Vote on the Top Rivalry in College Football
Every year certain teams in college football meet and it’s always the same thing; Do or Die. Listed here are 15 of the top Rivalries in College Football. All votes will be counted off of the comments you leave so share your opinion and leave a comment on which game you think should take the honors. If you feel the biggest one isn’t listed, then name it on a comment.
Comments (180)|59 Liked It
South Carolina VS. Clemson
- Name of the Game: Battle for the Palmetto State
- Played Since: 1896
There really isn’t a bigger Saturday in the state of South Carolina. These two teams have one goal at the beginning of the season; Win this game.
Michigan VS. Ohio State
- Name of the Game: The Game
- Played Since: 1897
The Game is what it is called and there may be none bigger. This larger than life rivalry goes back a long time and the name “The Game” is well titled. You can always count on a great game when these two meet and the winner is usually the Big Ten Champion.
Alabama VS. Auburn
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0N-uOidHk7g
- Name of the Game: Iron Bowl
- At Stake: James E. Foy, V-ODK Sportsmanship Trophy
- Played Since: 1893
Hate, there is really no other way to describe how these two schools feel about each other. They honestly, flat out hate each other, which is perfect for watching football. They call it the Iron Bowl, and in Alabama, this is the game that really counts.
Florida State VS. Miami (FL)
Wide right, that is what it has come down to; botched field goals at the final seconds of previous games between these two teams. This game is an all out battle. All though it has only been a rivalry since the early “80″s and it really has no clear name, this game still deserves to be on the list.
USC VS. Notre Dame
- At Stake: Jeweled Shillelagh
- Played Since: 1926
They play this game for the Jeweled Shillelagh, they play this game for pride and they play it for the Championship picture. These two teams have had more Heisman Trophy winners play in this game than any other. It has been played since 1926.
Oklahoma VS. Oklahoma State
- Name of the Game: Bedlam Series
- At Stake: Bedlam Bell
- Played Since: 1900
This is the Bedlam game, a game in which is a fierce inner state rivalry in Oklahoma and a battle for the Bedlam Bell. Even though Oklahoma is the power house of the state, Oklahoma State will always come and play the Sooners tough.
Georgia VS. Georgia Tech
- Name of the Game: Clean, Old Fashioned Hate
- At Stake: The Governor’s Cup
- Played Since: 1893
Clean, Old Fashioned Hate is the unique, but fitting name of this rivalry game. They play this game for pride and for bragging rights. Upsets have happened often in this big game.
Oregon VS. Oregon State
- Name of the Game: Civil War
- Played Since: 1894
When these two teams meet it is brutal. There have been many upsets in this series because both teams play with so much heart.
Army VS. Navy
- Name of the Game: Army-Navy Game
- Played Since:1890
Every patriotic American should automatically know that this game is about a lot more than football. It is about pride. It is about war. Even if both teams stink all year, it doesn’t matter because when this game comes around, there is only one thing that they care about; Beating the other team. The whole Army and the whole Navy watch and cheer during this game, as does all the Veterans and the Nation.
Pittsburgh VS. West Virginia
- Name of the Game: Backyard Brawl
- Played Since: 1895
If you are from one of these two states, then you would understand how much is really at stake here. These two teams have a big history of close games and big upsets.
UCLA VS. USC
- Name of the Game: UCLA-USC Rivalry
- At Stake: Victory Bell
- Played Since: 1929
California has big schools and therefore produces big inner state rivalries, but none come with more hate than this one. UCLA in recent years have had the smaller program, but continue to come in and keep it close.
Oklahoma VS. Texas
- Name of the Game: Red River Shootout
- At Stake: Golden Hat, Red River Rivalry Trophy and the Governors’ Trophy
- Played Since: 1900
They call it the Red River Shootout, these two teams have been going at it for over a century now. In recent years, the winner of this game will eventually be the Big 12 Champion for that year and also the winner could be on the way to the Championship game. Since 2000, one these two teams have played for the National Title 4 times and each have won it once.
Florida VS. Georgia
- Name of the Game: The Worlds Largest Outdoor Cocktail Party
- Played Since: 1912
It is called “The Worlds Largest Outdoor Cocktail Party” even though neither school will give it that name officially. Although Georgia fans probably hate Georgia Tech more, this game has helped decide quite a few SEC titles over the years and usually has implications on the National Championship picture.
Iowa VS. Iowa State
- At Stake: Cy-Hawk Trophy
- Played Since: 1977
Even though it is a relatively young rivalry, this game is always good and packs quite a punch. Every year it seems to be a close game and there have been many good upsets.
Other:
You decide if there is a bigger game. Leave a comment with the schools and a few details of why it is the biggest.
180 Comments
OU VS Texas is the best.
Army VS Navy is 2nd
Ohio State VS Michigan on 3rd
great work!
No Standford vs. CAL?
Are you serious? No Cal vs Stanford? The Axe is legendary. Who could forget “The Play” ? This list is bunk. UCLA and USC is NOT the biggest rivalry in California. Its Cal vs Stanford.
the Iron Bowl, hands down. No contest.
