"NCAA Football: Rivalry Week Madness"

Thanksgiving week wouldn't be the same without college football. Some 
of the nation's best rivalries will be played this weekend and I'm here for 
it. This will be a condensed preview of rivalries fans will be hyped and 
juiced up for. Trash-talking leading up to these games, filled with players 
planting their school flags midfield is icing on the cake. Let's go behind 
the helmets and preview some tense matchups. 

Ohio State Buckeyes @ Michigan Wolverines
It all boils down to this as "The Game" between bitter Big Ten rivals 
Ohio State and Michigan. The defending national champion Buckeyes 
look to get their second win over Michigan for head coach Ryan Day. As 
the Buckeyes bring their championship offense and defense into Ann 
Arbor, a lot on the line is at stake. A win over the Wolverines secures a 
spot in the conference championship game and staying number one in 
every poll. A loss doesn't hurt their playoff hopes; but could ding their 
Big Ten Championship appearance. Depending on what Oregon does, 
they need to win regardless.

For the Wolverines, they've owned the last five matchups since 2020. A 
slow start and gaining momentum middle of the season, Michigan is still 
among the best teams in college football. With freshman quarterback 

Bryce Underwood, this will be the true test against Ohio State's pro style 
defense. A big win propels their playoff hopes; but can still make a New 
Year's Six Bowl Game with a respectable winning record. 

Oregon Ducks @ Washington Huskies
Old foes meet again as both are apart of the Big Ten Conference. From
their days in the Pac-12, Oregon owned Washington. For this matchup,
Oregon looks to keep their spot in the College Football Playoff and rise
a couple spot; depending on what Ohio State does earlier in the day at
Michigan. Head coach Dan Lanning has run circles around the
conference, minus a lone loss to Indiana. A team who's loaded with NFL
talent, it could be a blowout win. Washington has faired okay in the Big
Ten, but they can play spoiler if the chips fall their way. It's a swing of
momentum plays which can flip this game upside down. For the
Huskies, a respectable winning record can put them in a good bowl
game. Can they bark loud enough to send the Ducks back home with
their fate in question?

Texas A&M Aggies @ Texas Longhorns

Another rivalry from previous conference play; as old foes from the Big-
12 face each other in a battle of Texas in the SEC. The Aggies have

been the dominant team in conference play outside of Georgia and Ole
Miss. A crazy comeback win over South Carolina really built A&M's
chances they can win it all. With plenty on the line, A&M must start fast

and frustrate Longhorns quarterback Arch Manning. One of the best
defenses in the conference, they'll feast off takeaways and serve
Manning a reminder he's not the prospect people believe.

For Texas, it feels like they've been up, down and out all season. Arch
Manning has been the hype and Texas being ranked number one in
preseason polls was laughable. In a tough SEC, the Longhorns big wins
came over Oklahoma, Mississippi State, Vanderbilt and Arkansas. Even
with a 8-3 record, it's not a very impressive eight wins considering
losses against Ohio State and Georgia. If Texas has any chances of
spoiling A&M's perfect season, it starts with Manning playing the best
game of his young career. Arguably the biggest game for Texas and
shakeup the College Football Playoff rankings.

LSU Tigers @ Oklahoma Sooners
A game with some impact for the Sooners; as they host LSU. With the
early season firing of former Tigers head coach Brian Kelly, it was more
of shock than anything. Fans seen enough and wanted Kelly out the
building. With that, this team has one of the top openings for a head
coach. It hasn't been announced who may takeover but this is a matter
of ending the season strong with a win over OU.

Oklahoma's season has been staying the course, even if quarterback
John Mateer should've sat out against Texas. Winning four of their last

five games, the Sooners will look to boom LSU's season back to Baton
Rouge. What does this mean for Oklahoma if they win? A possible New
Year's Six Bowl game at best and having another ten win season.
Depending on where the top teams fall, there's still a chance in making
the College Football Playoff.

