“I don’t know about you folks, but this sport really gets my goose cooking. Warm and sweet on this Pasadena night.”- Brent Musburger circa 2005. Maybe.

Welcome back. Only two more treats left on the midweek antipasto of college games before the Saturday main course. Florida St at Nc State and UNLV vs Hawaii will play later this evening. It’s cold and cloudy and just about perfect on this Friday Afternoon.

What to Expect:

• Heisman Finalists
• CFP TOP 12 Rankings
• SIX Tasty Games

If you’ve kept up with the doses throughout the week, there won’t be anything new, but if you’re like me and want to reference a detail or certain player, such as the obscure tight end I said might score this weekend, everything is in one convenient place.

Let’s look one last time at the upcoming College Football Saturday and the cast of characters that will feature.

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COLLEGE FOOTBALL PREVIEW Week 13

SHS HEISMAN Finalists 11/18/25

• Gunner Stockton UGA
• Jeremiyah Love ND
• Jeremiah Smith OSU
• Julian Sayin OSU
• Dante Moore ORE
• Fernando Mendoza IU

Gunner, Love, and Mendoza are my top 3.

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OFFICIAL CFP Rankings:

1. Ohio St
2. Indiana
3. Texas A&M
4. Georgia
5. Texas Tech
6. Mississippi
7. Oregon
8. Oklahoma
9. Notre Dame
10. Alabama
11. Miami
12. Tulane

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Now, I see six main course games that look tasty. Let’s peek at the menu the chef has prepared.

SIX TASTY GAMES

-NOON

• Missouri @ Oklahoma ABC

Ahmad Hardy versus the Oklahoma defense is the main draw to this game for me. Can Mizzou run the ball?

So far this season, Ahmad is the Nation’s top rusher totaling 1346 yards on the ground with 15 touchdowns. This includes this past weekend’s incredible showing against Mississippi St. 300 Yards on 25 carries and 3 TD’s. Yikes. That’s a stat line that every fantasy football owner finds in their sugar plum dreams.

But can Hardy repeat this against the Sooners who allow a menial 82 rushing yards per game? This answer should be evident early in the game and in my opinion will decide the outcome.

This game feels like it could be low scoring. Something in the range of 37-42 points looks right by my estimation.

• Baylor @ Arizona TNT

The Nation’s number one passer, Sawyer Robertson versus a hungry Arizona team that is statistically a top30 defense that only allows 159 passing yards per game. Something has to give.

I’d love to see the Wildcats get to 8-3 this weekend and for Coach Brennen to continue to prove the preseason narrative about his lack of leadership to be utterly false.

I remember coming across a podcast that was going in on his leadership and personnel managment pretty hard and then found another source that said something similar. So, I started to pay attention to Coach Brennen in press conferences. This would’ve been during Fall Camp.

To my amazement, every time he left the podium, I felt inspired, I liked his message, and I felt that the harsh criticisms that described him on a Nationally syndicated well-known podcast were not only unwarranted, but completely false.

It was here that I became a Coach Brennen fan and pseudo-Wildcat supporter for the season.

Coach Brennen’s message to his team over the summer to “elevate technique” seems to be paying off. “Be where you’re supposed to be and you will play–if we can’t trust your technique, we can’t trust you on the field.” Seems that message has come through loud and clear.

Let’s go Wildcats. Bear Down.

Of course, on the other side, I’ve been a fan of Dave Aranda and his coaching style for years. I’d love to see his defensive style make a resurgence. He’s a leader and there is no doubt.

• Montana St @ Montana ESPN+

The final Noon game of the six.

11-0 Montana hosting cross state rivals 9-2 Montana St. Missoula will be hopping.

Can Michael Wortham and Montana continue their journey towards unbeaten greatness? Or will the visiting Bozeman Bobcats spoil the party?

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AFTERNOON

• USC @ Oregon CBS/ Paramount+

Game of the Year. On June 26th, just before midday, I circled this game. Gee, it sure would be cool to have an 8-2 USC team against a 9-1 Oregon in late November.

And here we are–late November with the exact game I wanted to see.

GAME of the YEAR. That’s what I dubbed this game last Saturday morning about the time the bread man was delivering his goods to markets across the country. USC at Oregon is my favorite game of this season.

• #12 USC @ #4 Oregon

Another way to say it would be the 10th ranked offense at the 7th ranked offense and 6th ranked defense.

