HOUSTON – Rivalry Week is upon us, with 24 games scheduled featuring coaches named to the American Heart Association Paul “Bear” Bryant Awards Watch List. Of these games, three feature two teams coached by watch list selections.
No watch list coaches are idle this week.
Last Week’s Results (WATCH LIST TEAMS IN BOLD)
No. 2 Ohio State 38, No. 5 Indiana 15
No. 3 Texas 31, Kentucky 14
No. 4 Penn State 26, Minnesota 25
No. 6 Notre Dame 49, No. 9 Army 14
Oklahoma 24, No. 7 Alabama 3
No. 8 Miami 42, Wake Forest 14
No. 10 Georgia 59, UMass 21
No. 11 Tennessee 56, UTEP 0
No. 12 Boise State 17, Wyoming 13
No. 13 SMU 33, Virginia 7
No. 21 Arizona State 28, No. 14 BYU 23
Auburn 43, No. 15 Texas A&M 41
No. 17 Clemson 51, The Citadel 14
No. 22 Iowa State 31, Utah 28
No. 25 Illinois 38, Rutgers 31
Liberty 38, Western Kentucky 21
Arkansas State 28, Louisiana Monroe 21
Texas Tech 56, Oklahoma State 48
Louisville 37, Pittsburgh 9
LSU 24, Vanderbilt 17
Kansas State 41, Cincinnati 15
FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 29
Oregon State (5-6) at No. 11 Boise State (10-1) [FOX]
The Broncos host Oregon State in the regular-season finale, and look to get one step closer to an opening-round bye. Coach Spencer Danielson and the Broncos have already locked up hosting responsibilities for the Mountain West championship game, and Heisman candidate Ashton Jeanty continues to put up video game-caliber numbers for Boise State, going over 2,000 rushing yards this past weekend. The Broncos are riding their longest single-season winning streak since 2010 and are looking to secure their 11th regular-season win for the first time since 2019. Saturday’s matchup will be the 11th meeting in the all-time series between the two schools, who will become conference rivals next season as the Broncos join the Pac 12.
Navy (7-3, 5-2 American) at East Carolina (7-4, 5-2 American) [ESPN]
Momentum has not been on the side of Navy in recent weeks, as the Midshipmen have dropped three of four contests. Friday, coach Brian Newberry leads his squad into action against an East Carolina squad that is on the upswing, having won its last four games. The meeting is the 12th all-time meeting in the series – Navy holds a 9-2 advantage, with a perfect 5-0 mark in Greenville. The winning team in this game will finish no worse than third in the American standings – East Carolina was picked seventh and Navy was picked 11th.
Liberty (8-2, 5-2 CUSA) at Sam Houston State (8-3, 5-2 CUSA) [CBSSN]
With a win Friday, Jamey Chadwell will lead his Flames into the CUSA Championship Game for the second year in a row. After a pair of losses in October, the Flames have heated up in November, and enter the regular-season finale as winners of three straight. In each of those wins, Liberty has rushed for 300+ yards. The two teams met for the first time last season, with Liberty holding off SHSU 21-16 in Lynchburg.
Georgia Tech (7-4) at No. 7 Georgia (9-2) [ABC/ESPN+]
The Bulldogs look to finish perfect between the hedges in Friday’s Governor’s Cup matchup, in a series Georgia leads 71-39-5. Kirby Smart has led Georgia to six consecutive wins over the Yellow Jackets, ands is 7-1 all time against Georgia Tech. The matchup will be played on a Friday for the first time since 1994, a game Georgia won 48-10 in Athens. The Bulldogs are locked into a spot in the SEC title game, where they will face the winner of Saturday’s Texas vs. Texas A&M game.
SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 30
Michigan (6-5, 4-4 Big Ten) at No. 2 Ohio State (10-1, 3-1 Big Ten) [FOX]
When the two rivals take to the field in Columbus on Saturday, it will have been 1,826 days since Ohio State has beaten the University of Michigan in football. The defending national champions have struggled this year, however, and coach Ryan Day has his Buckeyes firing on all cylinders – and hungry for a win against a storied nemesis. Saturday’s kickoff marks the 120th meeting between the blue blood programs, with Michigan holding a 61-51-6 advantage in the series.
