top 10 college football rivalries
1. ohio state/michigan
2.-10. who cares
nothing else is even close. just look at former coach john cooper. he brought success back to osu in the 90s, won 3 big ten titles, had a .715 win percentage, coached 2 national runner up teams, and they fired him cuz he couldn't beat michigan. now there are rumors about lloyd carr's job security despite a national championship and having the 5th highest active winning % because jim tressel and the buckeyes have won 4 out of the last 5 times. bobby bowden couldn't beat miami and mack brown used to just get mashed by oklahoma so you can't tell me those rivalries are anything like osu michigan. if either of them had lost like that against michigan they wouldn't be coaching anymore. THATS A RIVALRY. and teams like harvard yale and army navy both suck so bad you can't call that a real rivalry either, its more of a cute tradition.
Bottom line espn.com's top 10 rivalries in sports (not just college football) of the 20th century ohio state michigan was #1 just above Ali vs. Frazier.
77 -
Ryan
Aug 16, 2006 at 3:26 am
and one more note about the ohio state/michigan rivalry. all you have to do is head down high street in columbus after the game. it doesn't matter whether the game was played in in columbus or ann arbor. if ohio state lost people are so pissed cars are flipped and set on fire and cops have to try to maintain the rioting. if ohio state won people are so happy cars are flipped and set on fire and cops have to try maintain the rioting. regardless of the outcome don't park on high street on gameday. no one cares if clemson or utah wins and goes 6-5, in columbus championships are on the line.
78 -
Misael
Aug 20, 2006 at 5:39 pm
Well I have to say one thing. I respect OSU-Michigan, the Iron Bowl, The holy war, we all have our rivals. In the state of Texas true there may be something Between Texas-Texas A&M. But nothing compares to the flare of Longhorns Vs. Sooners. The Red River Showdown to me is the biggest rivalry. The sooners had their five years over us, not it's our turn. And if we beat them and Ohio State,(Have friends from there), I don't care what the rest of the season is like.
79 -
Simeon
Aug 28, 2006 at 4:45 pm
I think The Apple Cup. Yes, Washington State Cougars Vs. Washington Huskies.. this rivalry uset to decide which team would go to which bowl and always be a close one.. now there just two teams with losing records that go at it. but last yea i think that was one of the most memorable games... Washington leads the series by a whole lot but the Cougs always give them a run for there money. GO HUSKIES
80 -
Russ
Aug 30, 2006 at 1:48 pm
Im a native Bama boy living in Columbus, Ohio for 14 years. Having been to both the Iron Bowl and numerous OSU/Mich games. Its hands down Iron bowl, you just cant understand it till youve seen it. Its a life changing experience. Roll Tide, Go Blue.
81 -
Tigergal
Sep 02, 2006 at 12:46 pm
Absolutely! I've lived all over this country! The Iron Bowl has the most sought after tickets in the USA when it comes to college football, just look at the prices. Auburn and Alabama are not just college football teams for most fans, they are a passion ingrained at birth. The intense spirit is enough to give you chill bumps.
82 -
ColoradoGal
Sep 06, 2006 at 1:29 am
A great instate rivalry is the Colorado-Colorado State match-up. The fans for this game are intense and they fill up a NFL stadium (Mile High) to cheer on this rivalry.
83 -
Phillip Ivey
Sep 09, 2006 at 4:36 pm
Georgia-Georgia Tech, the biggest in state hated rivalry in the country
84 -
shepshep
Sep 13, 2006 at 4:03 pm
BYU-Utah, aka the Holy War. It's one of the four or five greatest college football rivalries. Less than 50 miles between; public vs. private; religious vs. secular; anyone can win; everybody in town goes crazy over it. If more than a couple million people knew about it, it would be #1.
Oh, and go Cougars go Cougars go! :-)
85 -
Ryan
Sep 15, 2006 at 5:14 pm
Since 2000 The winner of texas and ou has gone to the national championshi game four times. And Texas and ou have the 1 and 2 best records in the last five years.
another great rivalry is minnesota vs. wisconsin, it is in fact the oldest rivalry in college football in which these two teams play for paul bunyans axe, Minnesota actually leads the rivalry,
Of course it depends on the area of Michigan you are in. In areas closer to Ohio shit can get violent. In areas closer to Lansing....well people just don't know who the fuck to root for....they have their own personal pick of course, but in any city you'll find a mix and some who even root for both MSU & UM.
In either case though...either MSU or UM winning is better than OSU winning period -l-.