Or 8-2 at 9-1

Or Fresh-McNelly finalist Aaron Flowers hosting McNelly Award finalist Bishop Fitzgerald.

There are many ways to introduce this game that I believe will be the best of the season, but enough introductions, this is about previewing the action as it could unfold.

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At 1:30 on CBS, it’ll be in the 50’s with partly cloudy skies in Eugene, and Autzen Stadium will be alive as they welcome the USC Trojans to town. It’ll be opening day of duck season in my old neck of the woods, and more than a few greenheads will fall from the sky before the sun reaches the treetops. Will the Trojans have the firepower to bring down the fast-flying Eiders of Eugene?

Let’s have a look.

USC OFFENSE

The 10th ranked offense is led by QB Jordon Maiava. He’s 132 yards passing yards shy of hitting the three thousand mark and totaled 24 touchdowns, while throwing 6 Picks. (Two were on the road at Notre Dame in the pouring rain)

Redshirt freshman King Miller leads the Trojan ground attack with 763 yards and 5 Td’s while sophomore Bryan Jackson does well in short bursts and adds 4 touchdowns.

Wide Receiver Makai Lemon is the best offensive player on this team and will be hungry to make an impact. He’s 6th in receptions (71) and 3rd in yards (1090) and both he and Miller make strong efforts in the return game.

In my opinion, Lemon’s production is paramount for the Trojans to keep up offensively with the Ducks.

If he can’t produce, it will have to come from other sources. Jakobi Lane is one that has shown flashes at times but has been ‘drop’ prone in some key moments this season. Most notably, against Notre Dame in the rain. Another that could score is Tight End Lake McCree. He last scored on that rainy October 18th in South Bend and looks due.

Lincoln Riley has a more than competent QB, explosive running backs, an elite receiver, along with a few ‘gadget’ type players–will this be enough to score on the 6th ranked scoring defense in the land?

Before looking at the Ducks and their defense, we must first look at the Trojan Defensive impact players.

USC DEFENSE 41st ranked

• LB Eric Gentry 64 Tackles, 7 TFL, 5 FF, 3 Sacks
• S Bishop Fitzgerald- McNelly Award Finalist
• DUAL EDGE Threat- 14 TFL, 7 Sacks
  • Kameryn Crawford
  • Braylon Shelby

This defense has surrendered 30+ points three times this season and two of those games ended in losses: Illinois and Notre Dame. Keeping Oregon under 24 should be the goal, but how easy will that be? Not very.

Let’s meet the 9-1, playoff bound, home side Oregon Ducks.

OREGON 7th Ranked OFFENSE

• QB Dante Moore 72.8% completion rate, 168.6 QBR, 21 TD and 5 INT (two against Indiana)

Moore is one of the purest QB’s in the Nation. A true pure passer of the ball. In his last game against Minnesota, he completed 90% of his throws for 300 yards and two touchdowns. He is in the running for the Heisman but needs strong performances in the final two weeks.

• THREE Prong Running Back Attack: Noah Whittington, Jordan Davison, Dierre Hill
  • Over 1,00 yards between the three
  • 21 Touchdowns
• TE Kenyon Sadiq:
  • The Ducks leading man in touchdowns and receptions.
• WR Dakorien Moore:
  • The true freshman leads the Ducks in receiving yards with 443.

Fun fact, Moore is quite the speedster. Last year for Duncanville High (TX), he and LSU running back Caden Durham set the National High School record in the 4×200 relay.

–This is a balanced Oregon offense that prides itself on being efficient. how many will they score on the 41st ranked defense at home?

OREGON DEFENSE 6th ranked (13.7/ ppg)

Four Stud Linebackers lead the Ducks on defense.

• Teitum Tuioti 10.5 TFL, 5.5 Sacks, 2 FF
• Matayo Uiagaleilei 6.5 TFL, 4 Sacks
• Bryce Beottcher 81 Tackles, 3 TFL, 1 INT, 1 FF
• Jerry Mixon 39 Tackles, 4 PD, 2.5 TFL, 2 INT, 1 FR, 1 DEF TD

This quad threat covers a lot of ground and at least one or two of the four seem to be in on just about every tackle.

Another defensive group that is seemingly, everywhere is the Ducks secondary. One of the fastest and deepest secondaries in the country. “Go-go gadget arms” attached to lightning quick young men built like basketball two guards.

