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[bluemax]

And now it is time for the second best week of college football after week 1! Rivalry week! The time when people across nation intensify their fake hatred (well real hatred if you're in the south) for other people based on their sometimes tenuous affiliation with institutions of higher learning! Huzzah!

A Sampling of Rivalries this weekend:

The Lone Star Showdown bewtween Texas and Texas A&M. The Longhorns hold the All Time Advantage 75-37-5.

The Iron Bowl features Alabama and Auburn. This one has been surprisingly close, Alabama leads 40-36-1. I could not find a picture of the trophy.

Most recently known as the Crapple Cup, the Apple Cup features the two largest public universities in the state of Washington. Unsurprisingly the Huskies own the all time advantage 66-31-6.

"The Game" as it is known colloquially between Michigan and Ohio State actually has no offical name. How lame! Michigan leads 57-44-6.

The Battle for the Victory Bell is the greatest inter city rivalry in all of college football. USC leads 45-28-7 and has won all but one game since 2000.

Look at that thing! Only in the midwest would they bling out a BUCKET and use it as a trophy. This one is handed out to the winner of the Indiana and Purdue game. Purdue leads the trophy series 56-27-3 and the all time series 70-37-6.

While the PC Police may want us to call this the Border Showdown, I think we should all remember this: "Former Kansas coach Don Fambrough expressed his disapproval for the rivalry's politically correct "Border Showdown" rebranding by saying, "It's a goddamn war. And they started it!" Depending upon who you ask Missouri leads this 56-54-9 OR the series is tied 55-55-9. Now that is how a rivalry should be!

What are some of GAF's favorite rivalry trophies?

1 LSU (60)
2 Alabama
3 Arkansas
4 Stanford
5 Oklahoma State
6 Virginia Tech
7 Boise State
8 Houston
9 Oregon
10 USC
11 Michigan State
12 Oklahoma
13 Georgia
14 South Carolina
15 Wisconsin
16 Kansas State
17 Michigan
18 Clemson
19 TCU
20 Penn State
21 Baylor
22 Nebraska
22 Notre Dame
24 Virginia
25 Georgia Tech

1 LSU (59)
2 Alabama
3 Arkansas
4 Virginia Tech
5 Stanford
6 Oklahoma State
7 Houston
8 Boise State
9 Oregon
10 Michigan State
11 Oklahoma
12 Wisconsin
13 South Carolina
14 Georgia
15 Kansas State
16 Michigan
17 Clemson
18 TCU
19 Penn State
20 Baylor
21 Georgia Tech
22 Nebraska
23 West Virginia
24 Notre Dame
25 Virginia

Tuesday, November 22
7:00 PM ET Miami (OH) at Ohio

Thursday, November 24
8:00 PM ET No. 25 Texas at Texas A&M

Friday, November 25
11:00 AM ET Eastern Michigan at Northern Illinois
11:00 AM ET Louisville at South Florida
12:00 PM ET No. 8 Houston at Tulsa
12:00 PM ET Iowa at No. 21 Nebraska
12:00 PM ET Kent State at Temple
12:00 PM ET Bowling Green at Buffalo
1:00 PM ET Akron at Western Michigan
2:00 PM ET Toledo at Ball State
2:30 PM ET No. 3 Arkansas at No. 1 LSU
3:30 PM ET Colorado at Utah
3:30 PM ET Boston College at Miami (FL)
7:00 PM ET Pittsburgh at West Virginia
7:00 PM ET UTEP at UCF
10:15 PM ET California at Arizona State

