Texas A&M vs. Texas and Alabama vs. Auburn Headline Rivalry Week as Analysts Predict Upsets

When the clock struck 11:50 AM UTC on November 28, 2025, the air in Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium crackled with the kind of tension only a long-standing rivalry can produce. Joel Klatt, Fox Sports’ lead College Football analyst, had predicted it would be a shootout — and he wasn’t wrong. But what no one saw coming was how quickly Texas A&M’s offense exploited the cracks in Texas’s defense — a unit that had surrendered 37, 41, and 39 points in its last three games. The Aggies won 38-35, and suddenly, their path to the SEC Championship Game looked wide open.

Rivalry Week’s Heartbeat: Texas A&M vs. Texas

Klatt didn’t just pick Texas A&M to win — he laid out why. "It’s not about rankings," he said during his broadcast. "It’s about who’s playing better right now. Texas has talent, sure. But their secondary’s been lost for weeks. A&M’s got the quarterback, the playmakers, and the momentum. That’s how you win on the road in this rivalry." The total points line of 51.5? It ended at 73. Texas scored its first 21 points in the first 12 minutes — a sign of desperation, not dominance. But A&M answered every time. Quarterback Hayden Conner threw for 321 yards and three touchdowns, including a 68-yard bomb to wideout Malik Washington with 1:17 left. The Longhorns’ final drive ended at the A&M 22-yard line after a miscommunication on a slant route. The crowd fell silent. The Aggies’ bench exploded.

The Duel in the Desert: Arizona State vs. Arizona

While Texas was burning up the scoreboard, a colder, grittier battle unfolded in Tempe. Arizona State, a 2.5-point home underdog, held Arizona to just 174 total yards in a 17-10 win that felt like a throwback to 1998. Both teams entered the game ranked for the first time that season — a fact Klatt said "made them nervous." "When you’re on the committee’s radar," he noted, "you play scared. You don’t take risks. That’s why the under hit hard." Arizona State’s defense, long criticized, held the Wildcats to 3-of-13 on third down. Their lone touchdown came on a 42-yard interception return by linebacker D’Angelo Harris. The final whistle blew at 14:57 PM UTC — exactly as scheduled — and the desert air turned electric.

Iron in the Blood: Alabama vs. Auburn

At Jordan-Hare Stadium, the Iron Bowl lived up to its name. Alabama, ranked #10, entered as a 7-point favorite. But Auburn had something no one else could muster: history. The Tigers led 17-7 at halftime, forcing two turnovers and holding Bama’s offense to just 98 yards. Quarterback Bo Nix — once a star for the Crimson Tide — threw for two touchdowns and ran for another. The crowd chanted "Beat Alabama!" like it was 2013 all over again.

But in the fourth quarter, Alabama’s depth broke through. Running back Jeremiah Hall broke free for a 58-yard touchdown. Then, with 1:44 left, QB Jalen Milroe hit Malik Washington — yes, the same one from A&M — on a 22-yard slant. The extra point made it 24-20. Auburn’s final drive stalled at the Alabama 40. The Tigers had come close. But not close enough.

Other Key Matchups That Shaped the Week

- Ohio State ended its four-game losing streak to Michigan with a 31-24 win in Ann Arbor, thanks to a last-minute interception by safety Travis Hunter. The Buckeyes’ playoff hopes got a lifeline.

- Georgia crushed Georgia Tech 45-10, with the Yellow Jackets allowing 41 points over their last three games — exactly as Klatt warned. "They were out of gas," said Tech coach Brent Key afterward. "We didn’t have the legs to match them." - Notre Dame stunned Stanford 34-27 in a rain-soaked game at Stanford Stadium, with freshman QB Jayden Decker throwing for 302 yards and two scores. The Fighting Irish’s bowl eligibility was secured.

Why This Week Mattered

This wasn’t just about bragging rights. With conference title games on the line, every result rippled through the playoff picture. Texas A&M’s win over Texas clinched their spot in the SEC Championship. Ohio State’s victory over Michigan kept them alive in the College Football Playoff race. Even the underdog wins — like Arizona State’s defensive masterclass — sent shockwaves through selection committees.

Klatt put it best: "Rivalry week doesn’t care about rankings. It cares about heart, execution, and who’s playing better right now. That’s why we watch."

What’s Next?

The final College Football Playoff rankings drop on December 1, 2025. With Texas A&M, Ohio State, Georgia, and Alabama all still in contention, the committee faces its toughest decision in years. The Big Ten and SEC title games loom on December 7. And for the first time since 2020, no team enters the final week undefeated.

Background: The Evolution of Rivalry Week

College Football’s rivalry games date back to 1875, when Harvard played McGill. But the modern rivalry week — with its national TV deals, betting lines, and playoff implications — began in earnest in the 1990s. The Texas-Texas A&M rivalry, dating to 1894, was paused from 2012 to 2023 after A&M left the Big 12 for the SEC. Its return in 2024 reignited the fire. This year’s game was the first time both teams were ranked since 2018.

The Iron Bowl, first played in 1893, has produced 11 games decided by 3 points or fewer. This year’s was the 12th. And the Egg Bowl? Mississippi State and Ole Miss have met 117 times — the most played rivalry in FBS history.