Rivalry Week in college football this year feels like the 43rd Fast & Furious sequel. My thought was…”Oh, they’re doing that again??”, which is an odd feeling. There are multiple reasons for that. Conference realignment has tossed so much tradition out the window that many of the things we used to adore about cool autumn Saturdays are obsolete. Some rivalry games were played earlier in the season, but many no longer exist at all. Of those still being contested, several simply lack intrigue. They undoubtedly retain value for the fan bases involved, but feel mostly meaningless to more casual fans. Or…or…perhaps that is only my perception. To be honest, the end of the season snuck up on me. As I was perusing the schedule this week I realized that we’ve reached the end of the regular season and conference championship games are played next weekend. It took me by surprise. That being said, I am looking forward to a fun holiday weekend full of gridiron action. Zach & I would like to wish The Manoverse a Happy Thanksgiving full of family, food, cat naps, Christmas movies, and whatever else puts a smile on your face. Enjoy every fleeting moment and create memories that can sustain you in the inevitable valleys of life. 

My Season: 42-38

Zach’s Season: 34-46

South Carolina at Clemson (-2.5)

They call it the Palmetto Bowl (named after the state tree). Clemson leads the all-time series (dating back to 1896) 73-43-4. The Tigers are 9-2 and winners of three in a row, while the 8-3 Gamecocks have won five consecutive games. Clemson will play for the ACC title with a win and a Miami (FL) loss, but could snag a playoff berth even if they don’t win the conference championship, although that seems like a dicey proposition. South Carolina isn’t getting anywhere near the SEC title game or the playoff (probably 🤷🏻‍♂️), but having nothing to lose could make them more dangerous. It’s a Noon kick on Saturday, and I’m feeling a little…cocky, as is Zach.

My Pick: South Carolina 

Zach’s Pick: South Carolina 

Auburn at Alabama (-11.5)

The Iron Bowl is always cool, even if both teams are in a down phase. It’s probably not fair to categorize the 8-3 Tide that way, but let’s be honest…their standards are ridiculously high. After transitioning to a new coach no one should be surprised to see ‘Bama lose just a bit of their edge, but they’ve been so successful that we just kind of assume they’ll always be in the championship mix. I suppose, with a win, the powers-that-be could perform logic gymnastics and gift them a playoff berth, but that’d surely raise a few eyebrows. Conversely, the 5-6 Tigers aren’t playoff contenders, but they could aachieve bowl eligibility while screwing up their rival’s postseason aspirations, which sounds awfully motivational. I have to wonder if Auburn left it all out on the field during last week’s exciting 4 OT victory over Texas A&M, and what impact that’ll have on Saturday afternoon. My conclusion is that they won’t win…but they will not lose by double digits. Zach doesn’t have much faith in Saban-less Alabama and foresees a close game one way or another.

My Pick: Auburn 

Zach’s Pick: Auburn

Texas (-6) at Texas A&M

Finally…conference realignment has accidentally stumbled into something positive with the renewal of a rivalry that has been dormant since 2011. I have a vague recollection of this particular tradition playing a small role in the classic 1982 romp The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas. That movie didn’t win any awards, but Burt Reynolds was the coolest movie star in the world, and boobs were a very important part of the cinematic experience for a certain 10 year old boy in small town West Virginia. With a victory the 10-1 Longhorns would play for the conference title next weekend, which is quite an accomplishment in their inaugural SEC season. Meanwhile, new head coach Mike Elko has the 8-3 Aggies in position to steal a conference championship opportunity, a vast improvement over their previous two years. I expect this to put a nice button on the collegiate portion of our weekend, and despite playing in enemy territory I’d be stunned by anything but a dominant win by the favorites. Zach appreciates the significant home field advantage, but agrees that Texas is just too good. 

My Pick: Texas 

Zach’s Pick: Texas

Chicago at Detroit (-10.5)

I usually poke fun at Detroit’s traditional Thanksgiving Day game because they’ve so seldom been relevant. However, most agree that the 10-1 Lions are the best team in the NFL right now. Conversely, the talking heads are desperately seeking any reason to praise the 4-7 Bears and alleged savior Caleb Williams, potentially the best quarterback who has ever quarterbacked, except he isn’t that great and neither is his team. This should merely be a speed bump on the way to an NFC Championship for the home favorites, no matter what kind of BS hype is spewed at us. Zach has considered Detroit to be a Super Bowl favorite from the beginning of the season and believes they’ll win big.

My Pick: Detroit 

Zach’s Pick: Detroit

Las Vegas at Kansas City (-13)

I’ve never gone Black Friday shopping, which is one of the few wise decisions I can note on my life resume. There is no need to darken the doorstep of a mall, department store, or retail outlet nowadays when I can remain safely ensconced in my humble abode and spend any meager discretionary income I may have with a few clicks of a button. It doesn’t hurt that there will be football on TV as well, including this relatively inconsequential divisional matchup. I suppose no such game can be completely dismissed, but the 10-1 Chiefs are running away with the division, while the 2-9 Raiders have actually regressed from a season ago. KC isn’t losing the game, but only won by a touchdown in their pre-Halloween meeting. Vegas had Gardner Minshew under center that day though, and now he’s on the shelf with a broken collarbone. QB Aiden O’Connell returns from a broken thumb suffered just a month ago, and Desmond Ridder is around as well. It doesn’t matter…the Chief’s defense will eat either one up and crap them out on Saturday morning along with Turkey Day leftovers. Zach, on the other hand, sees chinks in armor of the defending Super Bowl champs and thinks the underdogs can atleast make things interesting.

My Pick: Kansas City  

Zach’s Pick: Las Vegas