Predicting the Best Rivalry Week Matchups

Picture from Sports Illustrated

Kingston, RI - (PSF) Despite it feeling like the college football season started yesterday, the end of the regular season is upon us. As the season comes to a close, we are treated to some of the best matchups of the year in the final week of regular season play, the infamous rivalry week. Here is where some of the most storied teams in college football play each other to close out the season, many of whom have been rivals for decades and have pure hatred for each other, making the matchups all the more intense. From Ohio State vs. Michigan to Alabama vs. Auburn, this weekend of games is stacked, and I’m going to try to predict who will come out on top for some of the most anticipated rivalry week matchups. 

Michigan vs. Ohio State

Picture from Darren Lee, Cal Sport Media

Arguably the most storied rivalry in college football, Michigan vs. Ohio State will always be highly anticipated no matter the ranking of the two teams; but when both teams are ranked in the top 3 and looking to make a run for the national championship, it makes this game all the more interesting. Michigan comes into this game ranked 3rd while Ohio State is ranked 2nd, so this game will have immediate college football playoff implications. The two teams have very different styles of play offensively with Michigan being an extremely run-heavy offense and Ohio State preferring to air it out with their star-studded receiver room. Both teams possess stellar defenses that have helped carry them to this point in the season, but when it comes down to it, I think Ohio State’s offense will be too much for the Wolverines to stop. Ohio State’s defense is also structured perfectly to stop a team like Michigan, with an excellent pass-rushing and run-defending defensive line that really stands out every game. While both teams are extremely talented, I predict Ohio State to beat Michigan at the Big House.

Alabama vs. Auburn

Picture from Elizabeth Marsh, The Auburn Plainsmen

The other matchup that is in contention for the most storied rivalry in college football is the famous Iron Bowl between Alabama and Auburn. These two teams have such a deep hatred for each other that this game has been known to split up families for a weekend and result in all sorts of problems between the two teams' fans. Auburn comes into this game riding a 4 game winning streak after a very slow start to their season, while Alabama is ranked in the top 10 with a record of 10-1. The trend in this rivalry is starting to become an automatic win for Alabama, with the Crimson Tide having won 4 out of the last 5, but something about the Iron Bowl makes this game feel like it could go either way every year. Auburn has an excellent run game, averaging 194.5 rushing yards per game, and Alabama’s run defense is not as stout as recent years. If Auburn can get their run game going early and dictate the pace of the game, they may be able to pull off the upset. So despite Alabama being the heavy favorite, I’m going to go with Auburn winning this one through their rushing attack. 

Oregon vs. Oregon State

Picture from Oregon Athletics

This matchup looks to be the most competitive it’s been in a long time with both teams being ranked inside the top 15 with Oregon at 6th and Oregon State at 15th. Oregon, who has been one of the best teams in the country this year, is anchored by their multifaceted defense that has success in both passing the ball to receivers like Troy Franklin and running the ball with backs like Bucky Irving. This versatile capability of their offense has made them extremely hard to stop, which is shown clearly by their average of 546.6 yards of offense per game and 46.5 points scored per game, both are second best in the country. Oregon State has a solid defense, but it is set to face its toughest opponent yet in the battle for best team in Oregon. With Oregon State’s offense struggling against a much worse defensive opponent last week in Washington, I think Oregon blows out Oregon State in Eugene.

Washington vs. Washington State

Picture from Washington State Athletics

This game is ultimately a story of two quarterbacks, who both transferred into the Pac-12 and started lighting up the scoreboard at an exceptional level. Michael Penix Jr has been one of the best players in the country, and it is in strong contention for the Heisman trophy; while Cameron Ward has been a spark plug for Washington State, carrying a much less talented Washington State team to some big wins. Washington State got off to a hot start that featured a convincing win over now 15th ranked Oregon State, but has since stumbled all the way down to a 5-6 record. Last week they bounced back with a dominant 56-14 victory over Colorado, and are looking to close out the season with a win over their undefeated rival, Washington. On the other hand, Washington has been fantastic this season, and has no plans of ruining their unblemished record in the last week of the regular season. The Huskies offense is nearly impossible to contain, with multiple receiving threats that would all likely be the top guy at most schools, most notably Rome Odunze and Ja’Lynn Polk. I think Washington’s offense will be too much for Washington State to keep up with, and the Huskies will win in a shootout in Seattle. 

Florida vs. Florida State

Picture from Jordan Prather

This matchup had looked like a near certain win for Florida State all season long as they have been one of the best teams in the country while Florida has had its struggles. But after star quarterback for the Seminoles Jordan Travis was injured last week against Georgia Southern and looks to be out for the rest of the season, this game becomes vastly harder to predict. FSU will still have all of their exceptional playmakers on offense such as Keon Coleman, Trey Benson, Johnny Wilson, and Jaheim Bell; but the loss of Jordan Travis, Florida State’s all time leading passer will certainly hurt. Florida has been a less than stellar team this season with a record of 5-6 heading into this game, one factor that must be considered though is the extremely challenging schedule that Florida was faced with this year, facing teams such as Georgia, Utah, LSU, and Missouri who all rank in the top 15. At times they look like a good team, especially on offense with stud playmakers such as Trevor Etienne and Ricky Pearsall, so if they want to win this game these guys are going to have to step up in a major way. Florida State has said that they will be starting Tate Rodemaker at quarterback this week, who has less than 70 career passes thrown in college, and so even though I feel that Florida State is a better team in pretty much every area, I think Florida can capitalize on Jordan Travis’ injury and pull of the rivalry week upset. 

Texas vs. Texas Tech

Picture from Ricardo B. Brazziell, Austin American-Statesmen

Although this rivalry may seem like it won’t be the most competitive this season, the history of this rivalry runs deep with both teams as they are set to face off for the 73rd time in Austin tomorrow. Last season Texas Tech upset the ranked Texas squad in Lubbock and made it known that their no small task to beat, and the Longhorns will without a doubt be looking for revenge. Texas has been one of the better teams in the country this year, with an explosive offense that can break off a big play at any moment in both the passing and running game. Texas Tech is on a hot streak right now, having won their last 3 games against TCU, Kansas, and UCF, and are feeling good coming into this highly anticipated matchup. If they can keep going with this burst of momentum to close out the season, they could surprise many with a win over the favored Longhorns. Despite this hot streak from the Red Raiders, I still predict Texas to come out on top at home. They just have too much talent and a desire to prove that they truly are ‘back’ as one of the nation’s top college football powerhouses.