This Qualifies as Rivalry Week?

When I think of all-time college football rivalries, I think of Harvard-Yale (last week), Army-Navy (next week), and Texas-Texas A & M (unbelievably, not even being played this season).  Stanford-Cal? Already in the books.  Even the most-played rivalry of all--Minnesota vs. Wisconsin, for "Paul Bunyan's Axe"--went down in October.  But truly there still are plenty of long-standing face-offs that will resume today, and many come with prized hardware, though none rival "Da Shoes".

• #5 Oregon at #15 Oregon State, the "Civil War"; can the Ducks rebound after heartbreaking loss to Stanford?
• 5-6 Purdue hosts 4-7 Indiana in the battle for the "Old Oaken Bucket".
• #13 Oklahoma-#21 Oklahoma State, a.k.a. the "Bedlam Series", resumes and should be a major-league shootout.
• Though nameless, #12 South Carolina visits #11 Clemson in what may provide the best rivalry action of the day.
• Ohio State, #4 in the AP poll but on probation, tackles #19 Michigan in "The Game"...and many are taking the Wolverines.
• #3 Georgia, still with an outside chance at the BCS title game, and a disappointing Georgia Tech squad meet in what's oxymoronically referred to as "Clean, Old-fashioned Hate".  Nice.

Our TV will be on, but a stylishly-late Thanksgiving dinner will be our focus today.  OK, Denise and I will be paying more attention to USC-Notre Dame than we will to the mashed potatoes.  Here's the rest of the action:

Air Force (6-5) at Fresno State (8-3).  This must qualify as a rivalry because my brother was born in Fresno (and the city has not forgiven our family since).  Too bad for the Falcons that today's game is on the road.  Too bad, also, that FSU is a superior team that should even The Academy's record for 2012.  PICK:  Fresno State.

Army (2-9) idle.  Next vs. Navy 12/8 in Philadelphia.  OK, nephews…how is it that Army gets THREE (3) bye weeks?  And don’t give me any gas about “academic integrity” or “tradition of excellence”.  You’re just ducking the tough teams like Idaho State.  And Wofford.

Navy (7-4) idle.  Next vs. Army 12/8 in Philadelphia.  Mids’ first of THREE (3) bye weeks came AFTER Week 1.  At least they made up for it by scheduling VMI and Central Michigan.  Best explanation:  provides more tutoring time for Squid ballers.

BYU (6-5) at New Mexico State (1-9).  Wanna know how bad the BYU schedule really is?  This week’s opponent, the New Mexico State Aggies are winless since August, their only victory coming against Sacramento State in Week 1.  State even lost to Idaho.  Besides, NMS should be playing New Mexico in the "Rio Grande Rivalry".  After taking care of its final regular season opponent, the Cougars should decline that bid to the Kraft Macaroni & Cheese Bowl and instead accept a bid to the Hostess Going-Out-Of-Business Bowl.  PICK:  BYU.

UNRANKED USC (7-4) vs. #1 Notre Dame (11-0).  That’s a headline in and of itself.  Pre-season #1 team, senior QB the odds-on favorite to win the Heisman, and a marquee transfer from Penn State at RB, who’d have thunk the Trojans would’ve fallen completely out of the Top 25 before the season’s even over.  Could Lane Kiffin’s job be on the line?  If a win vs. the Irish is what it takes to save it, he’s as good as gone.  With QB Matt Barkley sidelined after being crushed by the UCLA front seven, the ship is in the hands of redshirt freshman Max Whittek.  Whittek says Trojans will not lose.  Freshmen, HAH.  PICK:  Notre Dame.

New Mexico (4-8) at Colorado State (3-8).  Sinking hearts in Albuquerque are wondering, “Why do we have to play a 13-game schedule?”  Answer:  because you won't play in a bowl unless it flushes.  This week's "game-you-hope-isn't-televised" should provide a positive finish to Bob Davie's inaugural season at UNM.  PICK:  New Mexico.

And I'm sure we're all thankful that George O'Leary isn't coaching anymore.