College Football’s “Rivalry Weekend” kicked off over the Thanksgiving holiday with teams playing to secure a spot in bowl games and conference playoffs while others looked to play spoiler to their historic rivals. Tensions across these rivalries reached a boiling point on Saturday, with fights occurring after four games this weekend.

Michigan Wolverines (13) vs 2. Ohio State Buckeyes (10)

Facing off against the current number two team in the country, last year’s national champion Michigan Wolverines looked to make a big statement on the road against Ohio State. In a major defensive battle, quarterbacks Davis Warren and Will Howard combined for just 1 touchdown against 4 interceptions. Despite the poor quarterback performance, Michigan was able to come away with the victory, thanks to Dominic Zvada’s game winning field goal. After the game, the Wolverines attempted to plant a flag featuring the Michigan logo at midfield. Ohio State responded by rushing over to the 50-yard-line in an attempt to stop Michigan from planting the flag. A massive scuffle started, but the moment escalated into a full on brawl after Ohio State’s Jack Sawyer ripped the flag off its post and throwing it to the ground. According to a report from CBS, “Players were eventually separated and some were even pepper sprayed” (CBS).

NC State Wolf Pack (35) vs North Carolina Tar Heels (30) 

Just hours after Michigan attempted to plant their flag at the Ohio State midfield, NC State went to the same effort following their 35-30 win against the in-state rival North Carolina Tar Heels. While post game conversations were initially calm between the two sides, tempers flared when an NC State player tried to recreate the moment from “The Game.” North Carolina’s Tylee Craft took offense to the action, rushing over and swiping the flag away before launching it towards the sideline. While the situation didn’t reach the same severity as Michigan vs Ohio State, players did need to be held back and escorted off the field by members of both team’s coaching staffs.

16. Arizona State Sun Devils (49) vs Arizona Wildcats (7)

While not a flag, the Sun Devils took the pitchfork from their logo and staked it into the ground at Arizona Stadium. While no major fight ensued, Arizona wide receiver Montana Lemonious-Craig did try to stop the Sun Devils from planting the pitchfork.

Florida Gators (31) vs Florida State Seminoles (11)

Unlike the previous conflicts between teams, the Florida Gators succeeded in planting their flag into the Seminoles 50-yard-line. George Gumbs Jr. rushed onto the field with the Gators flag, spiking it into the center of the Seminoles logo at the midfield, before FSU’s Jeremiah Byers rushed towards the Gators. The actions from Florida were just another lowlight in the Seminoles disappointing 2024 season, where they have finished with a record of 2-10.

13. Alabama Crimson Tide (28) vs Auburn Tigers (14)

Another historic rivalry, the “Iron Bowl” saw a major fight break out between the Crimson Tide and the Tigers. Alabama defensive back Devonta Smith and Auburn wide receiver Keandre Lambert-Smith continued to battle against each other following the end of the play, which led to both players spilling onto the Auburn sideline.  Alabama players rushed over to help their teammate, and jawing continued far after the physicalities ended. Two Crimson Tide players, including Devonta Smith, were given “Unsportsmanlike Conduct” penalties while no players from Auburn were penalized.

5. Notre Dame Fighting Irish (49) vs University of Southern California Trojans (35)

One of the hottest rivalries in the history of college football was reignited when the Fighting Irish traveled to Los Angeles to take on the USC Trojans. In a scrappy contest, multiple scrums broke out, with the most notable being when Notre Dame offensive guard Riley Mills punched USC defensive lineman Emmanuel Pregnon.

3. Texas Longhorns (17) vs 20. Texas A&M Aggies (7)

Despite having not played each other in 13 years, there was no love lost in the Texas-Texas A&M rivalry. The action starting before the game did. According to the Houston Chronicle’s Matt Young, “Players aren’t even on the field yet but some Texas and Texas A&M staff members had to be separated. Couldn’t tell what started it, but lots of yelling and pointing.” (Young). As the game wore on, the physicality continued, with Texas A&M defensive back Will Lee being physical with the Longhorns receiving core all night. Following the Longhorns 17-7 win and multiple fights, Longhorns head coach Steve Sarkisian stopped his players from stomping on the Aggies logo, avoiding the NCAA’s 7th fight of the day.