Predicting Outcome for the Remaining Major College Football Rivalry Games
November is rivalry month in college football, when several of the country's greatest grudge matches are waged down the stretch. As in most years, several of these games figure to have a major impact on division, conference and playoff races, but even if one or both teams are having a down year, the intensity of these rivalry games remains at a high level.
Being able to knock off a rival can often make or break a season; doing so in the midst of a run toward a title is an added bonus. Because of this, the passion you'll see in these games will be at an all-time high and should make for great competition.
We've picked out some of the top remaining rivalry games that will be held over the next six weeks, including the annual Army-Navy game in mid-December, and will break down how they should play out.
LSU at Alabama
1 of 14
When: Nov. 7 at 8 p.m. ET on CBS
Series history: Alabama leads 49-25-5
There hasn't been a fancy nickname given to this annual meeting between SEC West powers, probably only because "Pro Bowl" is already taken. But that's what this game has become since it's turned into an annual meeting of two of the most stacked lineups that end up producing droves of NFL players.
And yet again this season, the game should have major national championship implications. It's also being played right after the initial playoff rankings, which should have unbeaten LSU and one-loss Alabama pretty high on the list.
"'You are talking about a game that everybody has marked on their calendar a year before it happens," LSU wide receiver Malachi Dupre told John Zenor of the Associated Press (via Yahoo Sports).
Alabama has won four straight, including in the 2012 BCS Championship Game, and it is one of the few teams that's been able to win in Baton Rouge on a regular basis. LSU last won in Tuscaloosa in 2011, the infamous 9-6 overtime win that led to a rematch between the teams two months later in the national title game.
The Crimson Tide haven't played as well at home as they have on the road this season, but because of an earlier loss there to Ole Miss, their backs are against the wall if they want to win the SEC West and remain in the playoff hunt. LSU could still be in good shape playoff-wise with a close loss here, but whoever wins will take a major step forward toward a championship.
Predicted winner: Alabama
Georgia at Auburn
2 of 14
When: Nov. 14
Series history: Tied 55-55-8
Known as Deep South's Oldest Rivalry, Auburn and Georgia have been playing since 1892, and the recent results have helped ramp up this series to another level. Had Georgia's defensive backs not tipped a long fourth-down pass into the air (and into Auburn receiver Ricardo Louis' hands) during the "Prayer at Jordan-Hare" in 2013, Auburn wouldn't have played in the BCS title game that season.
We were hoping for another great one this season, especially with SEC media members picking Georgia to win the East and Auburn to win the league back in July. Then the season actually happened, and both teams have fallen short of expectations with a combined five losses entering this weekend.
Despite the disappointing performances to this point, though, don't expect this game to be any less intense. Especially since Georgia is still in the hunt for the East title—pending Saturday's game against division leader Florida—and Auburn could be in jeopardy of not being bowl-eligible.
The last time that didn't happen, in 2012, a 38-0 loss at Georgia helped seal then-coach Gene Chizik's fate just two years after winning a national title. Head coach Gus Malzahn is two seasons removed from a title game appearance and could soon be on the hot seat, though knocking off Georgia would help prevent that.
Predicted winner: Georgia
California at Stanford
3 of 14
When: Nov. 21
Series history: Stanford leads 55-44-10
The Big Game will always hold a place in college football history for the crazy finish from 1982, when Stanford's band came onto the field before time expired and California ended up scoring a game-winning touchdown amid the chaos.
The matchups in the 30-plus years since haven't been able to match that historic occurrence, and in recent seasons it's been one-sided. Stanford has won the last five meetings by an average of 25.2 points, and only one of those games has been decided by fewer than 18 points.
This has coincided with Stanford rising to the top tier of FBS, while Cal has fallen off—though this season the Golden Bears began 5-0, and by the time they visit Palo Alto, they could have clinched their first bowl bid since 2011. And Stanford could be rolling toward a third trip to the Pac-12 title game in four seasons as well as a spot in the playoffs.
Stanford is currently on a six-game win streak after opening the season with a loss to Northwestern, while Cal has lost two in a row heading into Saturday's visit from USC.
Predicted winner: Stanford
.jpg?w=256 "Ohio State Team Doctor")
Oregon State at Oregon
4 of 14
When: Nov. 27 at 3:30 p.m. ET
Series history: Oregon leads 62-46-10
The Civil War that helped shape this country was waged primarily in the eastern half of the country, but the college football rivalry of the same name is a Pacific Northwest tradition that's been around for more than 120 years. The annual Oregon-Oregon State game doesn't register on the radar like other rivalries, but that doesn't make it any less wild.
During Oregon's rise to elite status the past decade, this game has taken on added attention since it's come at the end of the season right before the Ducks either have headed into a Pac-12 Championship Game or toward a major bowl game. And with the two Nike-backed schools tending to always be at the forefront of uniform advances, this game also becomes somewhat of a fashion show.