Fresh-McNelly award finalist Arron Flowers is my favorite in this secondary due to keeping up at such a young age.

Breaking this defense down will require patience and precision. Will Lincoln Riley’s high-powered offense be up for the task?

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I really have no idea. All know is that this is my most anticipated game of the season and the stakes in this one are extremely high. Both teams can make the playoffs. This game could be the difference in making the Chosen 12 at the end or earning a spot in one of the less important bowl games.

I truly have no idea what to expect, an Oregon 27-21 win would not surprise me, but the potential for a Trojan win is well within the realm of possibility.

One thing is for sure–Autzen Stadium will be alive.

Look for “Live Thoughts with Whit” to be posted Saturday evening to see how the game narrative went. Or better yet, tune into CBS/ Paramount at 1:30 and watch it yourself. I doubt this one will disappoint the oblong fan.

I’d love to see a Trojan win, but I really don’t care as long as it’s a close ball game.

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PRIMETIME

• Cal @ Stanford ACC Net

Enter two more teams that I read and heard nothing but negative about in the preseason. “Wilcox has lost it–Frank Reich is washed up and only doing a favor for GM Andrew Luck.”

Granted Stanford is 3-7 but have competed in some of those losses. Cal meanwhile is torpedoing the low preseason expectations and are confidently 6-4.

Just worth a mention, 6-4 is a better record than Clemson, Duke, and NC St in the ACC.

However, this is a game that is going to be good regardless of record. This game should feature a good bit of passion. Just keep the band off the field when there are athletes running for touchdowns.

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LATE NIGHT KICK

• Washington @ UCLA NBC/ Peacock

This will be another “Live Thoughts with Whit” game and incidentally, another game I circled back on June 26th.

Of course, this was supposed to be a 6-4 UCLA vs an 8-2 Huskie team with two high flying offenses in form. Now, the records may be a bit different, but the offenses certainly can score. Both teams.

This will be the Rose Bowl at Night. 70 points minimum is what I expect in this game that will end near 2:30 if you live in St. Augustine, Florida.

The winner does not matter in this one. Neither have anything to play for but pride. Let’s hope both teams open up the playbook since there is nothing to lose. Demond Williams vs Nico. 350 yards each with 4 touchdowns. Maybe Jonah Coleman rushes for another 2-3.

I really have no idea, but I’m truly hoping that this sixth course will be the sweetest. A delicious dessert to cap the day is just what everyone would crave. Like most final courses, this should be the sweetest.

At least, it has the potential with the cast of players that will be featured who are playing with nothing to lose. There are no stakes in this game other than the pride to win. Neither team have a playoff prayer and UCLA have already removed themselves from bowl eligibility. This is just a game.

Perhaps, this will lead to a wide-open no holds barred type of game with all of the points. Like 28-24 at halftime kind of wide open. One can dream.

But dreams aside, let’s look at the cast in this matchup along with stats from both teams.

WASHINGTON (7-3) Losses: Ohio St, Indiana, Wisconsin

The Huskies have an offense that knows how to score and a defense that knows how to get stops. They are 24th in ppg, scoring 34.3, and 21st in scoring defense allowing a mere 19.3/ppg.

OFFENSE 34.3/ ppg

They are led by sophomore QB Demond Williams. He’s tallied some decent stats so far: 166 QB Rate, 21 Total touchdowns, 512 Rushing yards, and 5 interceptions. The one caveat I’ll add on the INT’s is that three came in the loss to Michigan.

Two Running Backs know how to make an impact on games: Jonah Coleman and Adam Mohammed. Coleman leads the team with 980 total yards and 15 TD’s and Mohammed follows with 432 yards and 5 TD’s. Both have explosive potential. Mohammed’s speed will be on display on the kickoff returns. He’s yet to break a big one, but he always looks primed to explode.

The leading receiver on the team is Denzel Boston who has tallied 52 receptions for 730 yards and 8 TD’s. He also loves to show off his speed on special teams as the punt returner and so far, has one Punt Return for a TD on his stat sheet.

This offense has true potential to score on every drive.

DEFENSE

Impact Players:

• LB Zach Durfee
• LB Jacob Lane
  • leads team in TFL and Sacks
• CB Ephesians Prysock
• CB Tacario Davis
• S Alex McLaughlin
  • Leading tackler

This is a defense that surrenders 313 yards/ game on average.

