Fansided

College football Week 13: 5 best games of the week for die-hard fans to watch

By Patrick Schmidt

COLUMBUS, OH - NOVEMBER 26: Quarterback J.T. Barrett (16) of the Ohio State Buckeyes attempts to escape the defenders while running the ball during an NCAA football game between the Michigan Wolverines and the Ohio State Buckeyes on November 26, 2016, at Ohio Stadium in Columbus, OH. The Ohio State Buckeyes won 30-27 in double overtime. (Photo by Khris Hale/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
COLUMBUS, OH - NOVEMBER 26: Quarterback J.T. Barrett (16) of the Ohio State Buckeyes attempts to escape the defenders while running the ball during an NCAA football game between the Michigan Wolverines and the Ohio State Buckeyes on November 26, 2016, at Ohio Stadium in Columbus, OH. The Ohio State Buckeyes won 30-27 in double overtime. (Photo by Khris Hale/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /
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It’s Rivalry Week and that means we have plenty of great college football games to watch this week, but these are the five you can’t miss at any cost.

Happy Thanksgiving to all of you reading this article. I hope your day is full of food, family, friends and plenty of football, and then a little more food. I love this time of year because of all the f’s mentioned in the previous sentence. And because we get a bonus day to enjoy football as there are some juicy matchups to watch on Friday. Instead of venturing the elements and the crowds for some Black Friday shopping, why not eat some leftovers, plant yourself on the couch in your favorite pair of sweatpants and enjoy some college football?

There are plenty of great games, including on Thanksgiving night with the Egg Bowl between Ole Miss and Mississippi State. While I think the Bulldogs are going to blow out their in-state rivals this year, it’s still a great watch if you haven’t passed out early from all the tryptophan. The very best rivalry games wait until Saturday, but we get a nice treat on Friday with the AAC showdown between USF and undefeated UCF, which kicks off our list of the best games of Rivalry Week.

5. USF vs. UCF – Friday, 3:30 p.m. ET – ABC

Grab some Thanksgiving leftovers and sit down for the best game on Friday afternoon. The two best teams from the Group of Five all year battle to see who will be in line for a  New Year’s Six bowl berth and the favorite to win the American Athletic Conference. UCF is undefeated and led by head coach Scott Frost who could be in line for a new job this offseason, and quarterback McKenzie Milton, who quietly has put up some of the best numbers from the position in the nation.

4. Notre Dame vs. Stanford – 8:00 p.m. – ABC

Notre Dame is trying to keep their slim playoff hopes alive. Stanford is trying to avoid any injuries as they will play for the Pac-12 Championship Game next week. This rivalry game boasts two of the best running backs in the country in Stanford’s Bryce Love and Notre Dame’s Josh Adams.

3. The Apple Cup: Washington vs. Washington State – 8:00 p.m. – FOX

It was supposed to be Washington that was playing for a spot in the Pac-12 Championship Game in the Apple Cup game against Washington State. The preseason predictions went bust and it’s Washington State who needs a win to secure their spot in the game. Quarterback Luke Falk looks to boost his NFL Draft stock with a big performance against the Huskies defense that is one of the best around.

Next: Projecting the first round of the 2018 NFL Draft

2. The Game: Michigan vs. Ohio State – 12:00 p.m. – FOX

Ohio State and MIchigan meet for the 111th time on Saturday in the latest installment of The Game. The Buckeyes have won five straight against the school up north and need a win over Jim Harbaugh and the Wolverines to keep their playoff hopes alive. The Big House should be rocking on Senior Day as Michigan looks to play spoiler and get Harbaugh his first win over the rivals

1. The Iron Bowl: Alabama vs. Auburn – 3:30 p.m. – CBS

The winner of the Iron Bowl has gone on to play for the National Championship in seven of the last eight years. Saturday could make that eight out of nine years. This marks the 82nd meeting between the two rivals with Alabama riding a three-game winning streak. Short of Oklahoma, no team may be playing better at the moment than Auburn. This is the best team Auburn has had in the last four years and conversely the most vulnerable Alabama team in the last four years, so could there be an upset in the making on The Plains?

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