AP Top 25 Look Ahead: What Each Team Faces In Week 13

The calendar has flipped to February, and that means March Madness is just around the corner. It also means the games get more important and seedings will be on the line every time the ball is tipped. The next week will be critical for a lot of teams in the Associated Press top 25, and here’s a look at what the best in the land will face in the next seven days.

Week 13 AP Top 25 Lookahead

1. Oklahoma (18-2)

Comeback win over LSU keeps Sooners rolling with pushovers TCU and Kansas State coming up this week.

2. North Carolina (19-2)

The Tar Heels’ mettle will be tested this week with road games at Louisville and Notre Dame. It’s proving time for UNC.

3. Villanova (18-3)

I want to believe, and the Wildcats are changing minds. Rematch with Providence Saturday is another measuring stick.

4. Maryland (19-3)

Terps should roll at Nebraska, but home battle vs. Purdue is going to test Maryland’s size.

5. Iowa (17-4)

Can Iowa keep pace in the Big Ten with a home tilt vs. Penn State and a road trip to Illinois? The Hawkeyes start a favorable stretch.

6. Xavier (19-2)

Xavier has run off three straight and should push that to Nos. 4 and 5 with St. Johns and Marquette on the docket.

7. Kansas (17-4)

The Jayhawks get a breather after tough Kentucky win with Kansas State and TCU, and they’ll need the rest with West Virginia and Oklahoma looming.

8. Texas A&M (18-3)

Convincing win over Iowa State was great and washed away road loss to Arkansas, but two games in three days will challenge A&M’s legs.

9. Virginia (17-4)

Pounding of Louisville has Cavs’ spirits high and put UVA’s defense back on track.

10. Michigan State (19-4)

Just 3-3 in their last six, but the Spartans have a week to prep for showdown in Ann Arbor.

11. Providence (18-4)

Warm-up vs. DePaul Tuesday should help the Friars find their rhythm with home battle vs. Villanova on the way.

12. SMU (19-1)

Temple hiccup is in the rearview after pounding Memphis, but road trips to Houston and South Florida will keep the Mustangs on their toes.

13. Iowa State (16-5)

The challenges keep coming for the Cyclones with West Virginia hitting town Tuesday, but Oklahoma State could be a reprieve.

14. West Virginia (17-4)

Will Florida upset snowball into a skid with Iowa State, Baylor and Kansas coming up? The Mountaineers are about to be tested.

15. Baylor (17-4)

Bears have a chance to build some momentum at home vs. Texas before hitting the road for West Virginia.

16. Oregon (18-4)

Don’t sleep on the rolling Ducks, who are playing with as much confidence as anyone in the country.

17. Miami (FL) (16-4)

Letdown game vs. North Carolina State has to be forgotten with Notre Dame coming to town Wednesday.

18. Purdue (19-4)

The Boilermakers have won five of their last six, but their quickness and defense will be tested at Maryland. At least they have a week to get ready.

19. Louisville (17-4)

North Carolina game is just the beginning of a rough-and-tumble stretch that will show the Cardinals what they’re made of down the stretch.

20. Kentucky (16-5)

The loss to Kansas in OT could either pull the ‘Cats together or apart. Trip to Tennessee and home game vs. Florida will show us which way UK goes.

21. Wichita State (16-5)

Early-season woes are far behind the Shockers, and Southern Illinois and Illinois State shouldn’t put up too much resistance.

22. Indiana (18-4)

The Hoosiers’ season really starts Tuesday at Michigan, and the road game Saturday at Penn State won’t be easy for IU’s shaky defense.

23. Arizona (17-5)

The Wildcats are wobbling after losing two of three. Road trips to Washington State and Washington provide a chance to get back under control.

24. Dayton (18-3)

Five straight wins, including getting some revenge on La Salle, has Dayton flyin’.

25. South Carolina (19-2)

The Gamecocks need to find some consistency if they’re going to stay in the poll. Road trips to Georgia and Texas A&M will be challenging.