Cover 3 College Football Podcast — Week 13 Instant Reaction

“Oregon Outlasts USC | Oklahoma Holds Off Missouri | College Football Recap”

Date: November 23, 2025
Hosts: Chip Patterson, Tom Fornelli, Bud Elliott

Episode Overview

The Cover 3 crew recaps an eventful Week 13 in college football with instant analysis and reactions to the biggest results and storylines. The main focuses are Oregon’s thrilling win over USC, Oklahoma’s grind-it-out performance against Missouri, playoff picture implications, and the fluctuating fate of teams across various conferences. Throughout, hosts Chip, Tom, and Bud blend sharp analysis with their signature banter.

Oregon Outlasts USC — The “Oregon Trail” Showdown

[01:55] – [16:49]

Key Highlights

• Oregon 42, USC 27
  • Oregon secures a double-digit win in the biggest game of the day, though the game itself was far from routine.
• Injuries and Roster Challenges:
  • Oregon played with significant injuries to its offensive line and key receivers yet managed to control the game’s flow.
  • Bud Elliott [04:25]:
    “If Oregon gets like the four or five million dollars worth of payroll that they got in the injury tent right now and they get those dudes healthy for the playoff, that Ducks team is really high up on the list. I don't want to play [them].”
• Offensive Line Grit:
  • Despite being down to their 4th and 5th tackles, Oregon only allowed two tackles for loss.
  • Tom Fornelli [06:16]:
    “They were winning the line of scrimmage against USC’s defense…and they still only allowed two tackles for loss in the entire game.”
• USC’s Offensive Flashes and Turnovers:
  • USC found explosive plays in the passing game but turnovers (primary culprit: Jaden Maiava) were costly.
  • Tom [06:16]:
    “You can't turn the ball over twice like that against a team like this on the road and expect to win.”
• Oregon’s Secondary Inexperience:
  • The Ducks’ secondary was “grabby,” allowing PI calls and “killer completions,” a chink noted for playoff implications.
  • Bud [08:08]:
    “I don't know if that secondary is like that good. I would have liked to see a little more pass pressure on Jaden.”
• USC “in the right direction”?
  • Bud sees promise for Lincoln Riley’s future despite the loss: “They’re very likely to finish with the number one overall recruiting class. I think they’re a tougher football team.” [14:57]

Notable Quotes

• Chip [03:55]:
  “It was an Oregon Trail of a game. We lost players to dysentery. Our wagon wheel broke down.”
• Chip [10:04]:
  “We need to make a board of the teams you don’t want to see in the playoff and just keep adding to it.”

Oklahoma Holds Off Missouri — Defense Reigns

[17:50] – [22:56]

Key Highlights

• Oklahoma’s “Ugly Wins” Continue:
  • OU leans all the way into a conservative formula relying on defense and special teams; John Matier’s passing is sharply limited.
  • Bud [18:16]:
    “They clearly already told him: dial it back now…like, we’re just never going to risk you throwing the football here.”
• Missouri Sputters:
  • Missouri starts strong running but Oklahoma’s defense clamps down, stacking the box and daring Mizzou to throw.
  • Bud [19:28]:
    “After the first two drives…[OU decided] ‘we’re just not allowing any of this run game stuff anymore. Like you guys are gonna have to throw to beat us.’ And [Cook] just really couldn't do it.”
• Offensive Explosives Few and Far Between:
  • Oklahoma wins with one big passing play (an 87-yard TD) and little else.
  • Chip [20:26]:
    “It was delivered right on stride. He took it to the house and we’re like, okay, well that's all the offense we needed for today, boys.”
• Playoff Prospects:
  • The panel debates if OU’s formula can translate versus higher-caliber playoff offenses.

Notable Quotes

• Tom [21:18]:
  “It is very important for them what seed they get…If they go on the road and run into somebody like Notre Dame, I just don’t know what shot they have.”

Rapid-Fire Game Reactions & Conference Storylines

Vanderbilt Cruises, Statement Win

[24:03] – [27:44]

• Vandy pounds Kentucky 45–14 behind Diego Pavia’s school record 484 passing yards and six total TDs.
• Chip [24:48]:
  “This thing was 45 to 3 after three quarters.”
• Playoff Hopes Alive (Barely):
  • Hosts discuss Vandy’s longshot playoff scenario if chaos hits and they beat Tennessee by a huge margin.

