Screen Shots: College Football Rivalry Week 2025!

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College Football Rivalry Week is upon us, which means it’s time for the 2nd annual Screen Shots College Football Rivalry Week Watch Guide! In case you forgot or perhaps you’re new here, I use my proprietary blend of analysis to separate the games into 3 tiers: Must Watch, Should Watch, and Only If You Really Want. Within these tiers, I also rank the games from best to worst. Many are on at the same time, so make sure your remote game is on point! Let’s get into it!

Must Watch

• Friday, November 28th: #7 Ole Miss Rebels @ Mississippi State Bulldogs at 12:00 pm (ET) on ABC

Quite possibly the most interesting Egg Bowl of our lifetimes! What should be an exclamation point on their first 11-win regular season in school history is instead a game of question marks for the Rebels. Head coach Lane Kiffin has reverted to his old habits in a way we haven’t seen since Urban Meyer kept lying about wanting to spend more time with his family. Kiffin is expected to decide between staying at Ole Miss or leaving for Florida or LSU before December, and I’m half-expecting him to let us know during this game. On top of that, the Bulldogs have been playing with a ton of heart and find themselves a win away from their first bowl appearance since former coach Mike Leach went to the big pirate ship in the sky. They’d love nothing more than to ruin their rival’s playoff chances in front of their home crowd. Maybe Lane will come full circle and accept the new job on the tarmac!

• Friday, November 28th: #3 Texas A&M Aggies @ # 16Texas Longhorns at 7:30 pm (ET) on ABC

The Lone Star Showdown! As we all feared, Mike Elko is a great coach and has led the Aggies to an 11-0 record in just his 2nd season at the helm. They’re a national title contender, but it doesn’t feel like anybody really takes them seriously. It could be because we look at their fans the same way we look at Scientologists. It could also be because we see them as the Longhorns’ little brother. Probably both! They’ll probably double down on the Scientology comp, but could put a dent in the little brother narrative. It won’t be easy, though. Texas is undefeated at home this season, and Arch Manning has thrown for over 300 yards in 3 of his last 4 games.

• Saturday, November 29th: #1 Ohio State Buckeyes @ # 15 Michigan Wolverines at 12:00 pm (ET) on Fox

A fun hypothetical I like to play with my friends is “would you rather win a national championship but never beat our rivals or never win a national championship but always beat them?” These two have decided to run a real-life experiment with this premise. The Buckeyes won the national title last year and are the favorites to win it again this season, but I’m still not convinced they won’t show Ryan Day the door if he loses to Michigan a fifth straight time. This one is dangerous because the Buckeyes don’t really need it, haven’t played an opponent this good since the opening week of the season, and are playing this one at the Big House. High chance for hilarity to ensue!

• Friday, November 28th: # 25 Arizona Wildcats @ #20 Arizona State Sun Devils at 9:00 pm (ET) on Fox

The Duel in the Desert! The Sun Devils need some help, but they are still in the mix to repeat as Big 12 champs. A win in this one is a must, and they’ll have to do it without injured star QB Sam Leavitt. However, Jeff Sims has played well in his place, including a 228-yard rushing performance against Iowa State. Glad to see he’s figuring things out in his 23rd year of college football. Wildcats QB Noah Fifita looks every bit like the star he was back in 2023 when he led Arizona to 10 wins for just the 4th time in school history. A win here and in a bowl game will give them 10 wins once again. They’re a much-improved team in Brent Brennan’s 2nd year as head coach, and will be looking to avenge last season’s blowout loss.

• Saturday, November 29th: #14 Vanderbilt Commodores @ #19 Tennessee Volunteers at 3:30 pm (ET) on ESPN

If my eyeballs are correct, this is the first time Vandy has entered this one as the higher-ranked team since 1958. Even more notable, this is the first time that Vandy’s Diego Pavia has faced off against a QB older than him since Lord knows when. Has he played Jeff Sims? Even funnier, Joey Aguilar could be back next season for the Vols after joining Pavia’s lawsuit against the NCAA. Legal proceedings and AARP memberships aside, these are two high-octane offenses that play aesthetically pleasing football. Add in that they’re evenly matched and Pavia’s mom utilizing her MILF magic to bolster his Heisman campaign, and you’re going to want to tune in.

Should Watch

• Saturday, November 29th: #10 Alabama Crimson Tide @ Auburn Tigers at 7:30 pm (ET) on ABC

The Iron Bowl is always confusing because it feels like the worse Auburn is, the tougher it is for Bama to beat them. The Tigers should be riding high as they come in off a blowout victory against Mercer that saw freshman QB Deuce Knight account for 6 TDs in his first career start. However, for those of you new to Earth, Bama is a little bit better than Mercer. As a reminder, the “Kick Six” was so exciting that people outside of the rivalry don’t even talk about Cam Newton’s comeback win in 2010. And that one was so crazy, a man poisoned trees over it!