Michigan VS. Ohio State I’m not a fan of either team, but when they get together to play, I watch. My opinion, the biggest and oldest rivalry in college football.
Really, no Texas A&M v Texas? REALLY?!
Texas A&M v. Texas really should be on there. Held every year on the day after Thanksgiving!
why is the iron bowl video 100% auburn highlights?
OSU vs. Michigan, I like the video you picked or made for that one, all of Michigans play are against OSU and all of OSU’s are against Penn St and other teams in the Big Ten.
no cal vs. stanford? shame shame
Surprised that Virginia Tech vs. Miami or WVU wasn’t in there anywhere. Oh well that’s probably why this is my first & likely only visit to this site.
Keep OU Texas, Drop OU Oklahoma State. 78-16-7 is not a rivalry. Add UT A&M if you want, or OU Nebraska, but the “Bedlam” football game is, and will allways be a joke. A joke that OSU will never understand.
Michigan vs. Ohio St. will always be the biggest. My family has been going to Michigan since before “The Game”
utah vs byu
I’m from Texas, but South Carolina is my 2nd home. I’ve got SC and Clemson alumni and students in my family/relatives. I would have to say the Carolina-Clemson rivalry is the top, the intensity is unbelievable. And of course being from Texas, I also totally don’t understand why the UT-A&M rivalry isn’t on there.
War Eagle!
Crappy list…I was completely expecting Cal vs. Stanford, and with it not here, it’s pointless.
Seriously, neither of these games are on here? Tennessee vs Florida literally impacts the BCS board EVERY YEAR. Or perhaps for pure hate, you can turn to the UT v Bama games, those inbred hicks in bama get liquored up with their moonshine each year to watch, while profusely shouting profanities and threats, while their team is destroyed by the Vols.
Iowa vs. ISU!!!
I can tell none of you boys ever been down here in Alabama. Iron bowl all the way. ROLL TIDE ROLL!
Oregon State - Oregon.
This is THE civil war, not just in the same state, but the same valley, the same highway, and with the same locals. 10 years in a row the home team has won, how bout that?
Tennessee vs. Alabama must be on this list. It has been an outstanding heated battle for decades. Beat Bama! Go Big Orange!
ROLL TIDE! Alabama vs. Auburn is a huge game. There is no other game that is anticipated and talked about so much for 364 days a year. Even new people to the state have to put their hat with one team or the other. Also, Alabama vs. Tennessee is another big game, just not as big as the Iron Bowl.
Gotta go Cal vs. Stanford.
Nothing can beat The Play:
“The most amazing, sensational, dramatic, heart-rending, exciting, thrilling finish in the history of college football!”
Teams: BYU vs. Utah
Nickname: Holy War
Played since: 1922
At stake: State-wide football supremacy (bragging rights)
Why? Just like in the Army vs. Navy game, once this game comes around the team records don’t matter. It is all about beating the other team. Often one team or the other is having a better year, so on top of everything there is the added incentive of playing spoiler kind of like Michigan vs. Ohio
The video for Georgia Tech vs Georgia is actually a game between Virginia Tech vs. Georgia.
Michigan-OSU!
University of Missouri vs. University of Kansas
They don’t call it “The Border War” for nothing, and the two states have hated each other since they were formed in the 1860’s… it is the first college rivalry west of the Mississippi.
I think Washington vs. Washington State is bigger then Oregon vs Oregon State.
More championships, bowl appearances, and is older.
uh.. Florida vs. Florida State?
You have both those teams on there, but paired with less heated match ups. Ask any student, alumni, player, or staff of these schools and hands down they will respond with their top rival: Florida or Florida State respectively. Hell, there was even a 400 page in-depth book about the rivalry titled: “Sunshine Hate” by Cale Conley, tracing its beginnings to 1905.
Not to mention the game between these two teams is the last game of the season. With both teams being long standing BCS contenders, the game makes a huge impact on the standings each year.
#1 ou vs ut
#2 ou vs osu
For those of you talking trash on bedlam I would sudgest that you actualy goto one and see why it deserves to be on this list…osu always comes ready to play no matter what.
So put an actual bedlam vid up…the texas flag has nothing to do with it.
It’s stupid to take votes in comments - it encourages people to link their friends to this page, and it favors larger schools. I can promise you 90% of the people who vote aren’t voting for the top rivalry, but for a rivalry their school (or a school in the region they grew up in) was part of.
USC vs UCLA takes the cake
OSU v. Michigan, no doubt. Army-Navy and iron Bowl tie for a distant second though…
Props on the Michigan State vs. Ohio State… always a fun battle. But I’ve gotta say Wisconsin vs. Minnesota border battle for the axe is always been a fun one for me. Even with the three national championships in one year (CC + Men’s & Women’s Hockey) Wisconsin rarely gets credit where it’s due. In fact the Big Ten in rarely credited anytime….
Please edit your list, YOU FORGOT CAL vs STANFORD. Also, you should remove UCLA vs. USC, that would be the same with Stanford vs. USC (good close games), it’s reduntant and nothing in comparision.
