College football Week 13 top plays: Alabama outlasts Auburn, Michigan tops Ohio State, Oklahoma State tops OU
Week 13 of the college football season kicked off Saturday with a much-anticipated showdown on FOX's "Big Noon Kickoff" as No. 5 Michigan came out on top at home against No. 2 Ohio State, 42-27.
It was the 24th time that OSU and Michigan have faced off with each team ranked in the top 10, and was the Wolverines' first victory in "The Game" since 2011. With this win, Michigan clinched a spot in the Big Ten Championship.
In the afternoon, there were fireworks as No. 3 Alabama barely escaped Auburn in a thrilling 4OT Iron Bowl — the first overtime game in the series' history. The Tigers shut out the Tide through three quarters, but Alabama pulled it together in the final frame and beyond to secure the win.
To close out the night, No. 10 Oklahoma and No. 7 Oklahoma State delivered an instant classic in the Bedlam Series in Stillwater, Oklahoma, with Oklahoma State coming out on top 37-33 to advance to the Big 12 Championship.
Here are the top moments from Saturday's action.
No. 7 Oklahoma State 37, No. 10 Oklahoma 33
OSU strikes first
Spencer Sanders launched this 30-yard bomb to Tay Martin for an early Cowboys TD.
OK answered
Oklahoma responded with a five-play, 75-yard touchdown drive to knot things up.
On a roll
Martin came up with his second TD of the opening quarter, this time on a short scamper as OSU regained the lead.
Heating up
It was more of the same in the second, as Caleb Williams found Austin Stogner for a 29-yard Sooners TD to keep things tied and take 7:23 off the clock.
How did Oklahoma State respond? With a 100-yard kick return.
After trading field goals, OSU led 24-17 midway through the second quarter.
Flipping the script
Oklahoma opened up the second half with nine quick points thanks to a safety and a muffed punt return turned into a touchdown to take a 33-24 lead.
Back on top
After Oklahoma took a 33-24 lead, Oklahoma State responded with 13 unanswered points of their own to start the fourth quarter, taking a 37-33 lead.
That would prove to be enough for the Cowboys to hold on and seal a win against their rivals.
No. 3 Alabama 24, Auburn 22 (4OT)
Perfect pass, better catch
After getting off to a slow start in the opening frame, Auburn got a spark on offense when tight end John Samuel Shenker snagged this pass to move the Tigers downfield.
Punt coverage gone wrong
Misfortune struck Alabama when it lost top receiver Jameson Williams for targeting on a special teams play.
Tigers strike first
Auburn took a 7-0 lead over the Crimson Tide headed into the break after backup QB T.J. Finley — who is in for injured starter Bo Nix — found Kobe Hudson on a 15-yard strike.
For the first time since 2000, Alabama was shut out in the first half of the Iron Bowl.
On the prowl
To open the second half, Auburn nailed a field goal to go up 10-0.
Then, the Tigers' defense picked off Bryce Young in Alabama territory.
Tide denied
Alabama attempted to get on the board with a field goal in the third, but the holder dropped the snap and after a failed pass, the Tide turned the ball over on downs. Just like that, Alabama was scoreless through three quarters for the first time in five years (since 2016 vs. LSU).
Tie game!
Alabama managed to rally late, however, tying the score with only 24 seconds to spare to send things into overtime.
OT
Alabama opened overtime with a touchdown pass from Young to Slade Bolden.
But Auburn wasn't going down without a fight. The Tigers scored on their possession, thanks to freshman TE Landen King and this one-handed touchdown catch.
2OT
In double overtime, the Alabama defense forced the Tigers to kick a 49-yard field goal to stay alive, which Ben Patton nailed on just his fourth career attempt.
Alabama returned the favor with a 38-yarder of its own to tie it at 20-20, sending things to a third overtime.
3OT
In triple OT, the ball is placed at the 3-yard line and each team attempts a two-point conversion instead of having a normal possession.
Alabama was up first, and John Metchie reeled in Young's pass for the Tide. Then, Auburn responded with a throwback to Shenker.
4OT
In the fourth overtime period, Auburn failed on its attempt, and the Crimson Tide sealed their fate on this toss:
No. 5 Michigan 42, No. 2 Ohio State 27
Snow at the Big House
The Wolverines made a statement on their opening possession, capping off a 10-play, 75-yard drive with a rushing touchdown to take an early 7-0 lead.
First hiccup of the day
After Michigan forced OSU into a three-and-out on its first possession, the Wolverines started their next drive at the OSU 39, quickly moving down to the Buckeyes' 15-yard line.
But an interception by Bryson Shaw put a stop to Michigan's momentum.
OSU denied
Ohio State wasn't able to capitalize on the turnover thanks to the Wolverines' stout defense, and the Buckeyes settled for three.
