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The Spokesman-Review Newspaper
Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

College football: Rivalry weekend not what it used to be

Christian Caple Tacoma News Tribune

Given the way television contracts have screwed with the college football landscape, there isn’t a true “rivalry weekend” anymore. The games are more scattered ruining one of college football’s most enjoyable traditions. Still there are a handful of rivalries with great meaning on tap this weekend. We’ll be monitoring: No. 13 Arizona State at No. 11 Arizona; No. 15 Auburn at No. 1 Alabama; No. 4 Mississippi State at No. 19 Mississippi; No. 16 Georgia Tech at No. 9 Georgia; and No. 18 Minnesota at No. 14 Wisconsin for the Big Ten West title.

Pac-12 admits error

California’s 38-17 loss to Stanford last weekend was made especially frustrating by a sequence in which three consecutive plays were ruled touchdowns on the field, and all three were overturned upon video review. Well, the Pac-12 acknowledged that two of those decisions were wrong, meaning Cal actually scored two touchdowns on the same series that were both wrongfully overturned. But that apology will certainly make up for it.

No fighting at OSU-Michigan

According to an ESPN.com story this week, Ohio State coach Urban Meyer told his players they will face harsh consequences if any of them throw punches during their rivalry game at Michigan on Saturday. Last year’s game was marred by a fight in the second quarter that wound up with two OSU players ejected and suspended for the Big Ten championship game.

427 is the new 408

One week after Melvin Gordon broke LaDainian Tomlinson’s FBS record of 408 rushing yards in a game, Oklahoma freshman Samaje Perine came along and rushed for 427 yards exactly seven days later. Guessing that might not be broken again this weekend. Partially because Oregon has already played Colorado.