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The 10 greatest rivalries that make college football the greatest sport on earth

Posted on 3/12/25 at 10:10 am
Posted by JetDawg
Los Angeles/USC Trojans fan/alum
Member since Oct 2020
8863 posts
Posted on 3/12/25 at 10:10 am
1. Michigan vs. Ohio State ("The Game")

Known as “The Game,” this rivalry is one of the fiercest in American sports. Since their first meeting on October 16, 1897, when Michigan won 34-0, the Wolverines have maintained a narrow series lead at 62-51-6. One of the rivalry’s defining moments occurred in 1968 when Ohio State, ahead 50-14, attempted a controversial two-point conversion.

2. Alabama vs. Auburn ("The Iron Bowl")

This heated in-state battle, known as the Iron Bowl, is a staple of Alabama football. The rivalry began on February 22, 1893, when Auburn claimed a 32-22 victory. Alabama leads the series 51-37-1.

The Crimson Tide once dominated with a nine-game winning streak from 1973 to 1981. Currently, Alabama holds a five-game win streak from 2020 to 2024, adding to the rivalry’s ongoing intensity.


3. Army vs. Navy

The Army-Navy Game is more than just football—it’s a symbol of tradition and patriotism. This rivalry started on November 29, 1890, when Navy triumphed 24-0. While Navy leads the series at 63-55-7, Army’s recent resurgence has added fresh excitement.

Navy once dominated with a 14-game win streak from 2002 to 2015, while they currently hold a one-game win streak after their 2024 victory.


4. USC vs. Notre Dame ("The Greatest Inter-Sectional Rivalry in College Football")

This cross-country rivalry pits two historic programs against each other. The teams first met on December 4, 1926, with Notre Dame narrowly winning 13-12. The Fighting Irish lead the series 52-38-5. One memorable chapter saw Notre Dame win 11 consecutive games from 1983 to 1993.

5. Florida State vs. Miami

This rivalry ignites Florida's football landscape, with just 150 miles separating the two schools. Since their first matchup on November 22, 1958, Florida State has maintained a 38-28-2 series lead. Florida State's most dominant period came with a nine-game winning streak from 1968 to 1976, while they currently hold a one-game win streak after their 2024 victory.

6. USC vs. UCLA ("The Victory Bell")

The battle for Los Angeles began on September 28, 1929, when USC crushed UCLA 76-0. The Trojans hold a commanding series lead at 51-34-7. UCLA’s best stretch was an eight-game win streak from 1991 to 1998. USC’s most recent victory in 2024 maintains their one-game streak.

7. Georgia vs. Florida ("The World's Largest Outdoor Cocktail Party")

This rivalry is famously contested in Jacksonville, often called the “World’s Largest Outdoor Cocktail Party.”

While both programs dispute the total meeting count, Georgia leads 55-44-2 by Florida’s record (or 56-44-2 by Georgia’s account). The rivalry’s longest streaks include Florida’s seven-game run from 1990 to 1996 and Georgia’s ongoing four-game streak from 2021 to 2024.


8. Oregon vs. Oregon State ("The Civil War")

This Oregon-based rivalry is one of the sport’s oldest. In 1983, the two teams played to a scoreless tie in what’s often dubbed one of the dullest games in history.

Despite moments like that, the rivalry has had its share of thrilling moments. Oregon leads the series at 67-49-10.


9. Oklahoma vs. Texas ("The Red River Rivalry")

An annual showdown between Oklahoma and Texas, this matchup is a staple of college football. The rivalry began in 1900, with Texas winning 28-2. Texas leads the overall series 64-51-5.


10. Ole Miss vs. Mississippi State ("The Egg Bowl")

This in-state clash began in 1901, with Mississippi State winning 17-0. However, Ole Miss holds the series lead at 65-46-6. The rivalry’s intensity is reflected in memorable moments, including a heated 2018 clash that resulted in several players being ejected.


LINK
Posted by Gator5220
Member since Aug 2010
4361 posts
Posted on 3/12/25 at 10:15 am to
quote:

5. Florida State vs. Miami
This rivalry ignites Florida's football landscape, with just 150 miles separating the two schools. Since their first matchup on November 22, 1958, Florida State has maintained a 38-28-2 series lead. Florida State's most dominant period came with a nine-game winning streak from 1968 to 1976, while they currently hold a one-game win streak after their 2024 victory.

Idiots. They’re describing Florida vs F$U.
Posted by dstone12
Texan
Member since Jan 2007
35223 posts
Posted on 3/12/25 at 10:15 am to
Missing Clemson v South Carolina


Overrated are:

UCLA vs USC
FSU VS MIAMI
Posted by flagshipuniversity
Camden SC, Charlotte NC
Member since Jul 2024
460 posts
Posted on 3/12/25 at 10:16 am to
Oregon/Oregon St. and no South Carolina/Clemson???? Nah...
Posted by bigDgator
Dallas, TX
Member since Oct 2008
45914 posts
Posted on 3/12/25 at 10:17 am to
So you copied and pasted all of it but changed the heading just so you could put Georgia in front of Florida.

