For many NCAA Football teams and their fans, the big game of the year is also the last game of the year. Traditional rivalries are a great part of the charisma of college football across the country. Over the years we have seen teams that were unanimous picks to beat their rivals go down to defeat in a storm of school spirit and over achieving, under rated players who stepped up for that one big game and beat the odds. At times the game is of national importance and at others the game only matters to the players and their fans. In any case, these contests between arch rivals always provide us with some memorable football action. This past weekend was no exception. For the most part the favorites won the day.
The odds makers got it right, mostly.
#20 Michigan went down to Columbus to take on the undefeated Ohio State Buckeyes who went into the game ranked fourth in the country. The Buckeyes gave first year coach Urban Meyer a perfect 12-0 season by defeating the Wolverines by a tight final score of 26-21.
Out west, the #5 ranked Oregon Ducks who spent most of this season among the top 3 ranked teams in the nation took on traditional rival Oregon State who was ranked at #16 going into the contest. The Ducks proved too quick for the Beavers outscoring them by 28-14 in the second half in a yearly battle they call the “Civil War”. Final score Oregon 48, Oregon State 24.
In the SEC, #8 LSU went up to Fayetteville to take on Arkansas in a game known as the “Battle of the Boot”. The Razorbacks did not have a strong season but with this game you just never know. LSU won the day by a score of 20-13 but it was not easy and they did not cover.
In a big, big game with national implications, the Florida Gators went up to Tallaassee to take on instate archrival Florida State. These two teams have been at this for many years now. Both the teams and the entire state of Florida look forward to the contest every year. This year the Gators came in ranked #6 with the Seminoles close on their heels at #10. The Gators, who still maintain hopes for a chance at the national title won the day by a final score of 37-26 by piling on 24 4th quarter points.
And finally, top ranked Notre Dame proved once again that they deserve to be #1 in the country by defeating rival USC 22-13.