Saturday, November 26
12:00 PM ET Iowa State at No. 9 Oklahoma
12:00 PM ET No. 13 Georgia at No. 23 Georgia Tech
12:00 PM ET No. 14 Michigan State at Northwestern
12:00 PM ET Ohio State at No. 15 Michigan
12:00 PM ET Rutgers at Connecticut
12:00 PM ET Cincinnati at Syracuse
12:00 PM ET Rice at Southern Methodist
12:21 PM ET Tennessee at Kentucky
12:30 PM ET Troy at Western Kentucky
12:30 PM ET Maryland at North Carolina State
2:00 PM ET Wyoming at No. 7 Boise State
2:00 PM ET Nevada at Utah State
3:30 PM ET No. 2 Alabama at No. 24 Auburn
3:30 PM ET No. 5 Virginia Tech at Virginia
3:30 PM ET Oregon State at No. 10 Oregon
3:30 PM ET No. 19 Penn State at No. 16 Wisconsin
3:30 PM ET Florida International at Middle Tennessee
3:30 PM ET Purdue at Indiana
3:30 PM ET Illinois at Minnesota
3:30 PM ET Duke at North Carolina
3:30 PM ET Vanderbilt at Wake Forest
3:30 PM ET East Carolina at Marshall
3:30 PM ET Missouri vs. Kansas*
4:00 PM ET Louisiana-Lafayette at Arizona
4:00 PM ET UAB at Florida Atlantic
4:00 PM ET New Mexico State at Louisiana Tech
4:00 PM ET Memphis at Southern Miss
6:00 PM ET Air Force at Colorado State
7:00 PM ET Texas Tech vs. No. 18 Baylor*
7:00 PM ET Florida State at Florida
7:00 PM ET Ole Miss at Mississippi State
7:30 PM ET Washington State at Washington
7:45 PM ET No. 17 Clemson at No. 12 South Carolina
8:00 PM ET No. 22 Notre Dame at No. 6 Stanford
8:00 PM ET San Jose State at Fresno State
10:00 PM ET UCLA at USC
10:00 PM ET San Diego State at UNLV
11:00 PM ET Tulane at Hawaii

Week 13 Pick'em Games
Texas @ Texas A&M by X
Arkansas @ LSU by X
Iowa @ Nebraska by X
Georgia @ Georgia Tech by X
Michigan State @ Northwestern by X
Ohio State @ Michigan by X
Tennessee @ Kentucky by X
Alabama @ Auburn by X
Oregon State @ Oregon by X
Virginia Tech @ Virginia by X
Penn State @ Wisconsin by X
Florida State @ Florida by X
Clemson @ South Carolina by X
Notre Dame @ Stanford by X
UCLA @ USC by X

My picks:
1. Robert Griffin the Third Baylor QB
2. Matt Barkley USC QB
3. Andrew Luck Stanford QB
4. Brandon Weeden Oklahoma St. QB
5. LaMichael James Oregon RB
6. Trent Richardson Alabama RB

(Heisman watch is updated on Tuesdays)

 

[bluemax]

And my weekly BCS Top 10 analysis:

10. Oregon
Best Win(s): #9 Stanford
Remaining: Oregon State (3-8), Pac 12 CCG
Loss(es): #1 LSU, "#10" USC
Thoughts: Oregon ran into a team that matched its speed on offense and was able to beat it on the line defensively, and predictably lost. The Rose Bowl is still a nice consolation prize.

9. Oklahoma
Best Win(s): #13 K-State, #23 Texas
Remaining: #4 Oklahoma State, Iowa State
Loss(es): Texas Tech, #18 Baylor
Thoughts: Big game Bob called a time out when Baylor was content to run the clock and try things in OT. Then Robert Griffin the third had his Heisman Moment.

8. Houston
Best Win(s): ucla, SMU
Remaining: Tulsa, CUSA Championship game (vs 9-2 Southern Miss)
Thoughts: Houston finds themselves in the BCS top 10 for the first time (ever?) this season. They've rode a creampuff schedule to an 11-0 start but actually face 2 competent teams in Tulsa and Southern Miss to end the season. The Football gods will punish them for Case Keenum's 9 TD game, mark my words!

7. Boise State
Best Win(s): #14 Georgia
Remaining: Wyoming
Loss: #20 TCU
Thoughts: If it wasn't for that TCU game, they might actually be getting a shot at losing to LSU! Now they might be on the outside looking in for a BCS Bowl.

6. Stanford
Best Win(s): "#10" USC
Remaining: Note Dame
Loss: #4 Oregon
Thoughts: Well now things get awkward. Stanford is ahead of a team it lost to, which is also ahead of a team it lost too. Considering the crappy rep of Farm fans the Cardinal may be looking at the Holiday Bowl.

5. Virginia Tech
Best Win(s): #23 Georgia Tech
Remaining: Virginia, ACC Championship game
Loss: #17 Clemson
Thoughts: Last week I said they had no shot at the MNC without some weird disaster. Last week has put them on the cusp! Of course its still gonna take a lot for them to get in. Like an act of god.

