There Is Nothing Quite Like Rivalry Week

Whether in Ann Arbor or Columbus, tensions always run high prior to the Ohio State-Michigan game. (Guardian Liberty Voice)

One of the beautiful things about college football is that it's national yet regional at the same time.

Fans love following the bowl games and the chase for the national title, but inside all of that is the rabid passion of fans who love their teams. No better example of that is on display than this weekend, when most of the really important rivalry games take place.

There's The Egg Bowl. The Apple Cup. The Iron Bowl. The Battle Line Rivalry. The Civil War. The Iron Bowl. The Game. The Palmetto Bowl. The Old Oaken Bucket. Clean, Old Fashioned Hate. The Commonwealth Cup. And on and on and on.

Most of the games feature teams within the same state, so battle lines are drawn either. You're either Auburn or Alabama. Virginia or Virginia Tech. Washington or Washington State. Mississippi or Mississippi State. Clemson or South Carolina.

Sometimes you are next door neighbors -- Ohio State and Michigan. Missouri and Arkansas.

You need not have attended any of the schools, just gained a rooting interest in some fashion. You hate anything to do with the "other team", and sometimes won't even say its name. You laugh in condescension whenever a series becomes one-sided, or feign pity and tell them "you'll get one soon." Then you walk away laughing, maniacally.

Some of us have grown up with it -- Ohio State in my case. While I am not one of those who won't say the word "Michigan," I do loathe (yet respect) the Maize and Blue. I grew to like Bo Schembechler after he left the rivalry, and felt the sting of the John Cooper years and the rebirth of the Jim Tressel years. With Urban Meyer it's been more of the same, and it never really gets old. Do I feel sorry that Michigan has been spinning its wheels for the better part of the last 15 years or so? Of course not. I am from the school that says you can never beat your rival by enough points. So, were I of age, I would have loved Woody Hayes going for two, leading 48-14 in the fourth quarter, in 1968 "because they wouldn't let us go for three."

I have seen enough dream seasons wrecked -- most of the 90s come to mind -- that each OSU victory brings just a bit more joy. And with Jim Harbaugh and his antics, it's even sweeter. I respected Lloyd Carr, even though he whined a lot, because he seemed like a good man and a pretty good coach. I laughed at Brady Hoke, and am currently laughing at Harbaugh and his act, which has to be wearing thin in Ann Arbor, right?

There will come a day -- maybe Saturday -- where Michigan gets a victory and invigorates the rivalry once again. But right now, most Ohio State fans feel the way Michigan fans felt when Cooper was driving the Buckeyes train. But, unlike their northern neighbors, Buckeyes fans will never lie about who their biggest rival is.

As many thrillers as I have witnessed -- in person and on television -- it never loses appeal. The old traditions, superstitions, whatever you want to call them, they take place all week.

It may sound arrogant -- and I won't take shame in that -- in calling this the best rivalry in all of college football, but that points to the regionalism in the sport.

Sensing a pattern here? (Sidez.net)

In the South, nothing holds a candle to the Iron Bowl. Those two HATE each other, and with so much on the line this year you can bet things will be at a fever pitch in Jordan-Hare. I would love to witness this one live, as an outsider, with zero rooting interest. Bo and Bear, Cam and Calvin, all of the big moments. Yeah, it would certainly be something to see.

The Southwest has the Red River Rivalry, one of the few really good ones not played at the end of the season. Knowing quite a few Texas fans, I can tell you that it bothers them more to lose to Oklahoma than does the fact that they are having a .500 season.

It may not get the publicity of the other, but the Apple Cup has always struck me as a cool rivalry. Almost 300 miles separate the teams, yet each fan base loves nothing more than sticking it to the other. I remember Mark Rypien leading the Cougars to victory in 1985 on a frigid day, as well as Mike Leach's first game as coach of WSU, a 31-28 overtime victory after a huge comeback. I also remember watching in 2003, when Washington -- a team I admired due to Don James' presence on the sidelines -- was bad, yet somehow managed to knock off a top 10 WSU team behind the arm of Cody Pickett.

Whether your team is fighting for a spot in the playoff, or having a down year, ending the regular season with a win over your hated foe makes everything better. It can take the sting out of a so-so campaign, especially when you know that they will be stewing about if for 365 days.

And that once-a-year thing, another reason why college football is so much better than the professional variety.

Sure, there are some big-time rivalries in the NFL -- Oakland-Kansas City, Pittsburgh-Cleveland, Dallas-Washington -- but they play twice. So how special can it really be?

You get one shot per season at your rival in college ball, and the build up to the contest is half of the fun.The only bad thing about it? It means the season is nearing its end.

Every fan base believes their rivalry is the best, which is noble. Wrong, but noble.

OSU-Michigan is best, and you can't convince me otherwise.