No. 8 Tennessee (9-2, 5-2 SEC) at Vanderbilt (6-5, 3-4 SEC) [ABC/ESPN+]
The Volunteers are looking to lock up the second 10-win season in three years under coach Josh Heupel, and the two in-state rivals will lock horns for the 118th time in a series that dates back to 1892. The Vols lead the all-time series 80-32-5, and since the rivalry series became the season finale, Tennessee holds a 55-8-1 advantage in those games. Clark Lea will attempt to lead his Commodores to a win in their regular-season finale, in what will be the eighth game of the season in which Vanderbilt will play a team that is either ranked or receiving votes.
No. 15 South Carolina (8-3) at No. 12 Clemson (9-2) [ESPN]
Stakes are always high in this matchup of Palmetto State rivals, but with both teams hoping for an at-large selection to the College Football Playoff, Saturday’s may be one of the biggest in the series. The two teams face off for the 121st time, with Clemson holding a 73-43-4 advantage. It will be the seventh time in that series that the two teams will meet as ranked opponents, with South Carolina holding a 5-1 advantage in those meetings thus far. Dabo Swinney has led his Tigers to three straight wins, and with a win, Clemson will secure the 20th 10-win season in program history.
No. 23 Illinois (8-3, 5-3 Big Ten) at Northwestern (4-7, 2-6 Big Ten) [BTN]
While Illinois and Northwestern will face off for the 118th time, the recently-created Land of Lincoln Trophy will be contested for just the 16th time. The Illini have an all-time 57-55-5 advantage in the series, but trail 10-5 in the Land of Lincoln trophy years. Bret Bielema looks to lead his squad to the eighth nine-win season in program history with a win, and the first since 2007. The game will be played at legendary Wrigley Field in Chicago, the third game in Illinois program history to be played at the home of the Chicago Cubs – both wins over Northwestern. No stranger to football, Wrigley Field also served as the home of the Chicago Tigers of the APFA in 1920 and the NFL’s Hammond Pros from 1920-26, the Chicago Bears from 1921-70, and the Chicago Cardinals from 1931-39.
West Virginia (6-5, 5-3 Big 12) at Texas Tech (7-4, 5-3 Big 12) [FS1]
Joey McGuire looks to lead the Red Raiders to the first eight-win regular season in more than a decade Saturday, as Texas Tech plays host to West Virginia. At press time, the Red Raiders still have a possible path to the Big 12 title game, but Texas Tech knows it will need a great deal of help to get there. The Red Raiders are looking to snap a two-game skid at home – territory which has been very friendly during the McGuire era, as Texas Tech is 14-5 at home during his tenure.
Louisiana (9-2, 6-1 Sun Belt) at Louisiana Monroe (5-6, 3-4 Sun Belt) [FS1]
It has been a tale of two seasons for the Warhawks and coach Bryant Vincent, who started the season 5-1, but have dropped five straight games since. The stakes could not be higher for ULM in this year’s Battle on the Bayou, as a win would make ULM bowl eligible for the first time since 2018. Saturday’s matchup is the 60th meeting all-time between these two programs, with the Ragin’ Cajuns holding a 32-26 advantage in the series (one win by the Cajuns was vacated).
UTSA (6-5, 4-3 American) at Army (9-1, 7-0 American) [CBSSN]
The Black Knights have already clinched a berth in the AAC title game against Tulane, but are hoping to ensure the game is played at West Point rather than in New Orleans. Jeff Monken’s squad suffered its first loss of the season last week at Notre Dame, but at 7-0 in the American and with a seven-game home winning streak, the Black Knights will try to finish perfect at home for the fourth time under Monken.
Pitt (7-4, 3-4 ACC) at Boston College (6-5, 3-4 ACC) [The CW]
Pitt concludes its regular season in the 34th all-time meeting with Boston College. The Panthers hold an all-time 18-15 advantage in a series that dates back to 1959. Coach Pat Narduzzi’s squad has dropped three straight, and is hoping to bolster its postseason resume against a BC squad that has dropped four of five.