So I'd have to say UM vs. OSU is bigger since UM vs. MSU is more localized.
91 -
maize and blue
Sep 27, 2006 at 7:08 pm
i agree with an earlier statement, michigan ohio state is the best rivalry. whenever i see someone wearing ohio state colors i feel sick to my stomach. i just can not stand ohio state. also, this game usually has implications on the national championship as well as the big ten championship
We got the best fans in Big 12 and we're ready to beat them squakeyes
93 -
mike
Oct 11, 2006 at 12:08 am
personally i think for a rivalry to mean anything nowadays the games have to be consistently close.
as far back as i can remember tennessee v. florida has been the game to watch. doesnt really matter what happens later as long as UT beats florida. maybe not a widely known rivalry but definitely a top ten in my book
No, no, no. ESPN had it right. Auburn - Alabama is definitely #1
95 -
nugget
Oct 13, 2006 at 9:04 pm
Georgia - Florida should be No. 3.
96 -
wolfpack117
Oct 14, 2006 at 5:01 pm
Dude, N.C. State and North Carolina is a freaken huge rivalry. Not to mention Carolina and Duke but thats in basketball. Go Pack
97 -
michigan
Oct 14, 2006 at 5:12 pm
there is no way auburn alabama should be the number one rivalry. the two teams took a forty year break, that in itself is enough to show auburn alabama is not the best rivalry. And besides, the rivalry is lopsided most of the time anyways.
98 -
warrrrrrrreagle
Nov 01, 2006 at 12:26 am
OSU vs. Michigan and Miami vs. FSU are not better rivalries than alabama vs. AUBURN. In Alabama we have no professional teams , so all the attention is on bama and auburn. Everyone in the state is a fan.On Saturdays in the fall 8 out of 10 are wearing their teams colors.To all those who would disagree, I invite you to come to Alabama and find out for yourself.
The BYU/Utah.. hands down.. Don't believe it? Come visit the state of Utah.. The entire month before the game, in fact the whole season all that is talked about is THE BIG GAME.. Its insane.. It isnt a rivalry, ITS HATE! There arent any inbetween fans allowed in the state of Utah. You either love or hate one. And dont knock the mormons.. WE LOVE OUR FOOTBALL! Go cougs!!
100 -
MononMan
Nov 05, 2006 at 12:32 pm
you guys are too wrapped up in the big D1 rivalries and are failing to mention the all around greatest football rivalry at the college level. I have been to several of the rivalry games listed above and none come close to the intensity and atmosphere of the MONON BELL GAME! The battle for the monon bell between DePauw University and Wabash College should take the cake when it comes to rivalries. This year they meet for the 113th time with all tiem record of 52-51-9. This can not be matched any where else.
101 -
michigan
Nov 05, 2006 at 5:00 pm
my dad went to depauw for college, and michigan for graduate school, and he has been to games of both rivalry and he says michigan ohio state is way better no question. also about 8 out of 10 people in michigan wear maize and blue colors every day of the year. there is no way a rivalry that took a forty year break even deserves to be mentioned.
102 -
green,blue,gold
Nov 10, 2006 at 2:07 pm
umm yeah notre dame and usc is the #1 rival in collage football...look at last year the winner of that game would go to the natinol championship game and that game was deciaded on the very last play of the gamee when with Bush's push, when he pushed matt lienert in the endzone..and this year its ganna be just as big...and to Mich and OSU yeah that a big game but ND and USC have had alot mmore big games..
#1 ND-USC
#2 Mich-OSU
103 -
ellen
Nov 11, 2006 at 11:40 am
why are the Redskins and the cowboys not on there?
104 -
Jake
Nov 12, 2006 at 2:30 pm
Montana vs. Montana State.
this is probably one of the most unrecognized and biggest rivalries in college football. one because most people are like "wheres Montana? its in canada isnt it?" and they are also 1-AA teams.
105 -
kyle
Nov 12, 2006 at 8:14 pm
WELL BYU VR UTAH would be the best rivaly ever this year. because BYU hasent won 1 game sence 2001
106 -
college football fan
Nov 13, 2006 at 12:32 am
I don't think it's right to even compare Notre Dame vs. USC to the OSU vs. Mich game. Nortre Dame has many rivalries.. not just USC. OSU and Mich. have one game that holds a rivalry to the standards at which a rivalry should... like the Red Sox vs. the Yankees. This game is set for the last season game of the year for each team and has been since 1935.. except for one game I guess. Most of the time the game is the deciding factor in who wins the Big Ten title and quite possibly advances to the National Championship. November 18th, 2006 is going to be one of the biggest games in college history.. the #1 Ohio State Buckeyes vs. #2 Michigan Wolverines. This is the National Championship game.. regardless who wins and who plays in the BCS title game.
