AL.com college football staff picks for Week 13 of 2024
There’s still chaos atop the college football rankings, but not so in AL.com’s staff picks.
With three weeks left for our panel, our own Mark Inabinett has opened up a three-game lead on the field. However, we do have a tie for last place (including yours truly).
In the real college football world, there are a couple of massive battles involving unbeaten teams this week. In the SEC, some playoff contenders trying to hold serve. Across the state, three of our teams — Alabama, Jacksonville State and South Alabama — are trying to stay in contention for conference titles. The others — Auburn, UAB and Troy — are mostly playing for pride.
Scroll along below to find out how various AL.com sports staffers see this week’s games playing out. We’ve also given predicted scores for this week’s Alabama and Auburn games.
A reminder that these picks are AGAINST THE SPREAD. That means that each person’s selection doesn’t necessarily mean he or she thinks that team will win outright, just that it will cover the point spread.
On with this week’s picks (all times Central and all games Saturday unless noted):
Mississippi wide receiver Cayden Lee (19) catches the ball during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Georgia on Saturday, Nov. 9, 2024, in Oxford, Miss. (AP Photo/Randy J. Williams)AP
Ole Miss (-9.5) at Florida, 11 a.m., ABC
Thomas Ashworth: Ole Miss
Michael Casagrande: Ole Miss
Patrick Greenfield: Florida
Andrew Hammond: Ole Miss
Mark Inabinett: Ole Miss
Nick Kelly: Florida
Peter Rauterkus: Ole Miss
Creg Stephenson: Florida
Ohio State wide receiver Carnell Tate waves to fans after the team’s 31-7 win over Northwestern in an NCAA college football game at Wrigley Field on Saturday, Nov. 16, 2024, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast)AP
Indiana (+11.5) at Ohio State, 11 a.m., Fox
Thomas Ashworth: Ohio State
Michael Casagrande: Ohio State
Patrick Greenfield: Ohio State
Andrew Hammond: Ohio State
Mark Inabinett: Ohio State
Nick Kelly: Ohio State
Peter Rauterkus: Ohio State
Creg Stephenson: Ohio State
Notre Dame wide receiver Jayden Harrison (2) runs the ball during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Virginia, Saturday, Nov. 16, 2024, in South Bend, Ind. (AP Photo/Michael Caterina)AP
Army (+16.5) vs. Notre Dame (Bronx, N.Y.), 6 p.m., NBC
Thomas Ashworth: Army
Michael Casagrande: Notre Dame
Patrick Greenfield: Notre Dame
Andrew Hammond: Army
Mark Inabinett: Army
Nick Kelly: Notre Dame
Peter Rauterkus: Army
Creg Stephenson: Notre Dame
LSU head coach Brian Kelly, left, makes a point with officials during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Florida, Saturday, Nov. 16, 2024, in Gainesville, Fla. (AP Photo/John Raoux)AP
Vanderbilt (+8.5) at LSU, 6:45 p.m., SEC Network
Thomas Ashworth: LSU
Michael Casagrande: Vanderbilt
Patrick Greenfield: LSU
Andrew Hammond: Vanderbilt
Mark Inabinett: Vanderbilt
Nick Kelly: Vanderbilt
Peter Rauterkus: Vanderbilt
Creg Stephenson: Vanderbilt
Jacksonville State running back Tre Stewart looks for yardage against Florida International.Brandon Phillips, Jax State Photo
Sam Houston (+6) at Jacksonville State, 11 a.m., CBS Sports Network
