Week 13 didn’t bring the wild upsets that college football fans usually crave, but it still delivered real movement beneath the surface as teams are fighting for playoff contention, bowl eligibility, and momentum heading into the offseason.

The Colorado Buffaloes fell into that final category. While the scoreboard wasn’t kind to the Buffs on Saturday night, the story surrounding their freshman quarterback Julian “JuJu” Lewis added an unexpected boost to the program’s future. Meanwhile, Texas A&M executed cleanly ahead of its biggest game of the season, and Georgia Tech suffered one of the most costly lapses of the year.

Here are the three biggest winners and losers from a deceptively meaningful Week 13 slate.

Colorado closed its final home game of the season at Folsom Field with another frustrating loss, falling 42–17 to No. 25 Arizona State. With bowl eligibility no longer possible, the Buffs were playing for pride and offseason momentum, but the

Colorado Fails to Capitalize in Key Moments

Colorado couldn’t convert when it mattered most. Despite forcing four turnovers, the Buffs produced only three points from those opportunities and watched a second-half lead disappear. The loss was damaging — but it came with one important asterisk.

Why Colorado’s Loss Comes With an Asterisk

Freshman quarterback Julian “JuJu” Lewis, the five-star recruit viewed as the future of the program, reaffirmed his commitment to Boulder immediately after the defeat. In his first home start, Lewis threw for 161 yards and one touchdown with zero turnovers. But his biggest impact came after the final whistle.

“Oh yeah, I’m a Buff through and through,” Lewis said. “I don’t got no reason to go.”

With the transfer portal looming over every major football program, Lewis’ public loyalty to Deion Sanders and Colorado provides the one thing the Buffs desperately need: stability.

Why Lewis’ Commitment Matters for Colorado

For a program still rebuilding and trying to establish a long-term identity, having a franchise-level quarterback publicly commit to staying is almost as valuable as a win. College football success starts with quarterback continuity — and Colorado has a centerpiece willing to weather the transition.

Even in a tough season, the Buffs’ long-term trajectory quietly improved this weekend. Lewis’ commitment could become one of the most important moments of Coach Prime’s tenure.

Texas A&M Gains Momentum With Dominant Tune-Up Win

Texas A&M got everything it needed from Week 13: momentum, efficiency, and a no-drama performance. The Aggies crushed Samford 48–0 in a matchup designed less for impressing voters and more for fine-tuning execution ahead of rivalry week.

The objective was simple — stay healthy, stay sharp, and build rhythm — and coach Mike Elko’s team executed perfectly.

Now ranked No. 3, Texas A&M heads into Austin with massive stakes: a College Football Playoff berth, an SEC Championship appearance, and a marquee showdown with Arch Manning and the Texas Longhorns.

Georgia Tech Suffers the Weekend’s Most Costly Collapse

No team took a bigger hit this weekend than Georgia Tech. With a trip to the ACC Championship on the line, the Yellow Jackets simply needed to beat unranked Pittsburgh at home.

Instead, they delivered one of their worst halves of football all season. Georgia Tech quickly fell behind 28–0 in the second quarter, undone by turnovers, blown coverages, and a shocking lack of urgency.

Then, just when the Yellow Jackets clawed back into the game—cutting the deficit to 28–14 and driving — Haynes King threw a devastating 100-yard pick-six that slammed the door shut on a second-half comeback attempt.

Pitt walked out with a 42–28 win, and Georgia Tech watched its conference championship hopes vanish on its own field.

While the Yellow Jackets no longer control their fate, they still could find a way into the ACC championship with help from Pittsburgh, Virginia, and Cal. But first, they’ll need to get past in-state rival No. 4 Georgia next weekend.