107 -
tyler
Nov 14, 2006 at 6:27 pm
What the heck is your problem? UTAH-BYU is the BEST rivalry hands down! It is pure HATRED! My dog was painted blue the night before the game by some gay Y. fans that went into my backyard. GO UTES! Kiss mine cougars!
108 -
tyler
Nov 14, 2006 at 6:29 pm
Please stop all of the Michigan-Ohio State game. It isn't going to end up to be as great and holy as you guys build it up to be.
Nothing is more intense than Alabama/Auburn. No two teams hate each other more.
111 -
BC
Nov 15, 2006 at 9:24 pm
BYU-Utah, The Holy War. I have seen fights break out in church over this thing. The Lord's team v. Satan incarnate. You can't top that. Go Cougars!!!
112 -
wvufan0524
Nov 16, 2006 at 12:49 am
Regardless of the year's record for either team, throw out rankings, throw out BCS, throw out bowl implications - then I have 2 words: Backyard Brawl
This is what it is year in and year out - WVU/Pitt
One of the fiercest games in college football - period.
113 -
CorporateAmerica
Nov 16, 2006 at 12:56 am
Michigan - Ohio State
Both schools are academically solid, flagship public universities representing their respective states. Throw in the history and perennial national implications, and you have the greatest rivalry in American sports.
114 -
michigan
Nov 16, 2006 at 3:05 pm
Notre Dame is overrated every year and have the easiest schedule in college football except for two games against Michigan and USC, which they will lose both. and stop saying alabama auburn is the biggest rivalry just because they are in the same state or because they hate each other the most. michigan ohio state has always been the biggest rivalry in sports and always will be.
The best I ever saw was the Miami, Fl- Notre Dame hatrid of the 80's. The entire "Catholics vs Convicts" was priceless.
116 -
OSU Beavers
Nov 16, 2006 at 10:49 pm
The west coast is not getting any love. here is my top rivalries.
The Civil War Oregon State VS. Oregon
The Apple Cup Washington VS. WSU
The Big Game Cal. VS Stanford
117 -
Sam
Nov 17, 2006 at 7:37 am
Gee, think this poll has a lot to do with where you live, or went to school?
As an Oregon alumnus, this may be the first time I've agreed with an OSU fan on anything (see OSU Beavers, above), but on the West Coast, The Civil War is the one that counts. USC-UCLA ain't even close.
Cut the West Coast out of the poll, and my vote goes to Auburn-Bama.
118 -
college football fan
Nov 17, 2006 at 12:00 pm
Some ass really tried to say that Utah and BYU is a bigger rivalry than OSU/MICH.. that's cute. Do you realize that I'm not the only one who agrees that this is the biggest rivalry in college football. An entire nation agrees as well and just about every commentator on ESPN. I do agree that this game may not be as close as people are expecting.. Michigan's offense hasn't played against a defense like OSU's and if their front line can't stop Pittman's run game or Troy Smith when he decides to run instead of pass... they are doomed. OSU wins by at least 10.
119 -
college band fan
Nov 17, 2006 at 12:24 pm
You want to talk about state-dividing rivalries? Montana-Montana State is the only in-state college rivalry that crosses the Great Divide. Our current governor is a Montana State alum, and he states publicly that as a government official, he roots for the University of Montana every day but one. I've lived all over the country (from Florida to New York to Washington to California), and now having settled in Montana for the time being, I can tell you how voracious this one is. It's either Cat-Griz or Griz-Cat, depending on who you talk to. I don't doubt that more people talk about Michigan-OSU or Alabama-Auburn (and therefore they would be "bigger"), but you have to think about how many more people live in Ohio, Michigan, and Alabama. Montana has a population of less than 1 million people, and yet any time of the year, you'd be hard pressed to find someone that doesn't bring up the latest game in conversation (usually football, but basketball sometimes too). To most fans, it is the ONLY game that matters. A 1-10 season is a successful one if you beat them.
PS- silly football fans, the band is the reason for saturday! :-p
120 -
MCH
Nov 17, 2006 at 1:49 pm
As a fifth generation Montanan and lifelong sports fan, I can attest to the intensity and importance of the Cat-Griz rivalry. This battle has been going on for 109 years, since 1897. Coaches have made their players actually get down on their knees and swear to God that they would not lose to the Bobcats or Grizzlies, depending.