4. Ok St
Best Win(s): #11 K-State, #25 Texas, #18 Baylor
Remaining: #9 Oklahoma,
Loss: Iowa State (6-4)
Thoughts: Iowa State had never beaten a top 6 team. They have never won 10 games in a season. They were 2007 Stanford level under dogs (albeit at home). They were unlikely to make a bowl game sitting at 5-4 with their final 3 being against Oklahoma St, Oklahoma and Kansas State. The Cowboys should feel pretty blessed to be still sitting this high.

3. Arkansas
Best Win(s): #12 South Carolina, #24 Auburn
Remaining: #1 LSU
Loss: #2 Alabama
Thoughts: The Razorbacks continue to move up the rankings, and with a win over LSU could throw the entire college football world into chaos.

2. Alabama
Best Win(s): #3 Arkansas, #21 Penn State
Remaining: #24 Auburn
Loss: #1 LSU
Thoughts: This weekend everyone in Tuscaloosa is a Razorback fan as well.

1. LSU
Best Win(s): #10 Oregon, #2 Alabama
Remaining: #3 Arkansas
Thoughts: LSU has shown the ability to shut down strong offensive teams already this season, although Arkansas' strength is a lot different from Oregon's. A loss this week would throw the entire CFB world into a tail spin.

Obligatory Big East & B1G Mention: Whoever wins the Big East will have AT LEAST 3 losses. If you're Houston, Boise State, Stanford and whoever out of the SEC trio ends up getting screwed out of a BCS bowl that probably hurts a lot to think about. The B1G currently has a 4 way tie for whoever will end up humiliating Oregon in the Rose Bowl.

If the Season Ended Today Bowl Picture:

MNC: LSU vs Alabama
Rose Bowl: Oregon vs Michigan State/Penn State/Wisconsin/Michigan
Orange Bowl: Virginia Tech vs Lousiville/Rutgers/Cincinnati/West Virginia
Sugar Bowl: Arkansas vs Houston (2011 Utah Memorial Bowl)
Fiesta Bowl: Oklahoma St vs Boise St (Suck it Luck)
(All predictions wrong or your money back!)

 

[bucknuticus]

It's Michigan week!

Throw the records out the window, they dont mean anything!

And now a video!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PymIQ3BuNYA


Go Bucks! Michigan Sucks!

 

[outunderthestars]

South Carolina is going to stomp Clemson. Clemson is in typical late season free fall.

 

[Lonestar]

http://students.cis.uab.edu/aaronl/iron_bowl_logo.jpg[/img
The Iron Bowl features Alabama and Auburn. This one has been surprisingly close, Alabama leads 40-36-1. I could not find a picture of the trophy.
[/QUOTE]


There's a trophy?

 

[bluemax]

There's a trophy?

I guess not?

 

[Battlezone]

I thought Michigan State clinched the Bo division. I still don't know the divisions, and it's the end of the goddamn season.

Also, FUCK MICHIGAN.

 

[Lonestar]

I guess not?

There is, but no one cares about it. It's not even seen AT the football games. It's presented at the 1st or 2nd Alabama/Auburn Mens Basketball game, after the Iron Bowl. I think it's IDK or something trophy.

The real trophy is constantly reminding the loser that they lost, for the entire year.





And destroying each other's property.

 

[sf2fanatic]

I do not approve the title of the thread but everything else is ok..(fusc)
Carry on!!!

 

[Jeff-DSA]

I would love to see Arkansas win. The fallout would be beyond amazing.

 

[markatisu]

I would love to see Iowa State upset another ranked team but I don't think we are that lucky or that OU will make as many mistakes as OSU did

 

[Karl2177]

I would love to see Iowa State upset another ranked team but I don't think we are that lucky or that OU will make as many mistakes as OSU did

Believe.

 

[Cyan]

Depending upon who you ask Missouri leads this 56-54-9 OR the series is tied 55-55-9. Now that is how a rivalry should be!

Big Game is like that. Furd still refuses to acknowledge The Play ever happened, so they change the score and the result of the 1982 game whenever they have the Axe.