Being a San Francisco Bay Area Native, I grew up hearing and witnessing the rivalry, especially when my girlfriend went to Stanford for her masters… Many of my friends who were CAL graduates gave her a hard time.
Ohio State- Michigan is hands down the greatest rivalry. Not that there aren’t some other great rivalries, but OSU-UofM garners the most attention nationwide. Most likely because of each schools huge alumni base. Bama-Auburn is a great rivalry, however, it doesn’t get a lot of attention outside of SEC country. The same can be said for most of these games.
Minnesota vs. Wisconsin deserves to be mentioned simply because it has been played the most times and for the longest amount of time. The Battle for Paul Bunyan’s Axe has seen some great games in the modern era, and a few upsets.
Oh, and not including The Big Game is just in poor taste. Cal vs. Stanford is a great, great rivalry in any sport, and in football it is simply unequaled.
Michigan v. OSU.
Who can forget the “Ten Year War,” where Bo left Woody to go coach “them boys up north”? Woody Hayes hated Michigan so much that he refused to stop the bus in the state of Michigan for any reason, ever.
Just three years ago, OSU wouldn’t let the U of M players off the team bus for the game at OSU without undergoing a “security check” first - making them stand in line while their baggage was searched - due to “heightened security.
To this day, if you’re driving a car with a Michigan plate, best stay away from the Ohio State Troopers for (at least) two weeks before the UM-OSU game (and, if U of M wins, for several weeks afterwards …)
too bad the video clips for the texas-oklahoma game are over 3 years old, seeing as how texas has won the last 2 meetings.
To leave off “The Big Game” Cal vs Stanford is silly. “The Play” must be one of the most legendary sports moments off all time. That play gives hope to every team that is down with almost no time left.
OU vs TX obviously
and why is the video basically a pro-OU video wtf?
no TX vs A&M but u have oregon vs oregon st and ou vs ok st?? this list lost credibility right there.
Harvard-Yale
“THE GAME”
rivals since 1875. Tell me about a rivalry that’s older.
How could they leave off Texas A&M vs University of Texas?
The Texas/Texas A&M rivalry has given rise to several stereotypes on both sides: Aggies are generally portrayed as ignorant and dumb farmers, while Longhorns are portrayed as highbrow and arrogant city-slickers. The annual football game with Texas A&M takes place the day after Thanksgiving each year. In an attempt to generate more attention for the rivalry in sports other than football, in 2004 the two schools started the Lone Star Showdown, a trial two-year program. Essentially, each time the two schools meet in a sport, the winner of the match up gets a point. At the end of the year, the school with the most points wins the series and receives a trophy.
Aspects of the rivalry include:
* Each school mentions the other in their fight song (Texas with “and it’s goodbye to A&M” in Texas Fight, and the Aggies singing about Texas for essentially the entire second verse of the Aggie War Hymn)
* The football series between the two universities is the third longest running rivalry in all of college football. Since 1900, the last regular season football game is usually reserved for their match up.[
* Each school has elaborate pre-game preparations for the annual football clash, including the Aggie Bonfire and the Hex Rally
* Texas has a unique lighting scheme for the UT Tower after wins over Texas A&M.
* In the past, mischief has preceded the annual game, such as “kidnapping” each others mascots.
That should be enough to put it on the list.
Army Navy
Seriously, I vomit when I get near the UW campus. You want rivalry, thing Apple Cup - University of Washington vs. Washington State University - this year for the 100th time. Cougs will be victoriuous… and, on to a bowl. GO COUGS!
No Cal/Stanford = List is GARBAGE
Iowa VS. Iowa State!!!
Louisville versus Kentucky is the greatest of all time
Obviously none of you have ever been to a USC vs UCLA football game. It is one of the biggest events I have ever been to and I go every year. Where else will you see the most LAPD in the same place.
This rivalry is one of the greatest. Just because UCLA hasn’t been quite a worthy advisary these past few years doesn’t make this rivalry any weaker. Everywhere you go in SoCal you are either for USC or UCLA. No exceptions.
Fight on!
OU/Texas hands down. I think that Texas A&M/Texas should have at least been on the list though.
Agreed, I’m an east coaster and even I realize that Cal-Stanford has to be in the top 3.
No Cal-Stanford is a shame. But honestly, some of the winners from both schools are taking it too far when they claim that the USC-UCLA rivarly is somehow lesser as it being equal to USC-Cal is just plain nuts.
The Cal-Stanford rivarly is great, in its geeky crappy programmes going at it sort of way. Cute, no doubt. However, that game does not have the same cachet as USC-UCLA, both bring powerhouse tradition and the game has a tradition of upsets. Many a national championship has been lost/ruined by the USC-UCLA yearly meetup, Stanford-Cal does not even come close in that regard.
nice list, but to restate what has been said above, u are def. missing a really strong rivalry between Texas A&M and U. of Texas. although it may not be the strongest game, it is a state tradition that clearly displays Texas Football legacy. to not even mention it above, is a mistake.
Alabama and Auburn hands down. What other game causes a whole state to come to a stand still for one day every year? It’s the most heated rivalry every year.