In 1956, when MSC beat the Griz in Missoula for the first time in 52 years, the Bobcat fans stormed down on Dornblaser Field and started tearing the goal posts down, and when the UM fans tried to stop them, it took the fire department hoses to break-up the ensuing rumble.
college band fan, have you read the book "The Divide Wars"?
121 -
Misopogon
Nov 17, 2006 at 2:42 pm
What's great about rivalries is they're all different. What makes Florida/FSU great isn't what makes the Iron Bowl great, or the Red River Shootout great, or the Holy War great, or the Battle of I-75 great.
If you're going to rank them, though, I think Michigan/Ohio State does it best. Hatred isn't the midwest's style, but Michigan/Ohio State is the one game in any sport all year that you can always count on to be big. Players from all over the country come to these schools, just for the chance to play in that game. It's college football at its core: nose-to-nose, strength on strength, repeat for a century. It also has that whole Blue State/Red State thing that taps into the country's true biggest rivalry.
I should also point out that Michigan and Ohio are the only states to ever declare war on each other, even if they were too drunk to actually fight it.
Different states will have their huge in-state rivalries, and I think the Iron Bowl edges Florida/FSU for that. And different segments of society will have theirs. Back when a majority of American men had served in the armed forces, Army/Navy overshadowed everything. And if you're in the Ivy League, or around a bunch of people who were, there's nothing like Harvard/Yale (and the better rivalry, IMO, MIT pranksters versus Harvard/Yale).
But Michigan/Ohio State transcends border wars and local hate-fests, and even national segments. In the mid-'90s, Florida-FSU got a taste of what it's like having two superpowers face off, but the Blue and the Red have been doing it for over 100 years now. The Game is hands-down the best rivalry in American sports, for history, hatred, transcending characteristics, national interest, and affect on the sport. But I think after that, each of these categories deserves a list of its own.
See Jet, what did I tell you? Bo Schembechler is dead.
125 -
Zach
Nov 17, 2006 at 4:53 pm
How come Nebraska isn't on your list. I mean they have big rivalary games with Oklahoma and Missouri. I guess people arn't paying attention to Nebraska anymore.
Article comments
— go to most recent comments76 - Ryan
top 10 college football rivalries
1. ohio state/michigan
2.-10. who cares
nothing else is even close. just look at former coach john cooper. he brought success back to osu in the 90s, won 3 big ten titles, had a .715 win percentage, coached 2 national runner up teams, and they fired him cuz he couldn't beat michigan. now there are rumors about lloyd carr's job security despite a national championship and having the 5th highest active winning % because jim tressel and the buckeyes have won 4 out of the last 5 times. bobby bowden couldn't beat miami and mack brown used to just get mashed by oklahoma so you can't tell me those rivalries are anything like osu michigan. if either of them had lost like that against michigan they wouldn't be coaching anymore. THATS A RIVALRY. and teams like harvard yale and army navy both suck so bad you can't call that a real rivalry either, its more of a cute tradition.
Bottom line espn.com's top 10 rivalries in sports (not just college football) of the 20th century ohio state michigan was #1 just above Ali vs. Frazier.
77 - Ryan
and one more note about the ohio state/michigan rivalry. all you have to do is head down high street in columbus after the game. it doesn't matter whether the game was played in in columbus or ann arbor. if ohio state lost people are so pissed cars are flipped and set on fire and cops have to try to maintain the rioting. if ohio state won people are so happy cars are flipped and set on fire and cops have to try maintain the rioting. regardless of the outcome don't park on high street on gameday. no one cares if clemson or utah wins and goes 6-5, in columbus championships are on the line.
78 - Misael
Well I have to say one thing. I respect OSU-Michigan, the Iron Bowl, The holy war, we all have our rivals. In the state of Texas true there may be something Between Texas-Texas A&M. But nothing compares to the flare of Longhorns Vs. Sooners. The Red River Showdown to me is the biggest rivalry. The sooners had their five years over us, not it's our turn. And if we beat them and Ohio State,(Have friends from there), I don't care what the rest of the season is like.
79 - Simeon
I think The Apple Cup. Yes, Washington State Cougars Vs. Washington Huskies.. this rivalry uset to decide which team would go to which bowl and always be a close one.. now there just two teams with losing records that go at it. but last yea i think that was one of the most memorable games... Washington leads the series by a whole lot but the Cougs always give them a run for there money. GO HUSKIES
80 - Russ
Im a native Bama boy living in Columbus, Ohio for 14 years. Having been to both the Iron Bowl and numerous OSU/Mich games. Its hands down Iron bowl, you just cant understand it till youve seen it. Its a life changing experience. Roll Tide, Go Blue.
