College football steps up in class this Saturday with Rivalry Weekend. Bragging rights and state pride are on the line, as schools battle against their closest enemies. Here is a breakdown of the top-eight games pegged for this week amongst rivalries.
Ohio State at Michigan
Line: Buckeyes -3
TV/Time: ABC, 1:00 p.m.
All-Time Series: Michigan leads 58-37-6
Recent Trends: Ohio State is 3-1 under head coach Jim Tressel
Comments: This battle is easily the most storied rivalry in college football and has two of the hottest teams in the country facing off. OSU has won and covered five straight games, while Michigan is winners of its last four. The Buckeyes have lost two games by a combined 10 points against No. 2 Texas (24-21) and No. 6 Penn State (17-10), while the Wolverines three losses have come by a combined 13 (7, 3, 3) points.
Alabama at Auburn
Line: Tigers -7
TV/Time: CBS, 3:30 p.m.
Nickname: The Iron Bowl
All-Time Series: Alabama leads 38-30-1
Recent Trends: Auburn has won four of five
Comments: The Crimson Tide were one of three unbeaten teams in the nation before last Saturday’s overtime loss to LSU, 16-13. Head coach Mike Shula and company hope to rebound from last week's and snap a three-game skid against the Tigers Is anybody else surprised by Auburn’s play after losing four players in the first round of the NFL draft? Tommy Tuberville’s team is 5-0 SU and 4-0 ATS at home since losing its opener on Sept. 3 to Georgia Tech, 23-14.
Clemson at South Carolina
Line: Tigers -1
TV/Time: FSN, 7:00 p.m.
Nickname: "Battle of the Palmetto State"
All-Time Series: Clemson leads 61-36-4
Recent Trends: Clemson has won three straight and four of five
Comments: The visitor in this series is 12-4 against the spread in the last 16 games of this series. Last year, both schools declined bowl bids after an on-field brawl between the two. Gamecocks’ head coach Steve Spurrier owns a 9-10-1 career mark against any coach with the last name of Bowden.
California at Stanford
Line: Bears -4
TV/Time: ABC, 7:00 p.m.
Nickname: “The Big Game”
All-Time Series: Stanford leads 49-38-10
Recent Trends: Cal is 3-0 both SU and ATS under head coach Jeff Tedford
Comments: The Cardinal need to win one of their final two games to become bowl eligible. With Notre Dame coming to Palo Alto next Saturday, this could be their best chance for a “W”. The home team is just 3-10 against the point spread in the previous 13 tilts.
Utah at BYU
Line: Cougars -11
TV/Time: GP, 3:00 p.m.
Nickname: The Holy War
All-Time Series: Utah leads the all-time series 48-28-4
Recent Trends: Utah has won three straight
Comments: You can bet that BYU will be looking to avenge three straight setbacks against Utah, including a 52-21 beating in Salt Lake City. What have you done for me lately is a great? After seeing the Utes’ go 22-2 SU and 20-4 ATS the past two seasons, the Urban Meyer-less program has dropped to 5-5 SU and 1-7 ATS. No bowl for you!
Oregon State at Oregon
Line: Duck -13
TV/Time: FSN, 6:45 p.m.
Nickname: The Civil War
All-Time Series: Oregon leads 54-45-10
Recent Trends: The home team has won five straight meetings
Comments: Oregon is arguably the best team in the country that you don’t hear about much. The Ducks have won six straight games after falling to No. 1 USC. The Beavers destroyed the Ducks last year 50-21 as a three-point home ‘chalk’. Revenge is inevitable…
Washington State at Washington
Line: Cougars -3
TV/Time: 3:15 p.m.
Nickname: The Apple Cup
All-Time Series: Washington leads 64-28-6
Recent Trends: Washington is 6-1 in the last seven meetings
Comments: The Huskies and Cougars have nothing to play for except pride, with both teams combining for five victories and 15 losses. The winner of this game gets one thing to say, we’ve finished in ninth place of the Pac 10, while the other school gets the cellar dweller award.
Purdue at Indiana
Line: Boilermakers -12
Nickname: The Old Oaken Bucket
All-Time Series: Purdue leads 66-35-6
Recent Trends: Purdue has won seven of the last eight years
Comments: Neither school has an opportunity to go bowling this year, so expect to see some youngsters on Saturday. The home team owns an impressive 7-0 ATS mark in the last six tilts in this series.