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Snap judgments from Week 13 of college football

Nicole Auerbach
USA TODAY Sports

College football's biggest story lines can build up or get knocked down in one snap. After a Saturday full of action and overreaction, we're here to help you figure out what's hot, what's not and what's true as the season enters the homestretch.

Ohio State Buckeyes offensive lineman Chase Farris (57) congratulates Ohio State Buckeyes running back Ezekiel Elliott (15) on touchdown in the second quarter against the Michigan Wolverines at Michigan Stadium.

This week's Snap Judgments:

1. Ohio State showed its true potential, but a week too late.

The Buckeyes looked sensational on both sides of the ball in their 42-13 win at archrival Michigan — and Ezekiel Elliott had as many carries as his heart desired — but they needed help to contend for the College Football Playoff, and they didn't get it. Ohio State instead watched Michigan State clinch the Big Ten East with its win over Penn State, and it will watch the winner of Michigan State-Iowa in the Big Ten championship get one of the sport's four coveted spots.

2. Oklahoma just played its way into the Playoff.

The Sooners certainly ace the eye test, as evidenced by a dominant win led by quarterback Baker Mayfield at Oklahoma State on Saturday. Plus, they've won a conference championship outright. And the committee doesn't seem to mind their loss to Texas. Sounds like a winning formula to us ... and a pretty stress-free weekend next week, as all the other Power Five leagues put their best teams at risk of losing in conference championship games.

Oklahoma Sooners head coach Bob Stoops reacts as he is dunked by teammates with the Gatorade cooler in the closing seconds of the game against the Oklahoma State Cowboys at Boone Pickens Stadium.

3. The Heisman race shouldn't be over, but it probably is.

Quarterbacks Baker Mayfield of Oklahoma and Deshaun Watson of Clemson had Heisman moments Saturday, and their numbers stand out at a very competitive position. But after a record 46-carry, 271-yard, one-touchdown performance for Alabama on Saturday, the award is Derrick Henry's to lose, and that's not going to happen.

College Football Playoff scenarios for the remaining contenders

4. Keep an eye on your favorite coach; he may be gone Sunday.

With so many head coaching jobs already open, athletic directors and search firms are moving quickly. Memphis is expected to lose Justin Fuente quickly to Virginia Tech; Toledo's Matt Campbell is headed to Iowa State within hours. Rutgers coach Kyle Flood and Virginia coach Mike London may have coached their final games with the future in flux. Expect a lot of changes, including some quick hirings, by the time night falls Sunday.

HOW THE TOP 25 FARED IN WEEK 13

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