idle and Texas Tech also off, Oregon's win is expected to break the tie for No. 6 and potentially push the Ducks into the coveted top five behind Georgia.
Ohio State, meanwhile, maintained its hold on the No. 1 ranking with a comprehensive 42-9 victory over Rutgers. The Buckeyes' defense continued its remarkable run, holding an opponent to 10 points or fewer for the ninth time this season. Even without star receivers Jeremiah Smith and Carnell Tate, Ohio State outgained Rutgers 430 to 147 yards, relying on a balanced attack that included 110 rushing yards and two touchdowns from freshman running back Bo Jackson. The Buckeyes' ability to adapt and thrive despite injuries has been a hallmark of their campaign, and their latest win only strengthens their grip on the top spot.
Texas A&M, sitting at No. 3, took care of business with a 48-0 rout of FCS Samford, improving to a pristine 12-0 on the year. Georgia, ranked No. 4, extended its impressive home nonconference record under coach Kirby Smart to 25-1 with a 35-3 win over Charlotte. The Bulldogs gave their backups valuable playing time, a luxury afforded by their early dominance in the contest.
Ole Miss, projected to drop from No. 5 to No. 6 due to Oregon's surge, was off in Week 13, while Texas Tech, previously tied with Oregon, also had a bye. Oklahoma, ranked eighth, secured a 17-6 win over Missouri in what was described as "full Al Davis 'just win, baby' mode in Norman," according to CBS Sports. The Sooners' hard-fought victory may not have been flashy, but it reinforced their status as a top-10 team with playoff aspirations still alive.
Notre Dame, sitting at No. 9, delivered a statement with a 70-point explosion against a power conference foe, though projections suggest the Fighting Irish will remain just outside the top eight. Alabama, BYU, and Vanderbilt all held serve in their respective games, with Vanderbilt's Diego Pavia setting a new school record by throwing for 484 yards and accounting for six touchdowns in a 45-17 win over Kentucky. The Commodores' undefeated home slate (7-0) is their first since 1982, and with a shot at a 10-win season looming, excitement in Nashville is palpable.
Texas, led by Arch Manning's six-touchdown performance in a 52-37 victory over Arkansas, remains the highest-ranked three-loss team and is poised for a marquee matchup against Texas A&M next week. Michigan, overcoming injuries to top running backs, rolled to a 45-20 win at Maryland, converting 12 of 14 third downs and never punting—a testament to their offensive efficiency.
Further down the rankings, teams like James Madison, North Texas, and Tulane continued to build on strong seasons, with each notching important wins to solidify their positions. Georgia Tech, once 8-0, finds itself at 9-2 after dropping two of its last three games, raising questions about its defensive struggles and how voters will assess its late-season slide. As CBS Sports noted, "AP voters who are prone to recency bias could drop Georgia Tech off their ballots entirely, while others who bought stock into the team that started 8-0 will be less likely to be so dramatic."
In the Group of Five, SMU and Pitt are projected to return to the AP Top 25 after convincing wins, while Missouri and Houston are expected to drop out. The end-of-ballot debates remain fierce, with two-loss and three-loss power conference teams vying for recognition alongside rising stars from smaller leagues.
With just one week remaining in the regular season for many programs, the stakes have never been higher. Teams are not only fighting for playoff spots and bowl berths but also for pride, tradition, and the chance to etch their names into college football lore. The action is far from over, and as the dust settles from Week 13, all eyes now turn to the final showdowns that will ultimately decide who rises, who falls, and who gets to keep their championship dreams alive.
