Intriguing rivalry matchups dominate college football schedule
Published 11:00 pm Tuesday, November 26, 2013
While all eyes in Alabama will be on the Iron Bowl this weekend, there are a number of other rivalry games across college football nation that have big implications for both conference and national championships.
The Egg Bowl- Ole Miss (7-4) at Mississippi State (5-6), Thursday 7:30 p.m.
Ole Miss comes in to the game having one four of their last five games. The Rebels might be the best four loss team in the country with their losses coming against Alabama, Auburn, Texas A&M, and Missouri. Look for the Rebels to deny the Bulldogs a bowl game.
Prediction: Rebels 34 Bulldogs 20
Texas Tech (7-4) at Texas (7-3), Thursday 7:30 p.m.
The Red Raiders started the season 7-0 before dropping their past four games. Texas still has a shot at winning the Big 12 if Oklahoma State loses another game. Expect the Longhorns to show why they are still the big school in Texas.
Prediction: Longhorns 42 Red Raider 28
Battle for the Golden Boot- Arkansas (3-8) at LSU (8-3), Friday 2:30 p.m.
The Razorbacks have not won a game since the third week in September. Les Miles has the Bayou Bengals playing some of their best football of the year after last week’s dominating win over the Texas A&M Aggies. Arkansas always plays LSU tough, but the Tigers will retain the boot once more.
Prediction: Tigers 31 Razorbacks 7
The Civil War- Oregon State (6-5) at Oregon (9-2), Friday 7 p.m.
Oregon is kicking itself after losing to Arizona 42-16 last week and missing out on a chance to play in the Rose Bowl as the Pac-12 champion. Oregon State has lost its last four games and would like nothing better than to knock Oregon out of a potential BCS at-large bid. Look for Oregon to relieve some pent up frustration against the Beavers.
Prediction: Ducks 63 Beavers 28
Florida State (11-0) at Florida (4-7), Saturday 12 p.m.
The Seminoles have not been tested all year en route to an undefeated season. Florida is still reeling from a loss to FCS Georgia Southern. Florida State has only won in The Swamp nine times in the past 50 years, but Tim Tebow isn’t suiting up for this Florida team. Expect the Seminoles to put the game out of reach by halftime.
Prediction: Seminoles 55 Gators 3
The Palmetto Bowl- Clemson (10-1) at South Carolina (9-2), Saturday 7 p.m.
Rarely do teams dislike one another as much as the Tigers and Gamecock do. Despite all its recent success, Clemson has not been able to beat South Carolina in the last four years. Spurrier seems to have the Tigers number, and Jadeveon Clowney has always played well against Clemson. This year, however, the Clemson offense will be too much for South Carolina.
Prediction: Tigers 31 Gamecocks 30
Texas A&M (8-3) at Missouri (10-1). Saturday 7:45 p.m.
While not natural rivals, the two Big-12 implants in to the SEC will play every year from now on. Missouri knows that it needs a win to play in the SEC Championship Game and keep its national title hopes alive. The Aggies are playing to get the best bowl game they can. In what is likely his last regular season collegiate game, Johnny Manziel will carry A&M to victory and ruin Missouri’s Cinderella season.
Prediction: Aggies 51 Tigers 42