College football’s most important people in Week 13

There is much at stake in Week 13 in college football. Some teams (Arizona State and BYU) are fighting for their playoff lives, while another (Indiana) is attempting to dispel the doubters.

The field for the College Football Playoff has narrowed. Per ESPN’s Playoff Predictor, only 15 teams have a 30% chance or better to qualify for the 12-team CFP. 

Ahead of Week 13, here are the most important people in the sport.

Carson Hinzman | Ohio State center

Hinzman will make his first start at center this season after Ohio State starter Seth McLaughlin suffered a season-ending Achilles injury. Hinzman isn’t new to the position — he started 12 games at center in 2023 — but he steps in for a crucial game. 

On Saturday, No. 2 Ohio State (9-1) hosts No. 5 Indiana (10-0) in a game that will potentially decide which team faces No. 1 Oregon in the Big Ten title game. Hinzman has been starting at left guard and his move to center shakes up the OSU offensive line.

“Every year as an offensive lineman you grow, you change, you learn, and he’ll be ready this weekend,” Ohio State head coach Ryan Day said at a news conference.

Notre Dame defensive line

The sixth-ranked Irish (9-1) are facing No. 19 Army (9-0) in a game full of intrigue. The ND defensive line will be tested like never before as Army’s ground game is its key to success. The Black Knights average 334.9 rushing yards per game and are second in the nation with an average time of possession of 34 minutes. 

The Irish, who have not lost to Army since 1958, must limit long, grueling drives and keep their offense on the field as much as possible. It starts on the line.

DJ Lagway | Florida quarterback

Despite a rollercoaster ride this season, Florida (5-5) can still finish on a high note. The Gators are one win away from bowl eligibility and can play CFP spoiler at home gainst No. 9 Ole Miss (8-2) on Saturday. 

Florida will go as far as Lagway can take them. The dual-threat quarterback engineered an upset win over LSU last week, impressing Ole Miss head coach Lane Kiffin. 

“I don’t think I’ve ever seen a team play so differently based on a quarterback,” Kiffin said on Monday regarding Florida. “Usually it just affects the offense, but it looks like it’s affected the whole team. Gives their team hope.”

Sam Leavitt | Arizona State quarterback

Leavitt’s recent play is a big reason why No. 21 Arizona State (8-2) is still in the CFP picture. He has nine touchdown passes and no interceptions in the past three games. As the Sun Devils get ready for a massive home showdown against No. 14 BYU (9-1), Leavitt needs another clean game to keep ASU’s hopes alive.

Indiana offensive line

The Hoosiers offensive line has played solidly this season. IU has allowed only 11 sacks, but it has yet to face a defense as good as Ohio State’s. The Buckeyes allow only 10.3 points per game and their 30 sacks are the most of any opponent IU has faced.

The College Football Playoff committee

This week has the potential to create seismic shifts in the 12-team playoff. Some questions the committee will need to tackle: If Indiana gets blown out by Ohio State, how far will it fall in the rankings? If Notre Dame loses to Army, are the Irish out of the playoff? Is the Big 12 a one-bid league? 

Quinshon Judkins | Ohio State running back

Judkins already had a tall task Saturday. The Indiana defense leads the nation in rush yards allowed at 72.2 per game. But now the Buckeyes have a revamped offensive line that adds another challenge.

 Judkins likes what he sees so far in practice from the line. 

“Those guys are ready to step up, man, and just the intensity they’ve brought all week since everything has happened … shows they’re ready to go,” Judkins told reporters Wednesday.

Shedeur Sanders | Colorado quarterback

Sanders has the Colorado offense humming. Since losing to Kansas State Oct. 28, the Buffs (8-2) have won four in a row and Sanders has completed 73% of his passes during that stretch. He’ll need another standout performance against a Kansas (4-6) team that’s playing its best ball of the season.

BYU offense

The Cougars offense has sputtered the past two games. BYU scored 34-plus points in six straight games but has been held to 22 or less in the past two. With a chance to advance to the Big 12 Championship game, BYU must find its groove against Arizona State or risk seeing its CFP dreams slip away.

Curt Cignetti | Indiana head coach

Cignetti, known for his bold pronouncements, has been a magician on the sidelines, turning around a program that went 9-27 the previous three seasons. Now comes his toughest test. His coaching and decision making will be on full display as IU plays at Ohio State. He has a fantastic opportunity to back up his talk.

“They were starving for success,” he said, per ESPN’s Adam Rittenberg about Hoosiers football fans.

If Indiana — a 10.5-point underdog, per BetGM as of Friday — beats Ohio State, he’ll make true believers of all Hoosiers fans.