Week 13 of the college football season is here, and with it comes another slate of high-stakes matchups as playoff hopefuls aim to solidify their positions. Among the most intriguing games today are No. 14 Penn State at Minnesota, No. 3 Texas hosting Kentucky, and No. 21 Arizona State taking on BYU in a pivotal Big 12 clash.
After a Week 12 that was unkind to backers of road favorites like Clemson, Oregon, and LSU, here’s where to place your bets in Week 13:
Penn State (-11) at Minnesota
Kickoff: 3:30 PM ET (CBS)
Bet: Penn State -11 (-112 at DraftKings), Minnesota Team Total Under 14.5 (+114 at FanDuel)
The Nittany Lions (9-1, 6-1 Big Ten) have been a model of consistency against lesser opponents, even if they’ve struggled against elite competition like Ohio State and Michigan. Over the last two seasons, Penn State has gone 7-1 against the spread (ATS) as road favorites, and that reliability makes them a solid pick against Minnesota.
Penn State’s defense, led by head coach James Franklin and quarterback Drew Allar, has rebounded since a tough loss to Ohio State, dismantling Purdue 49-10 on the road last week and dominating Washington 35-6 at home in Week 11.
Meanwhile, Minnesota (6-4, 4-3 Big Ten) has been inconsistent, with a middling offense that ranks No. 81 in ESPN’s SP+ metrics, averaging just 26.7 points per game. Against Penn State’s elite defense, which ranks among the nation’s best, the Golden Gophers will likely struggle to score.
With Penn State needing a dominant win to maintain playoff hopes and position themselves for a potential first-round home playoff game, expect them to cover the spread and hold Minnesota under 14.5 points.
Texas (-20.5) vs. Kentucky
Kickoff: 3:30 PM ET (ABC/ESPN+)
Bet: Texas -20.5 (-110 at Bet365)
Texas (9-1, 5-1 SEC) has been one of the nation’s top teams defensively, allowing just 11.4 points per game (No. 4 in the country) and ranking No. 2 in SP+. Though the Longhorns have had some close calls, including a tight win over Arkansas last week, their defense has consistently shut down weaker offenses.
Kentucky (4-6, 1-6 SEC), on the other hand, has struggled to generate offense. The Wildcats are No. 108 in scoring offense, averaging just 22.1 points per game. Their SEC games this year include a 20-17 upset of Ole Miss, but their other performances—such as a 48-20 loss to Florida—highlight their inability to keep up with elite teams.
Expect Texas to dominate on both sides of the ball and cover the 20.5-point spread in what should be a one-sided affair.
Arizona State (-3) vs. BYU
Kickoff: 3:30 PM ET (ESPN)
Bet: Arizona State -3 (-110 at DraftKings)
Arizona State (8-2, 5-2 Big 12) has been one of the feel-good stories of the season under 34-year-old head coach Kenny Dillingham. After a 3-9 campaign in 2023, the Sun Devils have surged thanks to standout performances from quarterback Sam Leavitt and running back Cam Skattebo.
Leavitt has been solid, throwing for 1,906 yards and 17 touchdowns while adding 348 yards and four scores on the ground. Skattebo, a likely first-team All-Pac-12 selection, has been a force with 1,074 rushing yards, 11 touchdowns, and 5.4 yards per carry.
BYU (7-3, 5-2 Big 12) enters this game coming off a disappointing home loss to Kansas, where the Cougars managed just 13 points. While they’ve been competitive in one-score games this year (4-1), Arizona State’s red-hot form—winning five of their last six games—makes them the safer pick.
The Sun Devils’ balanced attack and solid defense should prove too much for BYU in Tempe, where Arizona State is poised to secure a critical win.
Week 13 Best Bets Recap
- Penn State (-11): Confident pick as the Nittany Lions dominate average-or-worse teams.
- Minnesota Team Total Under 14.5: Penn State’s defense is unlikely to let the Gophers score much.
- Texas (-20.5): Kentucky’s struggling offense won’t keep up with Texas’ elite defense.
- Arizona State (-3): The Sun Devils’ impressive form continues at home against BYU.
Why These Picks Make Sense
With playoff implications looming large, top teams like Penn State and Texas are motivated to deliver decisive performances. Arizona State, meanwhile, is riding momentum and benefits from home-field advantage in a critical Big 12 clash.
