The final week of the college football regular season is a spectacle unlike any other, marked by pageantry, passion, and rivalries that define the sport. In 2024, these high-stakes showdowns carry even greater weight, with College Football Playoff spots on the line for numerous contenders. For some, the thrill of potentially derailing a rival’s championship dreams adds extra fuel to the fire, making these matchups must-watch events.
Conference realignment has reshaped the rivalry landscape, delivering mixed results. While it marked the end of storied series like Bedlam, it also reignited dormant clashes such as the Lone Star Showdown, breathing new life into historic matchups.
This season has already showcased some of college football’s fiercest rivalries, but the biggest wave comes post-Thanksgiving. Iconic games like The Game, the Iron Bowl, and other time-honored traditions take center stage, elevating the drama of regular-season finales to its peak.
The Egg Bowl, a rivalry that splits households across Mississippi, is steeped in tradition and intensity, often taking place on Thanksgiving. Known for its fiercely competitive matchups and high drama, it’s one of the most iconic rivalries in college football. This year, the clash shifts to Black Friday, with Ole Miss fighting to preserve its slim playoff hopes while Mississippi State looks to pull off a season-defining upset. There is only one likely outcome here and that is a big win for Ole Miss.
The Lone Star Showdown is back after a 13-year hiatus as Texas and Texas A&M renew their storied college football rivalry this week for the first time since 2011. The animosity simmering over the past decade boiled over when Texas made the jump to the SEC, setting the stage for Saturday’s highly anticipated clash. These two historic programs, representing the state’s oldest public universities, played annually from 1984 until the Aggies left for the SEC. Now, their long-awaited reunion arrives with high stakes, as conference championship aspirations add even more intensity to this already fiery rivalry. I am backing Texas Longhorns to cover as favorites.
The Iron Bowl stands among the most legendary rivalries in American sports, known for its intensity, drama, and unforgettable moments. From 2013’s iconic Kick Six to last year’s miraculous fourth-down conversion that secured Alabama’s victory over Auburn, this series has delivered countless breathtaking finishes. This year marks a new chapter, as it will be the first Iron Bowl since 2006 without Nick Saban on the sidelines. Alabama’s new head coach, Kalen DeBoer, faces a crucial test in his rivalry debut, with the Crimson Tide’s playoff hopes hanging in the balance.
Alabama enters this matchup riding an 11-game home winning streak at Bryant-Denny Stadium. Meanwhile, Auburn has struggled on the road, losing its last seven games against AP-ranked opponents. Additionally, the Tigers have failed to cover the spread in their last five November road matchups against teams ranked in the AP Poll. On the other hand, teams ranked 13th in the AP Poll have covered the spread in their last four games. Alabama to get the win and cover.
The rivalry between Ohio State and Michigan runs so deep that neither team even refers to the other by name. “The Team Up North” and “The Team Down South” embody a special kind of animosity, which Buckeyes quarterback Will Howard captured in his remarks ahead of his first experience in the storied series. This year marks the first time since 2017 that one of the teams enters the game unranked. However, the stakes remain high, as an Ohio State victory would mark the eighth consecutive year that the winner secures a spot in the college football Big Ten Championship Game.
Ohio State is set to snap its losing streak in the rivalry this weekend, and it might not even be close. While rivalry games often defy expectations, this year feels different. The Buckeyes are simply too strong for Michigan to keep up with, especially if the Wolverines are without their top offensive weapon, Colston Loveland. Without Loveland, Michigan’s ability to move the football could be severely limited, leaving them unable to match Ohio State’s firepower.
Starting out in the betting industry, Henry later found his calling in sports writing. Specializing in soccer, golf, and darts, he also offers insights into a wide array of sports across the globe. After earning a BA Honors degree in Business and Management, Henry advanced through the ranks at William Hill in England. His career isn't just limited to sports; he's also made a mark in Property and Finance, fields in which he remains engaged. Henry now resides in Barcelona, where he enjoys playing golf year-round as part of the Real Federacion Espanola de Golf.