Rob's Rankings: Most intriguing rivalry games

The final week of college football’s regular season is always stocked with rivalries. Some are more hyped than others, but how interesting they actually are fluctuates from year-to-year. That’s why we’ve tossed history aside and ranked Saturday’s five most intriguing rivalry games by how the game works in the framework of this season.

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Why it’s interesting: The top spot here is a no-brainer. This year’s installment of one of the sport’s most celebrated rivalries is a meeting of top 10 teams. It also features a legitimate chance to see undefeated Alabama fall. Alabama losses - especially in the regular season - are full-fledged events, considering the Tide have lost just four regular-season games since 2011.

Nothing tops the Iron Bowl when both sides are nationally relevant and the stakes are high. Alabama may be the No. 1 team in the country, but there is no hotter team than Auburn, which is just more than a week removed from aggressively clubbing No. 1 Georgia.

This would be the weekend’s most exciting game even if the schools involved had no past history.

Why it’s interesting: Yes, these are two bad football teams. Yes, each can be difficult to watch. Yes, this game will probably feature a dose of truly awful football. But all of these are the reasons why the game is appointment television. At the end of this game, a once-proud program will be out of rivals to mock. And that, friends, is a beautiful thing. Not every football game is an award-nominated drama. Sometimes a game is a slapstick comedy. Those can be worth watching, too. This is the "Dude, Where's My Car?" of the 2017 season. You can enjoy it in secret, even if you tell your friends it’s awful.

What happens when a team without a coach takes on a team without a quarterback? Tune in to find out the answer. Stick around for the Twitter jokes. The best part? Somebody has to win.
Really.
I swear.

Why it’s interesting: Outgoing and eccentric leads his team against noted curmudgeon in a game named after a fruit.

Washington State’s Mike Leach is one of the sport’s most interesting figures. And Chris Petersen? Well, he wins lots of games and complains about late start times. With a win, Washington State punches its ticket to the Pac-12 title game vs. USC. The Huskies have been eliminated from championship game contention, but they can knock Washington State out of the game with a victory.

Despite the title game scenario, The No. 14 Cougars and No. 15 Huskies bump up against each other in the rankings, and each fan base is likely convinced they back the better team. Rivalries are at their best under such scenarios. The forecast suggests this one could be played in cold and rainy conditions, so things in Seattle could get extra weird.

Why it’s interesting: Check out Scott Frost’s last regular-season game as UCF’s head coach.

This rivalry isn’t overhyped or celebrated nationally, but that doesn't matter this weekend. UCF’s story is fantastic. Frost took over an 0-12 program a year ago and, 12 months later has the Knights on the cusp of an undefeated regular season. It’s one of the quickest and most notable turnarounds in college football history, and it’s been a blast to follow.

Undefeated but still sitting outside the top 10, the Knights haven’t exactly been tested often this season, so a Top 25 opponent that happens to be the in-state rival is a fitting final hurdle for a team in search of the respect to match its record.

The list of reasons to watch this game are long. And if they’re not long enough, remember that UCF is 7-3 against the spread this season, and give yourself a reason to care … legally, of course. Also, the UCF kicker celebrates field goals by mock shotgunning beer. Who wants to miss that?

Why it's interesting: Have you heard about this rivalry? It’s kind of under the radar. Maybe you’ve caught a commercial or heard somebody mention it in passing. Did you know that Michigan’s head coach is boisterous? Has somebody told you that the two fan bases don’t like each other?

The Buckeyes are already in the Big Ten title game, and neither team will make the playoff. That’s fine, though, because the storylines in place are still reasonably compelling. Ohio State fans hate people (and recruits) such as Jim Harbaugh, and Michigan fans hate that Ohio State is still the much better team. Right now, the rivalry is based on a mutual fear of the other. And while both fan bases will deny that assertion, it’s true and it’s awesome.

Thanksgiving is a time for food and family, two things some of us at least sort of enjoy. The family part of the holiday comes with caveats, though, as awkward conversations are as common as mashed potatoes. Below we take a shot at ranking the five most cringe-worthy topics you’ll encounter when you face your extended family Thursday over dinner and football.

WHO BRINGS IT UP: Aging uncle who enjoys hunting and chewing tobacco.

This is happening. You cannot avoid it. If your family turns on a football game, says the word football or serves a food that looks loosely like a football, your uncle is letting loose. He has some thoughts on this situation and you will hear them. He doesn’t really understand how the story started or what it actually means, but he’s gathered some talking points from cable news and not even nuclear winter is going to stop him from sharing them with the room. Tell him you have to use the restroom or help with the pies or have a tinfoil chewing contest in the other room. Get out of there at any cost.

WHO BRINGS IT UP: Mom

You mother isn’t getting any younger, you know. Why can’t you just do her this one favor? All she wants is grandchildren. She brought you into this world. Don’t you want to see her happy? Don’t you? Huh? Don’t you?

WHO BRINGS IT UP: Younger sibling/younger cousin

I bet you thought a holiday that featured eating delicious food and catching up with family was good? Well, your young sibling with an English literature degree has news for you: It’s actually bad. Very bad. It’s either the way the turkeys are treated, or the basis for the holiday, or the way the leaves on the tablecloth are depicted. Whatever the case, something is wrong, and he/she won’t stand for it … for the 20 minutes until the subject changes.

WHO BRINGS IT UP: Dad/grandpa

No matter who you are or where you’re from, your dad thinks your life is easy. He also thinks you and your peers are weak and lack the work ethic of his aging generation. He’ll find coded ways to tell you this and probably use the word “millennial” to describe anyone under 45. If you can keep from rolling your eyes or clapping back too aggressively, this situation is manageable.

WHO BRINGS IT UP: Anyone over the age of 30

This is a bit of a long shot, but certainly possible. If your family prefers basketball to football and anyone at dinner so much as mentions the name “LeBron James” this conversation is happening. You cannot stop it. You see, anyone over 30 is physically unable to talk about professional basketball without shoehorning Michael Jordan into the discussion. Thanksgiving is the perfect place for them to lecture everyone about how the guy never missed a shot … or was clutch … or how he magically made his teammates better (a phrase that means nothing) … or never lost a game … or whatever the talking point is.