CFB Rivalry Week

Hey college football fans! Thanksgiving day has arrived, and I have so many things in my life to be thankful for, including some of the amazing games this weekend. What could possibly go better with turkey and cornbread dressing than the greatest rivalries in college football? Absolutely nothing! OK, I take that back. An Iron Bowl upset would be nice.

Starting tonight at 8 p.m. on ESPN, the third-ranked Texas Longhorns face the (6-3) Aggies in College Station. This is a rivalry that I have watched since I was a little girl. With the game taking place 45 minutes from my family’s house, Thanksgiving will be cut a little short this year.

Colt McCoy has only defeated the Aggies once in his entire time at Texas, but this year with the highest completion percentage in the nation he looks to be a tough challenge for an Aggie defense that is ranked 110th in pass defense.
With McCoy still trying to prove that he is Heisman-worthy, this game will not even be close.

Sorry Cousin Joe, Hook’em Horns!

Friday night at 7 p.m. on ESPN2, No. 9 Pitt travels to Morgantown to face a Mountaineer team that is undefeated at home. This intense rivalry is anyone’s game! For my family, just about every Thanksgiving would end in a backyard brawl with all of the cousins. Even though someone would end up crying and someone else would end up bleeding, our games were nothing compared to this rivalry.

There has been lots of talk about Pitt’s balanced offense with quarterback Bill Stull, who possesses a QB rating just shy of 160, and Big East leading rusher Dion Lewis.

But, the Mountaineers are still seeking revenge from 2007, when the loss to Pitt kept them out of the national title game. If there is one team that could possibly upset Pitt, it’s tailback Noel Devine and West Virginia. AccuScore projections agree that this will be a close one. I’m picking the Mountaineers to continue their home winning streak.

Following the Pittsburgh at West Virginia game, the No. 6 ranked Boise State Broncos take on (8-3) Nevada with the WAC title on the line. Both teams are undefeated in conference play. A win against Nevada would work in the Broncos favor, when it comes to convincing BCS voters. This win won’t come easy though. Nevada has averaged 55.6 points in its past five games, largely due to the running game. Last week alone, they ran for 574 yards and are ranked No.1 in the country for rushing yards and points scored.

Even though this will be a tough match, I still think Boise State will manage to pull out the win because of quarterback Kellen Moore, who has amazingly thrown for 33 touchdowns and only 3 interceptions.

Saturday at 12 p.m. on ESPN, No. 18 Clemson faces (6-5) South Carolina at Williams-Brice Stadium. In this in-state rivalry, Clemson has won 24 of the last 33 times they have played. This season, the Tigers offense is averaging 41 points over the past 6 games, all of which were wins. Not to mention South Carolina is notorious for starting out the season hot, and then slowly letting the flame burn out.

Clemson wins easily against a USC team that has lost the last 4 out of 5 games.

And finally, I have saved the best game for last. A year minus three days from today, at approximately this exact time, a rain-soaked blond reporter stood on the Alabama sideline next to John Parker Wilson and the rest of the Crimson Tide team and watched as the Auburn Tigers proceeded to fumble the ball back to back to back. It was only then that the Tigers six game winning streak was swept away by the Tide, and I promised myself next year would be different.

Well, here we are again, less than 24 hours from kick-off. Myself, about to give my famous advice and plan of attack to the Auburn quarterback, and him on the other end of the line rolling his eyes. That I am almost certain of.

If there is one game you watch all weekend, make it this one. Now, I may be a little biased. But if you don’t believe me, will you at least believe the L.A. Times?

http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/sports_blog/2009/11/thursdays-question-what-is-the-best-instate-rivalry-in-college-football.html

Friday at 2:30 p.m. on CBS, the No. 2 ranked Crimson Tide travel to the loveliest village on the plains to play the (7-4) Auburn Tigers at Jordan-Hare Stadium.

This game is simple:
1.) Can Auburn’s defense hold Heisman candidate Mark Ingram to under 100 yards rushing?
2.) Can Auburn put points on the board, with the help of tailback Ben Tate, against Alabama’s defense that is one of the best in the country?

What do you guys think? Enjoy all of your blessings and have a wonderful Thanksgiving!

Love always, Lindsay