This is a top ten list of what I think are the best rivalries in College Football.
10. South Carolina vs. Clemson: This interstate rivalry game is the longest uninterrupted rivalry in the south and third longest in the nation. Clemson leads the series 64-37-4 but about forty games have been decided by a touchdown or less
9. Oregon vs. Oregon State: Also known as the civil war this is the 7th oldest rivalry in college football. From 1959 to 1961 they played for a trophy called the platypus trophy it was lost but then it was found again in 2005 starting 2007 it will start being rewarded to the winning team again. Oregon leads the series 55-46-10.
8. California vs. Stanford: This is the Tenth longest rivalry in the nation and Stanford leads the series 55-44-11. This rivalry is probably defined by "The Play". Arguably the best play in all of sports. 4 Cal players lateraled the ball five times to score a touchdown on a kickoff return to win the game. There has been dispute about that play since it happened.
7. Missouri vs. Kansas: This is the second most played rivalry in College football only behind Minnesota and Wisconsin. Missouri leads the series 54-53-9. They played this year with Kansas ranked #2 and Missouri ranked #4 it had a record attendance for this game with 80,537 people. Missouri won the game 36-28.
6. Miami vs. Florida State: Both schools participate in a range of sports but the rivalry tends to focus on football more than anything. Both teams have had win streaks against each other of 5 or more. One or both squads have often come into the game ranked very high in the polls adding national implications to a already heated rivalry. Kicks have played an important role in this series with many wide left, wide right, blocked, and muffed kicks that would of won the game for the fallen.
5. USC vs. Notre Dame: Notre Dame and USC are considered to be among the most elite programs in College Football with each team winning 11 championships and 7 heisman trophies. Notre Dame and USC acount for 5 of ten 10 most watched games in college football history. Notre Dame leads the series 42-32-5 but Notre Dame has not won in this rivalry since 2001 losing 6 in a row.
4. Army vs. Navy:It is one of the most traditional and enduring games in college football. Army and Navy have lost national championship implications and recruits because of there education policy and military commitment but it still remains nationally televised because of the games tradition. Navy leads the series 52-49-7 and have won 8 of the last 10 overall in the series.
3. Oklahoma vs. Texas: Also known as the Red River Shootout it is considered to be not only one of the best college football rivalries but one of the great sport rivalries. It gets its name from the Red River that makes up part of the boundary of Oklahoma and Texas. The game typically has conference or even national championship implications for the team that wins this game. Four of the last eight showings have featured one of the participants in the BCS. Texas leads the series 57-40-5 but Oklahoma has one 6 of the last 8 meetings.
2. Alabam vs. Auburn: This game is also known as the Iron Bowl. It is called the Iron bowl due to birmingham's prominence as a steel and Iron producing city. Alabama leads the series 38-33-1 but Auburn has won 7 of the last 8 games and Alabama's last win came in 2001. 1964 was the year when this game was first nationally televised. 1989 was the first time this rivalry was played in Auburn and 1999 was the first time that alabama won in Auburn.
1. Michigan vs. Ohio State: This is a Intense rivalry that almost every year decides the Big Ten champion and who will play in the Rose bowl or even who will play in the championship. One of the most famous games in the History of the Rivalry was the 1950 snow bowl. Columbus was witnessing one of the worst blizzards in Ohio State history and had the choice to cancel the game which would of won them the big ten because they had the lead in the Big Ten but decided to play it any way, there was a total of 43 punts and there was not a single first down but Michigan would end up winning the game 9-3 off of a blocked punt for a touchdown. In 2006 Michigan and Ohio State played ranked #1 and #2 for the first time in the rivalry Ohio State would end up winning the game 42-39. Michigan is 57-41-6 against Ohio State but has lost 4 straight.
These are my to ten rival games in college football. The top three were a toss up because all three of them are great Rivalries.
ooops but i forgot to most people we in oregon...still use the outhouse (outside toilet) and do our laundry at the river.... and instead of a car we drive wagon trains??????
This list is usually regurtigated every few months.
The subject is overused due to the greatest rivalries being the ones you grew up on.
There's no 'best' rivalry.
There are only three games listed that I make a point to watch each year.
I grew up on Nebraska/Oklahoma. That will always be my favorite rivalry. Next to last game of the season and it usually meant the conference champion.
i know ive said this before.... but in eugene,oregon ive seen (you know those the banners or flags they have that you put on your car/van... example (oregon ducks) UCLA BRUINS???? well ive seen here in eugene just a short drive down or up the freeway from our nieghbors the oregon state beavers??? a osu banner and on the other side of the car/van a university of oregon banner???? now my ? is would you see this on a car/van lets see in california??? a USC banner on the other side a UCLA banner??? i doubt it!!!! only in oregon!!!
goblue1992: your shits weak as ####. sorry to say it, but its the truth.....you have UM on their as FSU's rival....but FL-FSU is a bigger rival.....get right!!!!
I agree with Kelly. Oregon/Oregon State would be on the list before Arizona vs. Arizona St. That game means more most years. The clown that says OU/Nebraska well they don't play every year so it really doesn't mean a lot any more.
As a Florida Gator, I'm blessed to be part of three huge rivalries. In the 80s and 90s, Florida-Florida State consistently had a say in the national championship picture, despite being a non-conference game.
When Tennessee became a powerhouse, they rivaled us for the top spot in the SEC East.