Maryland (4-7, 1-7 Big Ten) at No. 4 Penn State (10-1, 7-1 Big Ten) [BTN]
Penn State closes its regular season with the 48th all-time meeting in its series with Maryland. The Nittany Lions have dominated the series – winning 43 games, losing just three, with one tie. James Franklin has led his squad to a season for the ages, as the Nittany Lions’ one loss came to then-fourth-ranked Ohio State, a 20-13 setback on November 2. Since then, Penn State is 3-0 and has outscored opponents 110-41.
No. 5 Notre Dame (10-1) at USC (6-5) [NBC]
The Fighting Irish and Trojans will meet in the 95th installment of their series, and for the ninth straight year, one of the two teams is ranked in the AP Top 25. The Fighting Irish have a 6-2 advantage in those contests, and an overall 51-38-5 advantage, and this year the Fighting Irish have turned in one of the top seasons in program history. Notre Dame’s loss to Northern Illinois seems to be a distant memory, as the Irish are 9-0 since and have outscored opponents 392-99 in those games. Notre Dame leads the nation in turnovers gained with 26, and the Irish have scored 127 points off those turnovers – while opponents have only scored 27.
No. 6 Miami (10-1, 6-1 ACC) at Syracuse (8-3, 4-3 ACC) [ESPN]
The Hurricanes recovered from their lone loss of the season to Georgia Tech nicely, downing Wake Forest 42-14 last week. Mario Cristobal leads the Hurricanes into Syracuse needing a win to advance to the ACC Championship game against SMU. A loss to the Orange would push Clemson over Miami. Saturday’s meeting is the 24th all-time between the two schools, with Miami holding a 16-7 advantage and winning the last six. Saturday’s game will be Miami’s first inside the JMA Dome since 2002.
California (6-5, 2-5 ACC) at No. 9 SMU (10-1, 7-0 ACC) [ESPN2]
Rhett Lashlee leads the Mustangs into their regular-season finale at Ford Stadium having already clinched a berth in the ACC title game – an impressive feat for a program in its first year after transitioning from a Group of Five conference to a Power Four. Saturday’s game will be the second-ever between the two schools, and the first since 1957 – a game where SMU defeated Cal 13-6. Cal has been better than its record would indicate this year, as all of the Golden Bears’ losses this year have come by one possession – the five losses have come by a combined 17 points.
Auburn (5-6, 2-5 SEC) at No. 13 Alabama (8-3, 4-3 SEC) [ABC/ESPN+]
It’s the Iron Bowl. Throw all the records out the window. Kalen DeBoer and the Crimson Tide host Auburn in the 89th installment of the Iron Bowl, a series which Alabama leads 50-37-1. The Crimson Tide have won four straight meetings, and the Crimson Tide may have the strongest postseason resume of any three-loss team in the nation – Alabama is one of three teams nationally with three wins over current AP Top 25 teams.
No. 16 Arizona State (9-2, 6-2 Big 12) at Arizona (4-7, 2-6 Big 12) [FOX]
Saturday’s 98th Duel in the Desert has high stakes for Kenny Dillingham and his Sun Devils – a win guarantees a share of first place and keeps ASU in the running for a spot in the Big 12 Championship Game. Arizona holds a 51-45-1 series advantage and has won two straight, and the Sun Devils will attempt to stop Arizona from winning three straight in the series for the first time since 1993-95. A win would give Arizona State its tenth 10-win season – and just the 4th since 1975; and would also mark the 10th time in which a Power 4/5 team has increased its win total by seven games from one year to the next.
Purdue (1-10, 0-8 Big Ten) at No. 10 Indiana (10-1, 7-1 Big Ten) [FS1]
Purdue and Indiana will add a new wrinkle in the 126th battle for the Old Oaken Bucket – Saturday’s contest will mark the first time that the game will be played at night. Purdue leads the series 77-42-6, and the Hoosiers will seek to win their first game in the series since 2019. Curt Cignetti has led Indiana to the best season in program history, and is the only coach in Division I history to start 10-0 in consecutive seasons at three different schools.
