Best Rivalry in College Football

[javy knows my name]

A lot of Texas fans consider OU to be their biggest rival now.

 

Um, no they don't. I am not surprised that Ohio State and Michigan is at the top, even though it isn't the correct answer. Up until about ten years ago the biggest rivalry for OU was easily Nebraska. I'd rank them:

 

1. Texas - Texas A&M

2. Army - Navy

3. Yale - Harvard

4. Auburn - Alabama

5. Michigan - Ohio State

6. Grambling - Southern

7. Oxbridge

8. Florida - Florida State

9. UCLA - USC

10. Florida - Georgia

There is no correct answer. It actually only asks for an opinion. As for yours, the border war needs to be much higher, and Miami - FSU>>>>>>>>UF - FSU That game really doesn't have much at all since Spurrier left. Miami and FSU both suck right now, but the history is better.

[CuseCubFan69]

Alabama-Auburn

Michigan-Ohio State

Texas-Texas A&M

 

There are several reasons I threw out other rivalries.

1) One team really considers it their biggest game of the year while the other team doesn't (Army-Navy even got thrown out using this criteria, although Army will probably return to being Navy's top priority once again next year).

 

A lot of Texas fans consider OU to be their biggest rival now. And as someone knowing people from both the USMA and USNA, I can assure you that the Army-Navy game is the most important game of the year for both teams. The Notre Dame game will probably be much tougher for Navy to win than the Army game will be, but I would guess that if you'd asked everyone on Navy's football team who they'd rather beat this year, at least 90% would've said Army.

 

The thing about that is now that Navy has beat ND it won't matter as much.

 

I look at it this way. If Army is 1-11 and their only win is over Navy their coach will probably stay. If any of those other teams are 1-11 no matter who they beat their coach is gone, biggest rival or not.

[CubColtPacer]

Alabama-Auburn

Michigan-Ohio State

Texas-Texas A&M

 

There are several reasons I threw out other rivalries.

1) One team really considers it their biggest game of the year while the other team doesn't (Army-Navy even got thrown out using this criteria, although Army will probably return to being Navy's top priority once again next year).

 

A lot of Texas fans consider OU to be their biggest rival now. And as someone knowing people from both the USMA and USNA, I can assure you that the Army-Navy game is the most important game of the year for both teams. The Notre Dame game will probably be much tougher for Navy to win than the Army game will be, but I would guess that if you'd asked everyone on Navy's football team who they'd rather beat this year, at least 90% would've said Army.

 

The thing about that is now that Navy has beat ND it won't matter as much.

 

I look at it this way. If Army is 1-11 and their only win is over Navy their coach will probably stay. If any of those other teams are 1-11 no matter who they beat their coach is gone, biggest rival or not.

 

You could say it the opposite way though. If Army went 10-2 or 11-1 every year but continued to lose to Navy would the coach keep his job. The answer is definitely! That isn't the case for some of the other schools on that list.

[Derwood]

by (my) definition:

 

- one team can't have more than one "rivalry" because you can't have more than one "biggest game of the year"

- a rivalry has to the biggest game of the year for BOTH teams, not just one

- the results of the game have to be of some consequence outside of the game

 

This disqualifies USC/ND, Army/Navy, etc.

 

I voted for Michigan/OSU (little eleven bias LOL!!1!ONE) The teams hate each other, it's the "big game" for both schools, and it seems to always have an effect on the Big Ten championship and/or the National Title picture.

[CubinNY]

by (my) definition:

 

- one team can't have more than one "rivalry" because you can't have more than one "biggest game of the year"

- a rivalry has to the biggest game of the year for BOTH teams, not just one

- the results of the game have to be of some consequence outside of the game

 

This disqualifies USC/ND, Army/Navy, etc.

I don't see how that disqualifies Army-Navy. There are all kinds of repercussions outside of the game that occur all of the planet (wherever Army and Navy people are stationed) that don't have anything to do with the beauty contest people call the BCS.

 

Army-Navy transcends the sport more than any other single sporting event transcends its sport except for the World Cup Socer final.

[rocket]

the best rivalry in college football probably depends on where you live.

[CuseCubFan69]

Alabama-Auburn

Michigan-Ohio State

Texas-Texas A&M

 

There are several reasons I threw out other rivalries.

1) One team really considers it their biggest game of the year while the other team doesn't (Army-Navy even got thrown out using this criteria, although Army will probably return to being Navy's top priority once again next year).

 

A lot of Texas fans consider OU to be their biggest rival now. And as someone knowing people from both the USMA and USNA, I can assure you that the Army-Navy game is the most important game of the year for both teams. The Notre Dame game will probably be much tougher for Navy to win than the Army game will be, but I would guess that if you'd asked everyone on Navy's football team who they'd rather beat this year, at least 90% would've said Army.

 

The thing about that is now that Navy has beat ND it won't matter as much.