• Saturday, November 29th: #6 Oregon Ducks @ Washington Huskies at 3:30 pm (ET) on CBS

One of my favorite rumors from this season is that Huskies head coach Jedd Fisch is looking for another job because his wife hates the state of Washington. I choose to believe it’s true because it’s funny, but he’s managed to overcome that to lead Washington to a respectable season. They’re good enough to disrupt Oregon’s College Football Playoff hopes. The Ducks have bounced back nicely after losing to Indiana. A big reason for that is RB Noah Whittington. He’s run for 516 yards in the 5 games since. Someone please give this rivalry a cool official name.

• Friday, November 28th: #4 Georgia Bulldogs @ #23 Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets at 3:30 pm (ET) on ABC

Last year’s 8-overtime-Kirby Smart-timeout-fest was one of the best games of the season. For much of the year, this one was easily on track to be in the “Must Watch” category. Unfortunately, the Yellow Jackets’ defense knocks it down a category. Offense won’t be an issue for either side. Georgia QB Gunner Stockton is as dependable as he is boring. Georgia Tech QB Haynes King is Diego Pavia with Stockton’s personality, and would be in the Heisman conversation if this were the ‘90s. Plenty is at stake here as both teams are still in contention to make their conference title games.

• Saturday, November 29th: Kentucky Wildcats @ Louisville Cardinals at 12:00 pm (ET) on ACC Network

Okay, look. Will this be good football? No, probably not. Will it be an entertaining, chaotic mess that comes down to whoever makes the last mistake? Yes. Louisville badly needs a win to stop an embarrassing 3-game losing streak that has taken them from the top of the ACC to, well, somewhere in the middle because that conference is silly. Kentucky needs this one to make a bowl game. Wildcat fans are doing the math on the buyout in that huge extension they gave Mark Stoops a couple of years ago. Will this be good football? No, probably not. Will it be an entertaining, chaotic mess that comes down to whoever makes the last mistake? Yes.

• Friday, November 28th: Air Force Falcons @ Colorado State Rams at 3:00 pm (ET) on FS1

Here simply because who knew this was even a thing, or that they chose the laziest, possibly sexual name for their trophy? That’s right, the Ram-Falcon Trophy is up for grabs for the 63rd (!) time. In yet another shock to me, the Air Force’s offense has featured way more passing than I can remember from any service academy program. Unfortunately for them and our country, their defense will be a welcome sight for a struggling Rams team. The most important thing to know about Colorado State is that they have a tight end named Rocky Beers who looks exactly how you would imagine. His sister, Raegan, is a star basketball player for Oklahoma. They’re a huge MAGA family, so I can’t believe he’d go up against this nation’s military like this.

• Friday, November 28th: Iowa Hawkeyes @ Nebraska Cornhuskers at 12:00 pm (ET) on CBS

The Heroes Trophy is up for grabs in the most midwestern matchup you could ever imagine. The Cornhuskers will be without Patrick Mahomes impersonator Dylan Raiola, which increases the watchability of this game tenfold. Iowa has once again ridden one of the nation’s stingiest defenses and an exciting caucasian punt returner to marginal success. Kaden Wetjen is reason enough to watch this game. He’s averaged nearly 30 yards per punt return and has taken 3 to the house. His 28.3 yards per return is the 2nd-highest average EVER, and he’s tied for the highest career punt return average at 17.3 yards per return. Seems like they should find more ways to give him the ball on offense, but whatever.

• Saturday, November 29th: Missouri Tigers @ Arkansas Razorbacks at 3:30 pm (ET) on SEC Network

Mizzou QB Beau Pribula is back less than a month after dislocating his ankle. How? You probably don’t need both ankles when you’re handing off to the nation’s second-leading rusher in Ahmad Hardy, but they were a contender in the SEC before Beau got hurt. Arkansas gives up a ton of points, but its offense plays like it is aware of that. It hasn’t quite been enough to win an SEC game this season, but this is for bragging rights in the Ozarks, buddy. Expect a close shootout!