It's been an off year for both teams, with Oregon's three losses already matching its most since 2008, while Oregon State is struggling in Gary Andersen's first season as head coach.
Oregon has won seven straight in the series, though the last three in Eugene have included a pair of one-score victories.
Predicted winner: Oregon
Washington State at Washington
5 of 14
When: Nov. 27
Series history: Washington leads 69-32-6
The Apple Cup is the biggest game of the year in the state of Washington, especially over the past decade, when neither team has had more than nine wins in a season. Coaching turnover has impacted the series too, as each school is on its third coach since 2007.
The 2013 game was the only one since 2002 that both teams had winning records, but it's possible that will happen again this year. Or one team could need the victory to become bowl-eligible, which adds extra spice to a game that divides the state between those wearing purple and gold and those favoring crimson and gray.
Predicted winner: Washington State
Ohio State at Michigan
6 of 14
When: Nov. 28
Series history: Michigan leads 58-46-6
It's not as if the Ohio State-Michigan rivalry needed additional fuel for the fire, but the return of favorite son Jim Harbaugh to Ann Arbor has somehow made this matchup even more anticipated this season. Throw in how good Harbaugh's first Michigan team has looked this season to the fact it will be hosting the defending national champions, and the entire country will be checking in on this game during a day filled with rivalry games.
Harbaugh and Urban Meyer are two of the biggest names in football, and the anticipation of what each will cook up to deal with the other has made the buildup to this game as big as it's ever been.
"Urban Meyer vs. Jim Harbaugh will generate storylines reminiscent of the 10-year war between Woody Hayes and [Bo] Schembechler," Bleacher Report's Phil Callihan wrote in December after the Wolverines hired Harbaugh.
Had Michigan not lost to Michigan State on a freak play two weeks ago, this game could have ended up being for the Big Ten's East Division title, though it still could if the Wolverines win out heading into the regular-season finale and OSU loses to Michigan State on Nov. 21.
Ohio State looked unimpressive during the first month of the season but has hit a second gear since quarterback J.T. Barrett has become more involved in the offense. Michigan has one of the best defenses in the country, recording three consecutive shutouts at one point, while its offense has been efficient though not very explosive.
Predicted winner: Ohio State
Clemson at South Carolina
7 of 14
When: Nov. 28
Series history: Clemson leads 66-42-4
Steve Spurrier helped breathe life into an in-state rivalry that in most years didn't draw much interest outside of the South, helping South Carolina claim five straight wins over Clemson from 2009-13. But the Head Ball Coach is no longer part of the mix, having resigned from the Gamecocks earlier this month. But had he stuck around for another edition of the Palmetto Bowl, it might not have ended well.
Clemson, which won last year's game at home over South Carolina, has been one of the most impressive teams in the country in 2015. One of 12 unbeaten teams entering this weekend, the Tigers are the ACC's best chance to get into the playoff but might need to remain perfect. They could be 11-0 going into this game and already locked into the ACC championship, but a loss here would derail their national title chances.
South Carolina is currently 3-5 and very likely will have been eliminated from bowl consideration by the time it hosts Clemson. There wouldn't be anything to play for other than to spoil Clemson's season, though that's often more than enough motivation.
Predicted winner: Clemson
Georgia at Georgia Tech
8 of 14
When: Nov. 28
Series history: Georgia leads 64-40-5
Dubbed "Clean, Old-Fashioned Hate," this longtime in-state rivalry is one of the most underrated in the country. It's also one that Georgia has sometimes overlooked considering it also has rivalry games against Florida and Auburn that come in the weeks beforehand. Georgia Tech took advantage of this last year, winning in overtime in Athens, as well as in 2008.
When the game has been played in Atlanta, though, the Bulldogs have owned the Yellow Jackets. Bobby Dodd Stadium, the site of this year's game, has seen Georgia win the seven meetings, with Tech's last win at home in the series coming in 1999.
Georgia Tech is having a very disappointing season, sitting at 3-5 entering this weekend but coming off a thrilling last-second win over previously unbeaten Florida State. Georgia, at 5-2, is still fighting for the SEC East title.
Predicted winner: Georgia
Ole Miss at Mississippi State
9 of 14
When: Nov. 28
Series history: Ole Miss leads 62-43-6
The Egg Bowl has gone chalk of late, as only twice since 2000 has the road team claimed victory. The last four games have been won by the host, with Ole Miss taking down Mississippi State 31-17 last year.
A month before that game happened there was the possibility the winner of that rivalry would be representing the SEC West in the conference title game and be vying for a playoff spot, as MSU started out 9-0 and Ole Miss was 7-0. The state of Mississippi was at the center of the college football universe for a good portion of 2014, though MSU lost three of four and Ole Miss finished 2-4.
