Week 13 College Football Picks Against the Spread – Best Bets for Rivalry Week
- Week 13 of college football features a cornucopia of rivalry games Saturday, November 26
- No. 2 Ohio State hosts No. 3 Michigan; No. 6 USC hosts No. 15 Notre Dame with a CFP Final Four spot in sight
- Read below for the best ATS picks for Week 13 of the college football season
The final regular season week of college football brings with it a special vibe — extreme dislike occasionally descending into hatred. Rivalry games dot the board and deliver a season’s worth of gloating/deflecting to the participants. No. 2 Ohio State (11-0, 8-0) and No. 3 Michigan (11-0, 8-0) play for a berth in the Big Ten title game and a sure spot in the CFP Final Four.
No. 6 USC (10-1, 8-1 Pac-12) enters a rivalry game against resurgent No. 15 Notre Dame (8-3) fresh off a 45-42 victory over UCLA in another rivalry match, and a win could position the Trojans to make the CFP Final Four. The Auburn-Alabama Iron Bowl and the Oregon-Oregon State Civil War seldom disappoint.
Here are CFB betting odds and three ATS picks to consider for Week 13.
Michigan vs Ohio State Odds
| Team | Spread | Moneyline | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Michigan Wolverines | +7.5 (-110) | +235 | Over 56.5 (-105) |
| Ohio State Buckeyes | -7.5 (-110) | -295 | Under 56.5 (-115) |
All odds from FanDuel on Nov. 23. Claim the FanDuel Sportsbook promo code.
ATS Pick #1: Ohio State (-7.5) vs Michigan
Ohio State has a lot to rally around in this rivalry, one of the most heated in college football, when the game returns to Ohio Stadium. Not only did the Wolverines handle the Buckeyes 45-27 as a 6.5-point home underdog last season, but they also did it by dominating the line of scrimmage.
Most consecutive 100+ yard rushing games
Saquon barkley (2016) 2
Kenneth walker III (2021) 3
Jk dobbins (2019) 4
Blake corum (2022) 8.Consistency is 🔑 pic.twitter.com/BtEWy1Bq7Z
— . (@1Lamarszn) November 20, 2022
Michigan had 297 yards rushing and six touchdowns, five by departed Hassan Haskins. New starter Blake Corum has 1,457 yards rushing and is among the top contenders in the Heisman Trophy odds, but he suffered a knee injury in a 19-17 victory over Illinois last week and he is considered questionable. Heisman favorite C.J. Stroud passed for 394 yards and two touchdowns against the Wolverines last season, but he was sacked fou4 times. The Buckeyes could not generate much on the ground and committed 10 penalties.
The question here is, what has changed this season besides the normal roster churn? The answer: Ohio State moved to address its defense by hiring coordinator Jim Knowles from Oklahoma State. The Buckeyes have shaved 90 yards off their yards given up this season, moving from 59th in Division I to ninth at 283.4 yards per game. They have three defensive touchdowns.
LB TOMMY EICHENBERG
(Ohio State Last 12 Games)
122 total tackles
78 solo tackles
–
LB WILL ANDERSON JR
(Alabama Last 12 Games)
52 total tackles
22 solo tackles— Sam Block (@theblockspot) November 23, 2022
Ohio State had an eight-game series winning streak broken in Ann Arbor last season. Despite the Buckeyes’ straight-up dominance, the Wolverines are 5-3 ATS in the last eight. The Buckeyes are 9-0 SU and 6-3 ATS at home against Michigan since 2000. The 2020 game was canceled because of COVID issues in the Michigan program. Ohio State will put more difference-makers on the field.
- Pick: Ohio State -7.5 (-110)
Notre Dame vs USC Odds
| Team | Spread | Moneyline | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Notre Dame Fighting Irish | +5.5 (-110) | +168 | Over 64.5 (-105) |
| USC Trojans | -5.5 (-110) | -205 | Under 64.5 (-115) |
ATS Pick #2: Notre Dame (+5.5) vs USC
USC quarterback Caleb Williams put on a stunning display in the 48-45 victory over UCLA last time out, passing for a career-high 502 yards while continuing a recent run of excellence that has propelled him into the Heisman Trophy conversation. Williams has passed for 3,480 yards, 33 touchdowns and three interceptions and has rushed for another 316 yards and seven scores. Halfback Austin Jones stepped in for injured Travis Dye and had 120 yards rushing against the Bruins.
Caleb Williams' last five games:
◽️ 438 total yds, 5 total TD vs. Utah
◽️ 425 total yards, 5 total TD vs. Arizona
◽️ 398 total yards, 5 total TD vs. Cal
◽️ 264 total yards, 5 total TD vs. Colorado
◽️ 502 yards, 3 total TD vs. UCLAHeisman favorite? pic.twitter.com/bfYpNhkyjI
— The Athletic (@TheAthletic) November 20, 2022
Notre Dame has recovered from an 0-2 start after losses to Ohio State and Marshall behind a defense that is giving up 20.3 points a game and a controlled offense led by running backs Logan Diggs and Audric Estime. Diggs and Estime have combined for 1,480 rushing yards and 11 touchdowns, while multi-purpose back Chris Tyree has 926 yards from scrimmage and tight end Michael Mayer has 59 receptions and seven scores.
USC is in a tough spot here. Not only were the Trojans placed behind two-loss LSU in the latest CFP rankings, but they are also playing a second straight rivalry game. Notre Dame has won the last four in the series and is 7-2 SU and is 5-4 ATS since 2012. The Irish have not been an underdog since 2016.
- Pick: Notre Dame +5.5 (-110)
Washington vs Washington State Odds
| Team | Spread | Moneyline | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Washington Huskies | -1.5 (-115) | -130 | Over 60.5 (-114) |
| Washington State Cougars | +1.5 (-105) | +108 | Under 60.5 (-106) |
ATS Pick #3: Washington (-1.5) vs Washington State
The Huskies are the pick here behind quarterback Michael Penix in a game between transfer portal quarterbacks. Penix has thrown for 3,869 yards, 26 touchdowns and six interceptions, and he ranks just ahead of Bryce Young and Stetson Bennett in passing efficiency in Division I. Wazzu’s Cameron Ward has thrown 21 touchdowns and eight interceptions.
This TD throw from Michael Penix Jr. is one of the best throws I've seen in CFB in a long time. Hole shot to the field to tie the game.
🍯🕳️🎯 Massive throw.
Crazy impressive.#NoLimits | #PurpleReign
Full video for the QBSPC only.
Join: https://t.co/l0CJd0icXb pic.twitter.com/DYYD6eYVpr— JT The Hater (@theqbschool) November 18, 2022
Washington had a seven-game winning streak and a six-game cover streak broken in Seattle last season, when the Cougars took a 40-13 victory as a 1.5-point underdog to put an end to the Huskies’ disjointed season that included the firing of coach Jimmy Lake nine games into the season.
Both teams are playing well. The Cougars have won three in a row, four straight against the number. The Huskies have won five in a row, covering the last two. The Huskies have beaten Oregon and Oregon State and the Cougars lost to both. Washington gets revenge here.
- Pick: Washington -1.5 (-115)
- Season CFB: 38-39 ATS
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Jack has covered college and professional sports for various Arizona media outlets since the 1980s and has written for the Associated Press, USA Today and Baseball America, among others. He staffed the 2015-17 World Series and has staffed four Super Bowls.
