By Jack Stewart
Week fourteen of the college football season is known by two words: Rivalry Week. It’s the final week before the conference championships, and each matchup is characterized by culture, tradition, and hatred. These rivalry games are the source of unparalleled bitterness and spite between fanbases, and the results affect teams’ legacies for years to come. The 2025 iteration of Rivalry Week featured some great games and gave a lot of insight into how the college football playoffs will play out in the coming weeks. Here are some of the main takeaways from the greatest week of college football:
Ohio State Is The Real Deal
The only weakness of Ohio State head coach Ryan Day has been his inability to beat Michigan; however, with the 2025 iteration of “The Game,” he’s finally shaken that reputation. Ohio State rode through this season ranked number one in the AP poll, and the only threat to that position was seemingly this game against Michigan. Throughout his time with the Buckeyes, this matchup has challenged Ryan Day; however, with this triumph over the Wolverines in Ann Arbor, he’s finally completed his perfect regular season. In many ways, winning this game seemed more difficult than winning the National Championship; however, their statement victory solidified their position as the clear favorite for this year’s champions.
Georgia Is On Fraud Watch
Despite securing a victory over Georgia Tech, the Bulldogs looked unconvincing through four quarters and lacked the signature Georgia dominance that’s characterized the program. Quarterback Gunner Stockton had an abysmal performance with 70 yards, one touchdown, and one pick, which significantly falls below what’s expected from a Georgia quarterback. While Tech has been undeniably great this year, their defense has been shaky, and the Bulldogs’ inability to consistently score over such a mediocre squad’s defensive side raises a lot of questions for how Georgia will perform in the playoffs against teams like Ohio State, Indiana, and Texas Tech.
Texas A&M Are Chokers
This year’s Lone Star Showdown featured two of the most electrifying teams in college football, and despite A&M’s 11-0 start, they received a brutal loss at the hands of the Texas Longhorns. The Aggies had the chance to secure their first SEC Championship appearance in program history; however, a disastrous second half caused it all to slip away. A&M led 10-3 at halftime, but a complete defensive collapse in the third and fourth quarters opened up the Longhorns to come back and finish out a 27-17 victory. While Texas A&M will still make the postseason, their choke in the Lone Star Showdown likely foreshadows another loss in the coming college football playoffs.
Vanderbilt Is Ready To Take The Next Step
For the entirety of their existence, the Vanderbilt Commodores have been the laughingstock of the SEC. They’ve been Tennessee’s “little brother” since the 1930s, which is what makes this victory so crucial for Clark Lea’s Vandy squad. This team is clearly special, and their dominant 45-24 victory over the Volunteers moved them to 10-2 on the season for the first time in program history. It’s obvious that they’re becoming a bigger player in the SEC, and with Clark Lea’s passionate coaching style, Vandy will look to continuously rebuild and reload. With Lea’s experience and Vanderbilt’s growing recruiting appeal, it wouldn’t be surprising if the Commodores turn into one of the SEC’s main contenders within the coming decade.