Top College Football Rivalries: A Deep Dive

College football is more than just a game; it's a cultural phenomenon fueled by passionate fans, historic programs, and, most importantly, intense rivalries. These rivalries, often steeped in tradition and history, create unforgettable moments and define the landscape of the sport. From coast to coast, these matchups ignite passion, divide communities, and leave lasting memories.

The Pinnacle: Defining the Greatest Rivalries

The Athletic has ranked the Top 25 college football rivalry games, showcasing the intensity and tradition that define these matchups, many of which occur on rivalry weekend, immediately after Thanksgiving. Let's delve into some of the most iconic rivalries that top the list and explore what makes them so special.

1. Michigan vs. Ohio State: "The Game"

Known simply as "The Game," this rivalry transcends college football, standing as one of the biggest and most heated matchups in American sports. With 120 meetings, Michigan leads the series 62-51-6 (though Ohio State's 2010 win was vacated). The rivalry's intensity is fueled by the programs' consistent competitiveness, their shared Big Ten conference affiliation, and their geographical proximity.

The roots of the rivalry can be traced back to a real-deal armed conflict. Both Michigan and Ohio State are amongst the best college football programs in the sport’s history. Good rivalries aren’t one-sided, uneven matchups; it wouldn’t be much of a rivalry if one side always won. Then there’s the fact that both teams are in the Big Ten. And speaking of familiarity breeding contempt, it’s also worth mentioning that Michigan and Ohio State share a border. In fact, the two states went to war over their shared border in 1835.

2. Alabama vs. Auburn: The Iron Bowl

The "Iron Bowl" has birthed some of the most memorable moments in college football history. With 89 total meetings, Alabama leads the series 51-37-1. This rivalry, deeply embedded in the state's culture, showcases intense passion, especially as Alabama lacks a professional football team, making the Iron Bowl their equivalent of the Super Bowl.

Just like Michigan-Ohio State, the Iron Bowl rivalry-that’s the moniker for the annual meeting between the Crimson Tide and the Tigers-has its roots in a political spat. To make a long story short, both Tuscaloosa and Auburn wanted to be the site of a new land-grant college under the Morrill Land Grant Act of 1862. On to slightly more relevant considerations-Alabama and Auburn held their first showdown in Birmingham in February 1893. Both Alabama and Auburn compete in the SEC.

3. Oklahoma vs. Texas: Red River Rivalry

The "Red River Rivalry" is a border war. With 120 total meetings, Texas leads 64-51-5. Every October, fans from both Oklahoma and Texas evenly fill the stands at the Cotton Bowl in Dallas to cheer on one of college football's most intense and storied rivalries. The game is played in the Cotton Bowl in Dallas and happens at the same time as the Texas State Fair. The fervor will only grow as the rivalry moves from the Big 12 to the SEC, the country's toughest, deepest and most successful football conference.

4. Army vs. Navy: America's Game

America’s game is one of the best rivalry games in all of sports. This rivalry is about tradition and pageantry. Every December, the annual matchup between the two service academies features an electric atmosphere beyond compare. The annual matchup has been held uninterrupted since 1930. The Navy leads this rivalry with a 63-55-7 record.

5. Notre Dame vs. USC

A lot of people would favor Notre Dame these days based on the trajectory of the programs. More than 2,000 miles separate the two campuses. That distance was a challenge back when teams were still traveling via train. The clash of styles, colors, the pageantry is great.

6. Texas A&M vs. Texas

Back when these two were in the same conference, this was a bitter rivalry. Although the two states aren’t directly next to each other, recruiting wars still wage on between the schools. This long-standing rivalry was put on hold when Texas A&M moved to the SEC in 2012.

Read also: Crafting Your NCAA Profile

7. Florida State vs. Miami

A bitter in-state rivalry here as the Hurricanes lead this series by a smidge. Just go look up the four wide right games or the couple wide left ones. That’s how razor thin some of the matchups are. The 2006 meeting between the two teams broke ESPN viewership records. This is one of the closest rivalries in college football, making it a great watch every year. This rivalry, lasting over a century, began in 1901, with Mississippi State winning 17-0.

