The most wonderful time of the year unfolds over the next couple of weeks – a non-stop feast of football we here at CHFF know and love as
the Pigskin High Holidays.
And it kicks off in grand style on the last Saturday before Thanksgiving, a day known in the football world as Rivalry Saturday. The oldest and most intense rivalries in all of football take place over the next two weekends, followed on Dec. 6 by college football's conference title games and little bit of pigskin pageantry called Army-Navy.
So here's our Rivalry Saturday college pigskin primer, on a week with so many big games that the traditional Michigan-Ohio State donnybrook doesn't even make the cut.
Three Games of the Week
No. 2 Texas Tech (10-0) at No. 5 Oklahoma (9-1) – Saturday, 8 p.m. (ET), ABC
The storyline: High-flying offenses with national title hopes on the line.
In what seems to be the theme of the college football season, the biggest game of the week is in the Big 12 and a chance to play for the national championship is on the line.
Just like any other Big 12 matchup this game features two of the best offenses in the country. Oklahoma holds the scoring advantage 51.4 to 47.9 while Texas Tech leads in yards per game 571.2 to 557.0.
While both teams move the ball up and down the field seemingly at will, no team in the country finishes drives better than the Sooners. Oklahoma has scored a touchdown of 50 of their 56 red zone possessions and with three field goals; they lead the nation in red zone efficiency scoring 95% of the time.
The Red Raiders, meanwhile, have converted 57.8% (74 of 128) of their third downs tied with Tulsa for the best in college football.
If the Red Raiders win they will clinch the Big 12 South title and they will have earned it facing four straight ranked teams including three ranked in the top nine.
No. 14 BYU (10-1) at No. 7 Utah (11-0) – Saturday, 6:00 p.m. (ET) CBS
The storyline: Holy warriors battle for shot in a big-time BCS bowl.
The Holy War is always one of the best rivalry games of the year, but this year there is more at stake as the winner will take home the Mountain West title and a potential spot in a BCS bowl game.
BYU is attempting to win the Mountain West for the third consecutive year and have lost only four conference games since the start of 2005. The Cougars feature one of the best passing offenses in all of college football led by junior quarterback Max Hall.
Hall's 71.5 completion percentage is fourth best while his 169.95 passer rating is good for sixth in the nation. BYU averages 318.4 YPG through the air, the seventh best attack in the nation.
Utah is a capable offensive team in their own right leading the MWC in scoring at 36.5 PPG. They do it with more of a team approach than one individual as no player has more than 678 yards rushing or receiving. Utah has not allowed more than 16 points in a game since October 2.
This matchup is traditionally very tightly contested with 10 of the last 11 games decided by a touchdown or less.
No. 15 Michigan State (9-2) at No. 8 Penn State (10-1) – Saturday, 3:30 p.m. (ET) ABC
The storyline: The Big 10's race for the Roses
Michigan State-Penn State would typically run a distant second to Michigan-Ohio State.
But not this year.
Both teams are playing for a spot in the Rose Bowl. Penn State makes the trip to Pasadena with a win and Michigan State plays for the Roses with a victory and an Ohio State loss.
The Nittany Lions are well balanced, featuring the nation's No. 12 scoring offense (39.4 PPG) and the No. 5 defense (11.9 PPG). Sophomore running back Evan Royster is enjoying a breakout season with 1123 yards, 12 TD's and 6.3 YPA.
Michigan State has a highly touted running back of their own in Senior Javon Ringer. His 1,548 rushing yards are the second most in the country while he leads the nation with 20 touchdowns.
Ringer has accounted for 95 percent of Michigan State's rushing yards and has carried at least 37 times in four different games.
Joe Paterno has never lost to Michigan State at home (7-0) and is 11-5 in his career against the Spartans.
Three Players to Watch
Jeremy Maclin, WR, Missouri
Playing in a conference loaded with offensive stars, Maclin tends to fly under the radar despite being one of the most explosive players in the nation. Maclin eclipsed 1,000-yards receiving in each of his first two seasons and is also the active leader in all-purpose yards per game with a 199.3 YPG average.
Jarrett Dillard, WR, Rice
While Dillard's 69 receptions and 1093 yards are not even his career highs, he is on the cusp or writing his name into the record books. Dillard has 17 touchdown receptions on the season giving him 57 for his career, just one shy of the NCAA Div-1A record of 58 set by David Ball. Dillard has caught at least one touchdown in nine of ten games this season.
Texas Tech Running Backs
Graham Harrell and the Texas Tech passing game may make the headlines, but the running game led by Baron Batch and Shannon Woods has been a huge part of the Red Raiders success. Batch and Woods have combined for 209 carries, 1255 yards ad 16 rushing touchdowns. Texas Tech's team average of 5.2 YPC is third best in the Big 12.
Cold, Hard (College) Football Facts of the Week
ONE - Despite throwing a NCAA high 499 passes on the season, Texas Tech quarterbacks have been sacked just five times all season. The only team to allow fewer sacks this season is Air Force who has given up two sacks – but they've attempted just 110 passes.
TWO - Last week Troy lost to LSU despite holding a 31-3 lead in the third quarter. Don't blame the team for going into an offensive shell. Troy quarterback Levi Brown attempted a NCAA season high 72 pass attempts in the loss. It was just five off the all-time Div-1A record of 77 set by Neil Lomax in 1979
THREE - If you don't have the stomach to watch really bad football then shield your eyes from this seasons Apple Cup. Washington State and Washington combine to average 26.1 PPG while Oklahoma and Texas Tech combine to average 24.8 points per quarter.
College GameDay Update
No question about it this week. The crew will be live from Norman, Oklahoma to take in the battle for the Big 12 South championship. If you're in the Oklahoma area you may want to
take cover if Lee Corso picks the Sooners.
Going Polling
The top ten remained practically untouched this week with only Ohio State joining the group at number ten. The SEC and Big 12 account for all of the top five making a national championship showdown of the nations two best conference a strong possibility.
On the Grill
Whenever you're questioning what to throw on the grill, you can always fall back on the classics hamburgers and hot dogs. However, it could be a tough decision if you only had space for one, well that is before now as we introduce you
a hamburger-hotdog combo with added bacon just for good measure.
By Mark Sandritter
