Rivalry week is finally here, and with a loaded slate of top 25 matchups, I’ve split this segment into two parts (Friday and Saturday). Each day delivers three ranked games, all with their own storyline. Friday’s schedule is especially well-paced, starting with Clean, Old-Fashioned Hate between Georgia and Georgia Tech at 3:30 PM ET. After that, we get the Lone Star Showdown between Texas A&M and Texas, and we wrap up the day with the Duel in the Desert featuring Arizona and Arizona State. It’s a perfect way to kick off rivalry week, and we should see some great quarterback play throughout.

(4) Georgia Bulldogs vs. (23) Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets

Gunner Stockton:

  • Props
    • Passing Yards: 238.5 (over -114; under -114)
    • Passing TD’s: 1.5 (over -188; under +140)
    • Rushing Yards: 27.5 (over -114; under -114)

In the second half of the season, Gunner Stockton has been on an absolute tear, and he has one more game to cap off a fantastic regular season. Through 11 games, Stockton has averaged 224 passing yards, 1.7 passing touchdowns, and 32.8 rushing yards per game. Georgia Tech’s defense hasn’t held up well recently, allowing 244.9 passing yards per game (100th in FBS) and 172.9 rushing yards per game (94th in FBS).

Georgia will certainly stay aggressive given the rivalry, but they’ll likely be conservative with Stockton’s designed runs to keep him healthy for postseason play. His passing yards number is very fair and could go either way, but I would slightly lean toward the over. The passing touchdown projection doesn’t offer enough value on either side, and the under on rushing yards feels like the smarter play.

Haynes King:

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  • Props
    • Passing Yards: 222.5 (over -114; under -114)
    • Passing TD’s: 0.5 (over -205; under +152)
    • Rushing Yards: 66.5 (over -114; under -114)

Georgia Tech’s Haynes King has been a little shaky this season, even with some strong statistical performances mixed in. He’s also been banged up at times, but still averages 251.6 passing yards, 1.2 passing touchdowns, and 88.3 rushing yards per game. Georgia’s defense has tightened up recently, allowing just 212.5 passing yards per game (53rd in FBS) and 92.1 rushing yards per game (7th in FBS).

Georgia Tech really hurt themselves with last week’s loss to Pitt, but they should still be fully locked in for this rivalry matchup. King’s rushing yard number feels a bit too high given the opponent, but I do think the over on passing touchdowns is a safe play. As for his passing yards, that projection could go either way, so it’s one I’d stay away from.

(3) Texas A&M Aggies vs. (16) Texas Longhorns

Marcel Reed:

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  • Props
    • Passing Yards: 235.5 (over -114; under -114)
    • Passing TD’s: 1.5 (over +108; under -144)
    • Rushing Yards: 26.5 (over -114; under -114)

Texas A&M is on the brink of a perfect regular season, and the only thing standing in their way is the Texas Longhorns. Marcel Reed has been excellent all year, and A&M will need every bit of his production this rivalry weekend. He averages 250.1 passing yards, 2.2 passing touchdowns, and 35.9 rushing yards per game.

Texas’ defense has shown some vulnerability against the pass, allowing 243.2 yards per game (95th in FBS), but they’ve been stout against the run, giving up just 92.7 rushing yards per game (8th in FBS). This matchup sets up for both teams to lean into their strengths, and Texas will undoubtedly look to take the A&M run game away.

If you think Reed rises to the moment, both overs on his passing props make sense here. I would, however, stay away from the rushing yards.

Arch Manning:

  • Props
    • Passing Yards: 259.5 (over -114; under -114)
    • Passing TD’s: 1.5 (over +114; under -152)

Texas’s Arch Manning has a prime opportunity to play spoiler in Texas A&M’s 2025 campaign and salvage a shaky season with a statement win. Even while banged up this year, he has managed to play in every game and is averaging 251.1 passing yards per game along with 2 passing touchdowns. 

The Aggie defense has been tough to throw against, allowing just 196.8 passing yards per game (27th in FBS). In a heated rivalry matchup, anything can happen, but I’m sure Sark will pull out all the stops to shift the direction of the season. There will certainly be plenty of pressure on Manning, but I think he’ll rise to the moment and have a strong passing day, surpassing both projections listed above.

(25) Arizona Wildcats vs. (20) Arizona State Sun Devils

Noah Fifita:

  • Props
    • Passing Yards: 220.5 (over -114; under -114)
    • Passing TD’s: 1.5 (over -125; under -106)

Arizona and Noah Fifita have picked up some impressive wins over their last four games, and he played a major role—especially in their victory over the Cincinnati Bearcats two weeks ago. He enters this matchup averaging 243.3 passing yards per game along with 2.2 passing touchdowns. 

Arizona State’s defense has been fairly average against the pass, allowing 218 yards per game (60th in FBS). Fifita hasn’t been the most consistent this season in terms of clearing the 220.5 passing-yards mark, but I do like him to hit the passing-touchdowns number in this rivalry matchup.

Jeff Sims:

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  • Props
    • Passing Yards: 175.5 (over -114; under -114)
    • Passing TD’s: 1.5 (over +102; under -136)
    • Rushing Yards: 61.5 (over -114; under -114)

This certainly wasn’t the season Arizona State envisioned early on, but they’re still a strong team at 8–3. Sam Leavitt unfortunately suffered a season-ending injury in their late-October loss to Houston, leaving Jeff Sims to take over—and he’s delivered three straight wins. In those three appearances, he has averaged 196.6 passing yards and 2 passing touchdowns per game, while also adding an impressive 107 rushing yards per game.

Arizona’s defense has been relentless against the pass, allowing just 168.9 yards per game (9th in FBS), but less sturdy against the run, giving up 153.2 yards per game (68th in FBS). The Sun Devils know Sims gives them a real rushing weapon and will need to lean on that here, so I think the rushing-yards over is the best play. The passing-yards number is more volatile, but I would lean toward the over on his passing touchdowns.