It is rivalry week! Some of the best games of the year are on tap and there should be plenty of fun upsets and dramatic performances. Last week was everything we could have asked for and more and this week should be even better. Here are our top 3 2022 college football games week 13.
No. 3 Michigan vs No. 2 Ohio State
For the second straight year, this heated rivalry game is going to have massive College Football Playoff implications. Ohio State is playing at home and is more than a touchdown favorite in this game. While a lot of steam is on Michigan, let’s not forget that last year’s game broke a miserable losing streak for the Wolverines although the Buckeyes are still very much in control of the rivalry in recent years. Michigan’s defense has looked legit this year, but the offenses they’ve faced haven’t necessarily been all that impressive. I think Ohio State pounds away at this defense and I’m not sure the Wolverines have an explosive enough offense to keep up in a second-half game. The Big 10 might eventually think about rescheduling this game or getting rid of it altogether because it eliminates one of the top two teams in their conference and takes them out of the championship game. There’s no way the Big 10 will get two teams in the CFP with this current makeup unless all hell breaks loose somewhere else. It will be a good one, but it will be an Ohio State win, nonetheless. Prediction: Michigan 21 Ohio State 35
No. 13 Notre Dame vs No. 5 USC
The Trojans held onto a win over UCLA, and they’ve put themselves in a great spot to nab a CFP spot when one of the top four teams has a letdown, which will be this week with Michigan and Ohio State playing each other. This is an all-time classic rivalry and one the Irish would love to win just so they can spoil Lincoln Riley’s first season in Los Angeles. I don’t think ND should be ranked this high, but I don’t make the rankings, so here we are. The USC offense is explosive and covers up for a really bad Trojan defense that can’t stop allowing points. That might be to Notre Dame’s benefit in making this game close, but I still see USC cruising past an Irish team that just has just two quality wins this season. Prediction: Notre Dame 28 USC 40
Auburn vs No. 8 Alabama
The College Football Playoff is a far cry for Alabama this season, but the Auburn Tigers under interim coach Cadillac Williams have a chance to hand Nick Saban his first three-loss season in more than a decade. The last time the Crimson Tide lost that many games with Saban at the helm was 2010. Alabama has been shaky all season long and Auburn has won two straight games. I’m not saying that Bama is about to lose, but crazier things have certainly happened this season and this is a rivalry game where anything can happen. Bryce Young gets one more game in front of his home fans, and ultimately, I think he puts on a show for them. Prediction: Auburn 20 Alabama 32