2025 SID Sports Week 13 Top 25
Ranking the top programs after Week 12's action
Author’s Note: Sorry for the delay in getting these rankings out! I’m hitting my busy season at my day job, so finding time to write is going to be rough the next few weeks. I’m going to try to stick to our usual publishing schedule, but there may be some times like this where I’m a bit late or miss a post. My apologies in advance.
At this point, the Top 25 feels pretty settled. We know the best teams in the nation. The order? That’s the main concern. Each and every week, I’m shuffling most of the Top 25 rankings and pulling hairs between a bunch of similarly ranked programs.
This week, we’re going to take a look at what big question is remaining for each program. With the regular season winding down, I feel like some reflection is warranted at this point.
So, without further ado, let’s get into it.
2025 Week 13 Top 25
Ohio State (10-0) LW: 1
Big Question: Can the Buckeyes find an elite gear? They haven’t needed to use it yet, but the hyper-efficient offense and elite defense have gotten it done so far. The Game against Michigan will be the only remaining test for Ohio State this regular season.Indiana (11-0) LW: 2
Big Question: Will Aiden Fisher and Elijah Surratt be healthy? Two of the Hoosiers’ best players missed the Penn State game with an injury, but neither appear to have their postseason status in question. If they’re both healthy, Indiana can go the whole way. If not, it’ll be an uphill battle.Texas A&M (10-0) LW: 3
Big Question: Can the Aggies limit the mistakes? Their nail-biting finish against South Carolina was thrilling, but Texas A&M dug the hole, not South Carolina. Marcel Reed had three first-half turnovers - two picks and a fumble - while Jamarion Morrow also coughed a ball away. We saw in the second half what the Aggies can be if they’re hot, but the first half is cause for serious concern.Georgia (9-1) LW: 5
Big Question: Is this a vintage Kirby Smart steamroller kicking into gear? We’ve seen it with the Dawgs in years past, as the season goes on, the Georgia team gets better and better. That’s not been more true than this season. Gunner Stockton and the offense are rounding into form. The defense is bearing its teeth. Georgia may be the best team in the SEC.Texas Tech (10-1) LW: 6
Big Question: Can Behren Morton stay healthy? The Red Raiders’ playoff hopes are tied to their senior quarterback’s health. Which is a scary thought considering he’s missed time in every season he’s played. With backup Will Hammond out for the year, Texas Tech is Morton or bust at this point. He’s also playing through a hairline fracture of his right fibula, so that prospect got a lot scarier.Ole Miss (10-1) LW: 7
Big Question: Will the Lane Kiffin carousel saga derail the season? It has before, as the Rebels tanked down the stretch three years ago when Kiffin was considering an offer from Auburn. Now, with his family flying to Gainesville and Baton Rouge to check the areas out and an ultimatum from Ole Miss brass, Kiffin has to find a way to soundproof the Rebels’ facility. All this outside noise can most certainly unravel a quality program.Oregon (9-1) LW: 8
Big Question: Can the Oregon defense stop a high-powered offense? They struggled against Indiana and a then-good Penn State. The Ducks have overpowered everyone else. Some scores, Wisconsin and Iowa, look uglier than they are due to serious rain conditions. But if Oregon is going to get through this season, including this week’s game against USC, they have to figure out how to shut down quality offenses. They have the talent to do so, but haven’t aced their earlier tests.Oklahoma (8-2) LW: 11
Big Question: Is John Mateer good enough to carry the offense? Prior to his injury, that was an unquestioned yes. Now? It’s a big question. Since returning to the field, Mateer has stacked three solid games (>70 QBR) and two bad games (<45 QBR). His rushing prowess has disappeared as teams make him win with his arm. Mateer and offensive coordinator Ben Arbuckle need to get him better, though he’s had two consecutive solid games as a good sign.Notre Dame (8-2) LW: 9
Big Question: Is the defense fixed? It’s surely looked so in recent weeks. The Irish absolutely dominated their showing against a red-hot Pittsburgh offense and shut down Navy’s potent triple option attack. The early season tackling concerns have dissipated. With their offense also rounding into form, the Irish may be dangerous again come playoff time.
Alabama (8-2) LW: 4
Big Question: Where has the offense gone? In two consecutive contests, the Tide offense hasn’t been able to top 25 points. Last week’s loss to Oklahoma was filled with turnovers. The week before at LSU, the offense was just plain ineffective. Sure, Alabama has a great defense, but one that also struggles to stop dual-threat quarterbacks. The Tide are beatable, even moreso if they can’t figure these out.BYU (9-1) LW: 12
Big Question: Was the Texas Tech game an anomaly? It sure looks like it after BYU blew TCU out of the water this past weekend. If we ignore the Texas Tech loss, the Cougars have won four of their last five by multiple scores. College football is a game that can flip on its head each and every week. Maybe the coin just showed bad for BYU two weeks ago in Lubbock.Georgia Tech (9-1) LW: 13
Big Question: Can Haynes King shoulder the load? I only ask because the defense looks to be beyond saving at this point. The Yellow Jackets rank 105th in total defense and 71st in scoring defense. Good thing they have King, who has the Georgia Tech offense in the top 30 in passing offense, rushing offense and scoring offense and holding the top mark in yards/game. Haynes King will have to be Superman for Georgia Tech to make a run.USC (8-2) LW: 14
Big Question: Is the defense up to the task? We know Lincoln Riley is going to have his offense ready, as they’ve consistently been atop all the meaningful stats for nearly the entire season. What about the defense? So far, D’Anton Lynn has whipped them into shape and the Trojans rank a respectable 41st in scoring defense. They’ve only allowed two teams - Michigan State and Illinois - to cross 30 points this season.Vanderbilt (8-2) LW: 15
Big Question: Will the secondary stand up? They haven’t so far, as Vandy has been torched through the air in their two losses. A potential playoff play-in game against Tennessee will further stress that shaky secondary. Clark Lea and defensive coordinator Steve Gregory have to find a way to cover up their passing defense.Miami (8-2) LW: 16
Big Question: Which Carson Beck will the Canes get the rest of the way? If it’s the one of late, tossing bad interceptions, looking wild and inaccurate and sinking his team’s hopes, Miami is cooked. If they get the Beck of yesteryear, with his efficient attack and poise in the pocket, Miami might be alright.