Also, Elway's still butthurt about it thirty years later. Bwahaha!

 

[Mgoblue201]

Throw the records out the window, they dont mean anything!

That's what Michigan fans said the last few years when we entered the game with a worse record.

 

[ZephyrFate]

Saddened by last week still, but I do not see anyone humiliating Oregon in the Rose Bowl this year.

 

[bluemax]

Saddened by last week still, but I do not see anyone humiliating Oregon in the Rose Bowl this year.

I'm just trolling Oregon with those comments. Once they win a bowl game again they can lose their current status.

Big Game is like that. Furd still refuses to acknowledge The Play ever happened, so they change the score and the result of the 1982 game whenever they have the Axe.

Also, Elway's still butthurt about it thirty years later. Bwahaha!

This is why I love college football.

 

[Piggus]

Always so down on us, blue.

 

[Jay Sosa]

Week 11 Pick'em Games
Texas @ Texas A&M by 24
Arkansas @ LSU by 3 (2 OT)
Iowa @ Nebraska by 12
Georgia @ Georgia Tech by 2 (Goergia is looking reeeeeeally good)
Michigan State @ Northwestern by 5
Ohio State @ Michigan by 90 (10 rushing TD by DR)
Tennessee @ Kentucky by 7
Alabama @ Auburn by 14
Oregon State @ Oregon by 50
Virginia Tech @ Virginia by 10
Penn State @ Wisconsin by 24
Florida State @ Florida by 5
Clemson @ South Carolina by 7 (bounce back b.b.b.bounce back)
Notre Dame @ Stanford by 9
UCLA @ USC by 14

 

[ag-my001]

Week 11 Pick'em Games
Texas @ Texas A&M by 14
Arkansas @ LSU by 7
Iowa @ Nebraska by 8
Georgia @ Georgia Tech by 4
Michigan State @ Northwestern by 10
Ohio State @ Michigan by 6
Tennessee @ Kentucky by 7
Alabama @ Auburn by 11
Oregon State @ Oregon by 21
Virginia Tech @ Virginia by 5
Penn State @ Wisconsin by 8
Florida State @ Florida by 7
Clemson @ South Carolina by 6
Notre Dame @ Stanford by 17
UCLA @ USC by 14

 

[perfectchaos007]

I just got back from Vegas. Did I miss any meltdowns? Here's my late meltdown

"I miss Garrett Gilbert!" "Thank God Mack pulled our starting QB after his 2nd interception rather than let him throw 5 more against Kansas State like last year!"

btw I'm flying to college station on thursday to watch the last UT/A&M game ever, and I'm not confident that we win thanks to our zero QB situation

 

[squicken]

I don't think I've ever heard anyone call A&M/UT the "Lone Star Showdown".

I didn't even know it had an official marketing name

 

[giga]

To hell with georgia!

 

[mre]

Thoughts: This weekend everyone in Tuscaloosa is a Razorback fan as well.

Actually, that's not quite true. Some are of the opinion that we will still end up 2 if we win out and LSU wins out. Who knows?

 

[perfectchaos007]

I don't think I've ever heard anyone call A&M/UT the "Lone Star Showdown".

I didn't even know it had an official marketing name

Yeah this showdown has only been around for 7 years, and this game is only worth 1 point.

http://lonestarshowdown.net/

Texas is 4-1-1 against aggy. looking to end the series 5-1-1 because we own their asses in olympic sports

 

[ryan-ts]

Texas @ Texas A&M by 7
Arkansas @ LSU by 10
Iowa @ Nebraska by 10
Georgia @ Georgia Tech by 14
Michigan State @ Northwestern by 3
Ohio State @ Michigan by infinity
Tennessee @ Kentucky by 4
Alabama @ Auburn by 14
Oregon State @ Oregon by 24
Virginia Tech @ Virginia by 10
Penn State @ Wisconsin by 14
Florida State @ Florida by 7
Clemson @ South Carolina by 14
Notre Dame @ Stanford by 17
UCLA @ USC by 20



Go Blue! Beat those buckeyes!

BTW, msu does have the Legends Division clinched.

 

[ChiTownBuffalo]

I thought Michigan State clinched the Bo division. I still don't know the divisions, and it's the end of the goddamn season.