All that work just because you didn't like this:

“World’s Largest Outdoor Cocktail Party” (Florida vs. Georgia)



Posted by Hback
Member since Aug 2017
11409 posts
Posted on 3/12/25 at 10:18 am to
When asked why he went for 2, Woody responded "Because I couldn't go for 3"
Posted by bgator85
Sarasota
Member since Aug 2007
6092 posts
Posted on 3/12/25 at 10:23 am to
quote:

Idiots. They’re describing Florida vs F$U.


Yeah, definitely mixing up some schools here with the distance.

I think for those that live in state, Florida vs. FSU is bigger just because the fanbases are larger.
Posted by tween the hedges
Member since Feb 2012
20492 posts
Posted on 3/12/25 at 10:23 am to
I feel like USC-ND and FSU-Miami have lost all their luster. At least games like the Egg Bowl are still great when both teams suck.
Posted by grubbyflat17
Member since Dec 2024
276 posts
Posted on 3/12/25 at 10:24 am to
Red River 9th is bs
Posted by OKinTX21
Member since Sep 2024
341 posts
Posted on 3/12/25 at 10:26 am to
RRS is at worst #5 and has a ceiling of #1…I’d say #2 or #3 is reasonable.

Below some of these other games is puzzling to me.
Posted by OKinTX21
Member since Sep 2024
341 posts
Posted on 3/12/25 at 10:28 am to
Unpopular opinion that nobody wants to say: Army-Navy is not a fun game. People keep placing it on a pedestal because it’s our service academies.

The game is boring, the offenses are archaic, the players are undersized, and the peak of the game was in 1960. I guess it’s ok to watch on what is essentially a bye week, but it has no business being in the top 5.
Posted by wesfau
Member since Mar 2023
1137 posts
Posted on 3/12/25 at 10:33 am to
Agreed.
Posted by Gator5220
Member since Aug 2010
4361 posts
Posted on 3/12/25 at 10:37 am to
I watch for two reasons:
1. The uniforms.
2. It’s a throwback to what cfb used to be before they ruined it.
Posted by Gator5220
Member since Aug 2010
4361 posts
Posted on 3/12/25 at 10:39 am to
quote:

Yeah, definitely mixing up some schools here with the distance.

Not just the distance, but those are Gator wins they’re describing, not F$U’s.
Posted by CaneyLake
Member since Jun 2023
507 posts
Posted on 3/12/25 at 10:45 am to
Red River at #9 invalidates this list.
Posted by Wishbone85
Member since Nov 2024
756 posts
Posted on 3/12/25 at 10:52 am to
What a pos list! RRR is #1. Played on neutral field exactly half way between both campuses in the cotton bowl which is in the middle of the Texas state.fair! What more could you want?
Posted by GamecockUltimate
Columbia,SC
Member since Feb 2019
8630 posts
Posted on 3/12/25 at 10:53 am to
No Carolina/Clemson on here makes this list stupid.
Posted by Mstate
Birmingham
Member since Nov 2009
10116 posts
Posted on 3/12/25 at 11:10 am to
quote:

Unpopular opinion that nobody wants to say: Army-Navy is not a fun game. People keep placing it on a pedestal because it’s our service academies.

The game is boring, the offenses are archaic, the players are undersized, and the peak of the game was in 1960. I guess it’s ok to watch on what is essentially a bye week, but it has no business being in the top 5.


You make valid points and are not wrong but I’ll counter and say the reason I love watching Army/Navy is the reasons you listed.

It’s old school football and I like watching that game as change of pace. Also, yes because they are our service academies and these young men will be defending our country helps.

I guess I’m saying it’s just personal preference here as your points do make sense but for me personally I love it
Posted by bigDgator
Dallas, TX
Member since Oct 2008
45914 posts
Posted on 3/12/25 at 11:10 am to
quote:

Unpopular opinion that nobody wants to say: Army-Navy is not a fun game. People keep placing it on a pedestal because it’s our service academies.

The game is boring, the offenses are archaic, the players are undersized, and the peak of the game was in 1960. I guess it’s ok to watch on what is essentially a bye week, but it has no business being in the top 5.


Not at all. I enjoyed the Army-Navy game as much as any this season.

You should probably just stick to pro sports.
Posted by MtVernon
Member since Jul 2024
6450 posts
Posted on 3/12/25 at 11:16 am to
quote:

Red River 9th is bs


I love when yankees make these kinds of lists.
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