It is the absolute best week on the NCAA Collegiate Football schedule – Rivalry Week. The 2016 rendition features some absolute classics and with the stakes so high throughout the nation, this week could also end up deciding not only numerous of bowl games, but also the College Football Playoffs. The Peach and Fiesta could have a brand new face come next week with a few more losses chalked up for some of the country’s best teams. It’s something that is completely possible as well given these rivalry games could swing either way. Records are meaningless when it comes to this point in the year – all that matters is pride.
NCAA College Football Rivalry Week 2016 and Infographic
Nebraska vs Iowa – Heroes Game
These two teams have been facing each other since November 26, 1891. This will be their 47th meeting with Nebraska leading the all-time standings 29-14-3. They are the current title holders as well taking last year’s game 28-20 in Lincoln, NE. This year’s game will be held in Iowa City, IA on Friday November 25th at 3:30pm EST.
This rivalry goes all the way back to November 10, 1906, although, the first game with the Battle Line tag took place just one year ago. Mizzou leads the all-time series 4-3, but the Razorbacks are the current title holders, taking last year’s tilt by a score of 28-3. This year’s game will be in Colombia, MO and will kick-off on Friday November 25th at 2:30pm EST.
The Apple Cup dates all the way back to November 30, 1900. The two squads have since met 108 times with the Huskies leading the all-time series 70-32-6. They’ve also won the last three games capping off last year’s meeting in Seattle 45-10. This one could be anybody’s game though with Washington ranked No. 6 in the country and the Cougars sitting at No. 23. The game will take place on Friday November 25th at 3:30pm EST.
The Governor’s Cup rivalry dates all the way back to October 28, 1912. The two teams have tallied a total of 28 meetings with a deadlock in the all-time series 14-14. The largest win margin came in 1922 when Kentucky demolished the Cardinals 73-0. The red and white have won the past four games and this year’s rendition will be back in Louisville, KY. The game kicks off on Saturday November 26th at Noon EST.
These two teams have met 30 times dating back to November 13, 1914. Michigan State has a narrow 14-13-1 lead in the series. They’ve also won the last three meetings dating back to 2010. Last season they took out the Nittany Lions 55-16 in East Lansing, MI. They are now head back to State College this weekend though and the tables could turn. The game kicks off on Saturday November 26th at 3:30pm EST.
These two cross-state rivals have met 97 times since October 5, 1895. The Hokies lead the series by a pretty wide margin at 55-37-5 and are currently riding a 12-game win streak. This weekends game kicks off on Saturday November 26 at Noon EST at Lane Stadium in Blacksburg, VA.
These two juggernauts first met on October 16, 1897 with Michigan shutting out the Buckeyes 34-0. A lot has changed since then. The two have faced each other 112 times with Michigan leading 58-47-6 even though State has won the last four games. This year the two teams are ranked right next to each other, Michigan at No. 3 and Ohio State at No. 2, as they head back to Columbus, OH. The game kicks off Saturday November 26th at Noon EST.
This rivalry dates all the way back to November 15, 1890 and a Minnesota 63-0 stomping. Since then the two have met 125 times with the Golden Gophers narrowly leading the series at 59-58-8, although the Badgers are currently riding a 12-game win streak. This year Wisconsin are ranked No. 5 in the country and are also hosting. Kickoff from Madison, WI takes place on Saturday November 26th at 3:30pm EST.
These two teams have met 80 times since February 22, 1893 – their inaugural game. Since that point in time, the Crimson Tide have taken a 44-35-1 lead in the series. Bama has also taken four of their last five games and are now heading back to the familiar surroundings of Tuscaloosa, AL. This year’s Iron Bowl kicks off on Saturday November 26th at 3:30pm EST.
The Rumble dates all the way back to October 3, 1903 with a total of 62 total meetings between the two clubs. Colorado leads the way with a 31-28-3 record, although Utah has won the last four matchups. This year Utah is ranked No. 21 and Colorado has gone all the way up to No.9 in the country. The 2016 Rumble kicks off on Saturday November 26th at 7:30pm EST.
Notre Dame vs USC – Battle for the Jewelled Shillelagh
The Battle for the Jewelled Shillelagh is definitely one of the stranger rivalries. Nine out of ten people don’t know what a Shillelagh is. They’d also likely say the trophy looks like something else entirely. None the less, these two have met 87 times dating back to December 4, 1926. The Irish lead the all-time series 46-36-5 and have won three of the last four games. They now head back to sunny California and kick-off on Saturday November 26th at 3:30pm EST.
The Civil War dates all the way back to November 3, 1894 when the Beavers shut out Oregon 16-0. Since that date, the two have met 119 times with Oregon leading the way 63-46-10. The Ducks have won the last eight games in a row and are also favored in this one. This game kicks off from Corvallis, OR on Saturday November 26th at 4:00pm EST.