 

I look at it this way. If Army is 1-11 and their only win is over Navy their coach will probably stay. If any of those other teams are 1-11 no matter who they beat their coach is gone, biggest rival or not.

 

You could say it the opposite way though. If Army went 10-2 or 11-1 every year but continued to lose to Navy would the coach keep his job. The answer is definitely! That isn't the case for some of the other schools on that list.

 

No, he'd go to a bigger school!

 

Army/Navy is by far the biggest and I can't see one that is close. It's been one of the longest and most intense and if Michigan was 4-7 and was playing a 3-8 OSU, I bet it wouldn't be nearly that big of a thing. Look how far the Miami/Florida St rivalry has fallen due to the records. If you had 4 teams in the Big 10 that pushed OSU and Michigan to 5th place or lower the game wouldn't even be on National TV but the Army/Navy game has always been and will always be on National TV.

[wolf stansson]

All I know is that Auburn-Alabama is the number one topic of sports conversation in that state all year round. Mid April and everyone still has their flags flying and people are yelling at each other.

[CuseCubFan69]

All I know is that Auburn-Alabama is the number one topic of sports conversation in that state all year round. Mid April and everyone still has their flags flying and people are yelling at each other.

 

First comes the uwing and ahhing then comes the yelling and screaming. Hopefully the guns don't come out as well.

 

It is a great rivalry no doubt.

[Andy]

the best rivalry in college football probably depends on where you live.

Truest comment of the thread.

[vance_the_cubs_fan]

I voted Auburn-Alabama. I'm not a fan of either of those schools, but that's one nasty rivalry.

 

Meph pointed it out, but Grambling-Southern who meet every year in the Bayou Classic is a huge rivalry as well. I work with people on both sides, and truth be told, it gets really ugly the week preceding that game.

[Derwood]

the Army/Navy game could disappear forever and I wouldn't care at all

[javy knows my name]

oh yeah, i know a couple of auburn fans and a couple of alabama fans, and those teams friggin HATE each other. A lot of people outside of SEC country probably don't realize how heated that rivalry is.

That one got my vote because there was a story a few years back about a kid getting stabbed for yelling "Roll Tide!" in an Auburn frat. That rivalry is vicious.

[Derwood]

oh yeah, i know a couple of auburn fans and a couple of alabama fans, and those teams friggin HATE each other. A lot of people outside of SEC country probably don't realize how heated that rivalry is.

That one got my vote because there was a story a few years back about a kid getting stabbed for yelling "Roll Tide!" in an Auburn frat. That rivalry is vicious.

 

idiots stabbing each other doesn't qualify as "best" anything

[javy knows my name]

USC-Notre Dame is not really a rivalry although they play each other every year. ND's only rivial is the ghost of Knute Rockney and Ara Parsegian. I'd say USC-UCLA is a bigger rival than USC-ND.

I know you hate Notre Dame, but this is ridiculous. ND has at least two rivals - USC and Michigan.

Maybe to ND and their fans, but not so much for the other team and their fans. That's the thing, my defineiton of a rivialry must include both teams (a) with a history, (b) a history that includes many important games, and © a history that includes some level of enmity. ND-Michigan is traditionally at the begining of the year, is out of conference, and aside from the John Carney kick hasn't included much in the way of drama. ND-USC is out of conference and the fate of the two teams is many times decided before the game begins. I don't think many USC teams have prepared their season to play ND. They are out of conference games.

While USC/ND is out of conference, it's ludicrous to say their fates are decided before the game. I couldn't tell you the exact number, but USC and ND have played many a game in the rivalry where one team ruins the other's national title hopes and/or sends themselves on to one. 1964, 1973, 1977, 1988, and 2005 are five good examples of USC and ND ruining each other's title hopes, and in the last four cases, the winning team went on to play for a title of their own.

One could say that about any team who plays a team who is going for a national title. If that is your definition, Illinois-OSU and Michigan State-OSU are big rivalrys.

 

Live the dream!

My final thought on the subject is remembering when Reggie Bush said of the 2005 win at ND: "This is the biggest win of my career."

 

The man had already won a Rose Bowl and a national title.

In all fairness, he won the best college football game of the last 6 years.

[Guest]

USC-Notre Dame is not really a rivalry although they play each other every year. ND's only rivial is the ghost of Knute Rockney and Ara Parsegian. I'd say USC-UCLA is a bigger rival than USC-ND.

I know you hate Notre Dame, but this is ridiculous. ND has at least two rivals - USC and Michigan.

Maybe to ND and their fans, but not so much for the other team and their fans. That's the thing, my defineiton of a rivialry must include both teams (a) with a history, (b) a history that includes many important games, and © a history that includes some level of enmity. ND-Michigan is traditionally at the begining of the year, is out of conference, and aside from the John Carney kick hasn't included much in the way of drama. ND-USC is out of conference and the fate of the two teams is many times decided before the game begins. I don't think many USC teams have prepared their season to play ND. They are out of conference games.

