In the Big Ten today, THE GAME, the biggest interstate college football rivalry in the country, between #3 Ohio State and Michigan, starts at Noon on ABC. Ohio State has already clinched the Leaders Division title and a berth in the Big Ten Championship game in Indianapolis, and Buckeye Quarterback Braxton Miller is in consideration for the Heisman Trophy. Michigan, by contrast has had a difficult season. The Wolverines have only accumulated a 7-4 overall record and even though they will get into a bowl game, they are mainly playing for bragging rights and a chance to derail Ohio State's hopes for a national championship berth. Even if the Buckeyes win today, they still have to play #11 Michigan State, the winner of the Legends division, in the conference championship. As for the Spartans, their top-ranked defense will host Minnesota at Noon on The Big Ten Network.
Also in the Big Ten today is the in-state rivalry between Purdue and Indiana (Kickoff 3:30PM Big Ten Network). Both teams play for the Old Oaken Bucket trophy, which looks like this:
In the ACC today, the in-state rivalry between #24 Duke and North Carolina, which is more associated with basketball than with football, features a Duke team playing for a conference division title. While North Carolina has enough wins for a bowl bid, Duke has to win today in order to have a chance to play Florida State in the ACC Championship. Should Duke lose today, the Coastal Division will have a three-way tie for first place between the Blue Devils, Georgia Tech, and Miami (FL). Should this situation occur, I have no idea who will represent the division in the ACC Championship since Duke lost to Georgia Tech, yet beat Miami. However, Miami beat Georgia Tech, but they lost to Duke. It seems like one big mess could take shape, but if Duke wins, it is a moot point. Speaking of Georgia Tech, the Ramblin' Wreck will host their in-state rival Georgia at 3:30 PM Eastern on ABC. As for #2 Florida State, the Seminoles travel to Gainesville to play their in-state rival Florida in a non-conference game. Long story short, Florida State is heavily favored to win this game.
In the PAC-12, the conference championship is already set between Stanford and Arizona State. But there are some great rivalry games from that conference on today's slate. Utah hosts Colorado this afternoon at 2:00PM Eastern on the PAC-12 Network in a game known as "The Rumble in The Rockies." #8 Stanford hosts #25 Notre Dame at 7:00PM on FOX and Arizona plays #12 Arizona State at 9:30 PM Eastern on The PAC-12 Network. The most important game in the conference today is most likely the crosstown rivalry between #22 UCLA and #23 USC. Both teams will play in the postseason but the eyes of the college football world are focused on USC's interim head coach Ed Orgeron. Coach Orgeron has done a remarkable job revitalizing the Trojans football program. Whether or not he will be considered for the USC head coaching job will likely depend on his team's performance later today. Kickoff for that game is 8:00 PM Eastern on ABC.
As for the Big XII, #9 Baylor will travel to TCU to play the Horned Frogs at 3:30 PM Eastern on ESPN2. Today's game marks the 109th time that these two teams have played each other. I guess conference realignments could not stop this long-term rivalry. Currently, Texas and Oklahoma State are tied for first in the BIG XII standings. Baylor has to win order to remain in contention for at least a share of the BIG XII title. Meanwhile, Kansas State travels to Lawrence to play the Kansas Jayhawks at Noon eastern on FOX Sports 1 and West Virginia hosts Iowa State at 4:00 PM Eastern on the same network. Enjoy the rivalries Everybody!!
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