Previewing the Top Games of 2012: Week Thirteen

Less than 5 weeks until the season starts.

This is the last full week of the regular season schedule so after this Monday, One Foot Down will be focusing on fall practice, which starts this Saturday.

After a heinous week twelve offering of games, college football finishes strong with RIVALRY WEEK. Notre Dame will of course be heading to Los Angeles to battle USC, but here are the other top rivalry games of week thirteen.

Thursday

TCU at Texas

One of the oldest rivalries is officially back in 2012 as TCU and Texas are now conference buddies.

The Longhorns hold a massive edge in the series, and have won the last 4 meetings stretching back to 1994. Bevo & Co. have also won 28 out of the past 29 meetings.

TCU is a little bit different breed of an animal nowadays so this should be a competitive rivalry in 2012.

Saturday

Nebraska at Iowa

The Cornhuskers new B1G rivalry everybody! Watch this game draw the eyeballs in and the ratings soar!

They'll be playing every year now, but this is only the 4th meeting since 1982. Nebraska has won each of those games, including last year 20-7.

LSU at Arkansas

The Battle for the Boot. Here's a really good rivalry---underrated on the national scene if I do say so myself.

LSU has a sizable lead in the overall series and won last year 40-17, but the Hogs have won the past two in Little Rock as the home team. Recent history suggests Arkansas only beats LSU when they are at home. The Tigers are 8-1 at home against the Razorbacks.

Washington at Washington State

The Apple Cup. Sarkisian vs. Leach. Purple vs. Maroon.

Washington State could surprise this year, but the Huskies are looking to be a step or two above the Cougars level. In recent history, Wazzu simply does not beat good Washington teams.

However, this game always seems to be a little crazy and much too close for the favorite team.

Michigan at Ohio State

The Game. The rivalry where giants do battle, where greatness is achieved, and where glory is won. Not even a national title game packs the importance of this most heralded game.

So yeah, Michigan finally won last year. They broke Ohio State's 7 game win streak in the series. Will Urban Meyer begin a new streak of his own this year?

Auburn at Alabama

The Iron Bowl. SEC football at its finest.

Alabama has outclassed Auburn for the better part of the past four meetings, and have taken 3 out of the past 4. For the second straight season, this will be a game between the last two defending national champions.

Who ya got?

Florida at Florida State

I don't think this rivalry has a nickname but apparently they play for the Florida Cup. Good for them.

Florida State has won the last two meetings by shutting down Florida's offense. The Gators have only scored 14 points over the past two years against the Seminoles, while giving up 52 points.

Tomahawk chop in 2012---it would be Florida State's first 3-win streak since 1998-2000.

Georgia Tech at Georgia

Clean Old Fashion Hate. Such a great name.

If we go way back, this used to be an intense rivalry where Georgia Tech had the edge. That's not the case in recent times as the Dawgs have won 3 in a row, 10 of the last 11, and 17 of the last 21 meetings.

I wouldn't bet on the Jackets going into Athens and pulling out a win in 2012.

Oklahoma State at Oklahoma

Bedlam.

The Sooners are still licking their wounds from last years 44-10 beat down. That was Okie State's first win in the rivalry since they won two straight in 2001-02.

Oklahoma still owns an embarrassing lead in the series though, and you know they'll come back strong and play well in front of their home crowd.

South Carolina at Clemson

The Battle of the Palmetto State. I might have just made up that nickname but it could be right.

Gun to your head, who would you have guessed has the overall series lead in this rivalry? I would have said South Carolina, but I was wrong. The Gamecocks have won the past 3 games though.

Which games are you looking forward to?