Rivalry Week is always the biggest week of the year, but this year it seems to be shaping up to be one of the greatest weeks of college football in recent memory. Conference and National Championship implications will be on the line in some of the most fierce and hate-filled rivalries that college football has to offer. Here is a breakdown of some of the most important games that will be played.
Iron Bowl. Alabama vs. Auburn, Nov. 28.
Year in and year out, this game is one of the biggest games of the year, and this year is just the same. After the Crimson Tide’s big win against LSU this weekend, they are squarely in the conversation for both the SEC Championship and the College Football Playoffs. But for those dreams to come true, Alabama will have to come into Jordan-hare and play in the most heated rivalry in all of sports. Should Alabama come into the Iron Bowl unscathed, Auburn will be playing to spoil Alabama’s championship hopes, which is a role I believe this Auburn team will thrive in. Look for Auburn to pull the upset in front of a ridiculous crowd in Jordan-Hare stadium.
Bedlam. Oklahoma vs. Oklahoma State, Nov. 28.
As it stands right now, on Sunday, Nov. 8, The Cowboys sit in first place in the Big 12 after a huge win against TCU with Oklahoma lying in wait in third behind Baylor. This game could decide the champion of the Big 12, a title that holds at the very least a bid to a New Years Six Bowl Game, and could very well mean a spot in the College Football Playoff.
Baylor vs. TCU, Nov. 27.
Elsewhere in the Big 12, Baylor and TCU lock up in another pivotal matchup. After all is said and done, Baylor, Oklahoma, Oklahoma State and TCU will all play each other, and whoever comes out on top of most (or all) of those match ups will be crowned to Big 12 Champion and will most likely get a ticket to the College Football Playoff. Last year, this game played out to a 61-58 win by Baylor. Let’s hope this year’s game will be just as exciting.
Navy vs. Houston, Nov. 27.
My favorite team to cheer for besides Auburn is Navy, no doubt about it. When the triple option is good, it is an absolute beauty to watch, and Navy’s triple option offense, led by the NCAA all-time record holder for rushing TDs, Keenan Reynolds, is a thing of beauty. If Navy continues to win, they will be playing this game for an American Athletic Conference Championship, which carries an automatic bid to a New Years Six Bowl Game, but I for one would love to see the Midshipmen given a chance to play its way into the College Football Playoff picture.
Notre Dame vs. Stanford.
This game will be yet another game that will play a pivotal role in deciding who will go on and play for it all in the Playoff. Both teams are squarely in that picture, but will need a win against the other to solidify their respective resumes.
Clemson vs. South Carolina, Nov. 28.
The Tigers are sitting atop the first College Football Playoff rankings, and coming off the most impressive win of their season last week against Florida State. South Carolina is having a down year, to say the least. The Gamecocks would love nothing more than to knock off the Tigers at home to derail their championship hopes, giving those hopes to the scores of others contenders.
Ohio State vs. Michigan, Nov. 28.
In the most fierce rivalry north of the Mason-Dixon Line, the Buckeyes and Wolverines will square off with the Buckeyes hopes of a repeat national championship at an all time high, with Michigan having a couple losses, they are out of the championship picture. They are yet another team hosting their arch rival with the opportunity to end their championship dreams.
As you can see, this year’s rivalry weekend in college football has the chance to absolutely throw the college football world on its head. Personally, I hope that’s exactly what happens.
War Eagle, Y’all.
