Josh Pate Best Bets: Week 13 College Football Picks, Predictions

On Sundays, Tuesdays and Thursdays, college football analyst Josh Pate provides his picks aboard the Ramen Noodle Express for the coming weekend, offering a preview for Week 13. He dished out his first pick, an ACC game, on Sunday night.

Pate made his picks at the end of Sunday’s episode of the Josh Pate’s College Football Show. First, he recapped how last weekend went.

“Terrible day yesterday,” Pate said. “We went 3-8. Now that’s OK because we had a couple of winning weeks before that, so we’re still up this month. But yeah, not good enough yesterday. I feel bad about it.”

With that, here are the picks for Josh Pate in Week 13. As he makes more picks throughout the week they will be added here.

Western Kentucky (+22.5) at LSU

Western Kentucky faces a stiff test on the road at LSU, but whether the Tigers will be locked in and ready to play is anyone’s guess. The team is already working with an interim coach after Brian Kelly was fired. Meanwhile, there are question marks about Garrett Nussmeier’s health. Josh Pate sees some opportunity.

Josh Pate: “Before I leave, I’ve got two additions to the Ramen Noodle Express this week. Give me Western Kentucky +22.5 at LSU.”

Kent State (+7.5) vs. Central Michigan

Kent State has been very back-and-forth over the last month plus, having won three of its last six games. The team is coming off a nice road win over Akron and has been close to most opponents in recent weeks. With more than a touchdown line, Pate likes Kent State to cover against Central Michigan.

Josh Pate: “And give me Kent State. We’re back, Pres! Kent State +7.5, weeknight MACtion, I think that’s a Wednesday game. My staff has bet on every Kent State game all year. I know there may be people watching there at Kent State who think we’re not even aware that they exist. You could not possibly be more wrong. We are living and dying with every Kent State game. We are very proud of the already vast overachievement that the team has accomplished this year. But we’re a 7.5-point dog this Wednesday night. We’ve got a shot to clip Central Michigan. I think we’ve got a shot. We’re going to take them +7.5, maybe just a little sprinkle on the moneyline.”

Rice (+18.5) vs. North Texas

Rice will stay at home to pay host to North Texas. It has won two of its last three games at home, dropping only one to Memphis in between. But North Texas has been a freight train, piling up four big wins in a row since losing to South Florida. Can Rice keep it close?

Josh Pate: “Ladies and gentlemen, Rice is being served on the Ramen Noodle Express vs. North Texas this week. Add Rice +18.5. Now we know Rice is not going to win this game. North Texas is not going to lose to food. But we don’t think they’re going to cover against food, either, so we’re going to take Rice. Added with Kent State, added with Western Kentucky. That’s the Ramen Noodle Express.”

UCLA (+10.5) vs. Washington

Josh Pate is taking UCLA plus the points on Saturday at home. They’re taking on a Washington teams that is fresh off a 49-13 win over Purdue during Week 12. UCLA most recently played Ohio State, losing 48-10 on the road against the defending national champions.

The Bruins are currently 3-7 overall with a 2-3 record at home. Pate did not provide any analysis on this matchup.

UConn (-7.5) at FAU

The Huskies have eight wins so far this regular season, and rounds out its regular season on the road at Florida Atlantic on Saturday. However, UConn will have its work cut out for it on the defensive end.

Both teams offer high-powered offenses that rank in the top 31 in the country, so there’s potential for a high-scoring affair. Pate did not provide any analysis on this matchup.

Penn State (-7.5) vs. Nebraska

Nebraska is without quarterback Dylan Raiola and Josh Pate expects Penn State to punish the Cornhuskers. In fairness, the Nittany Lions picked up their first win since firing head coach James Franklin last week, defeating Michigan State in convincing 28-10 fashion.

In the win, Kaytron Allen exploded for 181 rushing yards and two touchdowns on just 25 carries. While Penn State’s quarterback play is still questionable at times, Pate is confident the Nittany Lions will cruise to victory.

Kansas (+3.5) at Iowa State

It hurt Pate to turn on the Cyclones, but he expects great things from Kansas this weekend. The Jayhawks are coming off a 24-20 loss to Arizona and will be hungry for a bounce-back performance.

Meanwhile, Iowa State could still have its head in the clouds after defeating TCU in Week 11. It was the Cyclones’ first win since September. However, Iowa State had a bye last week and could come prepared for the Jayhawks.

TCU (+1.5) at Houston

TCU has lost two consecutive games, but Pate isn’t giving up on the Horned Frogs. After all, the team has had promising moments this season, including a win over SMU. With quarterback Josh Hoover leading the way, TCU is always dangerous.

Hoover boasts 2,783 passing yards and 23 touchdowns this season, compared to just 10 interceptions. In contrast, Houston quarterback Conner Weigman has thrown 18 touchdowns this season and seven picks.

Baylor (+6.5) at Arizona

There’s no way around it. Baylor is facing adversity. The school’s athletic director resigned this week and the Bears fell in a 55-28 blowout loss against Utah in their last outing. Nonetheless, some teams are at their best when their back is against the wall.

Josh Pate: “You’re going to have to be brave with me here. … [Baylor head coach] Dave Aranda somehow, some way has survived and he will coach there for another year.”

Rutgers (+31.5) at Ohio State

Pate is going out on a limb with this one, but a 31.5-point spread is simply too tempting. Then again, Ohio State has defeated its last two opponents by a combined 82 points. Rutgers head coach Greg Schiano will look to keep the Scarlet Knights competitive Saturday.

Josh Pate: “I think [Ohio State] is going to win. I just like Rutgers +31.5. We think the number should be +28.5. So, we’re getting three solid points of value there, and we deserve it. We’re betting Rutgers against the best team in the country.”

Utah State (+2.5) at Fresno State

Utah State lost a nail-biter last week against UNLV, but the Aggies’ season isn’t over yet. With a 5-5 record, Utah State is competing for bowl eligibility.

The Aggies missed out on postseason festivities last season after finishing the 2024 campaign with a 4-8 record. With a chance to cement their bowl game status against Fresno State on Saturday, the Aggies won’t be lacking motivation.

Southern Miss (-1.5) at South Alabama

Southern Miss is no joke this season. The Golden Eagles are 7-3 and will have a chip on their shoulder this weekend following an uncharacteristic performance against Texas State last week.

Josh Pate: Southern Miss is the model’s sixth-favorite bet on the entire board. We are taking Southern Miss. We are taking 1.5 points with Southern Miss. And, we think that they are going to win the game outright.”

Tennessee (-3.5) at Florida

Florida has been unpredictable since firing head coach Billy Napier. In Week 10, the Gators nearly toppled Georgia. Just one week later, they suffered an inexplicable 38-7 loss to Kentucky. Pate expects Florida to fall victim to bad habits again this weekend and suffer a loss against Tennessee.

Josh Pate: “Tennessee has not won a game down there since 2003. I think they’re going to tomorrow. The model agrees. The model loves Tennessee. So, the question is how much do we love the model? And the answer is: We agree.”