Alabama Crimson Tide @ Auburn Tigers
A classic clash of SEC powerhouses; as the Crimson Tide roll into
Auburn for the annual "War Eagle Bowl." Alabama has been the subject
of if their aura has vanished under head coach Kalen DeBoer and the
team not holding up the championship standards. Even with a good
roster, the Tide have been beatable and slid by in some cases. Alabama
has been what I'd call middle of the pack far as elite teams. When
former head coach Nick Saban was there, everyone feared Alabama.
When opposing teams the Tide, no worries.

Could this be the last game wide receiver Ryan Williams plays in
Alabama? DeBoer's rumors swirling around a possible jump to Penn
State will only heat up once the season concludes. If Bama does win,
they'll have a respectable ten win season and a lot of questions to
answer prior to their bowl game.

Auburn is a once proud football powerhouse; but its fanned out the last
few years. Firing head coach Hugh Freeze came at a time when the

team struggled to win close games. Playing in the SEC, a very slim
margin of error can occur. It's a classic case of poor coaching and
execution in clutch situations. This is Auburn's bowl game and in-state
bragging rights until next November. A win gives the Tigers bowl eligible
and a favorable matchup come December.

Vanderbilt Commodores @ Tennessee Volunteers
In a perfect world, would the Vanderbilt Commodores be ranked in the
top twenty-five? If you said no, I beg to differ. This classic in-state rivalry
game has plenty of storylines. Commodores quarterback Diego Pavia
has been a talking point going back to 2024 after Vandy upset Alabama.
Heisman Trophy candidate, this is the perfect storm for Pavia to cement
his legacy game. It's been one of the more successful season in
program history and a chance to defeat in-state rival Tennessee
Saturday afternoon. With a statement win, Vanderbilt can improve their
College Football Playoff hopes with help from other teams. A lot of
talking prior to the season starting, now the time is here for Vanderbilt to
anchor down their big brother in Knoxville.

Tennessee Vols have seen their College Football Playoff hopes fade in
and out over the last few weeks. With high expectations built off 2024,
Tennessee looked great... Then a heartbreaking losses to Georgia,
Alabama and Oklahoma made fans start the "Fire Josh Heupel"
campaign. A team with great talent has looked the part but not so in the

eyes of diehard Vols fans. With the emergence of little baby brother
Vanderbilt, this game could have ramifications moving forward. A
blowout or close loss could force the university to revisit their head
coach's contract extension. In a season where coaches have been fired
and bought out, this would be the damning move of the 2025 college
football season.

Florida State Seminoles @ Florida Gators
A sunshine state showdown between two schools who've yet to rekindle
domination and recruiting within their state. Two teams whose seasons
were flipped upside down and little to be desired. Schools who hate
each other and try to impose their distain pregame. Nothing much to
cheer about; other than a moral victory to just end the season.

Florida Gators came into 2025 with momentum and looking to compete
for a College Football Playoff spot. Upsetting losses over South Florida,
LSU, Miami early in the season forced the university to fire head coach
Billy Napier. It was a move some felt was on deck; knowing this team
had the talent but not enough coaching could save them. Two wins over
Texas and Mississippi State, Florida has been speared with four straight
losses since.

But the rumor mill has it Ole Miss head coach Lane Kiffin could be
headed to Gainesville upon the conclusion of the Rebels last game.

Gators fans have sat patiently, waiting for it to be true if their dream
head coach will leave Ole Miss for a chance to reclaim respect among
the best programs in college football. If they don't chomp on Kiffin,
there's not too many coaches to select. Even if they win Saturday, the
biggest HIRE and WIN will be Lane Kiffin. It's the only subject matter
Gators fans are worried about for 2026.

Florida State... Where do I begin? After a 3-0 start including a statement
win over Alabama week one, the Seminoles season was speared with
four straight losses. All which came in ACC play and it was downhill
from there. Finally getting a much needed victory over Wake Forest, the
Seminoles closed out the home season with a blowout win over Virginia
Tech. With embattled head coach Mike Norvell returning in 2026, this
game will either show heart or sorrow for a team who couldn't win
games which they had multiple chances. This is a bowl game for the
Florida Gators; whereas FSU needs to win and become bowl eligible
with six wins.

If you're a college football fan and love rivalries, a lot of great games will
be capped off this upcoming weekend! From all of us here at The Gryd
Network, have a wonderful Thanksgiving and enjoy plenty of football!