The 2025 College Football Playoff Picture included several team logging key statement wins

With the regular season drawing to a close, week 13  delivered everything fans could have hoped for: thrilling upsets, dominant performances, and a significant reshuffling of the College Football Playoff landscape.  Fan bases across the nation are on pins and needles, hoping their favorite team can advance to the postseason and push for a national championship.  

When the final scores were posted, some teams saw their championship aspirations solidify, while others realized their CFP hopes were over.. The path to the playoff has become clearer, with several key matchups dramatically altering the trajectory for top contenders.

We now break down the biggest movers and shakers following a wild weekend of football. We'll outline the games that had the most significant impact, analyze which teams are now in prime position for a playoff berth, and look at those whose hopes were extinguished. For teams like Oregon and Notre Dame, the weekend brought validation. For USC and others, it marked the end of a playoff dream.

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Winners: Teams Boosting Their Playoff Resumes

Several teams rose to the occasion in Week 13, securing crucial victories that significantly improved their standing in the eyes of the playoff committee. These wins not only added a quality victory to their record but also better positioned them for postseason play.

Oregon Ducks Soar After Grounding Trojans

In a highly anticipated Big Ten matchup, Oregon hosted USC in a game with massive playoff implications. The Ducks delivered a commanding performance, effectively ending the Trojans' playoff hopes and cementing their own status as a top contender. With the decisive win, Oregon is now well-positioned to not only make the playoff but also host a first-round game.  Oregon can boost its ranking with a season-ending win over Washington. 

Notre Dame Makes a Statement

Facing questions about the validity of their high ranking, Notre Dame traveled to Syracuse and left no doubt about their capabilities. The Fighting Irish applied a 70-7 thumping to the Orange in a comprehensive rout, silencing critics and reinforcing their position as one of the nation's elite teams. This dominant win against Syracuse solidifies the Irish as a top CFP team.

BYU Stakes Its Claim on the Road

In another pivotal road test, No. 11 BYU went into Cincinnati and emerged with a hard-fought victory. This win was essential for the Cougars, who needed a signature performance to bolster their case for a playoff spot. By defeating a tough Bearcats team in a hostile environment.  The Cougars can advance their CFP chances with a season-ending win over UCF and a win over Texas Tech in the Big 12 championship game. 

Other Notable Winners

• No. 13 Miami: The Hurricanes secured a must-win victory on the road against Virginia Tech. This result keeps their  playoff hopes alive that had been diminished by earlier season losses to Louisville and SMU.  Miami's last chance to impress the playoff committee with be their season finale against Pitt. 
• No. 14 Vanderbilt: The Commodores impressed with a thorough dismantling of Kentucky. This rout improved their standing and will surely catch the committee's attention as they evaluate teams on the bubble.  This is the strongest Vandy team in decades and many fans are rooting for this underdog program to make the College Football Playoffs. 
• No. 17 Texas: The Longhorns are trending upward after a convincing win over Arkansas. This victory helps build momentum and strengthens their resume as they look to finish the season on a high note.  The biggest obstacle for Texas' CFP bid is having three losses.  A season-ending victory over Texas A&M would go a long way towards providing the rankings spark they need. 
• No. 24 Tulane:  Louisiana's top ranked team scored a key victory over Temple.  The 37-13 victory helped the Green Wave hold on to their top position among G5 schools.  With the new College Football Playoff format instituted in 2024, the top ranked G5 team earns one of the 12 CFP positions. 
• Tennessee: The Volunteers notched an important victory over their rival, Florida. A win against the Gators always carries weight and helps Tennessee build a stronger case for a high-ranking bowl game, keeping them on the periphery of the expanded playoff discussion.  The Vols are a longshot to make the 2025 CFP field.  They can help their cause with a season finale win over Vanderbilt. 

Losers: Playoff Dreams Dashed

While some teams celebrated, others were left to pick up the pieces after devastating losses. For these programs, Week 13 marked the painful end of their College Football Playoff aspirations.

USC's Playoff Hopes Evaporate in Eugene

The biggest loser of the weekend was undoubtedly USC. The Trojans traveled to Oregon with their playoff destiny in their hands, but a convincing defeat at the hands of the Ducks ended their championship dreams.  The Trojans now have three losses on the season.

Georgia Tech Stumbles at Home

No. 16 Georgia Tech had an opportunity to solidify its standing but instead fell to Pittsburgh in a disappointing home loss. This defeat effectively removes the Yellow Jackets from the playoff chase. A loss to an unranked Pitt now gives Georgia Tech losses in two of their last three games.  Although they have only lost two games, a late-season slide will not impress the CFP committee. 

What Lies Ahead

As we head into rivalry weekend, the College Football Playoff picture is taking its final shape. Oregon, Notre Dame, and BYU have positioned themselves well, but they will need to close out their seasons with strong performances to secure their spots. Conference championship games will also take center stage in early December, offering one last chance for teams to make their case to the selection committee. The results of Week 13 have set the stage for a dramatic conclusion to the regular season.

Key rivalry games include the Egg Bowl featuring Mississippi State vs Ole Miss.  the Iron Bowl pitting Alabama vs Auburn.  Georgia will need to defeat Georgia Tech to hold on to their top 4 ranking.  Ohio State must avoid losing to Michigan again as the Buckeyes seek to enter the postseason with the nation's top ranking.