8. Pittsburgh vs. West Virginia

Although their first meeting was in 1912, the two teams have only played each other 39 times. Although Ohio State has won 12 of the last 14 meetings, every game has had high stakes and the Buckeyes haven’t been ranked lower than No. 12 in the country in that time. Known as the Backyard Brawl, only 75 miles separate Pitt and West Virginia. Although Pitt was moved to the ACC and West Virginia to the Big 12, this rivalry remains heated.

9. Florida vs. Florida State

We already mentioned one Florida rivalry, now here’s the other one between two out of conference foes. Both teams won’t be ranked simultaneously this year, based on projections. But it’s always a good time when they are. You just have to go back to 2016 for something like that. With 150 miles separating Tallahassee and Gainesville, there is a fervid rivalry between Florida State and Florida, the two oldest public universities in the state.

10. Minnesota vs. Wisconsin

If you want to get Paul Bunyan’s Axe, you gotta be able to grind through this game. This series is so tight, it’s actually tied! From 2004-17, Wisconsin didn’t lose. But since 2018, Minnesota has pulled even and there have been some close, low scoring games.

Additional Notable Rivalries

Beyond the top 10, numerous other college football rivalries deserve recognition for their unique histories, traditions, and intensity. Here are some additional rivalries that contribute to the rich tapestry of college football:

UCLA vs. USC

The UCLA-USC rivalry, also known as the "Crosstown Cup," is the annual battle for bragging rights in Los Angeles. The winner hoists the Victory Bell trophy, an actual bell from a vintage Southern Pacific locomotive. This is one of the closest rivalries in college football, quite literally, with the campuses of USC and UCLA being separated by only about 12 miles.

Ole Miss vs. Mississippi State

A mere 75 miles separate the two schools in the "Battle for the Golden Egg." The rivalry between Mississippi State and Ole Miss has had its fair share of drama over the years. The Ole Miss-Mississippi State rivalry may be one of the most heated on the entire list. Even when enduring an otherwise poor season, for many the success of the season depends entirely on the result of the Egg Bowl.

Harvard vs. Yale

If the Army-Navy rivalry gets a mention on the list of the biggest college football rivalries, then so should Harvard-Yale. They’re in the same athletic conference, they’re both in New England, and they’re both academic powerhouses with incredibly rich and prestigious histories. This in-state rivalry dates back to the 1890s.

California vs. Stanford

A Northern California battle between private school Stanford and public school California, Berkeley.

BYU vs. Utah

This rivalry goes by the name of the “Holy War.” That’s pretty much all you need to know.

New Mexico vs. New Mexico State

Like all in-state rivalries, this one has its share of heated moments. The schools have two nicknames for their series. New Mexico labels it the “Rio Grande Rivalry,” while New Mexico State calls it the “Battle of I-25.”

Longest Continuously-Played Series

Tradition plays a significant role in college football rivalries, and the length of a series often adds to its prestige. Some of the longest active continuously-played series in NCAA college football include:

Lafayette vs. Lehigh: This rivalry, known simply as "The Rivalry," is the longest-running uninterrupted series in college football, dating back to 1884.

The Impact of Conference Realignment

Conference realignment has significantly impacted college football rivalries, threatening some cherished matchups while rekindling others. The upheaval within the Big Ten, Pac-12, and Southeastern Conferences has forced teams to adjust their schedules, leading to both the loss and creation of rivalries.

Rivalries Beyond Football

While college football rivalries often take center stage, intense rivalries also exist in other sports, such as basketball. Some notable college basketball rivalries include:

Duke vs. North Carolina: Without question, the Duke and North Carolina matchup never disappoints. The games are always electric whether these teams meet in the regular season, the ACC tournament, or in the Final Four.
Louisville vs. Kentucky: Louisville and Kentucky are two programs that always bring the excitement when they meet.
Indiana vs. Purdue: Indiana's roster for the upcoming season shows some great talent and experience. Purdue's dominance is expected to continue this season.
Xavier vs. Cincinnati: The Crosstown Shootout between Xavier and Cincinnati is a must-watch rivalry in college basketball.
UCLA vs. USC: This matchup is now a Big Ten rivalry.

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