Oklahoma (6-5, 2-5 SEC) at LSU (7-4, 4-3 SEC) [ESPN]
Two college football blue bloods will meet for just the fourth time ever and the first time as conference foes, as the Oklahoma Sooners make their first-ever trip to Baton Rouge to square off against Brian Kelly and LSU. The last time these two teams met, it was in the 2019 CFP semifinals, a 63-28 win for LSU; and prior to that the 2004 BCS national championship game – a game which the Tigers won 21-14. OU’s lone win in the series came in the 1950 Sugar Bowl – a 35-0 shutout. Teams visiting LSU have found Death Valley to be less-than-hospitable after dark – the Tigers have won 16 of their last 17 night games inside Tiger Stadium.
Washington (6-5, 4-4 Big Ten) at No. 1 Oregon (11-0, 8-0 Big Ten) [NBC]
Former Pac-12 foes will meet for the first time as members of the Big Ten, and while Washington made it to the national championship game last year, it is Oregon who has been the unquestioned No. 1 team nationally this year. Dan Lanning’s undefeated Ducks are one win away from the second undefeated regular season in program history, and look to take a perfect record into the Big Ten championship game. Oregon is looking to snap a three-game skid against the Huskies, in a series the Huskies lead 63-48-5.
No. 3 Texas (10-1, 6-1 SEC) at No. 20 Texas A&M (8-3, 5-2 SEC) [ABC/ESPN+]
Longtime rivals collide for the first time since 2011, as Steve Sarkisian leads the Texas Longhorns into Kyle Field for a matchup with Mike Elko and the Texas A&M Aggies. The two teams will meet for the 119th time, with Texas holding a 76-37-5 advantage. The series is closer in College Station – UT’s advantage there is 25-22-2. The two teams have split their last six meetings, while UT has won nine of the last 12 and five of six in College Station.
No. 24 Kansas State (8-3, 5-3 Big 12) at No. 18 Iowa State (9-2, 6-2 Big 12) [FOX]
Entering the final weekend of the regular season, the Big 12 conference office noted that 250 potential scenarios remain regarding the teams competing in the upcoming Big 12 Championship Game. Iowa State is one of four 6-2 teams – while Kansas State is one of five at 5-3. While we won’t unwind all 250 of those scenarios, we will tell you that the matchup between Chris Klieman’s Wildcats and Matt Campbell’s Cyclones is the 108th all-time meeting in a series led by Iowa State, 53-50-4. With a win, Iowa State will reach the 10-win mark for the first time in program history.
Houston (4-7, 3-5 Big 12) at No. 19 BYU (9-2, 6-2 Big 12) [ESPN]
BYU and Houston will meet for the fourth time in a series that BYU leads 3-0. Kalani Sitake is looking to lead the Cougars (the BYU version, that is) to a 10-win season for the 19th time in program history (and the third time under Sitake), but perhaps more importantly – a potential berth in the Big 12 championship game.
FIVE THINGS TO WATCH
- THREES ON THE MARGINS – There are several SEC squads with three losses – Alabama, Ole Miss, and South Carolina among them – all fighting to remain in the CFP conversation – but it is Texas A&M who could potentially play the biggest spoiler of all. With a win by the Aggies, they would leapfrog Texas into the SEC title game and put themselves potentially one win away from an automatic bid.
- PALMETTOMANIA – The winner of the Clemson/South Carolina game will have significantly bolstered their case for playoff inclusion. South Carolina has been on the rise, winning five straight, and which ever team wins this game will be picking up its most impressive win of the season.
- TIEBREAKERS GALORE – Of all the different scenarios in the Big 12 title race, it’s Iowa State and Arizona State who hold the keys to their respective destinies. One of the two teams will advance to the Big 12 title game.
- THE GAME – While fans in Columbus are haunted by the 1,826 days since the Buckeyes last beat the Wolverines, it was a game 55 years ago Saturday where the Wolverines denied Ohio State a national title. Can the Wolverines play spoiler again?
- BYE BYE BYE – The Boise State Broncos are looking to make the improbable the likely – with wins Saturday as well as in the Mountain West title game, coach Spencer Danielson’s squad will likely hem up not only the Group of 5’s guaranteed playoff spot – but a first round bye as well.
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