JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Whether it’s Alabama-Auburn, USC-Notre Dame, Texas-Oklahoma or Florida-Georgia, rivalry games in college football are unlike any other experience for fans and players. This week, several Jaguars players remembered the rivalry games from their college days. Some admitted that those games mean even more now that they are alumni than they did when they played.
“The buildup before the game and after the game is big for alumni, and being an alum now, I see what that’s like, because I take it seriously,” defensive tackle Malik Jackson, a Tennessee alumnus said. “You have a whole state of people depending on you to win the game. It’s a lot of pressure, but it’s what you live for, what you go to that school for and what you play for.”
Jaguars wide receiver Dede Westbrook played in one of the most intense rivalries in all of college football, the Red River Showdown between Texans and Oklahoma. Westbrook had the best game in his college career for the Sooners in last year’s win over the Longhorns. He caught 10 passes for 232 yards and three touchdowns. It’s a day he will remember for a long time.
“The guys who were there before you, they took heat for the rivalry, so it’s going to be big to have those guys come together and face off for the rivalry,” Westbrook said.
As the Jaguars players remember, playing in a rivalry game can create memories and stories that will stay with players and fans for a lifetime.
Arguably, the most heated college football rivalry is Auburn-Alabama. Jaguars running back Corey Grant played in two of the most significant Auburn wins in the history of the series.
“It carries a little bit more weight than a regular,” Grant admitted. “I had some great rivalry games, the Miracle in Jordan-Hare and the Kick Six game. That’s going to be one of the most popular rivalry games between Auburn and Alabama.”
The only Gator in the Jaguars locker room is Dante Fowler Jr. The only Bulldog is Abry Jones—and you know these guys had to have something on the line for tomorrow’s game.
“It’s kind of cool to talk trash to some ‘Dawgs,” Fowler said. “When we come out with the win, Abry going to have to wear a big alligator costume, looking like Big Albert over there. I can’t wait to put it on Instagram.”
And what if the Gators lose? Would Fowler don a dog costume?
“I don’t know. I’m not going to do that. It’s my rules,” Folwer said.
More than any bet, the winning team gets bragging rights and the players involved can carve out a piece of their school’s history for themselves.