Week 13 delivered everything the PCFB world thrives on—rivalry drama, playoff-positioning heartbreak, surprise upsets, and statement performances that reshaped the national landscape. As the dust settles, a brand-new No. 1 sits atop the poll, multiple playoff contenders took damaging losses, and several programs made massive late-season climbs while others suffered dramatic falls.
Using last week’s rankings as a reference, here’s the full breakdown of who rose, who fell, and what it all means heading into championship weekend.
Top 25 – Week 13
- Texas
- Clemson
- SMU
- Wake Forest
- Notre Dame
- Michigan
- Penn State
- Nebraska
- UCLA
- Tulane
- Washington
- South Carolina
- Florida
- Louisville
- Tennessee
- Texas A&M
- Bowling Green
- Georgia
- Oregon
- Texas Tech
- Arizona State
- Alabama
- Northwestern
- Miami
- Middle Tennessee
Biggest Storylines of the Week
Texas Takes Over No. 1 After Statement Win
Texas jumps from No. 3 to No. 1, leaping both Michigan and Georgia after a complete performance that impressed voters on both sides of the ball. With elite balance, a top-five scoring offense, and a defense that has tightened dramatically in November, the Longhorns enter championship week looking like the most polished team in the country.
Texas is now the clear favorite to secure a playoff berth—win and they’re in.
Clemson Rises Into National Title Contention (Up from No. 9 → No. 2)
No team made a louder late-season statement than Clemson, skyrocketing seven spots after throttling their Week 13 opponent and taking advantage of several teams ahead of them slipping. The Tigers have quietly built one of the most complete résumés in the country:
- Elite defense
- Top-15 offense
- Zero bad losses
- Several ranked wins
They now sit at No. 2, suddenly in prime playoff position if they finish strong.
SMU Holds Firm at No. 3, and Wake Forest Reaches No. 4
SMU continues its incredible season, staying inside the top three thanks to its explosive offense and undefeated record. Wake Forest, meanwhile, moves up from No. 7 to No. 4, benefitting from losses above them and their own sharp finish to the regular season.
Wake’s playoff odds are alive but fragile—one more strong performance could push the Demon Deacons into the top four if chaos breaks right.
Notre Dame, Michigan, and Penn State Shuffle but Stay in the Hunt
The middle of the top 10 saw controlled movement rather than chaos:
- Notre Dame rises from No. 4 to No. 5, still securely in playoff contention.
- Michigan drops from No. 1 to No. 6 after a costly rivalry loss.
- Penn State jumps from No. 16 to No. 7, making them the second-biggest riser of Week 13.
Penn State’s climb comes behind a dominant defensive showcase and a late surge that has their fanbase believing again.
Nebraska and UCLA Break In, Tulane Surges
Nebraska re-enters the top 10 at No. 8, rising from last week’s No. 13 after a huge win that reestablished them as one of the most dangerous two-loss teams in the nation.
UCLA also makes a major jump, climbing from unranked in some polls earlier this season to No. 9, solidifying themselves as one of the best surprise stories of 2025.
Tulane continues their late-season momentum, soaring to No. 10 after another strong outing.
Florida Holds at No. 13 After Rivalry Thriller
Last week Florida sat at No. 13, and after a wild 49–44 rivalry win over Florida State, the Gators remain at the same spot. While the victory was impressive—especially with DJ Lagway’s Heisman-level performance—Florida didn’t get enough chaos above them to move into the top 10.
However, staying at No. 13 keeps their postseason hopes alive. With a 10–2 record and a strong rivalry finish, Florida is now one of the best-positioned bubble teams entering committee judgment week.
Biggest Risers of Week 13
1. Clemson (No. 9 → No. 2) | +7
A massive leap powered by dominance and perfect timing. No one improved their playoff odds more.
2. Penn State (No. 16 → No. 7) | +9
Penn State made the biggest numerical jump of anyone in the rankings, climbing nine full spots. A huge win combined with multiple teams above them falling gave the Nittany Lions a dream scenario.
3. Nebraska (No. 13 → No. 8) | +5
The Cornhuskers are heating up at the right moment. Their physical brand of football will make them dangerous in postseason matchups.
4. Tulane (No. 17 → No. 10) | +7
A top-10 finish is now within reach after their late-season offensive surge.
Biggest Fallers of Week 13
1. Georgia (No. 2 → No. 18) | –16
The biggest collapse of the week—and possibly the season. The Bulldogs plummet a staggering 16 spots after getting dominated for the second straight week. Their playoff hopes are officially gone.
2. Michigan (No. 1 → No. 6) | –5
Falling from No. 1 is never gentle. The Wolverines’ rivalry loss drops them out of playoff position, though they remain inside striking distance if chaos unfolds.
3. Oregon (No. 15 → No. 19) | –4
The Ducks’ inconsistency continues to plague them. They slide four spots and now cling to a top-20 ranking.
4. Northwestern (No. 23 → No. 23)
While they did not fall numerically, they remain one of the few teams hovering dangerously near falling out of the rankings entirely.
New Faces in the Top 25
Arizona State and Middle Tennessee both jump into the rankings late in the season, giving their programs momentum and validation heading into bowl selection. Their inclusion highlights the chaos of Week 13, where several teams near the bottom lost crucial games.
Teams Hanging On
No. 24 Miami
Miami has been inconsistent over the last month and narrowly holds onto a ranked spot. Another loss could easily push them out.
No. 23 Northwestern
Barely surviving the cut, and with no chance to climb comfortably without major upsets elsewhere.
Playoff Picture Outlook
With the updated top 13 serving as the realistic playoff pool, here’s where things stand:
Control Their Destiny:
- Texas
- Clemson
- SMU
Need help, but very much alive:
- Wake Forest
- Notre Dame
- Michigan
- Penn State
Slim chance but still in the conversation:
- Nebraska
- UCLA
- Tulane
- Washington
- South Carolina
- Florida
Florida’s chances in particular hinge on multiple losses from teams in the 5–10 range. The Gators did all they could with a rivalry win, but now must wait and watch the chaos unfold.
Final Thoughts
Week 13 served as the great divider of pretenders and contenders. Texas now stands atop the mountain, new challengers have emerged, and several highly ranked programs saw their playoff hopes evaporate. With championship weekend approaching, the stakes have never been higher, and the slightest slip could send shockwaves through the rankings once more.
The playoff race is still wide open. And if Week 13 taught us anything, it’s that anything can—and will—happen.
