Watching College Football: Week 13 2024
Below the surface, lurking.
Some weeks, writing this article is easier.
There’s a few big games nicely spaced out throughout the day, they’re on major networks, they involve big-name teams everyone will enjoy.
But this week? We’ve got one, maybe two absolute must-see matchups, and then a veritable slew of games that either don’t feature notable teams or don’t boast a recognizable hook that would lead the average fan to go, “yeah, I should watch that.”
When I first took a gander at this Saturday, my first reaction was to cringe due to the sheer lack of surface-level intrigue. Then I dug deeper.
These are the times where I ask you to trust me. Because based on my analysis, this week might just contain the most beguiling, the most stakes-heavy, the most secretly awesome set of games all year.
Don’t believe me? Read on.
FREE SLATE
None
Yep, you heard me right. Like I said in the intro, there’s potential excitement all day long, so you’ll have to adopt a “wait and see” approach on Saturday. If a Slate turns out snoozier than expected, feel free to take a quick break from watching, but keep an eye on those scores.
EARLY SLATE
Big Screen
Indiana at Ohio State
12:00pm/11:00am (FOX)
The undisputed heavyweight matchup of the day. This is one you have to see. It’s probably for a spot in the Big Ten championship. The Hoosiers are decidedly not the favorites because the muckity-mucks have decided they ain’t played nobody. I don’t understand that perspective. They’ve flambéed great defensive teams all year, racking up yards like no one’s business. And they marry their offensive prowess with stingy, opportunistic defense.
The Buckeyes are in danger of taking Indiana too lightly. If anyone’s a potential paper tiger here, it’s them. Their weak spot is on offense, which sometimes underachieves when faced with stalwart opposition. Not that I’m doubting their ability. Ohio State’s still a Playoff lock and should—note the word choice— be able to put this one away based on the talent differential alone. But with two of the best defenses in the country on the field, don’t be surprised if this one turns into a low-scoring slugfest.
Small Screen
Ole Miss at Florida
12:00pm/11:00am (ABC)
The Rebs are riding high. They’re back in the Playoff hunt for the time being thanks to last week’s win over Georgia. Their two losses were both by three points. They boast a Nascar-speed offense and a defense anchored by a stifling front seven. With the second-best running-back stoppers in the nation, they will make you pass to beat them. Good news is that if your team can pass the ball, Ole Miss isn’t too hot in the secondary.
Florida rode the return of phenom DJ Lagway to glory and knocked LSU down a peg last week, surprising everyone. With a victory here, I’ll go out on a very sturdy limb and say that embattled head coach Billy Napier’s job is secure. To ensure that happens, the Gator D must have the best game of their lives, and Lagway must look like a Heisman contender. No small feat, but they are at home in the Swamp.
Watch The Score
SMU at Virginia (12pm/11am, ESPN2)
MIDDLE SLATE
Big Screen
BYU at Arizona State
3:30pm/2:30pm (ESPN)
For some reason, the Cougs have fallen off. The offense has lacked some luster as of late, and it caught up to them last week when Kansas upset BYU. Now the Stormin’ Mormons are underdogs in a likely battle for a slot in the Big 12 championship, but they’ve done well in that position all year. Given their opponent’s strength, their run defense will need to improve from fine to at least good over this week of practice.
The Sun Devils are prepared to pound the rock. Cam Skattebo is the best back no one’s talking about, but to beat a team the Cougars’ caliber, Sam Leavitt must step up under center, and his receiving corps need to work as a unit and help him out. The defense should do enough to keep things from getting out of hand.
Small Screen
Colorado at Kansas
3:30pm/2:30pm (FOX)
This one’s at Arrowhead Stadium in KC. I was trying to come up with a Chiefs or Taylor Swift-related joke here, but the ol’ brain isn’t cooperating. Just imagine your best one instead. Let’s talk about the Buffs. Exceeding my every expectation, Coach Prime’s all-pass attack is poised to make it to the conference title game, if they can avoid any stumbles on the way. They’ll need to do it by being opportunistic and outscoring Kansas. The defense is decidedly mediocre, which is an improvement over last year.
