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- Jacob Rhee

Here are my 10 biggest takeaways from Week 13 of the college football season.

1. Five days.

I don’t want to hear trash talk exit the mouth of any human being wearing Scarlet and Gray this week. Myself included, quite frankly. You have not defeated Michigan in almost six calendar years. Pipe down, and handle business.

2. 180 degrees.

John Mateer was the Heisman favorite after four contests. He’s now… Oklahoma’s weak link? What is going on?

Even if John is too tough to fully admit it, I think most of us can see the reason for his struggles here. It’s that thumb. Since the surgery, he’s completing just 58.2 percent of his passes, for a paltry 5.9 yards per attempt. That’s a half-season of Joe Bauserman production, from a dude that was sprinting up draft boards not too long ago.

Mateer threw a pair of touchdowns, didn’t commit a turnover, and picked up a ranked victory. We’re not in complete panic mode or anything. I just wonder how sustainable this formula is for the Sooners. You’re not winning four straight playoff games with a hesitant quarterback.

3. An unacceptable snub.

Elijah Sarratt was named a Biletnikoff semifinalist. KC Concepcion was not. Let’s line up their numbers next to each other.

Explain it to me like I’m five.

4. Full volume.

There’s an SEC running back - who is tied for sixth on his own roster in carries - that consistently raises my eyebrows. It’s AK Dear down in Tuscaloosa.

Jam Miller, Kevin Riley, and Daniel Hill are all averaging under four yards an attempt. Dear is up at 8.1. Granted, 14 of his 16 totes have come against cupcakes. The true freshman passes the eye test, though; I love his patience, and he possesses an extra level of burst and power that the others can’t reach.

Alabama fans have every right to be disappointed if Kalen DeBoer never gives AK a serious look, and the campaign ends in disappointment. You trust your left tackle to take handoffs in big spots, but not a four-star who actually plays the position? Come on.

5. Peace sign.

Speaking of the Tide, morale is suddenly high on their archrival’s campus. For the first time in 15 years, Auburn might have a star QB.

Regardless of the opponent, that was special stuff from Deuce. The Tigers’ head coaching job suddenly looks a bit more desirable.

6. Reloaded.

Notre Dame was up 21-0 on Syracuse before CJ Carr touched the football. It was 35-0 after 11 minutes. Those are real things that happened.

Take the Irish group that fell just short in the national championship game 11 months ago. Place it across from the current iteration of the team, and have the two squads battle in South Bend this Saturday. I’m rolling with this 2025 crew, no hesitation. Marcus Freeman and his staff are doing absolutely brilliant work at the moment.

7. A Salt Lake City miracle.

Utah folks are going to remember that one for the rest of time. I’m hardly a win-probability boy, but Kansas State had to be inching towards 100 percent when it extended the lead to 47-35 late. This was the ensuing sequence of events.

• Utah scores on defensive two-point conversion

• Utah scores touchdown

• Kansas State punts

• Utah scores touchdown

• Kansas State throws interception

• Utah kneels out clock

The Utes give up 472(!!) rushing yards, yet steal a victory to stay in CFP contention. Rice-Eccles Stadium is a pretty cool place.

8. Seattle secrets.

Gazing way into the future, I think Washington gets back to the playoff next year. With or without Jedd Fisch.

A teenager is leading the huddle, and the Huskies currently own a higher average scoring margin than Oklahoma. They’ve won seven contests by at least 17 points, and have yet to be blown out themselves. UW was in a one-score game with both Ohio State and Michigan in the fourth quarter, and neither of those schools appear on its 2026 schedule. Huskies supporters should be dancing in the rain at the very thought of next autumn.

9. My updated Heisman ladder.

1) Jacob Rodriguez, Texas Tech LB

2) Fernando Mendoza, Indiana QB

3) Julian Sayin, Ohio State QB

4) Jeremiyah Love, Notre Dame RB

5) Cashius Howell, Texas A&M EDGE

6) Ty Simpson, Alabama QB

7) Drew Mestemaker, North Texas QB

8) Caleb Downs, Ohio State S

9) Diego Pavia, Vanderbilt QB

10) Makai Lemon, USC WR

10. Time to peek ahead.

An incredible Week 14 slate is ahead. Georgia and Georgia Tech clash on Friday, with the Lone Star Showdown immediately after.

The next day, it’s Miami and Pitt. Oregon and Washington. Vanderbilt and Tennessee. The Iron Bowl. We haven’t even mentioned that dramatic Lane Kiffin decision.

Only one thing matters to me, however. The war in Ann Arbor. Let’s go.

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“My Way” by Calvin Harris. Perhaps an unpopular opinion, I like when he sings.