Rivalry Week technically starts next week, but there are a few played this week as well.
EDIT: I am adding a game to this list Hawaii/Nevada
#16 Hawaii at Nevada
Hawaii escaped a hungry FSU team last week, and hope to continue their winning ways as they had to Nevada to face Colin Kaepernick and the Wolfpack. Kaepernick stepped in for the injured Graziano and has been everything short of spectacular. He lead the Wolfpack in an almost win at BSU, taking the WAC leading Broncos to 4 OT's only to come up short on the 2 point conversion.; he has lead them to 3 straight victories, throwing 6 TD's and only 1 pick in that stretch. For Hawaii, that are nto sure if Colt will start, as he was knocked out during a helmet to helmet hit last Saturday. Hawaii is one of only 2 undefeated teams left, however they are not in a BCS conference, and most likely will not get a BCS bid unless they really impress the voters and a few teams fall to the side in front of them.
Northwestern at #19 Illinois
Battle for the Sweet Sioux Tomahawk. The series goes back to 1945, with The Fighting Illini holding the lead at 32-28-2. Northwestern became bowl eligible last week, but a loss here may push them out of a bowl chance with a 3-5 conference record. Illinois is coming of one of its biggest victories in history over rival OSU last week, and look to improve their chances of going to a higher bowl by winning this game.
#5 Missouri at Kansas State
Mizzou can’t look ahead to rival Kansas just yet, as they have to get by up-and-down KSU first. KSU took a beating last week against previously embarrassed Nebraska. Mizzou looks to ride Chase Daniels into the highly anticipated Mizzou. KU rivalry, which takes place at Arrowhead stadium.
#23 Kentucky at #9 Georgia
If Georgia wins, they are in the SECCG. A lose coupled with a Tennessee win still leaves UT some life. Kentucky looks to come back and make a great bowl appearance with a win to top 10 BCS team.
Idaho at #18 Boise State
Although the Vandals have lost 8 straight against the Broncos, it is still a rivalry none the less. The Vandals did win 11 in a row between ‘83-‘92. Boise St. looks to go on to play Hawaii for the WAC championship next Saturday.
Vanderbilt at #20 Tennessee
A rivalry game that isn’t very exciting, as Tennessee has ruled it for a long time. Tennessee needs to win to keep hope alive for a SEC East representation in the SECCG.
#1 LSU at Mississippi
Although LSU considers them a big rivalry, Ole Miss likes to think otherwise. Ole Miss and Miss St. play the Egg Bowl every year, which will take place next week. LSU’s in state rivalries (UL-Lafayette, UL-Monroe, Tulane), are somewhat inferior athletics wise, so there has ne3ver been a real bond to those teams as rivals. However, LSU is already headed to the SECCG, but they need to take care of business and hope they do not get bit by the “top spot bug” that seems to be plaguing top ranked teams this year.
#25 Wisconsin at Minnesota
Playing for Paul Bunyan’s Axe, this rivalry is a low key, but a goodie. The Badgers lead the series 32-24-3, and 4 of the last 6 including last year. Before the axe was the trophy, it was the Slab of Bacon, a piece of wood with the winner carved into it. Minnesota leads the all time series 59-49-8, which goes back to 1890.
Purdue at Indiana
The Old Oaken Bucket is the prize in this game. Even though Purdue has won 9 of the last 11 meetings, this is not the same old Hoosiers team. Although Indiana is technically bowl eligible, their lack luster 2-5 conference record will most likely leave them out of a bowl this year, although a win here may sway bowl hosters.
Penn State at Michigan State
One of the most recent rivalries and rivalry trophy, the Land Grant Trophy goes to the winner. The series, which started in 1993, has been dominated by PSU, winning all but 3 of the games. MSU’s last win was in 2003.
#6 West Virginia at #22 Cincinnati
No rivalry game, but Big East title is on the line. If Cincy wins out, coupled with a UConn loss, they will win the Big East. If WVU wins and UConn wins, it will set up a Big East championship game next week.
#17 Boston College at #15 Clemson
Simple rundown: winner represents the Atlantic in the ACCG against either VT or UVA, which plays next week. BC has dropped two in a row, as opposing teams have learned how to rattle Matt Ryan. BC’s defense has also looked average as of late, with injuries to some defensive players taking its toll. Clemson is rolling right now and Harper may be the best QB in the ACC.
#4 Oklahoma at Texas Tech
TTU is always high flying, and Harrell looks to ruin Oklahoma’s party to the Big 12 championship against either Mizzou or KU.
GAME OF THE WEEK
#7 Ohio State at #21 Michigan
Does anything need to be said? This is THE GAME, the biggest college football rivalry PERIOD. Last year, the two teams met up as #1 and #2 for the first time ever in the series. This year, with NC’s no longer in the picture; the winner will take the Big 10 and go to the Rose Bowl. Michigan leads the all time series 57-40-6, but has lost 3 in a row, as Tressell’s record is 5-1 against the Wolverines. The series had maybe its best run in the 70’s, as Bo Schembechler and Woody Hayes battled it out in what is known as the Ten Year War. Bo won the series between the two coaches 5-4-1, with the tie only being broken by a secret ballot vote in which OSU won. The schools shared the Big 10 title 6 times during this 10 year stretch.