The Jayhawks are better than their record, and last week they proved it by embarrassing BYU. After a five-game losing streak hobbled their bowl chances, they adopted a gritty, win-at-nearly-all-costs mentality that should serve them well here. Unlike previous iterations of Kansas football, this team revolves around a healthy dose of tailback Devin Neal, and if they can get him going and control the clock, there’s nearly no ceiling for this squad.
Watch The Score
Penn State at Minnesota (3:30pm/2:30pm, CBS)
Pitt at Louisville (4pm/3pm, ESPN2)
NIGHT SLATE
Big Screen
Army at Notre Dame
7:00pm/6:00pm (NBC)
Wait, where are you going? I know, you’re probably wondering what this obvious slog of a matchup is doing here. But it’s ranked versus ranked, and with the Black Knights as good as they are this year, it’s well worth my time to appreciate The Troops. Still running the triple option, and doing so at blazing pace and with record-high scoring results, Army combines that with a defense that only allowed more than two TDs once this year. They’re dangerous, and with a win, they likely enter Playoff contention.
The Irish would do well to remember as much. After a blip against Northern Illinois, they’ve reeled off an impressive set of wins. Like Army, they’ve won mostly by running the football. But while Army struggles to defend the pass, Notre Dame can’t seem to fully grok rushing defense. This might seem like heresy, but these squads look evenly matched on paper, which usually makes for an entertaining game.
Small Screen
Texas A&M at Auburn
7:30pm/6:30pm (ESPN)
Look, no, it’s not the SEC game everyone’s talking about this week. If you want to know where the Tide and the Sooners are playing, see below. But when you peel back the onion that is this matchup, intriguing storylines abound. The Aggies are barely favored in this one. If you looked solely at the records, you’d laugh at that. You shouldn’t. A&M’s struggled mightily with passing, relying on Amari Daniels’s shifty running ability to keep games in reach when they face tough secondaries. And their defense hasn’t exactly played up to snuff all year, especially when tested.
Make no mistake, the Tigers are a test. They’ve got a balanced, non-flashy offense, but their true skill is on defense, where they keep teams in check by stopping the deep pass and stonewalling opposing backs at the line of scrimmage. They’re an offensive coordinator’s nightmare, and they will show someone up in these final two weeks. Will it be the Aggies, or the Tide in next week’s Iron Bowl? Who’s to say. Oh, also, did I mention that Auburn needs to beat both of those teams to get bowl eligible?
Watch The Score
Alabama at Oklahoma (7:30pm/6:30pm, ABC)
Vanderbilt at LSU (7:45pm/6:45pm, SEC Network)
Cincinnati at Kansas State (8pm/7pm, ESPN2)
LATE SLATE
USC at UCLA
10:30pm/9:30pm (NBC)
Welcome to Big Ten After Dark, a storied late-night college football tradition full of wacky hi-jinks and wild finishes! What’s that? You’re looking for PAC-12 After Dark? Sorry, that’s this tradition’s old name. In this new-school era, the Trojans have struggled. Lincoln Riley really hoped to enter his new conference with a bang, and has settled for a whimper that includes losses to Maryland and Minnesota. He needs a victory to get his squad to a bowl, and with Notre Dame closing out the Trojans’ season next week, it’s kind of now or never. Expect all the stops to be fully pulled out.
To put up any sort of resistance, the Bruins must do two things they haven’t been able to do all season. First, they must show that they can run the football, at least a little. They’re currently a bottom-5 worst rushing team. And they must limit Miller Moss’s passing, or this one will be over quickly. UCLA will be motivated, and in rivalry games you generally throw out the records. It remains to be seen if that will be enough.
Finally giving the Black Nights some love. I wouldn't be surprised if there were 14 total possession in the Army Notre Dame game.