• Saturday, November 29th: Wake Forest Demon Deacons @ Duke Blue Devils at 3:30 pm (ET) on ACC Network

Ah, a classic bad offense-good defense meets good offense-bad defense matchup between in-state rivals in college football’s most unserious power conference. Duke QB Darian Mensah is one of the most under-the-radar exciting players in the country. He’s 4th in the nation in passing yards per game and has thrown 26 TDs to just 4 INTs. Unfortunately, his defense makes every opposing QB look like they’re also one of the most under-the-radar exciting players in the country. They’ll have their work cut out for them with ultimate mediocre QB Robby Ashford. However, the Demon Deacon defense has held opponents under 15 points in 7 games this season, including 3 straight heading into this one. Whose strength wins out?

• Saturday, November 29th: Florida State Seminoles @ Florida Gators at 4:30 pm (ET) on ESPN2

It wasn’t supposed to be like this, but a lost season for both. However, it’s not as bad as it looks at first glance. The Gators have played some of the best teams in the country extremely close, even pulling off the upset against Texas. I don’t know quite what to make of DJ Lagway, but they’re certainly good enough to win this game. The Seminoles opened their season with a comfortable win over Alabama that looks more and more ridiculous as time goes on. They announced that they are bringing back Mike Norvell, and the least he can do to repay them is to win this one and make them bowl-eligible. They also have one of the most exciting receivers in the country in Duce Robinson, who has managed to have a 1,000-yard season with Tommy Castellanos as his quarterback. Should be a competitive one!

• Saturday, November 29th: Wisconsin Badgers @ Minnesota Golden Gophers at 3:30 pm (ET) on FS1

Look, if you can’t get hype for a couple of middling Big Ten teams to battle it out for Paul Bunyan’s Axe, then do you even like college football? Wisconsin’s offense makes Iowa look like a Mike Leach-coached team. They’ve scored more than 20 points just twice this season. However, they upset Illinois last week, and Minnesota is reeling and coached by PJ Fleck. This is really all either team has in life, which should make for a tightly contested game. But, look, it’s the axe that really makes this one.

• Saturday, November 29th: Fresno State Bulldogs @ San Jose State Spartans at 10:30 pm (ET) on FS1

Speaking of expecting a close shootout. The Spartans throw the ball. Plain and simple. QB Walker Eget has already surpassed 3000 yards on the season, and WR Danny Scudero leads the nation in receiving yards per game at 112.2. Against all odds, this has led them to one of the worst scoring offenses in the country. That should change this week as they face off against an okay Fresno State team with not a ton to play for. Sprinkle in some Battle for the Valley magic, and these teams are closer than they appear on paper.

Only If You Really Want

• Saturday, November 29th: Northwestern Wildcats @ Illinois Fighting Illini at 7:30 pm (ET) on Fox

I tried to put this one in the above category, but I can’t even pretend to care enough.

• Saturday, November 29th: UNLV Rebels @ Nevada Wolf Pack at 9:00 pm (ET) on CBSSN

Shouldn’t be close, but they do play for the most expensive trophy in college football.

• Saturday, November 29th: North Carolina Tar Heels @ NC State Wolfpack at 7:30 pm (ET) on ACC Network

Only if you’re interested in seeing the next weird thing Belichick’s unhinged girlfriend does.

• Saturday, November 29th: Virginia Tech Hokies @ #19 Virginia Cavaliers at 7:00 pm (ET) on ESPN

Don’t watch this game and operate heavy machinery.

• Saturday, November 29th: Colorado Buffalo @ Kansas State Wildcats at 12:00 pm (ET) on FS1

Deion has done an absolutely terrible job this season, and I’m shocked it hasn’t been a bigger story.

• Saturday, November 29th: UCLA Bruins @ #17 Southern Cal Trojans at 7:30 pm (ET) on NBC

UCLA’s terrible season comes to a merciful end in a blowout.

• Saturday, November 29th: #9 Notre Dame Fighting Irish @ Stanford Cardinal at 10:30 pm (ET) on ESPN

This will be over by the end of the first quarter.

• Friday, November 28th: #2 Indiana Hoosiers @ Purdue Boilermakers at 7:30 pm (ET) on NBC

Blowout City, and they’re playing for an old wooden bucket.

• Saturday, November 29th: Clemson Tigers @ South Carolina Gamecocks at 12:00 pm (ET) on SEC Network

You know how much you hate Dabo Swinney? Imagine if he acted that way with none of the accomplishments. That’s Shane Beamer. On top of that, he only got the job because of his last name and insists on hiring his friends who are bad at coaching football. Don’t subject yourself to this. You deserve better.

Thank you for reading! My apologies for any grammatical errors, as my lovely proofreader had to work her regular job, and I couldn’t bring myself to ask her to check this out. With any luck, the regular edition of Screen Shots, sans college football, will be out Thursday morning! See you then!