Also, FUCK MICHIGAN.

This shirt makes me laugh so much

 

[BertramCooper]

IT'S OSU/MICHIGAN WEEK!

And though I think it will be one helluva game (in terms of competitiveness, but not necessarily quality), we'll probably lose.

But that's okay, because this slump will be short-lived.

 

[LosDaddie]

How fitting that it's Rivalry Week.

It's now clear FSU hired its own Ron Zook. Great recruiter, terrible HC.

 

[Mac the KNife]

Week 11 Pick'em Games
Texas @ Texas A&M by 4
Arkansas @ LSU by 4
Iowa @ Nebraska by 7
Georgia @ Georgia Tech by 4
Michigan State @ Northwestern by 7
Ohio State @ Michigan by 4
Tennessee @ Kentucky by 4
Alabama @ Auburn by 14
Oregon State @ Oregon by 14
Virginia Tech @ Virginia by 4
Penn State @ Wisconsin by 7 (I hope I'm wrong)
Florida State @ Florida by 7
Clemson @ South Carolina by 4
Notre Dame @ Stanford by 14
UCLA @ USC by 14

 

[ChiTownBuffalo]

My school has its rival at the beginning of the year. Wish they would change that.

 

[Maddness]

Looking forward to Ark vs Okie State for the crystal.

 

[truly101]

Texas @ Texas A&M by 10
Arkansas @ LSU by 3
Iowa @ Nebraska by 7
Georgia @ Georgia Tech by 10
Michigan State @ Northwestern by 13
Ohio State @ Michigan by 14
Tennessee @ Kentucky by 7
Alabama @ Auburn by 7
Oregon State @ Oregon by 10
Virginia Tech @ Virginia by 7
Penn State @ Wisconsin by 14
Florida State @ Florida by 7
Clemson @ South Carolina by 14
Notre Dame @ Stanford by 21
UCLA @ USC by 28

I'm glad the season of misery and disappointment is almost over.

 

[storybook77]

Actually, that's not quite true. Some are of the opinion that we will still end up 2 if we win out and LSU wins out. Who knows?

Then there's the other opinion that Bama needs a chance to win the SEC Championship so a national title isn't tainted with a...."but, but, they didn't even win their own conference!"

 

[Azwethinkweiz]

Impirius, it is time!

This is going to be like when an unstoppable force meets an immovable object, except the complete opposite. What happens when a really terrible offense meets a really terrible defense. Except also we'll probably still be missing half our offensive line so Clowney will feast on Boyd's blind side.

Congrats on three in a row!

 

[jjasper]

Bray has risen all is well in the world.

Bring back the beer barrel (its the only trophy we have a chance of winning)

 

[Limedust]

From the other thread:

Freedom of speech at its finest:


Quote:
http://twitter.com/#!/MargieJPhelps

"Westboro will picket funeral. Stop teaching kids proud sin! MT @Bhamnewssports: Ark Razorbacks f/b player Garrett Uekman dies at age 19."

Do those people know that football fans will stab them in the face if they picket that funeral?

 

[Alligatorjandro]

Down with the Noles.

 

[ascii42]

Down with the Noles.

I really do hope so. I hate watching FSU beat UF more than I've hated watching UF lose all the games they've lost this season, combined.

 

[Garryk]

Needs more boot!

EDIT: Tide should want Arkansas to win. If LSU wins, voters will look for any chance to insert a new #2. How to avoid? Become new #1 when Arky upsets LSU.

 

[LosDaddie]

Down with the Noles.

Your Defense should have no problems dominating FSU's Offense. Take away the run and EJ is guaranteed to make tons of mistakes.

 

[verbum]

South Carolina is going to stomp Clemson. Clemson is in typical late season free fall.

I think Clemson was looking forward to beating USC and forgot they were playing NC State. I'm picking Clemson, they will be mad as hornets in July.

 

[mre]

How fitting that it's Rivalry Week.

It's now clear FSU hired its own Ron Zook. Great recruiter, terrible HC.

Looks like the UA System governers had UAB's best interests in mind afterall!

 

[Alligatorjandro]

Your Defense should have no problems dominating FSU's Offense. Take away the run and EJ is guaranteed to make tons of mistakes.