EDIT: I am adding a game to this list Hawaii/Nevada
#16 Hawaii at Nevada
Hawaii escaped a hungry FSU team last week, and hope to continue their winning ways as they had to Nevada to face Colin Kaepernick and the Wolfpack. Kaepernick stepped in for the injured Graziano and has been everything short of spectacular. He lead the Wolfpack in an almost win at BSU, taking the WAC leading Broncos to 4 OT's only to come up short on the 2 point conversion.; he has lead them to 3 straight victories, throwing 6 TD's and only 1 pick in that stretch. For Hawaii, that are nto sure if Colt will start, as he was knocked out during a helmet to helmet hit last Saturday. Hawaii is one of only 2 undefeated teams left, however they are not in a BCS conference, and most likely will not get a BCS bid unless they really impress the voters and a few teams fall to the side in front of them.
Northwestern at #19 Illinois
Battle for the Sweet Sioux Tomahawk. The series goes back to 1945, with The Fighting Illini holding the lead at 32-28-2. Northwestern became bowl eligible last week, but a loss here may push them out of a bowl chance with a 3-5 conference record. Illinois is coming of one of its biggest victories in history over rival OSU last week, and look to improve their chances of going to a higher bowl by winning this game.
#5 Missouri at Kansas State
Mizzou can’t look ahead to rival Kansas just yet, as they have to get by up-and-down KSU first. KSU took a beating last week against previously embarrassed Nebraska. Mizzou looks to ride Chase Daniels into the highly anticipated Mizzou. KU rivalry, which takes place at Arrowhead stadium.
#23 Kentucky at #9 Georgia
If Georgia wins, they are in the SECCG. A lose coupled with a Tennessee win still leaves UT some life. Kentucky looks to come back and make a great bowl appearance with a win to top 10 BCS team.
Idaho at #18 Boise State
Although the Vandals have lost 8 straight against the Broncos, it is still a rivalry none the less. The Vandals did win 11 in a row between ‘83-‘92. Boise St. looks to go on to play Hawaii for the WAC championship next Saturday.
Vanderbilt at #20 Tennessee
A rivalry game that isn’t very exciting, as Tennessee has ruled it for a long time. Tennessee needs to win to keep hope alive for a SEC East representation in the SECCG.
#1 LSU at Mississippi
Although LSU considers them a big rivalry, Ole Miss likes to think otherwise. Ole Miss and Miss St. play the Egg Bowl every year, which will take place next week. LSU’s in state rivalries (UL-Lafayette, UL-Monroe, Tulane), are somewhat inferior athletics wise, so there has ne3ver been a real bond to those teams as rivals. However, LSU is already headed to the SECCG, but they need to take care of business and hope they do not get bit by the “top spot bug” that seems to be plaguing top ranked teams this year.
#25 Wisconsin at Minnesota
Playing for Paul Bunyan’s Axe, this rivalry is a low key, but a goodie. The Badgers lead the series 32-24-3, and 4 of the last 6 including last year. Before the axe was the trophy, it was the Slab of Bacon, a piece of wood with the winner carved into it. Minnesota leads the all time series 59-49-8, which goes back to 1890.
Purdue at Indiana
The Old Oaken Bucket is the prize in this game. Even though Purdue has won 9 of the last 11 meetings, this is not the same old Hoosiers team. Although Indiana is technically bowl eligible, their lack luster 2-5 conference record will most likely leave them out of a bowl this year, although a win here may sway bowl hosters.
Penn State at Michigan State
One of the most recent rivalries and rivalry trophy, the Land Grant Trophy goes to the winner. The series, which started in 1993, has been dominated by PSU, winning all but 3 of the games. MSU’s last win was in 2003.
#6 West Virginia at #22 Cincinnati
No rivalry game, but Big East title is on the line. If Cincy wins out, coupled with a UConn loss, they will win the Big East. If WVU wins and UConn wins, it will set up a Big East championship game next week.
#17 Boston College at #15 Clemson
Simple rundown: winner represents the Atlantic in the ACCG against either VT or UVA, which plays next week. BC has dropped two in a row, as opposing teams have learned how to rattle Matt Ryan. BC’s defense has also looked average as of late, with injuries to some defensive players taking its toll. Clemson is rolling right now and Harper may be the best QB in the ACC.
#4 Oklahoma at Texas Tech
TTU is always high flying, and Harrell looks to ruin Oklahoma’s party to the Big 12 championship against either Mizzou or KU.
GAME OF THE WEEK
#7 Ohio State at #21 Michigan
Does anything need to be said? This is THE GAME, the biggest college football rivalry PERIOD. Last year, the two teams met up as #1 and #2 for the first time ever in the series. This year, with NC’s no longer in the picture; the winner will take the Big 10 and go to the Rose Bowl. Michigan leads the all time series 57-40-6, but has lost 3 in a row, as Tressell’s record is 5-1 against the Wolverines. The series had maybe its best run in the 70’s, as Bo Schembechler and Woody Hayes battled it out in what is known as the Ten Year War. Bo won the series between the two coaches 5-4-1, with the tie only being broken by a secret ballot vote in which OSU won. The schools shared the Big 10 title 6 times during this 10 year stretch.
