2017-2018 NCAA Football Season Thread [Archived] Football • Page 21

I'm a little surprised Ole Miss is a bigger rival than Auburn. I think it's a friendlier one at least, but I certainly consider LSU to be a rival of sorts. So many agonizing last second victories in the last 15 years, for both sides honestly.

 

I'd even say that because of the weird way the SEC developed, that LSU is probably Alabama's third biggest rival at best, too. Bama-LSU may have been more nationally relevant in the last decade or so, but Alabama-Tennessee is one of the oldest rivalries in the south and there is continuous and serious bad blood.

Like Tennessee-Florida became more of a rivalry in the 90s when both were nationally relevant, but it didn't even rank close to Tenn-Bama until then. So I think national relevance often dictates a rivalry perception.

 

They are usually close and well fought games but I don't really know how to describe it haha. I've never had animosity towards Auburn. I love Sweatervest.

0 wins against Saban probably doesn't help the image :p

 

absolutely. we've been abysmal there since he took over. but, man, bama fans sure are quick to forget we rattled off ten wins out of twelve leading up to this run of theirs.

 

I think it's the proximity. I live less than an hour away from Auburn, and there aren't many LSU fans around, and if there is it's usually just one crazy dude you work with or something. Georgia and Bama fans are EVERYWHERE and they will drive you insane.

 

I lived in Jacksonville, which is half UF and half UGA. Honestly pretty hilarious to watch. It's obviously very different up in Georgia but there was always an underdawg (get it?) appeal of that game for me as a neutral observer. Florida fans were arrogant and upper class and the Georgia fans were all working class and embody that sort of underdog optimism.

 

I haven't had any sort of animosity towards LSU either. I'd still consider them a rival, but more of a friendly respectful one. I grew in Atlanta though, which is a hodgepodge of all sorts of fandom. I was around a few LSU fans so maybe that's why it stands out in my head more so.

 

I'm beyond excited for FSU vs Alabama. 3 days away. Not expecting a win but just hoping for a good game.

Go Noles!

 

It's funny how these rivalries seem to come in waves. Historically, LSU and Bama were never big rivals up until about 10-12 years ago. Now they present the biggest challenge for one another each year and there is definitely some bitter feelings towards one another. And at this point from the Bama perspective, Tennessee seems so much like an afterthought that it's hard to even consider them a rival anymore, but I know things will probably change at some point (post Saban retirement?). It's like LSU and Tennessee just swapped places.

 

Pretty sure Auburn has beaten Alabama more than LSU in the last 10-12 years, so I feel like that's the biggest challenge, but sure.

 

As much as I love college sports, I've never understood the irrationality that follows "rivals" in athletics. Michigan winning football games does not matter to me at all. It doesn't ruin my day. Yet, so many MSU fans are obsessed with their every move. It just baffles me.

 

Actually you're wrong. If we're looking all the way back to 2005, Auburn and LSU have both beat Bama the same number of times. And to LSU's credit, they've never had Bama steam roll them 49-0, 36-0, 42-14. LSU has been more consistent over the years when facing Bama. I feel every year LSU is the more legitimate threat to beat them. A loss to Auburn is far more infuriating and shocking.

 

Hoping for a rebound year for the Ducks but doubt it. I think 7-5 is being optimistic and 4 losses could be in a row with a brutal stretch starting at Stanford.

Either way, excited as shit for football.

 

Nick Saban was held to 10 points last year against LSU. That hasn't happened since his first year with Bama.

 

Playoff prediction time

1. Alabama
2. USC
3. Penn State
4. Oklahoma

 

Alabama, Florida State, Oklahoma, USC

Someone is cannibalizing themselves this year. My bet is the Big Ten but the Pac-12 could easily do the same with USC and Washington's first meeting being the championship (presumably).

 

FSU's schedule is ridiculous. Not sure they can make it to the playoffs.

 

Alabama
Oklahoma
Penn State
Ohio State

 

No Penn State or Oklahoma please

 

I mean, fuck Oklahoma, but they basically just need to beat Ok St. at the end of the year and that's it.

 

Absolutely. It's a tough call but every team they play outside of Alabama has gotten worse while FSU has improved.

 

Alabama
Florida State
Washington
Ohio State

 

Penn State v Alabama is my championship game prediction.

I think PSU's offense will be too much. Saquon Barkley is my Heisman pick.

 

Oklahoma
UGA
FSU
USC

Big 10 beats themselves enough to not get a bid

 

So are people assuming the loser of the Oklahoma Ohio State game can still make it to the playoffs?