Week 13 viewers guide: A look at this weekend's top games
Each Friday, theScore will preview the week's best matchups on the college football calendar. Here are the top games to watch in Week 13.
No. 13 Iowa State at No. 17 Texas (Friday, Noon ET, ABC)
Big 12-leading No. 13 Iowa State at No. 17 Texas gets things kicked off on Thanksgiving Friday. The Cyclones can clinch a spot in the conference title game with a win. If the Longhorns emerge victorious, the possibility for four teams to finish 7-2 in Big 12 play remains viable.
The big matchup in this one: the nation's top running back Breece Hall against a Texas defense that hasn't allowed a 100-yard rusher in the past three games. If the Longhorns can limit Hall, they have a serious shot to knock off the Cyclones in Austin.
No. 2 Notre Dame at No. 19 North Carolina (Friday, 3:30 p.m. ET, ABC)
The next step in No. 2 Notre Dame's quest for a spot in the College Football Playoff comes Friday afternoon against high-powered North Carolina. The Tar Heels rank second among all Power 5 teams in yardage per game, and pile up 43 points per contest. That makes the matchup with the Fighting Irish's outstanding defense must-watch television.
On the other side of the field, Ian Book is playing the best football of his career for Notre Dame, throwing 11 touchdowns against one interception. He'll present some challenges for a North Carolina defense that ranks ninth in the conference against the pass.
No. 22 Auburn at No. 1 Alabama (3:30 p.m. ET, CBS)
The latest edition of one of college football's best rivalries won't feature its biggest name after Alabama head coach Nick Saban tested positive for COVID-19 on Wednesday. Saban will miss the Iron Bowl, but whether his absence affects the No. 1 Crimson Tide enough to see Auburn stay close remains to be seen.
The Tigers have actually won this contest twice in the last three years but enter this year's matchup as 24.5-point underdogs. If they can't slow the Crimson Tide's explosive offense, it won't shock anyone if the final margin is significantly more than that.
Pitt at No. 3 Clemson (3:30 p.m. ET, ESPN)
Clemson hasn't played since Nov. 7, while Pitt is coming off an impressive 47-14 drubbing of Virginia Tech. Given the history of this series, that difference could make Saturday's contest in Death Valley closer than expected. It was 2016 when Pitt stunned then-No. 2 Clemson at home with a dramatic last-second victory, and Pat Narduzzi's club will be hungry for a repeat this year.
Trevor Lawrence hasn't played in over a month after last week's game against Florida State was called off. While the presumptive No. 1 draft pick certainly has more talent than most, it'll be natural to see some rust in his return. Whether the Panthers' defense can take advantage will go a long way to decide this one.
Mississippi State at Ole Miss (4:00 p.m. ET, SECN)
While this one doesn't factor into the CFP race, the annual Egg Bowl seemingly never disappoints on drama - and that was before the coaching matchup featured Mike Leach versus Lane Kiffin.
Last year's contest featured an all-time finish, with Elijah Moore scoring a touchdown with nine seconds left to bring the Rebels within one. He was then penalized 15 yards for his scoring celebration, after pretending to be a dog urinating in the end zone. Ole Miss missed the ensuing extra point, losing by one point to its bitter rival. Matt Luke was fired shortly after, with Kiffin coming in as his replacement. Not content to be outdone, Mississippi State let Joe Moorhead go in early January and brought in Leach.
Early returns this year have Kiffin holding the edge as the better hire, but tune in Saturday for what is sure to be a dramatic affair.