College Football: In-state matchups for Week 9 filled with great rivalry games

Week nine’s in-state matchups makes it possibly the best in-state games since week two and is headlined by a game in the state of Michigan.

The San Diego State and Fresno State rivalry is unknow to many fans around the college football landscape who don’t follow Mountain West football. However, both fanbases appreciate this rivalry between these two in-state schools from the state of California.

Both teams are tied for first place in the west division of the Mountain West conference at 2-1 and whom ever wins has an opportunity to be in solely in first place in their division heading into week 10 play. Let’s take a look at this week’s game between the Aztecs and Bulldogs.

Last 15 games of this rivalry: The Aztecs have won eight times during the past 15 games these two in-state rivals had played against each other.

Last 10 Years of this rivalry: Fresno State has won six times during the past 10 games that these two schools have played one another.

Distance between schools: 344 miles

Rivalry Trophy: Old Oil Can

Best game between these two schools over the past 10 years: 2013 Overtime Game

Current Win Streak: Fresno State has won the last game between the two schools having a one-game winning streak.

Last meeting between both schools: The Bulldogs defeated the Aztecs on the road by a final score of 30-20.

Prediction: Fresno State 34 San Diego State 28

There are bigger rivalries in the PAC 12 between California schools but this rivalry is still a good one even though the Cardinals have dominated this rivalry over the past decade. UCLA has had a great season thus far but lost their last game to Oregon to no longer be undefeated and atop of the PAC 12 standings.

Stanford had a rough start to the season losing their first four conference games but the Cardinals’ defense has stepped up their two past games defeating Notre Dame on the road and holding the Fighting Irish to only 14 points and then this past week beating Arizona State and once again holding their opponent to only 14 points. This game will be a contest between a high-powered offense in UCLA, against a tough-minded defense in Stanford. Let’s take an in-depth look at this rivalry and this week’s game between the Cardinals and Bruins.

Last 15 games of this rivalry: The Cardinals have won 12 times during the past 15 games these two in-state rivals had played against each other.

Last 10 Years of this rivalry: Stanford has won eight times during the past 10 games that these two schools have played one another.

Distance between schools: 352 miles

Rivalry Trophy: None

Best game between these two schools over the past 10 years: 2012 PAC 12 Championship Game

Current Win Streak: UCLA has won the last game between the two schools having a one-game winning streak.

Last meeting between both schools: The Bruins defeated the Cardinals on the road by a final score of 35-24.

Prediction: UCLA 21 Stanford 19

Once again we take a look at a rivalry game between two Mid-American teams that both reside in the state of Ohio. This is the least exciting game of this week’s in-state rivalry slate of games but no matter the record these two teams usually find a way to produce an entertaining game. Both the RedHawks and Zips are at the bottom of the MAC East standings but Miami (OH) did play well early in the season.

The RedHawks went on the road and beat a Big Ten opponent in Northwestern and after losing a close game on the road against Buffalo who is undefeated in MAC play, Miami (OH) beat Kent State. Akron on the other hand has lost seven straight games but the positive for the Zips is that four of the last five games by only single digits. Let’s now take a closer look at this week’s game between the Zips and RedHawks.

Last 15 games of this rivalry: The Red Hawks have won 10 times during the past 15 games these two in-state rivals had played against each other.

Last 10 Years of series: Miami (OH) has won six times during the past 10 games that these two schools have played one another.

Distance between schools: 237 miles

Rivalry Trophy: None

Best game between these two schools over the past 10 years: 2019 Game

Current Win Streak: Miami (OH) has won the last five games between the two schools.

Last meeting between both schools: The RedHawks defeated the Zips at home by a final score of 34-21.

Prediction: Miami (OH) 28 Akron 17