So, what do we know?

Well, not to sound to reductive, but when Washington scores, they win.

The points scored in the seven wins are as follows: 38, 70, 59, 24, 38, 42, 49. In the three losses they have scored 6, 7, and 10. If they score, they win.

This tells me that Coach Jedd Fisch should get aggressive and stay aggressive. The team has scored 40+ in two of the last three weeks and I expect more of the same in this game, although 38 might be enough to win it.

One final nugget for the Huskies–if the game comes down to a game winning kick, Grady Gross will get his chance to shine.

• K Grady Gross 46/46 EP and 7/10 FG

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UCLA (3-7) #8 Preseason Strength of Schedule

When Interim Head Coach Tim Skipper took over the 0-3 Bruins he said, “it’s time to get to 1-0,” and they did when they horsewhipped the Nittany Lions back to State College and went on to win three in a row.

Since then, they’ve lost three in a row as they grind through the teeth of their schedule.

Since Skipper:

• 3 Wins
  • Penn St, @ Mich St, Maryland
• 3 Losses
  • Indiana, Nebraska, Ohio St

The Northwestern loss dropped the Bruins to 0-4 and Skipper was technically the coach at the time, but I’m not counting that against him as that was before his culture and personality could drown out the tumultuous noise surrounding the locker room on the heels of Deshaun Foster’s early season firing.

This is a team that had a tough draw this season and their record certainly reflects that.

As noted at the top, I rated their schedule as the eighth toughest in the preseason as they had to play Utah, @Northwestern, Penn St, @Michigan St, @Indiana, @Ohio St, Nebraska, Washington, and USC. I mean, from my vantage point, this would have been a tough schedule for just about every team in the country except for the few in the top tier. Two of which are on their schedule: Ohio St and Indiana.

This is a mere attempt to be fair to a 3-7 team that is playing better than their record and should be respected.

So, in the present, how does this Bruin team come away a winner on National TV late on Saturday Night?

On defense, it is imperative to slow the running attack. The difference in the Bruins loss to the Huskers on November 8th was Nebraska Running Back Emmett Johnson. He tallied 200+ yards and three touchdowns in the 28-21 Husker win.

This was a more than winnable game had they contained the run, but Emmett Johnson took whatever he wanted on nearly every play. Now, Washington does not have Emmett Johnson nor do they have a back even close to his level, but both running backs I mentioned love physicality and will take whatever is given to them. So, give them nothing.

It might be the nearing the Season of Giving, but this is a time to be like the fuzzy green Grinch and give them nothing. In fact, be even more like the Grinch and take everything.

Senior Linebacker JonJon Vaughns leads the defensive Bruins with 97 tackles and along with 6th year Senior Safety Key Lawrence, leads the team in tackles for loss. Lawrence also adds two forced fumbles and one pick. A notable pick I’ll add as it came against near flawless Indiana.

The defense needs to make a play in this one. A big play that turns the game on its head. One of these two could be the hero.

On offense, play free, open the playbook, give Nico time, and let the athletes complete. The stats are rough on the offensive side, but the potential is there for a big game as the Bruins showed in their wins over Penn St and Michigan St where they scored over 38 in each.

The Bruins’ record is poor, but this team has the ability to score and win this game. Belief for sixty minutes will be necessary.

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So, that wraps the menu for Week 13. Should be a fine day of dining and even better football. I’ll be locked in most of the day Saturday. Only two such Saturdays remain for the year. Savor the moments.

Tell you what. Just for fun–here is the Preseason Strength of Schedule of each Big12 team as I compiled back over the Summer with their current record attached. Call it a nugget, a nibble, an after-dinner mint of a thought for the next ten days.

BIG12 Preseason SOS:

• TCU #11 (6-4)
• CU #18 (7-3)
• Arizona #27 (7-3)
• Baylor #30 (5-5)
• West Virginia #32 (4-7)
• Iowa St #35 (6-4)
• Utah #38 (8-2)
• ASU #39 (7-3)
• K St #40 (5-5)
• BYU #43 (9-1)
• Ok St #45 (1-9)
• Cincinnati #51 (7-3)
• Houston #57 (8-2)
• Kansas #59 (5-5)
• UCF #70 (4-6)
• Texas Tech #72 (10-1)

Which one of these teams will represent the Big12 in the College Football playoff?

Find the Humor and Keep on Movin’

Whit W.