The final week of the college football regular season has arrived, and with it comes the most anticipated and consequential matchups of the year: Rivalry Week. More than just bragging rights are on the line this week, as several marquee games will directly impact the playoff picture and determine which teams have a shot at conference titles and coveted postseason spots. Buckle up for some intense clashes as bitter rivals leave it all on the field.
Texas vs Texas A&M: High Stakes in the Lone Star Showdown
Perhaps no rivalry game this week carries more weight than the titanic tilt between No. 3 Texas and No. 20 Texas A&M. The Longhorns enter Kyle Field on Saturday night hoping to keep their SEC title game hopes alive. But to punch their ticket, they’ll need to execute in the red zone against a stingy Aggies defense that would love nothing more than to crush their playoff dreams.
We’ve got to have that edge. And we will because we know what’s at stake. We felt what it’s like to not win this game…it’s one of the worst things that’s happened to me in my life.
— Texas A&M coach Mike Elko, on facing Texas
The environment promises to be electric as these instate foes renew their rivalry. Longhorns quarterback Quinn Ewers will need to be sharp on his deep passing to exploit the Aggies’ secondary. Texas has struggled in the red zone in big games, settling for field goals 47% of the time against ranked foes under Steve Sarkisian. They can ill afford to leave points on the board in this one.
Big 12 Chaos: 9 Teams Still Alive for Title Game
Over in the Big 12, it’s a logjam at the top of the standings, with four teams tied at 6-2 and a whopping nine still mathematically alive for a spot in the conference championship game. No. 16 Arizona State, the highest ranked of the group, can secure its place with a win over rival Arizona in the Territorial Cup. But an upset loss would unleash a cavalcade of complex tiebreaker scenarios.
- If all four 6-2 teams (ASU, Iowa State, BYU, Colorado) win, it would be ASU vs Iowa State for the title.
- ISU-BYU-Colorado tie? Colorado is odd team out. ASU-BYU-Colorado tie? Colorado again loses out.
- ASU-ISU-Colorado deadlock enters the realm of “Team Chaos” with circular tiebreakers in play.
The Big 12 may need an advanced degree in theoretical physics to unravel this pretzel logic by Saturday night. Ironically, red-hot Kansas, winners of three straight over ranked foes to close the season, are shut out of the title chase despite being the hottest team in the league.
Dark Horses Loom as Spoilers
While the marquee matchups draw the spotlight, some dangerous dark horses lurk, poised to spring upsets and throw a wrench into the best laid plans. Keep an eye on No. 15 South Carolina visiting Clemson and Auburn traveling to No. 6 Alabama in the Iron Bowl.
Ryan Williams is electric, but in my eyes, he ain’t really nobody to me…I will not lose to Bama while I’m here.
— Auburn freshman LB Demarcus Riddick, on facing rival Alabama
The Gamecocks boast the strongest case among three-loss SEC teams to crack the playoff field if they can topple the Tigers. And underestimate Auburn at your own risk; the young Tigers would love to unleash more Jordan-Hare voodoo on the Tide and Nick Saban.
When the dust settles on Saturday night, the College Football Playoff picture will snap into focus, with a chosen few still standing in the chase for a national title. Legends will be forged, hearts will be broken, and the agony and ecstasy of Rivalry Week will once again deliver an unforgettable spectacle. Strap in and enjoy the ride.