While USC/ND is out of conference, it's ludicrous to say their fates are decided before the game. I couldn't tell you the exact number, but USC and ND have played many a game in the rivalry where one team ruins the other's national title hopes and/or sends themselves on to one. 1964, 1973, 1977, 1988, and 2005 are five good examples of USC and ND ruining each other's title hopes, and in the last four cases, the winning team went on to play for a title of their own.

One could say that about any team who plays a team who is going for a national title. If that is your definition, Illinois-OSU and Michigan State-OSU are big rivalrys.

 

Live the dream!

My final thought on the subject is remembering when Reggie Bush said of the 2005 win at ND: "This is the biggest win of my career."

 

The man had already won a Rose Bowl and a national title.

In all fairness, he won the best college football game of the last 6 years.

 

Guh?

 

http://bealonghorn.utexas.edu/whyut/photos/images/young_vince_td.jpg

[javy knows my name]

USC-Notre Dame is not really a rivalry although they play each other every year. ND's only rivial is the ghost of Knute Rockney and Ara Parsegian. I'd say USC-UCLA is a bigger rival than USC-ND.

I know you hate Notre Dame, but this is ridiculous. ND has at least two rivals - USC and Michigan.

Maybe to ND and their fans, but not so much for the other team and their fans. That's the thing, my defineiton of a rivialry must include both teams (a) with a history, (b) a history that includes many important games, and © a history that includes some level of enmity. ND-Michigan is traditionally at the begining of the year, is out of conference, and aside from the John Carney kick hasn't included much in the way of drama. ND-USC is out of conference and the fate of the two teams is many times decided before the game begins. I don't think many USC teams have prepared their season to play ND. They are out of conference games.

While USC/ND is out of conference, it's ludicrous to say their fates are decided before the game. I couldn't tell you the exact number, but USC and ND have played many a game in the rivalry where one team ruins the other's national title hopes and/or sends themselves on to one. 1964, 1973, 1977, 1988, and 2005 are five good examples of USC and ND ruining each other's title hopes, and in the last four cases, the winning team went on to play for a title of their own.

One could say that about any team who plays a team who is going for a national title. If that is your definition, Illinois-OSU and Michigan State-OSU are big rivalrys.

 

Live the dream!

My final thought on the subject is remembering when Reggie Bush said of the 2005 win at ND: "This is the biggest win of my career."

 

The man had already won a Rose Bowl and a national title.

In all fairness, he won the best college football game of the last 6 years.

 

Guh?

 

http://bealonghorn.utexas.edu/whyut/photos/images/young_vince_td.jpg

I meant up to that point. And make it four years (last being Miami-OSU in '01)

[Ding Dong Johnson]

Guh?

 

http://bealonghorn.utexas.edu/whyut/photos/images/young_vince_td.jpg

http://deadspin.com/assets/resources/2007/07/ianjohnsonboise.jpg

[javy knows my name]

I meant up to that point. And make it four years (last being Miami-OSU in '01)

[SouthSideRyan]

All I know is that Auburn-Alabama is the number one topic of sports conversation in that state all year round. Mid April and everyone still has their flags flying and people are yelling at each other.

 

Yeah but they're both confederate flags and they're yelling about whose sister is hotter.

 

Cause ya know, the south.

[Guest]

Guh?

 

http://bealonghorn.utexas.edu/whyut/photos/images/young_vince_td.jpg

http://deadspin.com/assets/resources/2007/07/ianjohnsonboise.jpg

 

You win.

 

Athough my pic is the most exciting college game Reggie Bush played.

[Guest]

Guh?

 

http://bealonghorn.utexas.edu/whyut/photos/images/young_vince_td.jpg

http://deadspin.com/assets/resources/2007/07/ianjohnsonboise.jpg

 

The USC-Texas national title game was a better game and a bigger/more important game than the Boise State/Oklahoma game.

[cubweiser03]

the best rivalry in college football probably depends on where you live.

Truest comment of the thread.

 

Yup.

The only reason i think there is a difference in the UM/OSU game is its the last game of the year and something like 8 out of 10 times the outcome of that game determines the Big Ten Champion and trip to the Rose Bowl. All other rivalries have history and equal deep seeded anger towards the other school but none match the significance of what is on the line in this final game each and every year, thats what i think makes this rivalry stand out from the rest. Its one thing to lose to your rival, its another to lose to them and watch them be the conference champ and earn a ticket to the Rose Bowl (or now a BCS game). Watching OSU celebrate with the roses in their mouths pissed me off more than anything on saturday. Roses, those damn silly roses. And yeah, its all Lloyds fault.

[CDBears1259]

This thread reminds me of a T-shirt I saw in Tuscaloosa one time. It said, "Why are there no prostitutes in Tennessee?....Because they're all Volunteers."

 

Carry on.