Tiers of Rivalries

We've been discussing rivalries lately. The fact is there are tons of great rivalries, both here and in other leagues that just do not get national play for whatever reason. Sometimes its because 1 side of said rivalry has sucked. Sometimes it's just because not enough goes into marketing it to the outside world.

I think you can seperate rivalries into 3 tiers (regardless if the game is still played on a yearly basis or not, and eben if one school is not in the SEC):

1. Nationally known rivalries-Every fan everywhere knows and accepts these as rivalries.

In the SEC: Iron Bowl, Egg Bowl, Lone Star Showdown, Cocktail Party, Florida/Florida State, Border War, Palmetto Bowl, Hate

2. Regionally known rivalries - Only the affiliated fans and others in the conference accpet these as rivalries. The rest of the nation either says no or is unaware. The SEC and the schools should do a better job in promoting these games.

In the SEC: Third Saturday, Arkansas/Texas, Deep South's Oldest, Magnolia Bowl, Kentucky/Tennessee, South Carolina/Georgia, Tennessee/Vanderbilt

3. Invented rivalries: These are rivalries that the media invents, or the schools invent, or get more intense because both schools are good and then die when one or both schools regress, or one side's fans do not accept it and their nonacceptence has logic behind it, or the game didn't matter before it was a crossover game.

In the SEC: Alabama-LSU: Before Saban-Miles, this was just another game, no matter what the LSU people claim. I think most Tide fans would not claim this as a traditional rivalry, and looking at the record between the schools in the long run, especially in the 20th century, their non-claim of this rivalry has merit.

The Boot Game: Totally invented rivalry. Games have been good overall, but no one cares when one side sucks.

Texas A&M/Any other SEC School: Anyone who claims that A&M has a rivalry with any SEC school is making it up. Let's revisit this in 50 years or so.

Florida/Tennessee: I used to look forward to this game. CBS launched their season with this game in primetime. Then Florida hired Ron Zook. They got better, then Tennessee hired Derek Dooley. No one cares anymore. This was the Alabama-LSU of the 90s.

Florida/LSU: The poster child of the invented crossover rivalry. I think Les Miles' crusade to boot Florida from the LSU schedule says all you need to say about the worth of this rivalry. Dumping a rival out of hate so intense that the other side makes you sick is the sign of a rivalry. (Alabama/Auburn not playing for 30 years back in the day) Dumping a side because you just do not want to play them because they are too good, that is just another game.