National title implications aren't likely to be on the line this year either, since both teams already have two losses. However, Ole Miss may be playing for the West title if it doesn't lose again, since it has a win over Alabama on its resume.
MSU would like nothing more than to thwart the Rebels' title hopes, so expect the cowbells at Davis Wade Stadium to be clanging louder than normal.
Predicted winner: Mississippi State
Alabama at Auburn
10 of 14
When: Nov. 28
Series history: Alabama leads 43-35-1
Few rivalry games resonate beyond their state's borders like the Iron Bowl, especially when one or both of the teams involved have a shot at a national championship hanging in the balance when they end the regular season against each other.
The winner of the Alabama-Auburn game has either played in the BCS Championship Game or qualified for the playoffs every year since 2009, and if Alabama is able to get past LSU on Nov. 7, that possibility will exist again.
Even if neither team has a shot at a national title or even a division crown, though, expect nothing less than maximum effort from both sides and top-notch hatred from each fanbase. In Alabama there are Crimson Tide fans and Tigers fans; there's no being supportive of both.
Predicted winner: Alabama
Oklahoma at Oklahoma State
11 of 14
When: Nov. 28
Series history: Oklahoma leads 84-18-7
For as lopsided as this series has been over time, Bedlam has rarely disappointed lately when it comes to wild games and thrilling finishes. Oklahoma has won 10 of the past 12, but Oklahoma State scored an overtime victory in Norman last year by returning a punt for a touchdown in the final minutes of regulation.
The year before, OK State was in line to win the Big 12 title but slipped at home to the Sooners by giving up two touchdowns in the final 19 seconds.
Four of the last five games have been decided by nine or fewer points, two needing overtime. The name "Bedlam" is so fitting for this game, and the 2015 edition figures to have more of the same, especially if one or the other is still alive for a conference title.
Predicted winner: Oklahoma
UCLA at USC
12 of 14
When: Nov. 28
Series history: USC leads 46-31-7
The NFL desperately wants to get back into the Los Angles market, and several teams are trying to be part of that return. For now, though, L.A. remains a college football town as home to two of the most notable programs in the country.
It's not often that both UCLA and USC are both nationally relevant, but thanks to head coach Jim Mora getting UCLA back on track since his arrival in 2012, he's helped beef up this rivalry. USC had won five straight and 12 of 13, much of that during the time when Pete Carroll had raised the Trojans to the top of the heap, while Mora and the Bruins have taken advantage of USC's near-constant turmoil the last three-plus seasons.
What this game has not had in a while, however, is something big on the line. With two losses apiece in Pac-12 play, it's unlikely that either UCLA or USC will be in contention for the South Division title when they meet.
Predicted winner: USC
Florida State at Florida
13 of 14
When: Nov. 28
Series history: Florida leads 34-23-2
Before it lost at Georgia Tech last week, Florida State's last loss during the regular season came in November 2012 against Florida. That's one of many notable results from this battle of in-state rivals, and depending on how the rest of this year goes, the 2015 version could be just as historic.
FSU would likely still be in playoff contention if it wins its remaining games before visiting Gainesville, as would one-loss Florida. The latter seemed far less likely before this season started, since the Gators had a new coach (Jim McElwain) who inherited a relatively empty cupboard from previous coach Will Muschamp.
Despite this, Florida has opened 6-1 but lost its last game at LSU after losing starting quarterback Will Grier to a one-year suspension for failing a drug test.
Even if there are no postseason implications on the line, the Florida-FSU game is also huge for recruiting purposes. The schools routinely cross paths while chasing after high school prospects, and many uncommitted players could lean one way or the other based on the results of this game.
Predicted winner: Florida
Army vs. Navy
14 of 14
When: Dec. 12 at 3 p.m. ET on CBS
Series history: Navy leads 59-49-7
Past results or current records have very little relevance when Army and Navy meet each December. The game is so important for so many other reasons beyond football that it's completely deserving of its own weekend on the schedule, and even with Navy leaving the land of independence and joining a league this year, it remains in its normal spot.
"Go ahead and try to attend this game without experiencing a surge of patriotism," Braden Gall of Athlon Sports (via Fox Sports) wrote. "By game's end, no matter what the score, America wins."
Since we're predicting winners of all these games, though, we should mention their current performance a bit. This year has been like most lately for each side, with Navy all but assured of a 12th bowl game in the past 13 years, while Army is headed for a fifth straight losing season and 18th in the past 19.
Navy has won the last 13 meetings, though three of the last four have been decided by one score.
Predicted winner: Navy
Follow Brian J. Pedersen on Twitter at @realBJP.
.jpg?w=480 "Ohio State Team Doctor")