Mississippi State and Ole Miss
As a Cal alum, and with a wife who went to Stanfurd, I am slightly upset that the Big Game isn’t on the list, but quite frankly, while it means a lot to those involved in the Bay Area, it doesn’t mean much to the rest of the country.
Now, if this was a list of the top 10 games or plays in NCAA rivalry, I would definitely be yelling for “The Play” to be up there. But this is a list of top rivalries. Neither team has been relevant at the same time in recent years to make the rivalry anything special. For the last decade or two it has gone through years of one-sided-ness for one team or the other.
But still… Go Bears!
Ohio State and Michigan
Clemson vs South Carolina
uhhh berkeley vs. stanfurd?
UCLA vs. USC
Hands down.
Some great rivalry games here, but I have to give it to OSU v Michigan.
USC vs Notre Dame!!
FSU v. Miami? LMAO. this list is stupid.
how about FSU v. Florida?
1. Ohio State - Michigan
2. USC - UCLA
Wabash College Little Giants vs. Depauw Tigers. The rivalry between Wabash and DePauw began in 1890 and is the oldest college football rivalry west of the Alleghenies where more than 100 games have been played.
Clemson vs. USC
As bitter of a rivalry as they get. Clemson cadets got thier riffles out at one point at the turn of the last century causing a six year break in playing each other.
There is only one USC and it isn’t in California.
“The Game” is actually Lehigh vs. Lafayette.
The oldest college rivalry in history.
Michigan vs. Ohio State
Is there an official place that states what the oldest college rivalry is?
This has been VERY poorly put together with slanted video content and incomplete listings… I’m not even going to bother to vote.
Why is your “Iron Bowl” video nothing but Auburn highlights? Lil biased, are we?
#1 UofM - OSU (Got my tickets for this years game on Wednes
)
I would say though, you forgot UofM MSU and UofM Notre Dame…
Your Georgia Tech/Georgia video is actually VIRGINIA TECH/Georgia. Your webmaster obviously went to Georgia.
Bedlam. OSU v. OU
Why is there a video of Texas on the OSU/OU rivalry??? Neither team is even in the video.
Army v Navy is #1
“The Game” is none other than the one played between Harvard and Yale.
We don’t really hate Georgia Tech all that much. Their fans are nice and they’re pretty close to Athens.
BUT most of us like to read the Gainsville, FL obituaries for fun.
I know it’s not one of the top ones, but I always enjoy Michigan/Notre Dame. This game between the #1 and #2 winningest programs in college football is always pretty hotly contested. The Michigan/OSU is unquestionably the biggest of all rivalries in all of college football. The fact they almost always play the last game of the season against each other makes it captivating, as one or both are vying for the national title.
No Texas A&M/Texas = no top rivalry list.
What about Texas vs. Texas A&M?
As a Texas fan I obviously want Texas to beat Oklahoma every year, but at the end of the day OU is just another school. In that sense the rivalry is somewhat civil. I gather it’s similar to OSU-Michigan.
The Texas / Texas A&M rivalry is unique, in my mind, because it incorporates all sorts of other non-football rivalries. Liberal vs. Conservative. Rich vs. working class. I don’t just dislike A&M the university, I detest the Aggie *mindset*.
I’m obviously biased, but West Virginia vs. Pitt is my choice. In the many years I’ve watched these games, the result oftentimes mattered little where the teams were ranked. At a time when Pitt was one of the best teams in the nation and West Virginia had a badly losing season, they nonetheless held Tony Dorsett to the least yardage in a game. These are two teams that have little to no respect for one another and anything can happen during a game.
Tennessee and florida need to be on there…. there’s a hell of alotta hate in that rivelry
NO FLORIDA vs FSU?
Worst list ever. That is the BIGGEST if not one of the biggest rivalry in the country. HOw many times has FSU knocked FLA out of national title contention and vice versa…on the LAST game of the year.
Worst list ever.
OSU vs. Michigan is by far the best rivalry if not direct hatred for each other.
Game of the Century? Oklahoma vs. Nebraska? That rivalry should be somewhere on the list.
Texas A&M vs. University of Texas
3rd longest running rivalry in all of college football - since 1894
where’s the UTK v UFlorida rivalry? You haven’t seen anything until you see the aftermath of the Strip in Knoxville after Florida comes into town. Blood and whiskey, folks.
Shut up Aggie fans. You are not a rival. You are the small school out in hick town. Think about Tech or Baylor to be your all time rival, not Texas. jerks.
Iowa vs Iowa State
No, OU vs Nebraska. Must not know much football history. The OU vs OSU game is a joke. Poor article.
I agree with #35, #73 and #96. FSU v. Miami is a great rivalry sure, close games and all. But you can’t have that on there if you don’t first have FSU vs. UF. When you’re in elementary school in Central Florida hours away from either campus, no one cares about Miami. It’s are you a Gator or are you a Seminole, that’s how you make your shallow childhood friendships.
Yea sure Florida has Tenn, Auburn, GA and LSU every year
Sure FSU plays Miami, VT and now BC.