Of course, if you have tickets and lodging and food and drink at your game, I can become a huge fan for a day. I'll admit that I can be bought.

But there isn't enough money in the world for a fan of their team to go over to the other side, and that's what makes this weekend of college football so great.

Pac-12 Unbeatens Get Weekend Started Early

Linebacker Isaac Dotson leads a Washington State defense that has people talking (NY Daily News)

 When asked about an exciting way to spend a Friday evening, hanging out in Pullman, Wash., isn't usually the first response.

 Don't misunderstand -- WSU's campus is one of the more scenic in the United States, and College Hill is beautiful, a cornucopia of area history and quaint bungalows and red brick streets, and is worth being seen.

 But the fact remains, it isn't on most people's "to do" list when it comes to entertainment -- specifically college football entertainment.

 Well, that should change Friday night as No. 5 USC, with a 13-game winning streak, comes in to take on 16th-ranked Washington State in a matchup of unbeaten Pac-12 foes.

 The Trojans (4-0, 1-0) trailed for a good portion last week before rallying to beat Cal 30-20, while WSU easily dispatched Nevada 45-7.

 Many people expected USC to be in this position, fewer would have guessed that the Cougars would be unbeaten -- and stout on defense, to boot.

 WSU's stop unit has improved steadily the last few seasons and has gotten off to an excellent start in 2017, ranking 12th in the country in total defense, allowing just over 262 yards per game and a stingy 4.3 yards per play. There could be a little bit of concern for the group, however, as talented linebacker Peyton Pelluer will be out with a broken foot, but it hasn't diminished the confidence.

 "Nothing changes for us," linebacker Isaac Dotson said. "We just play our defense."

 Washington State (4-0, 1-0) has been murder on opposing quarterbacks, knocking Oregon State's Jake Luton out of the game and prompting both Boise State and Nevada to switch quarterbacks during the game. Wazzu is fourth in the nation in sacks with 15, but USC is not Oregon State or Nevada, and brings in the biggest and most talented offensive line the Cougars have faced all season.

 The Trojans also have a guy named Sam Darnold, one of the most talented quarterbacks in the college game and someone who has been praised by WSU coach Mike Leach. Darnold can extend plays with his feet, and has uncanny vision and laser-sharp delivery.

 "I think he's mature, really just kind of mentally together for a guy that's his age," Leach said. "He's big and the ball comes off his hand good."

 If WSU players are afraid of the challenge, it isn't showing.

 "He's a solid quarterback," said Dotson, who leads the squad with 26 tackles, including 2.5 tackles for loss. "A good player. He's our next opponent. He's one guy on that team. We are not preparing for one guy."

QB Sam Darnold will lead USC into battle against Washington State (NY Daily News)

 Darnold is completing over 67 percent of his passes this season and has nine scoring tosses. However, he has had a penchant for throwing interceptions, tossing at least one in every game this season, and putting together three games with multiple picks. He will need to be more patient with his throws this week as Washington State has corners that can play on island, taking away the deep threat.

 Hindering Darnold's cause are injuries to leading receivers Deontay Burnett and Stephen Mitchell, as well as top rusher Ronald Jones. The status of all three is unknown heading into Friday's 10:30 pm EST kick, and all are valuable members of a Trojans team that needs to get things going faster than they have so far this season. USC has averaged just 12 first half points while WSU has doubled that, averaging 24 points in the opening 30 minutes.

 "They're a fast start team," USC coach Clay Helton said.

 The Cougars go as quarterback Luke Falk goes, and so far he has been going just fine.

 The senior leads the nation in completion percentage (76.9), with 14 touchdowns to just one interception, and loves to spread the wealth. Washington State has three players with at least 24 grabs, led by running back James Williams' 37 catches and three touchdowns. Wideout Tavares Martin Jr averages 15 yards per catch, and has taken up residence in the end zone with six scoring grabs. Isaiah Johnson-Mack is no slouch at another receiver spot, catching 24 passes with two touchdowns.

 USC hasn't been great defensively, allowing 5.2 yards per play and 370 yards per contest, and giving up six touchdown passes in four games. If Washington State can keep up its pace converting third downs -- third nationally at almost 57 percent -- it will be a long night for the visitors.

 Helton knows his defense needs to focus on taking Falk off of his rhythm.

 "The whole thing runs through the quarterback," Helton said.

 Last time here, in 2014, USC steamrolled the Cougars 44-11, a game in which Falk got his first real playing time after starter Connor Halliday was injured. USC has won nine of the last 10 meetings, and Washington State is just 3-31 vs. ranked opponents.

 While the Air Raid is what brings eyes to the television, Washington State's defense is what has everyone buzzing.

 With a sellout crowd of over 33,000 promised for Martin Stadium, and with Hollywood's team in town, where else would you want to be besides Pullman?