One of the greatest weekends in all of sports has arrived. Week 14 brings some of college football’s most heated matchups. Family feuds and pure hatred rule the day. Each team represents sides of matchups that span back over a hundred years. Coaches have been fired for nothing more than losing rivalry games. Let’s dive into some of college football’s greatest matchups.
#1 Ohio State vs. #15 Michigan
Location: Michigan Stadium in Ann Arbor, MI
Spread: Ohio State (-9.5)
Over/Under: 43.5
ML: Ohio State (-425), Michigan (+320)
The Game
It doesn’t get any bigger than this in college football. The Game averages roughly 20 million viewers per game. Michigan owns the all-time series lead at 62-51-6. The two arch rivals first met in 1897, and the hatred has only grown stronger. Last year, the hatred was on full display. Players brawled on the field, and police officers and pepper spray soon entered the chaos. 2025’s matchup will undoubtedly carry the torch.
The Buckeyes will look to thrive through the air in the face of Michigan’s 10th-ranked rush defense. Julian Sayin has completed his passes at a 79% rate, and the Buckeyes’ OL has managed to keep him clean. Michigan edge Derrick Moore will have something to say about that. Moore has been elite, totaling 9.5 sacks so far.
Michigan’s secondary will face possibly CFB’s hardest task- covering Jeremiah Smith and Carnell Tate. The two star WRs have combined for 1,613 yards and 17 TDs. Michigan’s secondary currently ranks #22 in yards per pass allowed.
Michigan QB Bryce Underwood will face his toughest challenge since Michigan traveled to Oklahoma. Underwood finished that game 9/24 for 142 yards. He will face a complex coverage package led by All-American safety Caleb Downs.
The rushing attack has been Michigan’s strong suit. The Wolverines are averaging 224 yards per game, ranking #10 in college football. RB Jordan Marshall has picked up right where Justice Haynes left off, averaging 6.1 yards per carry. Ohio State’s defense currently ranks #3 in yards per carry allowed. This game will be a war in the trenches.
Watch for Ohio State LB Arvell Reese against Michigan’s OL. Reese will lineup in various spots for the Buckeyes, rushing the passer and stopping the run. Reese has 59 tackles and 6.5 sacks on the season. He will be DC Matt Patricia’s chess piece in the box.
#10 Alabama vs. Auburn
Location: Jordan-Hare Stadium in Auburn, AL
Spread: Alabama (-5.5)
Over/Under: 46.5
ML: Alabama (-215), Auburn (+180)
The Iron Bowl
A matchup that divides even the closest of families. Statues have been vandalized, trees have been poisoned, and coaches have been fired because of the impact of this game. The first matchup was played in 1893, and the Crimson Tide lead the series 51-37-1. It’s time for the biggest rivalry in the South.
Alabama fans are terrified of the “voodoo” that lives in Jordan-Hare Stadium. Each of Auburn’s last three wins in this series have occurred at home. Now, Kalen DeBoer must travel into Jordan-Hare for the first time.
Alabama QB Ty Simpson is currently throwing for 135% of opponent averages against his top competition. Auburn allows 241 passing yards per game. Look for Ty Simpson to eclipse the 300 yards mark in this game. Auburn interim coach DJ Durkin is undoubtedly dialing up blitz packages as we speak. Against a subpar Alabama OL, the Tigers are likely to find success.
Auburn will be starting QB Ashton Daniels. Will we see another QB? We’ll find out. Daniels has started one game this season. He totaled 442 yards and 4 TDs against Vanderbilt. Daniels will need to find his rhythm early. He appeared in the Kentucky game, started the Vanderbilt game, and has not taken a snap since November 8th.
As other teams have attacked Alabama, Auburn will likely attack Alabama’s defense on the ground. RB Jeremiah Cobb averages 5.7 yards per carry. Ashton Daniels has 1,293 career rushing yards. Jackson Arnold could make an appearance as well. He totaled 131 rushing yards against the Tide in 2024.
The x-factor in this game will be Auburn LB Xavier Atkins, who has totaled 81 tackles and 7.5 sacks. Alabama’s offense has committed a turnover in seven straight games. If the Tide commit a turnover in this game, it will likely be at the hands of Atkins.