Thomas Ashworth: Jacksonville State
Michael Casagrande: Jacksonville State
Patrick Greenfield: Jacksonville State
Andrew Hammond: Jacksonville State
Mark Inabinett: Sam Houston
Nick Kelly: Jacksonville State
Peter Rauterkus: Jacksonville State
Creg Stephenson: Jacksonville State
UAB quarterback Jalen Kitna awaits a snap in the Blazers’ loss to MemphisUAB Athletics
Rice (-6.5) at UAB, 1 p.m., ESPN+
Thomas Ashworth: Rice
Michael Casagrande: UAB
Patrick Greenfield: UAB
Andrew Hammond: Rice
Mark Inabinett: Rice
Nick Kelly: Rice
Peter Rauterkus: UAB
Creg Stephenson: UAB
South Alabama’s Shemar Sandgren (15) looks for yardage last Saturday vs. Louisiana at Cajun Field in Lafayette, La. (Scott Donaldson)Scott Donaldson/South Alabama At
South Alabama (-22.5) at Southern Miss, 2 p.m., ESPN+
Thomas Ashworth: South Alabama
Michael Casagrande: South Alabama
Patrick Greenfield: Southern Miss
Andrew Hammond: South Alabama
Mark Inabinett: Southern Miss
Nick Kelly: Southern Miss
Peter Rauterkus: South Alabama
Creg Stephenson: South Alabama
Troy players celebrate a big play during a 28-20 victory at Georgia Southern last Saturday at Paulson Stadium in Statesboro, Ga. (Joey Meredith/Troy athletics)Joey Meredith/Troy athletics
Troy (+11.5) at Louisiana, 4 p.m., ESPN+
Thomas Ashworth: Louisiana
Michael Casagrande: Louisiana
Patrick Greenfield: Louisiana
Andrew Hammond: Louisiana
Mark Inabinett: Troy
Nick Kelly: Louisiana
Peter Rauterkus: Louisiana
Creg Stephenson: Troy
Auburn quarterback Payton Thorne (1) throws a pass during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Louisiana Monroe, Saturday, Nov. 16, 2024, in Auburn, Ala. (AP Photo/ Butch Dill)AP
Texas A&M (-2.5) at Auburn, 6:30 p.m., ESPN
Thomas Ashworth: Texas A&M 30, Auburn 24
Michael Casagrande: Texas A&M 28, Auburn 24
Patrick Greenfield: Texas A&M 28, Auburn 17
Andrew Hammond: Texas A&M 28, Auburn 14
Mark Inabinett: Texas A&M 24, Auburn 23
Nick Kelly: Texas A&M 23, Auburn 17
Peter Rauterkus: Auburn 20, Texas A&M 17
Creg Stephenson: Texas A&M 16, Auburn 14
Alabama tight end Robbie Ouzts (45) grabs a pass reception and runs it in for a touchdown ahead of Mercer safety Tommy Bliss (45) during the first half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Nov. 16, 2024, in Tuscaloosa, Ala. (AP Photo/Vasha Hunt)AP
Alabama (-14) at Oklahoma, 6:30 p.m., ABC
Thomas Ashworth: Alabama 34, Oklahoma 17
Michael Casagrande: Alabama 38, Oklahoma 14
Patrick Greenfield: Alabama 34, Oklahoma 17
Andrew Hammond: Alabama 45, Oklahoma 17
Mark Inabinett: Alabama 31, Oklahoma 18
Nick Kelly: Alabama 31, Oklahoma 13
Peter Rauterkus: Alabama 31, Oklahoma 14
Creg Stephenson: Alabama 21, Oklahoma 0
Adele Zoghby, of Mobile, Ala., enjoys an ice cream cone during the first half of an NCAA college football game between Mercer and Alabama, Saturday, Nov. 16, 2024, in Tuscaloosa, Ala. (AP Photo/Vasha Hunt)AP
Standings after Week 12
Mark Inabinett 65-55 (5-5 last week)
Nick Kelly 62-58 (4-6 last week)
Michael Casagrande 59-61 (3-7 last week)
Andrew Hammond 58-62 (4-6 last week)
Peter Rauterkus 58-62 (3-7 last week)
Patrick Greenfield 56-64 (2-8 last week)
Thomas Ashworth 55-65 (5-5 last week)
Creg Stephenson 55-65 (3-7 last week)