But the whole “season” is really just an exhibition for Thanksgiving Saturday.
Bevo”Butt”Buddie why don’t you READ the posts. Then you would find out that most of the posts regarding the A&M-t.u. rivalry are being made by t.u. fanboys. A&M fans would not pick the Red River Shootout as the #1 rivalry. Douchebag.
There’s a reason FSU used to play Miami to open the season and UF to close it. Miami is big and fun, but the UF-FSU game is the one that makes or breaks seasons. Hell, they’ve even competed at the national title game
University of Tennessee VS. Florida
Michigan vs. Ohio State definetly. These two teams have always been the top teams in the nation since 1905 and these teams are from an elite conference and who needs a conference championsip game,THIS IS ONE!!!
Where is Washington State vs. Washington (aka Apple Cup)? Some of the fiercest competition right there!
What happened to the 3rd LONGEST rivalry of ALL TIME??? Texas A&M v. Texas?? You picked Texas v. OU over that? That clearly explains how much you know about football.
alabama v. auburn without a doubt
not florida vs. tennessee or florida vs. florida st.? this list sux
A&M vs Texas should definately be on there. It’s not just an athletic rivalry. It’s Conservative vs Liberal, Business vs Agriculture, City vs Country.
I should’ve said “Agriculture vs Business”, “Country vs City”, to keep in line with the “A&M vs Texas” theme.
Stanford VS. Cal
Name of the Game: The Big Game
At Stake: Stanford Axe
Played Since: 1892
Many upsets, an abundance of close games, and one gut-wrenching play that is indisputably the best offensive play in college football, if not the entire sports world, has helped to fuel one of the nation’s most fiercest rivalries. In addition, The Big Game has helped define the landscape of college athletics in the Bay Area and beyond.
Come on, OU vs. Nebraska should be listed.
Hands down, maybe you have to be from the state, but the Carolina and Clemson rivalry is one of the greatest in college football. You basically have to pick a side of the fence when you enter the state, but both have very loyal followings (and being on the side with the team that once had a 21 game losing streak, that says a lot.
OU v. TX maybe second, but the state of South Carolina would revolt if the USC / Clemson game was ever removed from the schedule.
Fresno State vs. Boise State!
This is a young rivalry, but is heated and there is hatred on both sides.
List needs Harvard/Yale, Wabash/Depauw and Lehigh/Lafayette to be at all credible.
It’s has to be Iowa-ISU football game. The whole state stop’s to watch game live, on TV, or at work at time’s. It’s a week of constant banter between the 2 school’s. Be it, pep-rallies, organize event’s, or the collective fan bet on the game. Everyone, in state of Iowa riding on the game: pride, bragging right’s, or just school spirit.
It’s state-wide love fest with the game like it or hate(you can’t help get caught up in it that week). Iowa law was invocked to get the game played(so the theory goes). It’s has my vote to great rivarly game’s in NCAA sport’s.
Iowa - Iowa State dates back farther than that … that was the year they restarted it after taking a break due to too much violence … that being said, it doesn’t deserve to win this poll … as a Hawk, I’d much rather beat Minnesota, Wisconsin, and especially Illannoy than our Little Sisters in Ames
I will preface by saying that I’m an alumni of OK. The OU/TX game is a big one and is, in my opinion, number one. It is one of only two games on this list (and in rivalry history) that is played at a neutral location each year. The entire Dallas/FW metro area is turned upside down for 3 days as the students and fans of both school descend upon West End, Deep Ellum, The State Fair of Texas, and more hotels/apartments/small homes/tent cities/RV parking lots than can be counted.
I must however give credence to ‘Bama v Auburn and the unlisted UT v A&M.
Oh, and yes, OU-OSU Bedlam football is only a rivalry to OSU.
Cal vs. Stanford beats any of these
The Big Game, The Stanford Axe, the Play
all of these are legendary
Plus they compete in academics too
Florida vs Florida State.
Definately need to put ND and U of M in there. I’m a ND fan, but the fact that Michigan taught ND how to play football back in the 1890s and that the field on Campus at ND is modeled after The Big House says a lot about the respect that these teams give each other, and with the recent fact they just added 30yrs of games onto their rivalry is awesome. Plus Michigan and Notre Dame are the two winning-est programs in the country.
BYU vs. Utah
http://youtube.com/watch?v=mq9SjeyQ8Ns
Let’s not forget AMHERST v WILLIAMS, one of the oldest and best rivalries in the country. And to leave out Harvard v. Yale is just dumb. Maybe you should explictly limit consideration to Div. 1 meathead schools.
Ala. v Auburn for sure. I think you have to pick one of these teams when you pick up your lisence in AL
How can anyone honestly say that any game is more intense and usually meaningful than Michigan-Ohio State? A rivalry between two perennial powerhouses such as the Wolverines and Buckeyes has gotta be the top rivalry in college football if not all of sport.
I’m biased toward the SEC but Ohio State vs. Michigan is not only the greatest rivalry in all of college football, it might be the greatest rivalry in all of sports. No other two teams share so much hate, yet so much respect for each other. The Iron Bowl would be my second pick but at a distant second.