#3 Texas A&M vs. #16 Texas
Location: DKR-Texas Memorial Stadium in Austin, TX
Spread: Texas A&M (-2.5)
Over/Under: 52.5
ML: Texas A&M (-140), Texas (+120)
The Lone Star Showdown
Due to conference changes, this rivalry was put on hold from 2012 to 2024. These teams first played in 1894, and Texas leads the series 77-37-5. Texas won the most recent matchup of this renewed rivalry, and the Aggies are out for revenge.
Texas QB Arch Manning has taken a beating this season, and he’ll have to endure for one more game. The Texas OL has allowed QB pressures on 41% of drop backs. The Texas A&M pass rush ranks #1 in sack percentage and has totaled 39 sacks. LB Cashius Howell is playing like college football’s best pass rusher, totaling 11.5 sacks.
The challenging part for Texas will be sustaining drives. The Longhorns rank #55 in 3rd down conversion rate, while Texas A&M ranks #1 in 3rd down conversion rate allowed. The Aggies’ pass rush makes 3rd down situations seemingly insurmountable.
Arch Manning’s play has improved drastically over the last month. In his last four games, Arch has thrown for 328.5 YPG, 11 TDs, and 2 INTs. On the other side, Texas A&M QB Marcel Reed has turned out a Heisman finalist season. He’s thrown for 2,752 yards, 25 TDs and 8 INTs, while rushing for 395 yards and 6 TDs.
The clash of titans will occur on the ground. For Texas A&M, Rueben Owens II is averaging 5.8 YPC. Texas A&M averages 5 YPC as a team. The Texas defense currently ranks #6 in YPC allowed.
The performance of the Texas OTs will determine this game. Texas A&M’s Cashius Howell has the ability to generate 10 QB pressures off the edge in this game. He can wreck this game if Texas does not protect on the edges. Arch Manning and the Texas WRs can push the ball downfield against Texas A&M if given time.
Other Games to Monitor
#14 Vanderbilt vs. #19 Tennessee (-2.5)
A classic in-state rivalry. Vanderbilt is trying to cap off its best season in program history. The Commodores have never won 10 games in a season. Meanwhile, Josh Heupel is trying to lead Tennessee to its third 10+ win season in four years.
The over/under in this game is 66.5. Tennessee has scored 156 points in its last four games, while Vanderbilt is coming off a 484 yards and 5 TDs performance from Diego Pavia.
#7 Ole Miss (-7.5) vs. Mississippi State
You can’t beat the Egg Bowl. The series started in 1901. The schools are under two hours apart, and the storylines in this game are rampant. Ole Miss HC Lane Kiffin has been in college football headlines for weeks. Everyone wants to know where he will coach next year.
Can Mississippi State take advantage of these distractions? We’ll find out. Mississippi State has played four one-possession games in SEC play. The Ole Miss defense is more than gettable.
#4 Georgia (-13.5) vs. #23 Georgia Tech
It’s Clean, Old-Fashioned Hate. It’s one of the oldest rivalries in college football, starting in 1893.
Georgia Tech’s season has seemingly unraveled, losing games to NC State and Pittsburgh. The Yellow Jackets have the opportunity to save their season with a monster win against Georgia. Meanwhile, Georgia is looking for its 8th straight win in the series, tying the longest win streak by either team in the series.
#12 Miami (-6.5) vs. #22 Pittsburgh
The implications in this game are extreme. Pittsburgh needs to win this game to earn a spot in the ACC championship game. Miami needs to win this game to stay in the College Football Playoff hunt. The Hurricanes are in need of help, but their chances are still live.
#6 Oregon (-6.5) vs. Washington
The first meeting in this series occurred in 1900. Washington has won 3 of the last 4 matchups, all by 3 points. Oregon blew out Washington 49-21 last year, and the Huskies are looking for redemption.
With the possibility of #7 Ole Miss, #8 Oklahoma, #9 Notre Dame, and #10 Alabama all winning out, Oregon needs to win this game. The 11th and 12th spots will be taken by the ACC and G5 champs.
