Week 14 Predictions: Hippies, Good Ole Southern Boys Clash—Someone Wins

View From North America realises this is hellishly early, but as you might know, there's something called Thanksgiving going on in the United States, where the world's biggest economy concentrates on two of its most favourite things: football and turkey. Here's some predictions for the long weekend...or three long, luscious days of heated rivalry.

THANKSGIVING THURSDAY

The "If We Don't Win This Game, We've Done Nuthin'" Rivalry: Texas A&M vs. Texas

Texas A&M may have beaten Texas over the last two years, but the Aggies are truly terrible this year, and the Longhorns were only a couple of seconds away from a National Title game. Expect Colt McCoy to put on a show against one of college football's leakiest defenses. They'll have to—and pray that Oklahoma either struggles against Oklahoma State or bombs completely.

VERDICT: Longhorns celebrate for the first time in three...but will it be enough? Texas 45, Texas A&M 10

FAT FRIDAY

The "Oh no, not them again" Rivalry: Fresno State vs. Boise State

Not quite a rivalry, but Boise State—if it beats once-ranked Fresno State—will go unbeaten and National Championship game-less once again. Doesn't it suck to be a non-BCS conference? Expect Ian Johnson to run wild—but this outcome's going to be close.

VERDICT: Idaho blue eyes smiling. Boise State 38, Fresno State 28

The "Who Cares About the Big East?" Rivalry (aka the Backyard Brawl): West Virginia vs. Pittsburgh

Last year Pittsburgh upset the applecart when they beat West Virginia, crushing the Mountaineers' hopes of going to the National Title game. If they win this one, then they trainwreck West Virginia's hopes of winning the Big East. But if WVU win, they still have to bank on a Cincinnati loss to Syracuse or Hawaii to go BCS bowling once again. Pitt RB LeSean McCoy's pretty good, by the way. Then again, so's Pat White.

VERDICT: Mountaineers deliver the punch in the backyard brawl, and it's couch-burning time in Morgantown. West Virginia 35, Pittsburgh 23

ON THE RUNNING MACHINE SATURDAY

THE "BIG 12 SOUTH'S GOOD, AIN'T IT?" RIVALRY: Oklahoma vs. Oklahoma State

Oklahoma looked pretty damned special when they kicked Texas Tech's ass all over Norman in a 65-12 romp. Oklahoma State aren't better than Texas Tech (see their trip to Lubbock a couple of weeks ago for details), but they'll scare the life out of the Sooners.

VERDICT: Oklahoma State in the upset. Oklahoma State 45, Oklahoma 40

THE "SUDDENLY SOMEONE ACTUALLY CARES ABOUT FLORIDA STATE" RIVALRY: Florida vs. Florida State

Maybe a little cruel, but Florida State really aren't that good, and Florida really are. But my buddie Chris insists that the 'Noles have got the athletes this year to make a run for the ACC. They sure looked impressive at Maryland. But do they have enough for the Gators?

VERDICT: Going to be close, but Gators celeb-gate. Florida 42, Florida St. 37

THE "WHO BROUGHT THE POT? RIVALRY": Oregon vs. Oregon State

Bongs? Check. Psychedelic T-Shirts? Check. Grateful Dead/Phish music? Check. 45,000 hippies yelling? Check. Oregon State to beat Oregon and go to the Rose Bowl? Maybe.

VERDICT: Certainly NOT a post-Thanksgiving turkey of a game Oregon State 31, Oregon 30

THE "OH GOD, WEREN'T WE ONCE IN THE MIX FOR THE BIG ONE?" RIVALRY: Kansas vs. Missouri (at Kansas City)

These two absolutely hate each other. Really, they do. Missouri are already in the Big 12 Championship game—but KU fans would kill to trainwreck the Tigers' day...they know how to do that in basketball. Know what I mean, Tar Heel fans?

VERDICT: Mizzou run away late. Missouri 45, Kansas 25

THE "OH GOD, IT'S THE ANNUAL USC STATEMENT GAME 'RIVALRY'": Notre Dame vs. USC

Notre Dame persuaded me that they might be pretty good at the start of the year. Then they unpersuaded me with an absolute ****show in the last few games, nearly losing to Navy and losing spectacularly to the dreadful Syracuse. USC are going to crush the Irish, who really don't have any fight anymore.

VERDICT: Song girls high-kicking again. Yaaaay! USC 56, Notre Dame 10

THE BEST-NAMED RIVALRY IN COLLEGE FOOTBALL: Georgia Tech vs. Georgia

Is there any cooler rivalry name in college sports as "Good Ole Fashioned Hate"? Georgia Tech have surprised many by priming themselves for an ACC title spot, while Georgia ain't going to the SEC or National Title game. Who do you think has more to play for? Both: The dislike between these two is a monster.

VERDICT: Tech buzz in and punch out the 'Dogs. Georgia Tech 21, Georgia 17

THE "BEST CHANCE IN SEVEN YEARS" RIVALRY: Auburn vs. Alabama

Many expected Auburn to be going to the SEC West and Alabama to be good in 2009. Boy, how they were wrong. This could be Tommy Tuberville's last game as Auburn coach—and he needs to win the Iron Bowl to stay in a job. The big problem: Auburn's got a quality defense, and Alabama hasn't been playing well at home. Could this be straight win Number Seven for the Tigers?

VERDICT: Nope. Alabama 17, Auburn 3

OTHER RIVALRY GAMES

THE "BIG LETDOWN" RIVALRY: South Carolina vs. Clemson

Spurrier vs. (Name Coach Here). Wow. I must remember to get up early for that one.

THE "WINNING SEASON" RIVALRY: Vanderbilt vs. Wake Forest

Whoever wins this one guarantees a winning season. The one who loses out goes 6-6 but is bowl eligible.