USA Today Coaches Poll Top 25 released after Week 13 of college football

The latest USA Today Coaches Poll Top 25 rankings were released after Week 13 of the college football regular season.

Rivalry weekend did not disappoint as the top teams fought for their playoff positioning. We didn’t get any massive upsets, but we saw some headline worthy results.

With that, let’s dive into USA Today’s latest coaches poll rankings.

1. Georgia

Georgia finally had a game again where it was a little bit closer than anticipated. It’s been awhile since we’ve seen this version of the Bulldogs, but hey, it was rivalry week.

Georgia Tech gave the Bulldogs all they could handle in the end, scoring 10 points in the fourth quarter. But no matter, it was cruise control at that point. The two-time champs are still No. 1.

2. Michigan (+1)

Michigan proved the doubters wrong, again. With no Jim Harbaugh and apparently no signs, the Wolverines controlled the game from the get go. In an instant classic, while never trailing, Michigan beat rival Ohio State.

The win ensured the Wolverines a third straight trip to the Big Ten Championship Game. One more will get Michigan right back to the College Football Playoff. Oh yeah, Harbaugh returns to the sidelines in Indy next week.

3. Washington (+2)

The Apple Cup man. Washington won a close one, 24-21, over rival Washington State. We were this close to seeing a big time rankings shakeup, but the Huskies kept pace.

Now at 12-0, Washington will play Oregon for the second time this season, this time for the Pac-12 Championship. Playoff spot on the line? You bet.

4. Florida State

When it was 15-14, many thought, oh no, this is how it ends for Florida State. Not so fast my friend. Scoring 10 points in the fourth quarter, the Seminoles got out of Gainesville unscathed and remained undefeated.

Thanks to the hard running of Trey Benson, FSU took out Florida, denying their rival bowl eligibility along the way. Benson had 95 yards and three touchdowns on the ground.

5. Oregon (+1)

We’ve said for weeks that Oregon is playing some of the best football in the country. Well, the Ducks might be playing the best football in the country.

They took care of business with a 31-7 win over Oregon State in the final Civil War as Pac-12 foes. Now, Bo Nix and company get their shot at Washington again, this time with a potential spot in the playoff on the line.

6. Ohio State (-4)

And now we get to Ohio State. The Buckeyes were in The Game the whole afternoon. But questionable decisions, missed opportunities and the fate of the world it seems just led to the third straight loss to Michigan.

Ryan Day beats everyone, except Michigan. Well, he has one win over Jim Harbaugh. But it’s not enough right now. The College Football Playoff is all but out of reach this season now.

7. Texas

Texas, sheesh, where did that come from? The Longhorns absolutely battered Texas Tech 57-7 and even Arch Manning made his collegiate debut. It was that kind of night.

Quinn Ewers was up and down, but Jaydon Blue filled in nicely at running back when CJ Baxter went down with an injury. This team is just so resilient and they didn’t want anyone to forget about them when it comes to championship weekend.

8. Alabama

This sport is so great and because of that, you get games like Saturday’s Iron Bowl. Alabama looked dead in the water. Then, Jalen Milroe happened.

Backed up behind the 30 yard line on fourth and goal, Milroe delivered the throw of his life to Isaiah Bond. The go ahead score stunned Auburn and kept Bama within striking distance of the College Football Playoff.

9. Missouri (+1)

Missouri has 10 wins! You read that right! Eli Drinkwitz is one heck of a coach and again, if the Tigers didn’t lose to Georgia, we’d be talking about a potential playoff team.

Missouri will play in a New Year’s Six Bowl at this rate and earned that right. There’s no playoff, but this is quite the consolation prize for Drinkwitz’s best team to date.

10. Penn State (+1)

Penn State rolled to a 42-0 win over Michigan State on Black Friday and if that’s what the Nittany Lions were supposed to look like, we missed out. PSU unfortunately couldn’t do that against Ohio State or Michigan.

But, a New Year’s Six Bowl is on the table and James Franklin can end with another 11-win season. That should bode well going into the expanded playoff next year.

Rest of Coaches Poll Top 25

11. Ole Miss (+1)
12. Oklahoma (+1)
13. LSU (+1)
14. Louisville (-5)
15. Arizona (+1)
16. Notre Dame (+1)
17. Iowa (+2)
18. Tulane
19. Oklahoma State (+2)
20. NC State (+4)
21. Oregon State (-6)
22. Liberty
23. Tennessee
24. SMU (+1)
25. James Madison (NR)

Dropped out: No. 20 Kansas State

Others receiving votes: Toledo 68; Clemson 64; Utah 54; Kansas State 54; Troy 25; Kansas 15; West Virginia 10; UNLV 4; San Jose State 1; New Mexico State 1

The regular season is now in the books and all that remains is conference championship weekend before the postseason. What a run in 2023, the final with the four team playoff.