Helloooo?!?!? CAL VS. STANFORD… Only the most memorable college football play ever…
Hey STUPID!!! You have Georgia playing “VT” not “GT”. OMG DUH!!!
Michigan vs. Ohio State hands down.
Thank you, LAK. Williams v. Amherst is a true school rivalry (read no scholarships, no money involved, only pride on the line) and it’s been going on for over 100 years. Nothing quite like the crisp October Saturday in the Purple Mountains at which you can actually hear signals being called. Go Ephs!
Harvard - Yale
I have been watching football my whole life and never watched the Cal vs Stanford game. Why? Because it may be a great rivalry, but Epic? I think not. OU vs Nebraska at least has some excitment.
Ohio State - Michigan and it’s not even close.
I’ll give Ohio v Michigan the top spot, but come on, where are the other Big Ten teams? Come to Camp Randall when Michigan or Minnesota are around, or even Ohio. Some great games in the last ten years have been repeats of Bog Ten Matchups. PUll your head out of the south for a few minutes and watch some meat grinder football.
Army Navy
I’ve visited West Point, everything on Post has “Go Army, Beat Navy” plastered on it year round, from the bleachers to the custom made milk cartons in the mess hall. I’m sure the same happens on the Yard.
Central Michigan - Western Michigan doesn’t get a mention?
Carolina-Clemson… duh
Without a dought The Ohio State University versus the team up north( Woody Hayes) is the biggest in college football and I believe all of sport. Jim Tressel was hired at Ohio State over other candidates when he said he did not care about any other game on the Schedule. He said his men would always concentrate on THE GAME more than any other. I do believe West Point against Navy is a strong secound look back at the history of this game and all the great American leaders who have played for two of the finest institutions in the world. It is a sight to behold when the Cadets of ARMY and the Midshipmen of NAVY take to the field. I as a former service member along with my brothers ( One a WEST POINT grad and the other an ENLISTED (VOLUNTEER) NAVY Petty Officer always look forward to this one. I will give the Red River Shootout a close 3rd. I also will promis this; Stovie we are going to make all three of these games this year. Go Army.
Everyone knows the answer to this one. Ohio State and Michigan playing smash mouth football. All the Sec lovers out there will disagree. I know the Iron Bowl is a great game. To bad it is Not even in the top 5. I will go along with the previous poster. My top 3 is the same as his. I will take it one step further. I alos ask that all of you do the same. Lets see everyone’s top 5 it will tell alot more about where you may be from and the type of football you enjoy.. Ok enough I am starting to sound like BABAS(LOL) OHIO STATE vs MICHIGAN #1, WEST POINT vs NAVY #2, OKLAHOMA vs TEXAS #3, USC vs UCLA#4, and OKLAHOMA STATE vs OKLAHOMA. Any questions DOGG NUTS??????
usc vs taters not many can say that they had a fight on the field
For all of you that didn’t find your rivalry on here, go to sportales main page and look, because there is an updated version of this article with more games and information.
Sorry if this one didn’t meet your expectances.
It should be USC over Notre Dame nationally.
AND
It will be USC over UCLA locally
Clemson vs. South Carolina, tiger fans hanging rubber chickens, gamecock fans strangling tiger dolls, the the brawl of 2004, this is hands down the fiercest rivalry in the southeast if not the country
Iron Bowl in a Landslide!!!!!!!!
Okay here are the my picks for the 10 greatest rivalry games:
#1 Michigan vs. Ohio State,
#2 Army vs. Navy,
#3 Iron Bowl- Alabama(BOOOO!) vs. Auburn,
#4 Red River Shootout-Texas vs. Oklahoma
#5 Clemson vs. South Carolina,
#6 Miami vs Florida State,
#7 Third week of October-Tennessee vs. Alabama,
#8 Catholics versus Convics-Notre Dame vs. USC,
#9 Georgia vs. Florida,
#10 Cal vs. Stanford
Honorable Mention:
Appalachian State vs Michigan
The most bitter rivalry in college football, without a doubt, is Alabama vs. Auburn. That’s the only rivalry where I’ve seen a team fire there coach just because they had trouble beating the other team. I wish Michigan had that attitude about beating Ohio State. Then they would have given Lloyd Carr the boot a long time ago.
In case you didn’t know Landon, Coach Cooper was fired as the Ohio State coach because he couldn’t beat the team up north.
I’ll go with Notre Dame vs. USC.
Played since:1926
At stake:Jeweled Shillelagh
Notre Dame vs USC is my vote because they’re both good teams (but Notre Dame is better). Even though Notre Dame has beaten USC more times I’ll always watch them play against each other.
OSU-michigan hands down
Iowa Vs Iowa State! ~~~~GO HAWKS!!!
Ole Miss vs LSU the hatred shared for each other makes it one of the top most bitter rivalries out there
The alltime best college football rivalry is Randolph-Macon College vs. Hampden-Sydney College.
