As the college football season enters its final stretch, Week 13 brings a slate of games that could have significant implications for the College Football Playoff and conference title races. From unlikely undefeated teams to perennial powers jockeying for position, this weekend promises to deliver high-stakes drama on the gridiron.
Notre Dame’s Playoff Push Faces Army Test
One of the most intriguing matchups of the week features No. 6 Notre Dame hosting No. 19 Army at Yankee Stadium. The Fighting Irish have won eight straight since a stunning early-season loss and appear poised for a playoff berth if they can win out. However, they face an Army squad that enters the game with a perfect 9-0 record and dreams of crashing the playoff party.
Army has already clinched a spot in the AAC title game, but a victory over Notre Dame would give the Black Knights a signature win to bolster their case for a top-four ranking. As Army coach Jeff Monken noted, though, his team is focused on the fundamentals rather than the hype:
If I’m telling our guys this is the biggest [Notre Dame] game since 1946, I mean, how does that help our team win? It just puts undue pressure on them.
– Jeff Monken, Army head coach
Notre Dame coach Marcus Freeman, meanwhile, is taking nothing for granted against an Army offense that presents a unique challenge with its triple-option attack. A win keeps the Irish in the thick of the playoff chase, but a loss could dash their title hopes.
Big Ten Showdown: Ohio State Offense vs. Indiana Ball-Hawks
In the Big Ten, No. 2 Ohio State puts its high-powered offense up against an undefeated Indiana team that has feasted on takeaways. The Buckeyes rank third nationally in offensive efficiency thanks to the dynamic playmaking of running backs TreVeyon Henderson and Quinshon Judkins and wideouts Emeka Egbuka and Jeremiah Smith.
However, Ohio State quarterback Will Howard has shown a penchant for costly turnovers at times this season. If the ball-hawking Hoosier defense, which ranks 10th in turnover margin, can force Howard into mistakes, they could pull off the upset in the raucous Horseshoe.
The atmosphere in Columbus could also pose a challenge for Indiana and quarterback Kurtis Rourke, who have yet to face a ranked opponent or play in a venue as daunting as Ohio Stadium. If the Buckeyes can strike early and often, they could make the moment too big for the upstart Hoosiers.
SEC Title Race Remains Wide Open
In the SEC, No. 3 Texas and No. 15 Texas A&M sit atop the standings, each with one conference loss. If both teams win this week before facing off in the regular-season finale, the victor will punch its ticket to the SEC Championship Game in Atlanta.
However, losses by either team could open the door for No. 7 Alabama, No. 10 Georgia, or a pair of dark-horse contenders in No. 9 Ole Miss and No. 11 Tennessee. With so many teams still alive and head-to-head matchups looming, the race for SEC supremacy likely won’t be decided until the final whistle of the regular season.
An Alabama-Georgia rematch in the conference title game remains a distinct possibility — and a tantalizing proposition for fans after the Bulldogs’ thrilling victory in last year’s national championship. But the Crimson Tide must first navigate a trip to Oklahoma this week and the Iron Bowl against rival Auburn to close the season.
UCLA’s Breakout Star: Walk-On Turned Tackling Machine
One of the most remarkable individual stories of the 2024 season is that of UCLA linebacker Carson Schwesinger. The junior walk-on has gone from unheralded scout teamer to leading the entire FBS in solo tackles with 69.
Schwesinger’s rise from obscurity to stardom is the stuff of Hollywood scripts. The undersized linebacker from Moorpark, California slipped through the recruiting cracks, but impressed UCLA coaches with his tenacity and work ethic. Now a team captain, Schwesinger has recorded double-digit tackles in seven games, emerging as the heart and soul of a resurgent Bruins defense.
As if his on-field accomplishments weren’t impressive enough, Schwesinger carries a challenging academic load as a bioengineering major. While he may have an NFL future ahead, Schwesinger is focused on using his degree to work in sports science after his playing days are over.
I’m proud of just being able to continue to work, even when there were times when it didn’t seem like it was going to be going to work out for me. I’m just thankful for the opportunities that I’ve been given, and want to continue to make the most of any that I keep getting.
– Carson Schwesinger, UCLA linebacker
As the intensity ratchets up and the margin for error narrows, Week 13 of the college football season promises to deliver a thrilling mix of must-see matchups and compelling storylines. From Notre Dame’s playoff push to the wide-open SEC race to unsung heroes like UCLA’s Carson Schwesinger, the final weeks of the 2024 campaign have the potential to produce unforgettable moments and unlikely heroes. For fans of high-stakes gridiron drama, this is the most wonderful time of the year.
