College football is built on rivalry. Nearly every school has a sworn enemy, and they all play at the end of November in games that have their own names. The Iron Bowl. The Civil War. Clean, Old Fashioned Hate. The Backyard Brawl. State and regional bragging rights are annually on the line, records are tossed out the window, games are dictated by emotion and momentum, and fans open up the vault to retell stories of classic games. Everything is right in the college football world when you see teams like Alabama and Auburn lined up across from one another. This is the way it was meant to be.
So sit back and enjoy - the hits will be harder, the emotions more intense, the crowds more insane. We have some good football ahead of us. Grab a turkey leg and savor the feast! Just don't doze off on the tryptophan, even a meaningless game like the Egg Bowl (Mississippi-Mississippi St.) is worth a look on rivalry week.
I'll throw in as an added tidbit the game's name (if applicable) and series record, just to give some added flavor and history.
1. Florida at Florida State (Sunshine Showdown, The Battle for the Governor's Cup)
Series: Florida leads 31-19-2
The names for this game are lame, but the games are not. Once again this game contains massive national championship implications, as Florida must win to keep hope alive. It's not as big as it was in the 90's, when both teams were ranked in the top ten in every single matchup, but it still carries some weight. The Gators are rolling right now, and you'd think they wouldn't be slowed down even by a game against their biggest rival on their home field, even with Florida State's resurgence this year. But don't be surprised to see this one stay close. Florida State has the talent to scare Florida, but ultimately it's their youth that will kill their upset bid. They've got a bunch of young guys who don't quite know just what this game means, while the Gators have more guys who've been here before. Expect a lot of bravado out of the Seminoles before kickoff and a few gadget plays that send some scares into the Gators (Bobby Bowden's still got a few tricks up his sleeve), but an overpowering second half by Florida will shut the Seminoles and their crowd up.
Florida 31, Florida State 21
2. Oklahoma at Oklahoma State (The Bedlam Series)
Series: Oklahoma 78-16-7
Oklahoma State has only beaten the Sooners 16 times in 101 tries, so it's hard to even consider this game a rivalry in the true concept of the word. It's been lopsided to say the least. But in recent years, the Cowboys have been a thorn in the sides of the Sooners on more than one occasion. From 2000-2004, Oklahoma was ranked in the top 5 every year coming into their Bedlam game, only to lose two of those games and escape with narrow victories in 2 others. This is the first year since then that we have that scenario, and the best Oklahoma State team in quite some time. The Cowboys have heard the hype after Oklahoma's decapitating of Texas Tech, how most of the nation is already handing this game to the Sooners. They aren't intimidated by Oklahoma, and they'll show up ready to play on Saturday. But with all that said, Oklahoma State did lose to Texas Tech 56-20, who then lost 65-21 to the Sooners. Oklahoma's offense looks unstoppable right now, and it would seem foolhardy to predict that trend to stop. But that's what everyone said about Texas Tech just on week ago. I don't think this one will end in another eye-popping score, and I get the sense that all the politicking by Bob Stoops about their BCS ranking will come back to bite the Sooners. Play the games first, then go to the podium and argue your team's case! His players will follow his lead and won't be as ready to play as they should be, like last year when they were ambushed by Texas Tech in Lubbock after the doorway to the national championship swung wide open for them.
Oklahoma State 45, Oklahoma 42
3. Auburn at Alabama (The Iron Bowl)
Series: Alabama 38-33-1
Auburn's six year winning streak in the Iron Bowl is about to end. Tommy Tuberville looks like a lame duck coach and I have a hard time believing his offense will be able to do much damage to Alabama's stout defense. This game will be close, based on the fact that Auburn needs it to make a bowl game and the fact that Alabama's not the type of team to put up a Big 12-style blowout. But Nick Saban and the Crimson Tide will eke out a win that feels more comfortable than it looks on the scoreboard, if that makes any sense. I just think they'll dominate the line of scrimmage and be in control throughout, even though the score will be close.
Alabama 23, Auburn 14
4. Georgia Tech at Georgia (Clean, Old Fashioned Hate)
Series: Georgia 59-38-5
This is one of the most underrated rivalries in the sport. These teams just hate each other, not quite to the otherworldly level of Alabama-Auburn, but not that far off. Clean, Old Fashioned Hate is an apt description for this game, and it's usually pretty entertaining too. I still think Georgia is a team that's given up on their season, and if their defense has struggled so much with SEC offenses, most of which are conventional, pro-style sets, what will happen against Paul Johnson's funky option attack?
