Week 14 is the crescendo of the college football regular season: Rivalry Week. The final weekend is an all-out assault on the College Football Playoff (CFP) picture, conference championship berths, and Heisman Trophy voting.
The latest polls feature two undefeated teams in the Big Ten (Ohio State, Indiana) and one in the SEC (Texas A&M), all of whom face rivalry gauntlets with their perfect seasons and CFP byes on the line.
The Marquee Matchups
1. The Game: Big Ten and CFP Decider
#1 Ohio State Buckeyes (11-0) at #15 Michigan Wolverines (9-2)
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Time: Saturday, November 29, 12:00 PM EST (FOX)
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Location: Michigan Stadium, Ann Arbor, MI
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The Stakes: This is the biggest game of the year. Ohio State has been perfect, but they face a Michigan team that has won the last four contests in the series. If Ohio State wins, they clinch a spot in the Big Ten Championship Game. If Michigan wins, the Big Ten tiebreakers become a complete nightmare involving Ohio State, Michigan, and #5 Oregon—and possibly #2 Indiana—shaking up the entire CFP race.
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Key Matchup: Ohio State’s nation-leading defense (allowing the fewest yards per game) vs. Michigan’s physicality. Can the Buckeyes’ defense shut down the Wolverines’ running game and finally break the losing streak in the rivalry?
2. The Rivalry: SEC Championship Showdown
#3 Texas A&M Aggies (11-0) at #16 Texas Longhorns (8-3)
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Time: Friday, November 28, 7:30 PM EST (ABC)
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Location: DKR-Texas Memorial Stadium, Austin, TX
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The Stakes: If the undefeated Texas A&M Aggies win, they clinch a spot in the SEC Championship Game for the first time in program history. If they lose, the door to the SEC title game opens wide for #4 Georgia (10-1) and #10 Alabama (9-2). The Longhorns, even with three losses, have the mojo after a huge performance last week and want nothing more than to spoil their rival’s perfect season.
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Key Matchup: The Aggies’ high-powered offense vs. the Longhorns’ motivation. Aggies quarterback Conner Weigman must be clean against an inspired Longhorns defense.
3. The Iron Bowl: Tradition Meets SEC Tiebreakers
#10 Alabama Crimson Tide (9-2) at Auburn Tigers (6-5)
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Time: Saturday, November 29, 3:30 PM EST (CBS)
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Location: Jordan-Hare Stadium, Auburn, AL
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The Stakes: Alabama needs to win to keep its path to the SEC Championship Game alive. A loss to Auburn immediately ends all hopes for a conference title and likely knocks them out of the CFP conversation entirely. Auburn is playing for a major bowl bid and the chance to crush their rival’s season.
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SEC Tiebreaker Note: Alabama controls its destiny for the SEC Championship if the results of other rivalry games go their way, but any loss here simplifies the scenario for Georgia and Texas A&M.
Other High-Impact Rivalry Battles
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The Egg Bowl: #6 Ole Miss Rebels (10-1) at Mississippi State Bulldogs (6-5)
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Time: Thursday, November 27, 7:30 PM EST (ESPN)
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Analysis: Ole Miss is still mathematically alive for a shocking SEC Championship berth, but they need two major upsets this weekend. First, they must take care of their biggest rival on the road in the traditional Thanksgiving weekend game.
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ACC Championship Chaos: #13 Miami Hurricanes (9-2) at #24 Pittsburgh Panthers (8-3)
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Time: Saturday, November 29, 3:30 PM EST (ESPN)
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Analysis: This is an unofficial ACC elimination game. Miami is clinging to the slimmest path to the ACC Championship Game, but they must win on the road. Pitt, after a major win last week, is also in the mix if other results go their way. The ACC title race remains the most volatile in the nation.
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The Civil War (Big Ten): #5 Oregon Ducks (10-1) at Washington Huskies (8-3)
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Time: Saturday, November 29, 7:30 PM EST (FOX)
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Analysis: Oregon must win to keep its one-loss CFP hopes alive and to have a shot at the Big Ten Championship Game. A loss to their bitter rival in Seattle would effectively end the Ducks’ title aspirations and likely put the Big Ten into pure chaos.
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Vanderbilt Milestone: #12 Vanderbilt Commodores (9-2) at #18 Tennessee Volunteers (8-3)
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Time: Saturday, November 29, TBD (SEC Network)
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Analysis: Vanderbilt is aiming for its first 10-win season in program history. Achieving that goal against their in-state rival in Knoxville would be an incredible milestone and lock the Commodores into a major bowl game.
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CFP Contenders on Upset Alert
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#2 Indiana Hoosiers (11-0) at Purdue Boilermakers (4-7): Indiana is playing for a perfect regular season and their first-ever Big Ten Championship Game appearance. They must avoid the trap of looking ahead to Indianapolis in a traditional rivalry game against a team desperate to pull the upset.
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#4 Georgia Bulldogs (10-1) at #23 Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets (9-2): Georgia is done with conference play but needs a dominant win against their in-state rival to impress the committee and maintain their strong position for a playoff bye, especially if Texas A&M or Indiana stumbles.
This weekend will set the final four contenders for the national title and the matchups for all the major conference championship games.