What’s up with that video on the OSU-OU rivalry?? Whoever posted it should know that everybody in Oklahoma hates UT’s guts!! Please change it, I’m sure there’s plenty of videos relating to OSU and OU.
iron bowl !!!
hands down!!!!!!!!
it doesnt matter if were 0-11, as long as we beat alabama all is fine.
the best is Yale v. Harvard.. it does not need ESPN or any tv crew there to hype it up. its played no matter what and it is always a good game.
btw pick of the week
Yale 27
Harvard 13 go Eli’s
Cal vs Stanford is the rivalry most frequently discussed outside of the list, just look at how many people are amazed that it’s been left off!!! It’s 115 years old, has a great story behind “the axe” trophy and has the greatest play in college football history!!! Cal and Stanford are the two best schools in 1-A football. Please rivise the list!
“They’re down to the 20, ….all the band is out on the field!”
BAMA AUBURN SHOULD BE NUMBER 1 THAT IS EASILY THE BEST RIVARLY OF ALL TIME.
TEXAS A&M vs. TEXAS….duh!
OSU vs. Michigan, hands down….no other college football program can top it, no matter what you fools say.
Ohio State-Michigan, Go BUCKEYES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! still in the hunt and it is looking better every week.
Clean Old Fashioned Hate!
Georgia Tech vs. Georgia
Go Yellow Jackets!
Oklahoma VS Texas
Still played on Nuetral ground. Both teams are always competitive and there is definetely more than enough hate to go around. Take a look at the city of Dallas during the weekend of the game. It’s never been so busy.
The greatest rivalry in college football that I’ve ever seen is BYU-UTAH. It deserves to at least be on this list. USA Today ranked it in the top 5 in the nation. The proximity of the two schools, the religious undertones, the great games through-out the series history (especially recently), the fact that most games are to decide a conference championship, and the pure dislike (dare I say hate) that exists between the two teams all add up to equal one of the greatest rivalries in all the world of sport.
Ohio State - Mich. Just the biggest there is
BYU v. Utah
In a state where religious feelings run deep, even many leaders of the LDS Church are graduates of the BYU’s rival, Utah. When your team loses, you can only hang your head the next day at Church or at work on Monday, where a rival fan is sure to gloat. No matter how good a team’s season may be, this game always comes down to emotion and effort. Having watched BYU since the 80’s, more helmets fly in this game than any other all season. Many games have come down to last-second plays such as a long scramble to find an open man in the endzone for a touchdown after time had expired in 2006 or a field goal attempt hitting the upright and bouncing out in the 90’s. Don (#171) describes it well.
Alabama vs. Auburn…bare none.
There is no other rivalry where:
1. it takes of hold of lives for 364 days a year (win or loss)
2. each team hates each other with a passion
3. teams could care less if they go 0-11 but win the Iron bowl
4. families and friendships are destroyed because of the game
I know that everyone says the biggest is OU vs. Texas, Michigan vs. Ohio State, or FSU vs. Miami, but the Iron Bowl is without a doubt the biggest rivalry in the history of the game. You’d have to be from the South to understand how huge it is, and being that I’ve lived in Alabama my whole life, I can say it’s more than a game: it’s just as much of a religion.
Iowa State vs. Univ. of Iowa
1977 was the 25th meeting. However it was after a long pause as these teams did not play one another from 1935-1977. They first met in 1894. This is a game that an entire state turns out or tunes in to watch. Other regions of the country turn out part of a state, but in the midwest it turns out all of the state plus large parts of surrounding states. Better than watching the corn grow (that is what the coastals will accuse so I thought I’d say before them).
All the rivalrys deserve attention because it keeps the fans fueled for the game.
Must be no love for the desert rats out here in sunny Arizona. The Arizona State vs. University of Arizona battle is sadly overlooked. Though it is not as nationally popular as say Michigan vs. Ohio State, this game is the highlight of college football to the students and fans of these schools.
BTW
Wildcats blow
Sun Devils rule the desert baby!!!
I truly enjoy the Utah/BYU rivalry….you can laugh all you want but its a great game…Utah leads the series by a large margin.BYU does thier typical version of history as they do in thier religious history (always changing it to match thier perspective)and say that Utah has 6 less wins than they do because BYU was an academy, yet they wont take off the 28 wins they have over AIR FORCE ACADEMY,or they say it started in 1922 which it did not…it satarted in 1895 with a baseball game that ended in a tie and then a bench clearing brawl….Im sure the Utes kicked thier butts then too…go UTES!
I truly enjoy the Utah/BYU rivalry….you can laugh all you want but its a great game…Utah leads the series by a large margin.BYU does thier typical version of history as they do in thier religious history (always changing it to match thier perspective)and say that Utah has 6 less wins than they do because BYU was an academy, yet they wont take off the 28 wins they have over AIR FORCE ACADEMY,or they say it started in 1922 which it did not…it satarted in 1895 with a baseball game that ended in a tie and then a bench clearing brawl….Im sure the Utes kicked thier butts then too…go UTES!
