College football enters the final week of the 2023-24 regular season this weekend with plenty on the line.
Here are some notable matchups on the schedule for the final week.
Thursday 11/23
No.12 Ole Miss (9-2, 5-2 in the SEC) at Mississippi State (5-6, 1-6), 6:30 p.m. CT, ESPN
There are no College Football Playoff implications here, but the “Egg Bowl” is one of the notable rivalries across college football that happens every Thanksgiving. Ole Miss is the superior team by far this season, while Mississippi State is on the hunt for a new head coach.
***
Friday 11/24
No.11 Oregon State (8-3, 5-3 in the PAC-12) at No.6 Oregon (10-1, 7-1), 7:30 p.m. CT, Fox
The Beavers and Ducks will meet in the “Civil War” in Eugene on Friday. Oregon State has had a tremendous year by its standards and will be looking to keep Oregon out of the final PAC-12 title game.
Oregon has been on fire since a three-point loss to No.4 Washington, and many believe the Ducks can still make the College Football Playoff if they win Saturday and beat the Huskies in the conference championship.
***
Saturday 11/25
No.2 Ohio State (11-0, 8-0 in the Big Ten) at No.3 Michigan (11-0, 8-0), 11 a.m. CT, Fox
Known simply as “The Game,” this rivalry has had plenty at stake in recent years. For nearly 20 years, Ohio State came out on top, even in the closest battles, until Michigan flipped the script in 2021. The Wolverines have beaten the Buckeyes two years in a row to reach the Big Ten Championship, and a berth in the game is again on the line this weekend.
The Michigan cheating scandal that has resulted in a suspension for head coach Jim Harbaugh and an ongoing NCAA investigation, along with recent comments from Ohio State head coach Ryan Day, only add fuel to the fire.
***
No.8 Alabama (8-1, 7-0 in the SEC) at Auburn (6-5, 4-4), 2:30 p.m. CT, CBS
The “Iron Bowl” between Alabama and Auburn is another classic Thanksgiving weekend rivalry that has delivered many memorable moments, like the “Kick Six” that sent Auburn to the SEC Championship and eventually the final BCS National Championship game 10 years ago.
Alabama has been the superior program over recent seasons, but Auburn almost pulled out an upset in overtime last year. The Crimson Tide are playing for possible playoff chances after securing a spot in the conference championship game, while the Tigers are looking to rebound from an unexpected loss to New Mexico State.
