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It’s a holiday weekend and a time to be thankful. Let us live this celebration of family and food, and give thanks and praise for all we have. And after prayers are said and plates are cleaned, let rivalry resume and foes take center stage. It’s the weekend of Thanksgiving and football is plentiful. Let us feast on our neighbors and fatten ourselves with BCS stuffing. Let us select the biggest turkey, as some coaches bring closure to their tenures. And let us tug the wishbone and unleash our desires, as we all have postseason thoughts and dreams. Be it capping success or ending the misery, it all moves closer with week 13.

A new bully on the block: In 2007, it was the unlikely upset that crushed Mountaineers hopes of appearing in the BCS championship game. One year later, and this backyard brawl has role reversal. Pittsburgh isn’t vying for a national title, but the Panthers have overcome their misery to be the favorite in this year’s edition. A year ago, I doubt anyone could foresee West Virginia playing as the unranked program and non factor in the Big East race, with Pitt among the nation’s top 25.

Georgia on my mind: One program was projected to win it all, and the other was supposed to struggle with the transition of a new coach and system. Neither occurred, which makes for a great Saturday contest between two teams that moved in opposite directions. Georgia has dominated this in-state rivalry, but with Georgia Tech exceeding all expectations, this game is more evenly matched than most  would believed.

Kick’em while they’re down: No one found more amusement in the collapse of the Clemson program and firing of Tommy Bowden than their rivals of South Carolina. Clemson has won 5 of the last 6 in the series, not giving much appearance of a rivalry, but now comes a Gamecocks opportunity to kick a tiger in its tail. A Clemson victory would deliver a statement, which would translate to say that even in a down year they are better than their in-state foe.

Ironing out the wrinkles: Auburn has lost 5 of the last 6 games, and Tommy Tuberville’s buttocks are blazing from the heat of the chair he sits in. His Tigers have won 6 consecutive Iron Bowls against the rivals of Alabama, but the Tide comes in as the top ranked team in the nation and heavy favorite. Nothing makes a season more miserable than finishing on an extended slide, while also surrendering a streak that made the program proud. Tuberville has been seen in the past holding up fingers to display the number of consecutive victories in the series. Saban has just one finger to wave, and it’s likely to be the one in the middle.

The Main Event: The undercard featured members of the Florida State football team pounding on frat geeks and mathletes at their own school. And now comes the main event, with the 20th ranked Noles looking to upset the 4th ranked Gators. They may find Florida to be a bit more challenging than those toting backpacks in the student lounge, and the early disqualifications won’t make it any easier. A Gator victory can establish them as the best program in Florida, unless you’d really like to see them play USF. Would you?

…Where the wind comes sweepin’ down the plain: Oklahoma needs to jump Texas, and this week, Oklahoma State acts as their cement cleats. The Sooners find themselves clearly in the championship hunt, but must first wiggle out of the rivalry shoes before any steps can be taken towards advancement. As good as Mike Gundy’s Cowboys have been, they’ve failed in each big game to date. To continue their rise and recognition as a true national contender, they need the big upset on Saturday. Failure will tag them the “ great pretender” that most believe them to be.

4-leaf clover: Charlie Weis enters his 4th year as Notre Dame head coach, and prepares for his 4th meeting with USC. This would be the fourth leaf on the Irish clover, and as legend has it, the first leaf represents hope, the second is faith, the third is love, and the fourth is luck. Luck is what Weis and the Irish will need, and plenty of it. See the full preview of this game here.

Civil unrest: Oregon State is just one final win away from making a Rose Bowl appearance for the first time since 1965. The Ducks would like nothing more than to deprive their rivals of a January trip to Pasadena, while also ending a two game slide in the series.

Upset Specials: Georgia Tech over Georgia, Oregon over Oregon State, Maryland over Boston College

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From my family to yours, I wish you all a happy Thanksgiving.