But traditionally, Florida's biggest rival is the University of Georgia. Since the Gators have absolutely OWNED UGA since Herschell left (20 years ago), the rivarly has dimmed somewhat.
reverend: all three of those are great rivalries the main reason i did not put them on this list was because they have not exactly been competitive lately besides Georgia beating you guys but other than that you guys have owned all three of them
Horn dog, nice to see that you made it out on work release. Planning on acting like an adult any time soon or will you continue to doooosh up all the blogs. Grow up just a bit and someone may actually read your pathetic blogs. Not really.
First I don't write blogs. I posted a comment. Read just below as the author agrees that what I said was correct. Did anyone even react to you?????? Wait? Still the answer is no. All you did was bash the poor kid. Talk about growing up. Anyone else think the Nebraska/OU game is a big game anymore?? Not since the 80's. Go back to living in the past. What is a dooooosh? Nothing? Ok! Go home.
How can you NOT include Florida vs. Georgia????? That is the largest outdoor tailgate party in the country. I would leave out Oregon vs. Oregon St. and replace it with Florida vs. Georgia. That is just me though. Everything else I completely agree with.
Horn dog, you can't comment without taking a dump on a third party.
You're known to be a coward on this site and just a drive by poster.
You bash anyone whose team you don't like, regardless of their comments and keep coming back to do more.
Write something and then feel free to anonymously criticize everyone else.
soonerfan: i just dont think that Georgia and Florida should be on here other than Georgia winning this year those games have not been real competitive lately florida has had there number.
Dezznutz: if nebraska and oklahoma still played each other every year that rivalry would probably be in my top 5.
Again sissy nobody is replying to your posts. I see DezzNutz agrees to be on the list the games needs to be played every year. Who did I bash b/c of a team that I do not like. OH! Nobody. You are so bright. also don't need to be anonymous. My name is clear as day. Do you ever get anything right?
Before I read the entirety of the blog I had to check that your #1 was Michigan Ohio State, which I should have guessed being that your username is go blue haha.
This is a good post. Hey and come back to Michigan sometime, fans are always welcome home :)
South Carolina v. Clemson is underrated. These people really hate each other. It is the only rivalry I know of, where people have killed each other over it.
I don't know about Army-Navy. Seems like those guys actually get along with each other.
Anyway, a great blog written by a fifteen year old kid.
I can't speak from experiance about the others, but going to school at Auburn and living in Alabama, I would say that there is no bigger, better or bitter rivalry than AU/UA. The Tide has been no challange for us lately, but everyone in the state is either for AU or UA and it goes on for 24/7/365.
I lived in Florida for a couple of years and I have to tell you, there is no love lost between the Seminoles and Gators.
I'm with slshusker as well. I grew up on Nebraska vs Oklahoma. Unfortunately the switch to the Big 12 instead of the Big Eight eliminated that yearly slugfest and slugfest it was. There was a time when the two teams would line up and there would be no wide receivers on the field for 85% of the plays. Both teams ran the option and it was either right or left every play. Smashmouth football at it's finest.
Florida vs Georgia every year in Jacksonville is not to be slept on either. On most years it determines the SEC champion.
lancebruce: thanks, and I also think that south carolina and clemson is a very underrated rivalry they may not be powerhouses every year but I still think that it is a great rivalry.
Davetheman: yeah I think Auburn and Alabama is a great rivalry the main reason that I have Michigan and Ohio State number one is because I am a Michigan fan and have experienced that rivalry more than the Auburn v. Alabama rivalry.
Curlymo: The only reason that the Nebraska and Oklahoma rivalry is not on my list is I have never watched a game between them since I am only 15. But the Florida and Georgia rivalry is also a great rivalry.
I thought Bama/Auburn should have been #1 but then I'm a Bama fan. Over all I think you did a pretty good job. And I think Miami/Florida State was the right choice there - it seems to make football news more - at least in the past.
I have to agree with Dune on this one. Bama and Auburn is "THE" rivalry in college football. Alabama doesn't have any pro sports teams in the state and only two college football teams that date back to the 1800's. Both programs have had success, most recently Auburn, and have been ranked in the top 25 almost annually. With no other sports programs to share time with this game becomes "THE" game to watch for all of Alabama and most of the nation. I am sure that as Alabama continues to improve in the upcoming years, this intense rivalry with get even more intense.
Also, I can see currently why Michigan and Ohio State are picked #1 because of their current success of both teams....I for one am just biased, like Dune50, I am a ROLLTIDE fan!
ya did good kid,but no matter who u pick someones gonna be miffed cause u didnt pick their team its football and thats the way it is,but u got ok and tx on there so im good to go
There is no matchup that is great, or more intense than an instate rivalry between two champsionship teams. Alabama and Auburn is the nations greatest rivalry. The problem is that the people who right and select these rivalries are from the north.
I am 15 years old and currently live in Tampa Florida. I was born in Tauwas Michigan a little city about 2 hours away from Detroit. I wasn't there long but I grew up a die hard Michigan Fan. My mom is an Ohio State fan so when it comes to the day of the big game things can get a little tense. College Football is my favorite sport to watch followed by pro football. I have followed Michigan football since I was about 5 years old and I have loved Michigan since. My favorite pro team is the Broncos and My favorite basketball team is the Hornets. The reason why I like the Hornets and Broncos is because when I was a kid I like those teams because of their uniforms and I guess I have liked them since.