SEC & Big Ten Chaos, Notable Themes

[27:44] – [47:03]

• Point Differential Insanity — Arkansas:
  • Despite a 2–9 record, Arkansas maintains a positive point differential.
  • Tom [31:28]:
    “They are now 2 and 9 with a point differential of plus 3…That’s what matters if you’re Arkansas.”
• Georgia Tech’s Plummet, Miami’s Surge:
  • Tech can’t shake off its free fall; Miami keeps playoff path alive by pouring it on.
• ACC Tiebreakers & Scheduling Woes:
  • The group gripes about the lack of clarity for rivalry week kick times, which hinder fan travel plans.

Utah Outguns Kansas State in a Wild Offensive Shootout

[34:04] – [43:45]

• Utah edges Kansas State 51–47 in a game where both defenses get torched.
• Chip [38:47]:
  “Utah overcame multiple double digit deficits…Kansas State had no issue going right through Morgan Scalley’s defense.”
• Joe Jackson’s Monster Day:
  • Kansas State RB runs wild; Chris Klieman vents after the game about “not getting respect” and emotional toll.
• Bud [39:26]:
  “Joe Jackson cleared the line of scrimmage without having to break stride, like at all, for just explosive runs…it was like a nightmare replay over and over again.”

BYU Edges Cincinnati, Eyes Big 12 Title Game

[44:00] – [46:54]

• BYU with a workmanlike road win led by L.J. Martin’s 222 rushing yards.
• BYU’s playoff hopes require a Big 12 title game victory.

Offbeat Segments, Notable Banter & Quotes

• Quarterbacks Who “Like Getting Hit” Ranking
  • Tom and Chip riff about which QBs actually “like getting hit” (Jaden Daniels, Josh Allen, etc.) [16:49]
• Haynes King’s Sideline Meltdown (Georgia Tech):
  • “He’s just staring off…he’s got no look in his eyes, he’s staring off into space like, what am I even doing here?” — Chip [52:03]

AP Top 25, Playoff Projections & Voter Behavior

[93:45] – [104:01]

• Oregon likely to move into the top 5 after win over USC.
• Stagnant top 10, possible leapfrogging of Ducks over idle Ole Miss.
• ACC, Big 12, and G5 teams jockeying for final playoff, NY6, and ranking positions.
• Notable analysis on voters’ tendency to favor unblemished records or gut rankings over deep dive resumes.

Lightning Round: Additional Results & Humor

• Iowa’s Consistent Ugly Win Formula — All defense/special teams, “load managing” QB, and another “never seen that before” late game heroics.
• Northwestern Goes Bowling in a wild win.
• Arizona Arguably Should Be Ranked after thrashing Baylor—hosts praise Brent Brennan’s turnaround.
• Andrew Luck’s “Scoop and Score” Yell during Stanford’s loss to Cal is a broadcast highlight.
• JMU Survives Early Scare in another strong G5 performance.
• Coaching Carousel, Injuries, and Celebrations: Lane Kiffin rumors, Ohio State and Michigan injury updates, and tongue-in-cheek takes on elaborate touchdown celebrations.

Memorable Quotes & Moments

• Oregon’s playoff potential if healthy:
  “That run game is nasty…If they get like fully right, that’s a team that can come out of nowhere with the whole damn thing.” — Bud [04:25-05:47]
• On questionable playoff resumes:
  “Tennessee, Missouri…not beaten a single team with a record above .500?!” — Tom [103:16]
• On point differential as solace for losing teams:
  “That’s what you’re fighting for every single day. The point differential.” — Tom [31:28]
• On fan frustration with scheduling:
  “Everybody did a six day window for Thanksgiving week…that is a little tough on families who want to plan travel.” — Chip [56:48]

Timestamps for Key Segments

• Oregon–USC Deep Dive: [01:55]–[16:49]
• Oklahoma–Missouri Reaction: [17:50]–[22:56]
• Vanderbilt Big Win: [24:03]–[27:44]
• Utah–Kansas State Thriller: [34:04]–[43:45]
• BYU–Cincinnati / Big 12 Outlook: [44:00]–[46:54]
• AP Top 25 & Playoff Segment: [93:45]–[104:01]

Closing Thoughts

This was an action-packed Week 13, loaded with hair-raising finishes, impactful injuries, and ever-tighter playoff and bowl races. The crew’s blend of humor, stat-deep analysis, and back-and-forth debate makes this recap both comprehensive and highly entertaining.

For the complete playoff, AP Top 25, and bowl scenarios, and breakdowns team-by-team, revisit the timestamps above.

Signature Takeaways:

• Oregon is a legit playoff threat if healthy, with major credit for their resilience.
• Oklahoma continues to “win ugly” but faces questions about offensive upside.
• Playoff, bowl, and ranking races across conferences are more tangled than ever.
• The season’s chaos isn’t done—expect more drama in rivalry week!

For more, tune in to the Cover 3 Podcast every weekend on YouTube and all major podcast platforms!