Texas-OU, the only time football ever becomes war. It USED to be Texas-Arkansas until the SWC folded. Texas really has no rivalry with A&M; that’s always been more their rivalry than ours, same as when we played Rice or SMU or somebody like that. But matching God’s favorite team, the Longhorns, with those heathen, godless, communistic infidels on the accursed side of the Red River–well, that is a calling of a sacred nature.
This is the worst website ever. For one, The iron bowl is the best, but that video is terrible, you have to have it fair and put some Bama clips on it too
to tell u the truth auburn lsu is becoming one of the biggest games. almost every year the winner of that game goes on to play in the sec championship game and the past few years the game has come down the last last seconds. this rivalry is not getting all the credit deserved
Army vs. Navy is the best. In terms of the national championships, this game hasn’t been relevant in four decades, but I don’t hold that against it. Second is Alabama - Auburn. Take it from someone who lived there for a while, football is a way of life, almost a religion, in the South especially in the state of Alabama. Third would be Ohio State - Michigan. I am surprised to NOT see Stanford - Cal and Tennessee - Alabama on the list.
This is for sure the greatest college football rivalry. These two teams have so much hatred for each other, that when you get these two teams together you get a true rivalry game. I love when ever these two teams face each other, because theres so much going on, and so much on the line that it makes the game intense. Personaly I hate the hogs, so watching them face Texas, and knowing that their going to get their tails whiped makes me want to watch the game even more.
HOGS SUCK!!!! HOOK’EM HORNS I LOVE TEXAS
#1 greatest rivalry ever is Texas vs Arkansas. Because its so halerious to watch Arkansas who thinks their all, it beaten down by Texas who is the greatest team ever. This rivalty is clasic and needs to happen more than every 5 years. I love watching these two teams square off its exicting, intense, and fun to watch. I think this rivalry should for sure be in the list, because every Hog and Texas fan would say that watching these games is better than any of the others. Why not put this rivalry in the list when it clearly deserves to be in there.
PIG SOOOOIE WHAT?!! SUCKS!!!!!!!! They will never be better than TEXAS
TEXAS is better than Arkansas because
ARKANSAS SUCKS
HOOK’EM HORNS
why is this rivalry not in the list someone please tell me why? Its the greatest rivalry ever!!
ARKANSAS will get their butts whiped by Texas this season and every seaon they face each other.
Texas/Texas A&M without a doubt. If for noother reasonthan the legend of the Chicken Ranch. Legend has it the winner of the game got to go to the Chicken Ranch, free of charge.
Now that’s worh fighting for!
Gig ‘Em Aggies!!! Even in this season.
I agree with Barry(post#84).
While Georgia Tech doesnt have our hearts, we will pull for them to win against most any team except Georgia.
But we will always pull for anyone playing the Gators, no matter what.
If you have never been to a UGA -Florida game, then by all means go! Its something everyone should experience at least once…
After attending,you will never again have to ask, what is the greatest rivalry in College Football!!
Here is a small school rivalry I’m sure 99% of you have never heard of. Valley City State vs Jamestown College. They play in the Dakota Athletic Conference. They will meet for the 105th time this Saturday (11-8-08). They have played non-stop since 1909.
Oh give me a break! I lived in Columbus for 5 years and the OSU/Mich game is tantamount to two metrosexuals arguing over pleated pants!!
I was born in Alabama and that’s where I live now. And there is not a game in the world like Alabama/Auburn. You can call us rednecks if you want to, and you can make fun of the fact that people have been beaten, divorced, and shot over the outcome of this game. But you can not deny that, come Saturday, every pure-bred Alabamian will have that game on. Not to mention that “Baptist” might very well be a fancy Bible word for “Alabama Fan”.
One last thing…when you come to Alabama, you better watch what you wear. I have never owned - nor will I ever own - an orange & blue shirt. Take my advice and pick a team before you move here and be prepared to be 100% committed to your choice. Because you *will* be asked who you’re loyal to and you *will* be required to answer. And no, we don’t take, “I’m not from here, so I don’t care.” The response is likely to be, “Then get the hell out.”
By the way…ROLL.DAMN.TIDE.!
this is so simple…it is clearly the
IRON BOWL.
ROLL TIDE ROLL !!!!!!!!!!!!!
12 NATIONAL CHAMPS
If we are talking rivalry on a national level then Michigan(#1 all-time in wins)vs Notre Dame(#3 all-time in wins)has to be in the list.
And I agree with many who said Texas-Texas A&M since they have played 115 times in the state that’s known for great football.
I think it depends on the era the rivalry is played. Once upon a time Miami-florida State was the top rivarly. Definetely in the 80,s and part of the 90s. they were usually the top programs andthe national title was won or lost by those schools or playing them. Now their is nothing on the line when then play since both teams have taken a nose dive. i don’t believe any rivalry can claim to be the best, it just depends on the era. Michigan- Notre dame was a great rivalry, but what is at stake now??? Notre dame -USC was great as well, but now it is just USC dominace. Florida-UGA is still and always has been a great rivalry (the worlds biiggest cocktail party). All of the rivalrys mentioned above are great, but no rivalry can claim to be the best forever.