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This card finished 3-2 last week with both losses coming courtesy of garbage-time points. Week 13 feels like another opportunity for a sweep. From the Sun Belt showdown between James Madison and App State to the high-stakes Pac-12 clash between Washington State and Oregon State, there is betting value to be had. The SEC takes center stage as Ole Miss travels to the swamp to face Florida, while the Big Ten features a battle between Wisconsin and Nebraska. Rounding out our spotlight games, the crosstown rivalry between UCLA and USC adds another chapter to its storied history. As teams continue to vie for bowl positions and conference seedings, these should be some thrilling matchups that also offer intrigue from a betting perspective. All lines current as of publication time, courtesy of ESPN BET. 
App State Mountaineers +7 vs. James Madison Dukes
James Madison boasts an 8-2 record, but the Dukes' road performances have exposed vulnerabilities that App State can exploit. James Madison's defense has shown a Jekyll and Hyde persona when comparing home and away games. At home, the Dukes have been nearly impenetrable, allowing a mere nine points per game. On the road, the number balloons to 28 points per game. The run defense has been the primary culprit. The Dukes allowed 190 rushing yards to Georgia Southern and 174 to Old Dominion in recent road games, an obvious weakness compared to their stingy 86 yards allowed on average at home. The Mountaineers' rushing attack, led by Ahmani Marshall (averaging 5.5 yards per carry at home), along with Kanye Roberts and Anderson Castle, provides multiple options to exploit JMU's road run defense struggles. App State's pass rush, tied for the eighth-most sacks nationally in home games, could also be a game-changer. The goal will be to disrupt JMU quarterback Alonza Barnett III, who has already been sacked 28 times this season, including 12 in his last three road games. Further hampering the offense, Barnett has thrown only two touchdown passes in his last three away games. If Appalachian State can establish its ground game early and pressure Barnett consistently, the Mountaineers have a strong chance not just to cover, but pull off an upset (+220) at Kidd Brewer Stadium, where they hold a 19-4 home record since the 2021 season.
Oregon State Beavers +12.5 vs. Washington State CougarsAfter facing a gauntlet of tough run defenses, Oregon State is primed for a breakout performance against Washington State. The Cougars have been particularly vulnerable on the road, allowing 202 rushing yards per game when traveling, including 360 rushing yards and 7.3 yards per carry to New Mexico last week. The Beavers' ground attack is set to receive a significant boost with the expected return of Jam Griffin, who will pair with Anthony Hankerson to form a potent one-two punch. This duo brings complementary skills. Hankerson's speed and agility make him a threat to break big plays (22 explosive runs this season), while Griffin adds power and experience to the backfield, averaging 6.2 yards per carry. With two losses and outside the top 25 CFP rankings, the Cougars effectively eliminated themselves from any bit of hope they may have had for a playoff spot. This emotional letdown, combined with their struggles against the run, sets the stage for Oregon State to keep the game close or even pull off an upset (+360).
Ole Miss Rebels at Florida Gators OVER 55.5Ole Miss brings one of college football's most potent offenses to Gainesville. The Rebels are second in yards per game (513) and 12th in scoring (37 points per contest) and have proven they can light up the scoreboard against any opponent. Quarterback Jaxson Dart has been the maestro of this offensive symphony, slinging his way to 3,409 passing yards on the season (third-most in the nation) and pairing beautifully with running back Henry Parrish Jr. (10 rushing touchdowns, third-most in the SEC), a combo that creates a balanced attack to keeps defenses on their heels. What sets the Rebels apart is not just its yardage and scoring, but the breakneck pace at which they operate. The Rebels run an average of 79 plays per game, eighth-most in the nation. This up-tempo style is even more impressive considering they rank 116th in time of possession. The efficiency and speed of their offense mean more possessions and, consequently, more scoring opportunities. While the Gators have talent on defense, overall they've struggled to contain opposing offenses, ranking 104th in yards allowed per game (422). Florida's defense presents an inviting target for Ole Miss's high-powered attack, having allowed 12.3 yards per pass attempt against Texas and surrendering 34 points to Georgia despite forcing three interceptions. Even when Florida's defense makes plays, the unit is still susceptible to giving up points. Ole Miss can put up points in the blink of an eye. And while Florida has struggled defensively, the Gators offense has the desperation and tools to land some punches of their own, making this matchup a potential scoring frenzy.
Nebraska Cornhuskers -2.5 vs. Wisconsin BadgersNebraska is primed to lock down a win at home, and the script couldn't be more fitting. Wisconsin may have shown grit against No. 1 Oregon, but its offense looked like it was stuck in neutral. Quarterback Braedyn Locke managed a paltry 3.4 yards per pass attempt in that game, while the ground game sputtered with a combined 3.8 yards per carry. Perhaps most concerning was the Badgers' third-down efficiency, as they converted just one of 12 attempts -- a recipe for disaster against any opponent. The Cornhuskers are battle-tested, coming off a gauntlet that included silencing Ohio State's high-powered offense, holding the No. 2 Buckeyes to just 21 points and 285 yards. Nebraska's run defense, in particular, poses a significant threat to Wisconsin's one-dimensional rushing offense. Ranked 11th nationally against the run and 25th in opponent yards per rush, the Cornhuskers are well-equipped to neutralize Wisconsin's ground game, setting up a pivotal question: Can the Badgers trust Locke to win the game through the air? I wouldn't. This feels like a game where the Huskers impose their will and deliver the cover with authority. Cornhuskers -2.5? Lay it.
Week 13 best bet: UCLA Bruins +4.5 vs. USC TrojansUSC's season has been a high-wire act, teetering on the edge of chaos in every tight game. Five losses, all by one score, showcase the Trojans' inability to close when it counts. The fourth quarter has been the Trojans' Achilles' heel. They have been outscored 35-7 in the final frame of their last three road losses, to Washington, Maryland and Minnesota. Enter UCLA. The Bruins' defense has been a turnover machine lately, forcing eight takeaways in their last four games. USC quarterback Jayden Maiava, in his first start last week against Nebraska, showed some growing pains with an interception and a fumble, a continuation of his 2023 season when he threw 10 interceptions and had six fumbles for UNLV. As the game progresses, watch for UCLA to tighten the screws defensively, forcing turnovers and capitalizing on USC's potential fatigue due to a locker room flu outbreak. If the Bruins keep this close, history suggests the Trojans will do what they've done best this season -- fold under the spotlight. UCLA +4.5 is live, but the real juice lies in the +160 moneyline. If live betting, look to back the Bruins as underdogs in the fourth-quarter spread if available.
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