NCAA Football Predictions: Week 13 Opening Line Report and Picks

by Joey House - 11/17/2025

The college football season charges forward like a thoroughbred race across the autumn turf. August and September are the break from the gate, when fresh legs and fast starts create early headlines in nonconference sprints. Powerhouses bolt cleanly to the front, dazzling in blowouts, while others stumble from the break and scramble to recover. By the close of September, the pace has sorted the herd: Ohio State streaks ahead, mid‑majors hug the rail, and those 3‑0 starts hint at either glory or fool's gold. However, just as the 2009 Kentucky Derby winner Mine That Bird overcame a horrendous start to stage the second-biggest upset triumph (at the time), both Notre Dame and Texas shrugged off season-opening losses. They clawed their way back with the field of frontrunners.

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October brings the clubhouse turn, the grind of conference play where rivalries erupt and the crisp air sharpens every stride. Favorites falter on the backstretch, dark horses claw for position, and depth begins to matter more than speed. Now, in mid‑November, the field has turned for home. The gauntlet of ranked opponents demands stamina and resilience; fatigue creeps in, and the pack thins to the elite. Rivalry week looms just ahead, whips cracking with trick plays and bedlam, funneling contenders under the Selection Committee's unblinking stare.

December and January deliver the final furlong, the dash to the wire where playoff berths and championships are decided. Closers rally with miracles, leaders buckle under pressure, and every snap pulses with peril. At the wire, the CFP bracket drops like a photo‑finish freeze‑frame, seeds sealed and snubs savaged, propelling victors to glory bowls while the rest cool in the offseason haze of NIL audits, transfer drama, and dreams of next fall's thunder.

The Grim Reaper's Vacation

While the rumor mill has been heating up regarding coaching changes, it has been relatively quiet regarding actual changes. Auburn fired head coach Hugh Freeze about 2 days after our last OLR went out. With Week 13 rivalries looming, several Power Four coaches face mounting pressure, including Michigan State's Jonathan Smith at 3-7 with fans demanding a reboot, Maryland's Mike Locksley battling a six-game skid and a steep buyout, Florida State's Mike Norvell stumbling to 5-5 despite his extension, and Wisconsin's Luke Fickell limping to 3-7. Baylor's Dave Aranda and South Carolina's Shane Beamer could join the hot seat if finales falter, while even Clemson's Dabo Swinney hears chatter despite long odds. On the hiring front, Lane Kiffin is Florida's top target with Auburn and LSU also circling, though he insists he is committed to Ole Miss. If he departs, Tulane's Jon Sumrall looms as a potential target for Auburn, LSU eyes Bills coordinator Joe Brady, Arkansas leans toward USF's Alex Golesh, and James Franklin has surfaced in discussions with Virginia Tech. With 12 jobs already open and more likely to follow, rivalry week could trigger another "Bloody Sunday" of firings.

Washington State Cougars @ James Madison Dukes (-13.5/42) Saturday, Nov. 22nd, 1:00 p.m. ESPN+

The Dukes enter on a five-game win streak and remain the top Group of 5 contender for a College Football Playoff berth, fueled by a balanced offense averaging 37.1 points per game behind dual-threat quarterback Alonza Barnett III and running back Wayne Knight, whose production powers the nation's seventh-ranked rushing attack. Their defense is equally formidable, ranking fifth nationally in yards allowed and holding opponents under 10 points in three of the last five contests, anchored by linebacker Trent Hendrick and cornerback Justin Eaglin. The opposition, meanwhile, struggles offensively, scoring just 20.7 points per game. Quarterback Zevi Eckhaus is prone to turnovers, and the ground game lacks explosiveness, leaving them vulnerable against JMU's aggressive front. While their defense has shown recent improvement, the secondary remains thin, and the turnover margin is among the worst in the country. Oddsmakers favor JMU by nearly two touchdowns, and with superior balance, defensive dominance, and playoff urgency, the Dukes are poised for a decisive 38-21 victory that keeps their postseason hopes alive.

Colorado State Rams @ Boise State Broncos (-17/45.5) Saturday, Nov. 22nd, 7:00 p.m. FS1

Boise State enters this matchup fighting for bowl eligibility and a share of the conference crown, while Colorado State continues to spiral after a coaching change and heavy road losses. The Broncos' offense, averaging over 31 points per game, thrives on balance and big plays, with quarterback Maddux Madsen providing stability and mobility and running back Dylan Riley powering a ground attack that should exploit the Rams' porous front. Colorado State, averaging just 18 points per game, struggles with turnovers and inefficiency, and its recent blowout losses underscore an offense unlikely to score more than 14 points against Boise's aggressive defense. The Broncos rank in the top 40 nationally in scoring defense and sacks, consistently forcing mistakes and capitalizing on short fields. In contrast, the Rams' defense collapses under pressure, surrendering over 30 points per game in losses. Trends tilt heavily toward Boise, strong at home against the spread and buoyed by a clean injury slate, while Colorado State falters on the road both outright and ATS. With bowl hopes on the line and the blue turf crowd behind them, Boise is primed to roll to a decisive cover by halftime.

Nebraska Cornhuskers @ Penn State Nittany Lions (-9.5/44.5) Saturday, Nov. 22nd, 7:00 p.m. NBC

Nebraska enters with precise edges in motivation, quarterback stability, and offensive efficiency that should keep this contest within a touchdown. With a 7-3 record and bowl destination hopes hanging in the balance, the Huskers arrive riding momentum from a gritty win over UCLA, where true freshman quarterback T.J. Lateef stepped in seamlessly and displayed poise under pressure. That performance underscores Nebraska's ability to adapt without its star signal-caller, as the offense continues to produce efficiently through a balanced attack. The hosts, meanwhile, limp in at 4-6 with just one Big Ten victory, plagued by injuries that have gutted their depth chart and forced a conservative, run-heavy scheme prone to stalled drives and poor red-zone conversion. Their passing game ranks outside the top 80 nationally and struggles to generate explosive plays, leaving them vulnerable against Nebraska's aggressive secondary, which allows fewer than 20 points per game. Nebraska's superior turnover margin and third-down defense should dictate tempo, with Lateef exploiting soft coverages and the ground game chewing up steady yardage to keep the chains moving. Penn State's home-field edge and flashes of talent warrant respect, but their conference skid and rash of absences cap their ceiling at a narrow win at best. Nebraska grinds out a 24-17 final, staying competitive wire-to-wire in a game that exposes the hosts' frailties.

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Start:	November 17, 2025 @ 10:00 PM
Expert:	Strike Point Sports
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NCAA Football Predictions: Week 13 Opening Line Report and Picks

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