Georgia Tech 35, Georgia 27
5. Texas A&M at Texas (Lone Star Showdown)
Series: Texas 73-36-5
As recent years have attested, this is one game where records truly can be thrown out the window. A&M has beaten more talented, ranked Texas teams in each of the past 2 seasons, one of those games being played in Austin. This will be the Aggies' bowl game, and they're been an improving team bent on spoiling the Longhorns championship hopes. But Texas will be looking for style points, hoping to stay ahead of Oklahoma and in line for the BCS title game. And they're a much better team than the ones Texas A&M beat in 2006 and 2007.
Texas 30, Texas A&M 13
6. Oregon at Oregon State (The Civil War)
Series: Oregon 55-46-10
Amazingly, Oregon State stands on the verge of a Pac Ten title, this after starting 2-3. They'd love to get another crack at Penn State in the Rose Bowl, much to the dismay of the majority of college football fans, who'd love a Penn State-USC matchup. I think the Beavers get it done - they've proven that they can win close games and beat just about anyone. They're not going to be mistaken for one of the best teams in the country, but they're balanced and simply get the job done.
Oregon State 27, Oregon 24
7. Notre Dame at USC (no nickname)
Series: Notre Dame 42-32-5
Syracuse? Even considering last year's carnage, the home loss to Syracuse may be the worst in the Charlie Weis era. Now the Irish face a USC team that's owned them for the past 6 years and face the certainty of falling to 6-6.
USC 48, Notre Dame 10
8. West Virginia at Pittsburgh (The Backyard Brawl)
Series: Pittsburgh 60-37-3
West Virginia has been waiting a full year to get back at Pitt for their championship-eliminating defeat of last year. I think they'll get it - Pitt's had some struggles at home and their loss to Cincinnati put to bed any Big East championship hopes.
West Virginia 17, Pittsburgh 13
9. Kansas at Missouri (The Border War)
Series: Missouri 54-53-9
The Border War returns to relative obscurity after its brief spell in the national spotlight last year. The intensity won't lessen - these teams, and states, still have an icy-cold relationship. Missouri's already locked up the Big 12 North, so they don't have added incentive. but they'll still be ready. Chase Daniel will have a big day against a suspect Kansas defense.
Missouri 33, Kansas 20
10. South Carolina at Clemson (The Battle of the Palmetto State)
Series: Clemson 64-37-4
South Carolina can't wait to hit the field to wash out the bad taste of their 56-6 mauling in the Swamp, and Clemson can't wait to put this season behind them. I think this will be a close game - Clemson has more talent and plays at home but the Gamecocks are better coached (and have played, and won, in a tougher conference). Lets just hope it won't end in an ugly brawl again. Keep your wits about ya, boys!
Clemson 24, South Carolina 17
11. Virginia at Virginia Tech (The Commonwealth Cup)
Series: Virginia Tech 47-37-5
Virginia Tech controls their own destiny in the ACC Coastal division, which probably means they'll lose. Yet stupidly I'll pick them to win. Such is the ACC this year.
Virginia Tech 26, Virginia 20
12. Colorado at Nebraska (no nickname)
Series: Nebraska 46-18-2
The Buffaloes find a way to get a win in Lincoln, garnering a bowl invite for themselves. Look for their rushing attack to control the ball and eat up yards against the Cornhusker defense.
Colorado 38, Nebraska 31
13. Mississippi State at Mississippi (The Egg Bowl)
Series: Mississippi 59-39-6
Ole Miss established itself as more than a one-hit wonder last week (their one hit prior to last week being their fluky win at Florida), and Houston Nutt has used this season to reaffirm the fact that he's a very good coach. The Rebels could be in line for a New Years Day bowl if they take care of business against disappointing and offensively challenged Mississippi State.
Mississippi 16, Mississippi State 6
14. Maryland at Boston College
Not a traditional rivalry game, but worth picking due to the circumstances. It's win and in for BC at home, but Maryland's A team is due up this week after their B team got shellacked by Florida State at home. The way the ACC has gone this year, you can't seriously expect both Boston College and Virginia Tech to simply handle win-and-in situations against underdogs at home, can you?
Maryland 21, Boston College 20
15. Western Michigan at Ball State
The feast begins Tuesday with 9-2 Western Michigan visiting 11-0 Ball State, in another non-rivalry game. Ball State passed a bigger test last week by beating Central Michigan on the road, but they should get all they can handle out of a Western Michigan team that beat Illinois earlier this year. It's a tough assignment on the back end of a difficult doubleheader, but I think the Cardinals get it done and get their undefeated regular season.
Ball State 34, Western Michigan 31
I want to close the post with a reminder to be thankful this week. We live in a country that has its flaws, but remains a place of freedom and prosperity, governed and protected by men and women who care about it deeply. We've truly been blessed by God, and we ought to take time to thank Him for His abundant provision and protection, and give thanks for the men and women who sacrifice so much so that we can enjoy these feasts of food and football. We're warm, well fed, and surrounded by those we love - and that's more than enough. Thank God!
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