Rivalries to watch on Thanksgiving weekend
Nov. 22—It's Thanksgiving weekend and that means only two things. Leftover turkey sandwiches and college football. There are almost too many great rivalries to count this Thanksgiving weekend, but here are the ones you need to keep an eye on.
Obviously, Florida State and Florida will be a good one to watch if you're a Seminole and the same can be said for the showdown between Georgia and Georgia Tech in Atlanta. But, the rivalry that kicks it all off at noon is one that will have ripple effects in the College Football Playoffs.
Starting at noon the Michigan Wolverines will take on the Ohio State Buckeyes in Ann Arbor for one of the biggest and fiercest rivalries in college football. The most recent "scandal" in college football does throw a wrinkle into this game for the Wolverines as they look for their third win in a row in the annual rivalry. Wolverines head coach Jim Harbaugh has been suspended for three games due to the ongoing sign stealing scandal. The suspension was delivered by the Big Ten conference.
Michigan is not stranger to Harbaugh not being on the side lines. They started the year without Harbaugh due to suspension and won all of those games. But, those were not the biggest game of the year. Folks in Ohio and Michigan live and die by this rivalry and the Michigan faithful will not give any grace despite their head coach being out.
Harbaugh is reportedly allowed to resume head coaching duties in preparation for the game, he simply can't be on the sideline during the contest.
Another potential firework show is Clemson vs. South Carolina. This was a battle for the ages last year as South Carolina squeaked out an upset over the Tigers just one week after destroying then number six ranked Tennessee. It was a back-and-forth contest with no limit on explosive plays that saw Spencer Rattler take over for the Gamecocks. Rattler threw for 360 yards and two touchdowns, while also rushing for a score as South Carolina upset Clemson 31-30.
Despite Clemson not being anywhere near the high level they usually are this season, there is no reason this matchup between these South Carolina rivals should be any less entertaining. The Gamecocks just pulled out a three point victory over Kentucky that saw Rattler throw for over 200 yards and two touchdowns and Clemson took down North Carolina in a game that was taken over by Cade Klubnik and Will Shipley.
Perhaps the biggest rivalry in the SEC is that of Auburn and Alabama. The two Alabama schools will meet for their 88th battle, this time at Auburn. These two programs seasons have been vastly different but interesting. Under first year head coach Hugh Freeze, Auburn has amassed a disappointing 6-5 record and are coming off a bad 21 point loss to New Mexico State.
It's Alabama that's been more interesting. With an early loss to Texas in Tuscaloosa and questions at the quarterback position, it looked like Bama was all out of sorts. Since that loss however, the Tide have rattled off eight straight wins, including solid victories over Ole Miss, Texas A&M, and LSU. Quarterback Jalen Milroe seems to have settled in at quarterback, despite early speculation that he would be removed from the role.
An Alabama win is almost certain, but stranger things have happened in the Iron Bowl. Just ask Chris Davis.
