The holidays are a time when friends and family gather together to eat good food, and of course, watch football.  AccuScore analyst takes time out to be thankful this holiday season starting with the full slate of rivalry games.

Jonathan Lee

AccuScore Analyst

Twitter @thejonlee

While the holidays are a time to be with friends and family, and count the blessings in life, it’s also time to sit in front of a T.V. and watch as much football as possible.  What could be more American than that?  So in that spirit, here are some things I am thankful for this college football season:

President-elect Barack Obama…not for his politics, but for his well-publicized backing of a playoff.

The Big 12 South…Four of the best teams in the nation reside in this monster of a division giving us the most compelling conference race in years.

Big 12 Quarterbacks…The talented signal callers have been the driving force behind the strength of the league.  Graham Harrell, Colt McCoy, and Sam Bradford are all worthy Heisman candidates while Chase Daniel, Zac Robinson, Joe Ganz, Todd Reesing, Robert Griffin, and Josh Freeman all rank in the top 34 nationally in passing efficiency.

Jacquizz Rodgers and Oregon State…The diminutive running back has powered the Beavers to the top of the Pac-10 and made the conference race relevant again in November.  By virtue of an upset win over USC, Oregon State has a shot to reach the Rose Bowl, and push the Trojans into the BCS at-large pool.

Non-BCS Unbeatens…Ball State, Utah, and Boise State all could finish undefeated yet be completely shut out of the national title race.  The only way to force a playoff is for chaos and injustice to reign each and every year until 2014.  This trio of teams isn’t getting a fair shake, and will make plenty of noise about it.

Paul Johnson…He has proven that an option attack can still work in major college football if implemented the right way.  Spreading the field does not only mean passing the ball.  While Georgia Tech must wait and see its fate in the ACC, the season already is a success.

Turner Gill…He has made Buffalo University relevant by guiding the Bulls to bowl eligibility for just the second time in school history.  His backfield of quarterback Drew Willy and running back James Starks would be the envy of many big conference schools.

Syracuse…So what if the Orange is just 3-8 and in need of a new head coach.  Their shocking win over Notre Dame last week proved that maybe…just maybe…it might be a bad idea to reward a coach with a 10-year contract on the strength of a single loss.

Rivalries…Auburn and Florida State are huge underdogs to the two SEC leaders.  So what?  College sports are the one place where rivalries actually matter, and the parties involved actually care.  Anything can, and usually does happen in college rivalries.  While Florida and Alabama should be runaway winners, there is still the possibility that something crazy might happen.  And that is enough to make me watch.

And of course…Football on Thanksgiving…What goes better with turkey than football?  (except maybe cranberry sauce and gravy)

HOLIDAY VIEWING GUIDE

UCLA vs. ASU – Winner keeps bowl hopes alive for one more week.
Miami vs. NC State – This Miami team will be a major force possibly as soon as next season.
Florida vs. Florida St. – The ‘Noles can mess things up in a big way with a win.
Auburn vs. Alabama – The Tigers can royally blow up the BCS as well.
Oklahoma vs. Oklahoma St. – The Bedlam Series comes with a side of Big 12 controversy this season.
Notre Dame vs. USC – After the Irish’s self-immolation last week, how many points will Pete Carroll try to run up?
Mississippi St. vs. Ole Miss – The Egg Bowl is becoming more relevant and competitive every year.
Georgia vs. Georgia Tech – We know the spread works in the SEC, how about the option?
Oregon vs. Oregon St. – The Rose Bowl is at stake, so yea this game is important.
Virginia vs. Virginia Tech – Will decide who wins the ACC Coastal.