Rivalry Week definitely lived up to the hype, with big wins, surprise blowouts, and a few late-game nail-biters. Every matchup felt personal, and the energy on the field made it clear that pride mattered just as much as playoff positioning.
No. 1 Ohio State 27 vs. No. 15 Michigan 9
Ohio State Buckeyes linebacker Sonny Styles (0) tackles Michigan Wolverines running back Bryson Kuzdzal (24) in the second half of the NCAA football game at Michigan Stadium on Saturday, Nov. 29, 2025 in Ann Arbor, Michigan. Credit: © Samantha Madar/Columbus Dispatch / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn ImagesOhio State dictated the rivalry from the opening quarter and played with a calm, confident rhythm. Michigan occasionally moved the ball but consistently stalled when the field tightened, especially inside the 30. By the fourth quarter, Ohio State’s defense had completely settled in and made sure there wasn’t even a hint of a comeback.No. 5 Texas Tech 49 vs. West Virginia 0
Texas Tech Red Raiders quarterback Behren Morton (2) runs the ball and is tackled by West Virginia Mountaineers linebacker John Lewis (12) during the second quarter at Milan Puskar Stadium. Credit: Ben Queen-Imagn ImagesTexas Tech came out firing and simply never backed off, turning the game into a runaway by halftime. West Virginia looked overwhelmed on both sides of the ball and couldn’t generate anything resembling momentum. The shutout made it clear that this wasn’t just a win—it was a full-on statement of dominance.No. 6 Oregon 26 vs. Washington 14
Oregon wide receiver Malik Benson breaks away for a touchdown as the Oregon Ducks take on the Washington Huskies on Nov. 29, 2025, at Husky Stadium in Seattle, Washington. Credit: © Ben Lonergan/The Register-Guard / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn ImagesOregon played efficiently and leaned into ball control rather than flash, which ended up wearing Washington out. Washington had a few moments where it looked ready to flip the script but couldn’t finish off promising drives. In the end, Oregon’s patience and clock management felt like the deciding edge.No. 8 Oklahoma 17 vs. LSU 13
Oklahoma Sooners linebacker Kip Lewis (10) chases after Louisiana State Tigers running back Caden Durham (29) during a college football game between the University of Oklahoma Sooners (OU) and the LSU Tigers at Gaylord Family – Oklahoma Memorial Stadium in Norman, Okla., Saturday, Nov. 29, 2025. Oklahoma won 17-13. Credit: © BRYAN TERRY/THE OKLAHOMAN / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn ImagesOklahoma dug in for a physical, low-scoring grind and never panicked when LSU pushed late. LSU reached scoring range more than once in the fourth quarter but couldn’t land the finishing punch. A clutch goal-line stand by Oklahoma served as the true turning point.No. 9 Notre Dame 49 vs. Stanford 20
Notre Dame Fighting Irish defensive tackle Elijah Hughes (56) attempts to block Stanford Cardinal kicker Emmet Kenney (13) during the third quarter at Stanford Stadium. Credit: Stan Szeto-Imagn ImagesNotre Dame came out blazing with chunk plays that quickly overwhelmed Stanford. Stanford tried to adjust but just couldn’t match the energy or pace. Once the Irish built that early separation, it felt more like Notre Dame was showcasing than battling.No. 10 Alabama 27 vs. Auburn 20
Alabama Crimson Tide wide receiver Lotzeir Brooks (17) and Auburn Tigers defensive back Sylvester Smith (19) compete for the ball during the second half at Jordan-Hare Stadium. Credit: John Reed-Imagn ImagesAlabama held on in a classic Iron Bowl that stayed tense until the final drive. Auburn threw everything it had into a late push but fell short on critical conversions. Alabama’s defense stepped up exactly when it needed to, closing the rivalry with a clutch finish.No. 11 BYU 41 vs. UCF 21
UCF Knights quarterback Tayven Jackson (2) throws against the BYU Cougars during the second half at LaVell Edwards Stadium. Credit: Rob Gray-Imagn ImagesBYU’s offense looked confident and in-sync from the opening snap, moving the ball almost at will. UCF responded occasionally but couldn’t build consecutive scoring drives to truly threaten. BYU controlled the pace so comfortably that by the fourth quarter, the game felt settled.No. 12 Miami (Fla.) 38 vs. No. 22 Pitt 7
Miami Hurricanes tight end Alex Bauman (87) runs after a catch as Pittsburgh Panthers linebacker Rasheem Biles (3) and defensive back Javon McIntyre (7) defend during the third quarter at Acrisure Stadium. Credit: Charles LeClaire-Imagn ImagesMiami’s defense set the tone by forcing mistakes and quickly turning them into points. Pitt never found its footing, especially once the turnovers started stacking up. The game slowly shifted into cruise mode for Miami, who looked sharper across the board.No. 14 Vanderbilt 45 vs. No. 19 Tennessee 24
Vanderbilt Commodores tight end Eli Stowers (9) runs against the Tennessee Volunteers during the second half at Neyland Stadium. Credit: Randy Sartin-Imagn ImagesVanderbilt shocked Tennessee with early tempo and explosive offense that never slowed down. Tennessee tried to rally but kept running into stalled drives and missed red-zone chances. Vanderbilt just kept stacking scores until the outcome felt inevitable.No. 17 Southern California 29 vs. UCLA 10
