5 best rivalry games die-hard fans have to watch Thanksgiving week

Iron Bowl, The Game and the best rivalry games die-hard fans have to watch Thanksgiving week

AUBURN, AL - NOVEMBER 25: Alabama Crimson Tide running back Damien Harris (34) runs the ball during a football game between the Auburn Tigers and the Alabama Crimson Tide on Saturday, November 25, 2017 at Jordan-Hare Stadium in Auburn, Ala. (Photo by Chip Dillard/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

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NORMAN, OK – NOVEMBER 10: Quarterback Kyler Murray #1 of the Oklahoma Sooners looks to throw against the Oklahoma State Cowboys at Gaylord Family Oklahoma Memorial Stadium on November 10, 2018 in Norman, Oklahoma. Oklahoma defeated Oklahoma State 48-47. (Photo by Brett Deering/Getty Images) /

(6) Oklahoma vs. (13) West Virginia – Friday 8:00 pm – ESPN

When Oklahoma travels to Morgantown to face off against West Virginia, both teams will be playing for a spot in the Big 12 Championship.

West Virginia had a shot to clinch a spot in the championship last week, but came up short against Oklahoma State. That said, they still have their goal in sight and will look to beat Oklahoma for the first time since joining the Big 12 to punch their ticket to Arlington. The Mountaineers are led by star quarterback Will Grier, who has thrown for 3,325 yards and 33 touchdowns this season.

While the Mountaineers shouldn’t have any trouble scoring points, their defense will have a tough task when trying to slow down Oklahoma quarterback Kyler Murray. He is one of the most explosive athletes in the country and throws the ball at an extremely efficient rate. Over the season, West Virginia has struggled to stop mobile quarterbacks and will be torched by Murray if he is not contained.

Oklahoma has reeled off five straight wins since losing to Texas and still has an outside shot at clinching a spot in the College Football Playoffs. Offensively, the Sooners are one of the most explosive teams in the country and have yet to be challenged by an opposing defense. Kyler Murray is a legit Heisman contender and will look to make a statement against the Mountaineers on Friday.

That said, the Oklahoma defense has been shredded all season and will have to find a way to slow down a West Virginia offense that can match them score for score. Over the past three games, the Sooners have given up an average of 44 points and 546 yards per game. No matter how good a team is offensively, if you continue to give up numbers like this to an opposing team, you are bound to suffer a loss.

When the lights come on in Morgantown on Friday night, Milan Puskar Stadium will be rocking. Although the Sooners will put up over 40 points, West Virginia will be too much for the Oklahoma defense to handle in this high scoring game.

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