Circus TD catch
C.J. Stroud connected with Garrett Wilson on this wild 25-yard touchdown, as OSU took its first lead, 10-7, midway through the second.
Michigan rebuttal
With 3:51 to play before the break, Cade McNamara dropped a dime to Cornelius Johnson to the Ohio State 2-yard line. Then, Hassan Haskins scored two plays later, as Michigan regained the lead 14-10.
Neck and neck
Ahead of the break, OSU knocked in a 30-yard field goal after a dropped interception by Michigan to make it a one-point game.
It's the first time Michigan has led at the half vs. Ohio State since 2016, and it's safe to say the Buckeyes … didn't like that.
Here to stay
OSU opened the third quarter with the ball, but the Michigan defense forced them to go three-and-out.
The Wolverines didn't waste any time, as Blake Corum broke out for a 55-yard run to OSU's 13-yard line, which set up another Haskins TD on the ensuing play. Just like that, Michigan took a 21-13 lead.
Getting chippy
With tensions running high, both teams went at it on the field, and OSU ultimately drew an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty.
Third time's the charm
The penalty put the Wolverines on the 1-yard line, and Haskins — for the third time today — did what he does best: score.
With that TD, Michigan took a 15-point lead, a deficit no team has overcome to win in the history of the series.
Acrobatic catch
OSU still had a few tricks up its sleeve, like this dazzling behind-the-back snag from Jaxon Smith Njigba.
TD Trey
The 26-yard gain put the Buckeyes deep in enemy territory, and OSU's TreVeyon Henderson punched one in to cut Michigan's lead to 28-20.
Ice cold
Michigan once again extended its lead thanks to Haskins, who came up with his fourth rushing score of the day in the final frame, as the Wolverines went up 35-20.
Up and over
Ohio State's star receiver Chris Olave showed off his skills on this grab, as the Buckeyes charged downfield.
Not done yet
Olave's catch put the Buckeyes in great field position, and Stroud hit Henderson for a 10-yard touchdown on a fourth-and-5 play to keep the Buckeyes within arm's reach at 35-27 with 4:45 remaining.
Party of one
Haskins continued to be a force to be reckoned with, accounting for every single yard in Michigan's ensuing five-play, 63-yard touchdown drive and sealing the deal for the Wolverines.
THE BEST OF THE REST:
The last dance
In Ed Orgeron's final game as the head coach at LSU, the Tigers pulled off the upset of No. 15 Texas A&M thanks to this touchdown with 20 seconds remaining.
Tigers on top
LSU took a 10-point lead over No. 15 Texas A&M thanks to this rocket from Jaray Jenkins to Max Johnson.
Avoiding the upset
USC made a game of it, but No. 13 BYU held on for a 35-31 victory to improve to 10-2.
Jumping for joy
How about this leaping interception South Carolina pulled off against No. 23 Clemson?
Crisis averted
Vanderbilt avoided the shutout after pulling off this Hail Mary as the clock expired in the first half.
Bad Badgers
Wisconsin came up with a huge play to take the lead over Minnesota when the Badgers' defense picked off Tanner Morgan and returned it to the house.
Mean, indeed
It was a wild one in Texas as the unranked North Texas Mean Green brought an end to the No. 22 UTSA Roadrunners' perfect dream season.
Returning the favor
It was all Michigan State early on as the Spartans scored on their first two possessions, but Penn State's Jahan Dotson reeled in this doozy of a pass from QB Sean Clifford on the Nittany Lions' way to knotting things up.
Ready for takeoff
Anthony Brown launched this monster pass to Devon Williams as Oregon took a two-score lead over in-state rival Oregon State.
To the house!
Baylor got off to a hot start against Texas Tech with this monster 61-yard touchdown.
Gators get going
On Florida's opening drive, Emory Jones aired this one out to tight end Kemore Gamble for the Gators TD.
OBJ-like
How about this incredible one-handed catch from FSU's Ontaria Wilson?
Good as gone!
Here's something you don't see every day.
Maryland largely dominated Rutgers in Saturday's contest, but one of the wildest plays of the quarter came when the Scarlet Knights blocked the Terrapins' extra point attempt and returned it to the house.
Rivalry renewed
Bulldogs TE Brock Bowers notched a 77-yard touchdown as Georgia shut out Georgia Tech 45-0.
Road warriors
Houston marched into UConn on a mission, and the Cougars delivered, taking a two-score lead with ease.
Catching air
Wake Forest wideout A.T. Perry laid out for the Demon Deacons' second TD of the day against Boston College.
Turning on the jets
Duke safety Jaylen Stinson returned Miami's first-quarter kickoff 94 yards for the go-ahead touchdown.