The FSU defense might score more points than the UF offense.

 

[LosDaddie]

The FSU defense might score more points than the UF offense.

hmm...yeah, FSU's D has been pretty good lately. But if you guys pick on Greg Reid, you're guaranteed at least 2 TDs, which will probably be enough to win.

 

[KingGondo]

I would love to see Iowa State upset another ranked team but I don't think we are that lucky or that OU will make as many mistakes as OSU did

Don't be surprised if OU comes out flat. They basically have nothing to play for, and Iowa State will come in with a ton of belief.

I still think OU wins, but it wouldn't shock me to see a close game. At this point I'm actually rooting for OU so they come into Bedlam ranked as highly as possible. Plus, OU has dominated the teams OSU struggled somewhat against, and vice versa.

...

In other news, I'm starting to drink the Kool-Aid that we still have a legitimate shot at the BCS Championship Game.

Two scenarios in which this could take place (both assume that we beat OU, obviously):

1. LSU beats Arkansas, Auburn beats Alabama, we beat OU.

Both Arky and Bama fall below us and we play LSU for the MNC.

2. LSU beats Arkansas, Bama beats Auburn in less-than-dominating fashion, and we beat OU.

The computers should have us as a solid #2 at that point (we're still #2 in all but 2 computers)--all we need is for about a quarter of human pollsters to put us above Bama (there will be significant sentiment to avoid a rematch) which puts us above Bama in the final BCS rankings.

This post from Orange Power breaks things down much more clearly than I do here:

If LSU beats Arky, we need to beat Bama in the polls to move ahead of them to go to the BCS championship right?

Wrong, we may only need 44 out of the 174 voters to pick us over Bama.

The computers love us at #2. We're 2nd in four out of the six polls. In Sagarin's, we're behind Bama at 98.03 to their 98.90. In Wolfe's, we're at 8.639 to their 8.664. If we close that small gap in either of those polls then we'd basically be a unanimous #2 in the computers and get .96 points. A win over OU might make that possible. Bama would be #3 and they would get .92. The human polls are a little different and quite possibly could go out several decimal places with every vote making a difference. Let's say we average a .93 in the human polls and Bama still beats us with a .95 average then we'd be exactly tied.

OSU: .96 comp + .93 Harris + .93 Coaches = avg of .94
Bama: .92 comp + .95 Harris + .95 Coaches = avg of .94

.93 is equal to 75% third place votes and 25% second place votes. (.93 x 2875 total Harris points divided by 115 voters equals 23.25. You get 23 points for each 3rd place vote. 24 for each 2nd place vote.) I feel a lot better about the odds of a quarter of the voters putting us at #2 than I would feel about the odds of more than half the voters putting us at #2.

Now obviously we're currently sitting at #6 in both human polls but hopefully if we beat OU, win the Big 12, and the pollsters realize that Stanford and VT have no chance because of their computer rankings and don't have as good of a resume anyway they will put us higher.

The point of all of this and the thing that makes me optimistic is that we don't even have to beat Bama in the polls, we just have to beat them in the polls a quarter of the time. If you throw in a few renegade voters who really don't want to see an all SEC MNC and they leave Bama out of their poll altogether or have them lower than all the conference champs or something (which can absolutely be rationalized) then that could do it for us.

Hopefully that makes sense and my math is right.

Go Pokes!

 

[andycapps]

If Indiana and Purdue can get a mention in the OP, how about a mention for Clean, Old Fashioned Hate this week?

The record is UGA/GT 61-39-5. We don't have a dumb trophy, we just hate each other. In honor of Larry Munson passing away last night, here's a good call of his against Georgia Tech from 1978. My favorite call of his is his "Look at the sugar falling out of the sky!" one.

To hell with Georgia Tech!

 

[Lonestar]

 

[LosDaddie]

Definitely hired our own Ron Zook.

 

[Lonestar]

Sports world in general, has been pretty freaky the last few weeks.

Penn State Story
MLB player kidnapped
Arkansas player dying
Now add another MLB player being stabbed to death

 

[krzy123]

Sports world in general, has been pretty freaky the last few weeks.

Penn State Story
MLB player kidnapped
Arkansas player dying
Now add another MLB player being stabbed to death

Syracuse assistant stuff too.