Utah (8-2) LW: 17
Big Question: Is Utah elite or not? It’s one I’ve been asking for weeks and still am searching for the answer to. The Utes have completely dominated most of the teams they’ve faced, but Cincinnati is the only one worth anything Utah has topped. Their two best opponents - BYU and Texas Tech - both beat Utah at their own game on the line of scrimmage. Still, it’s hard to ignore just how ruthless the Utes have been against their competition. The jury, believe it or not, is still out.Virginia (9-2) LW: 19
Big Question: How healthy is Chandler Morris? The gunslinging senior is the key to this wild, entertaining Virginia run. He suffered a scary-looking head and neck injury in the loss to Wake Forest, but returned to play stellar ball against Duke last week. If Morris is healthy, the Hoos are more than alive in the ACC and playoff hunts. Luckily for Virginia, it appears that’s the case.Michigan (8-2) LW: 18
Big Question: Who steps up to replace Justice Haynes? It’s hard for a team to lose one of the nation’s top backs like Michigan did when Haynes suffered his foot injury. It’s even worse for an offense with a true freshman quarterback, no matter how talented he is. The good news is Jordan Marshall has stepped up in Haynes’s stead and there hasn’t been much drop off. The bad news is now Marshall is hurt too, leaving former walk-on Bryson Kuzdzal as the Wolverines’ top rushing threat next to Bryce Underwood. Not great.Tulane (8-2) LW: 21
Big Question: Can the defense make Jake Retzlaff’s mistakes not matter? I know, a weird question, but hang with me. Retzlaff has been up and down all season, but the turnovers and mistakes haven’t wavered. They’re going to happen regardless of if Retzlaff is on or not. So, it’s up to a very talented defense to make those mistakes meaningless. That’s been a tall ask, with the Green Wave allowing 26.0 points per game this year, tied for 81st in the nation.Texas (7-3) LW: 10
Big Question: What’s gone wrong with the offense? Is it that Arch Manning just isn’t that good? Steve Sarkisian has lost his touch as a playcaller? The Longhorns just had too much offensive attrition? No matter what the real question or answer is, Texas has been plain disappointing this year. They rank a pedestrian 50th in the nation in passing offense, made worse when you consider their talent. The rushing attack is worse at 103rd. It’s time for Sark to answer some serious questions.
James Madison (9-1) LW: 25
Big Question: Can the Dukes stay focused? With a heavy lead in-conference and a playoff spot within eyeshot, there’s a lot for James Madison to play for. But the Dukes have to keep their eyes on the prize. Ignore the incessant chatter around their coach, Bob Chesney, and open jobs. Ignore the assumptions that JMU is going to win out. Stay focused, keep playing their ball, and good things will happen.North Texas (9-1) LW: Next Five Out
Big Question: Can the offense keep winning shootouts? With the nation’s top scoring offense, it seems like the Mean Green are invincible. But they’ve failed their only true test against South Florida when the defense folded like a plastic bag and the offense had the same strength as one. North Texas is in the thick of the playoff race, but Eric Morris and Drew Mestemaker are going to have to stay at the top of their games to get in.Tennessee (7-3) LW: Next Five Out
Big Question: Can Joey Aguilar and the offense cover up a shaky defense? That’s been the question all season and so far, results are varied. But Tennessee’s defense is bad. Not plain, so-so, but bad. They’re allowing a whopping 28.9 points per game, ranking 98th in the nation. That doesn’t hurt as much when you’re scoring at the nation’s second-best clip of 43.4 points per game, but this is not a playoff-ready team. Simply because of that defense.Houston (8-2) LW: NR
Big Question: Can the Cougars keep the positive momentum going? They’re not fully eliminated in the Big 12 - and CFP race by proxy - but hope for that is thin in Houston. Still, an 8-2 record in Willy Fritz’s second season is an astounding turnaround. Right now, the focus should be on keeping the good vibes rolling and building a positive culture within the program.SMU (7-3) LW: Next Five Out
Big Question: How much magic does Kevin Jennings have? The Mustangs will need every drop of it. They’re still in the thick of the ACC and CFP races, but last year’s stunning downfall in SMU’s biggest games was because of poor play from Jennings. Without as strong a defense, can the junior quarterback learn and grow from last year’s mistakes?
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Next Five Out: Missouri, Navy, Louisville, Cincinnati, Pittsburgh
Missouri just refuses to die, even with injuries all over the roster and a coach that may have one foot out the door. We’ll see about that this weekend against Oklahoma. Navy put a beating on South Florida, just like everyone expected, and the American is once again wide open for the taking. Louisville may have a culture problem with all the massive penalties, but the Cardinals are playing great ball aside from that. They miss Isaac Brown for sure, but Jeff Brohm has Miller Moss looking like a competent, quality quarterback. Finally, the Pittsburgh hype train had to come to a stop at some point. It appears true freshman sensation Mason Heintschel wasn’t ready for his first big-time blue blood opponent. Still, the Panthers are alive and kicking in the ACC.
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