Southern California Trojans running back King Miller (30) carries the ball against UCLA Bruins linebacker Isaiah Chisom (32) in the first half at United Airlines Field at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn ImagesUSC operated with composure, controlling the tempo and dictating where the game flowed. UCLA kept searching for rhythm but never found a consistent counter to USC’s defensive pressure. It was a mature, methodical rivalry performance that left little doubt.No. 18 Virginia 27 vs. Virginia Tech 7
Virginia Tech Hokies cornerback Thomas Williams (23) attempts to intercept a pass intended for Virginia Cavaliers wide receiver Trell Harris (11) in the third quarter at Scott Stadium. Credit: Geoff Burke-Imagn ImagesVirginia wasted no time setting the tone physically and never let its rival settle in. Virginia Tech struggled to protect the quarterback and even more to sustain drives. By halftime, it felt like Virginia had the matchup exactly where it wanted it.No. 22 Missouri 31 vs. Arkansas 17
Arkansas Razorbacks quarterback Taylen Green (10) is sacked by Missouri Tigers defensive tackle Chris McClellan (7) during the fourth quarter at Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium. Missouri won 31-17. Credit: Nelson Chenault-Imagn ImagesMissouri leaned into its physical run game and controlled possession with quiet confidence. Arkansas had moments where it looked ready to swing momentum but never put together a full drive. Missouri’s steady pacing just slowly squeezed the game in its direction.No. 2 Indiana 56 vs. Purdue 3
Indiana Hoosiers running back Khobie Martin (28) rushes for a touchdown as Purdue Boilermakers defensive back Zeke Williams (26) defends during the third quarter at Ross-Ade Stadium. Credit: Marc Lebryk-Imagn ImagesIndiana hit full throttle early and never even considered letting up. Purdue struggled to stop anything—short passes, deep shots, rushing lanes—and it showed on the scoreboard. By the midpoint of the second quarter, the game’s tone had already been set.No. 16 Texas 27 vs. No. 3 Texas A&M 17
Texas A&M Aggies wide receiver KC Concepcion (7) runs for yards while having his shirt tugged on by Texas Longhorns Maraad Watson (98) during the second half at Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium. Credit: Scott Wachter-Imagn ImagesTexas came in ready for the moment and executed with real poise against a top-tier opponent. A&M left too many points on the table early, especially in the red zone, and it haunted them down the stretch. Texas’ defense tightened in the second half and sealed a win that felt earned.No. 4 Georgia 16 vs. No. 23 Georgia Tech 9
Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets defensive end A.J. Hoffler (88) tackles Georgia Bulldogs running back Josh McCray (2) in the fourth quarter at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Credit: Brett Davis-Imagn ImagesGeorgia didn’t need highlight plays to own this rivalry—it leaned on defense and discipline. Tech hung around with solid field position chances but lacked finishing power. Georgia simply closed ranks in the final quarter and nudged the game out of reach.No. 7 Ole Miss 38 vs. Mississippi State 19
Mississippi Rebels defensive tackle Will Echoles (52) reacts in the second half against the Mississippi State Bulldogs at Davis Wade Stadium at Scott Field. Credit: Petre Thomas-Imagn ImagesOle Miss played clean and fast, consistently finding the big plays Mississippi State couldn’t match. State showed flashes but struggled to put together real scoring rhythm. By late third quarter, Ole Miss had fully settled into control.No. 13 Utah 31 vs. Kansas 21
Kansas Jayhawks wide receiver Emmanuel Henderson Jr. (1) runs with the ball against Utah Utes cornerback Blake Cotton (16) during the second half at David Booth Kansas Memorial Stadium. Credit: Jay Biggerstaff-Imagn ImagesUtah used physical football and clock control to grind Kansas down over four quarters. Kansas tried to answer but couldn’t land a momentum swing when it mattered. Utah’s ground game finished the job with authority.No. 25 Arizona 23 vs. No. 20 Arizona State 7
Arizona Wildcats quarterback Noah Fifita (1) runs the ball against the Arizona State Sun Devils in the second half during the 99th Territorial Cup at Mountain America Stadium. Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn ImagesArizona arrived with energy and a defensive edge that clearly caught Arizona State off balance. Arizona State kept looking for offensive rhythm but never found a reliable spark. Arizona’s steady scoring and defensive stops made sure the rivalry belonged to them.Conclusion
Indiana Hoosiers running back Kaelon Black (8) rushes and is tackled by Purdue Boilermakers defensive back Tahj Ra-El (21) during the third quarter at Ross-Ade Stadium. Credit: Marc Lebryk-Imagn Images
With rivalries settled and bragging rights claimed, the dust finally settles on one of the most intense weekends of the season. Now all eyes shift to championship implications and who carries that momentum into the final stretch.