81 - Tigergal
Absolutely! I've lived all over this country! The Iron Bowl has the most sought after tickets in the USA when it comes to college football, just look at the prices. Auburn and Alabama are not just college football teams for most fans, they are a passion ingrained at birth. The intense spirit is enough to give you chill bumps.
82 - ColoradoGal
A great instate rivalry is the Colorado-Colorado State match-up. The fans for this game are intense and they fill up a NFL stadium (Mile High) to cheer on this rivalry.
83 - Phillip Ivey
Georgia-Georgia Tech, the biggest in state hated rivalry in the country
84 - shepshep
BYU-Utah, aka the Holy War. It's one of the four or five greatest college football rivalries. Less than 50 miles between; public vs. private; religious vs. secular; anyone can win; everybody in town goes crazy over it. If more than a couple million people knew about it, it would be #1.
Oh, and go Cougars go Cougars go! :-)
85 - Ryan
Since 2000 The winner of texas and ou has gone to the national championshi game four times. And Texas and ou have the 1 and 2 best records in the last five years.
86 - balla
michigan ohio state is the best even though michigan has historically owned ohio state in every category.
Go Blue!
87 - Jet In Columbus
Go Blue? We'll see... We'll see
88 - balla
lol yep we will see
89 - anonymous
another great rivalry is minnesota vs. wisconsin, it is in fact the oldest rivalry in college football in which these two teams play for paul bunyans axe, Minnesota actually leads the rivalry,
90 - Dominick
UM vs. OSU is a bigger rivalry than UM vs. MSU.
Of course it depends on the area of Michigan you are in. In areas closer to Ohio shit can get violent. In areas closer to Lansing....well people just don't know who the fuck to root for....they have their own personal pick of course, but in any city you'll find a mix and some who even root for both MSU & UM.
In either case though...either MSU or UM winning is better than OSU winning period -l-.
So I'd have to say UM vs. OSU is bigger since UM vs. MSU is more localized.
91 - maize and blue
i agree with an earlier statement, michigan ohio state is the best rivalry. whenever i see someone wearing ohio state colors i feel sick to my stomach. i just can not stand ohio state. also, this game usually has implications on the national championship as well as the big ten championship
92 - phcycocyclone715
We got the best fans in Big 12 and we're ready to beat them squakeyes
93 - mike
personally i think for a rivalry to mean anything nowadays the games have to be consistently close.
as far back as i can remember tennessee v. florida has been the game to watch. doesnt really matter what happens later as long as UT beats florida. maybe not a widely known rivalry but definitely a top ten in my book
94 - mike
No, no, no. ESPN had it right. Auburn - Alabama is definitely #1
95 - nugget
Georgia - Florida should be No. 3.
96 - wolfpack117
Dude, N.C. State and North Carolina is a freaken huge rivalry. Not to mention Carolina and Duke but thats in basketball. Go Pack
97 - michigan
there is no way auburn alabama should be the number one rivalry. the two teams took a forty year break, that in itself is enough to show auburn alabama is not the best rivalry. And besides, the rivalry is lopsided most of the time anyways.
98 - warrrrrrrreagle
OSU vs. Michigan and Miami vs. FSU are not better rivalries than alabama vs. AUBURN. In Alabama we have no professional teams , so all the attention is on bama and auburn. Everyone in the state is a fan.On Saturdays in the fall 8 out of 10 are wearing their teams colors.To all those who would disagree, I invite you to come to Alabama and find out for yourself.
99 - Lacy
The BYU/Utah.. hands down.. Don't believe it? Come visit the state of Utah.. The entire month before the game, in fact the whole season all that is talked about is THE BIG GAME.. Its insane.. It isnt a rivalry, ITS HATE! There arent any inbetween fans allowed in the state of Utah. You either love or hate one. And dont knock the mormons.. WE LOVE OUR FOOTBALL! Go cougs!!
100 - MononMan
you guys are too wrapped up in the big D1 rivalries and are failing to mention the all around greatest football rivalry at the college level. I have been to several of the rivalry games listed above and none come close to the intensity and atmosphere of the MONON BELL GAME! The battle for the monon bell between DePauw University and Wabash College should take the cake when it comes to rivalries. This year they meet for the 113th time with all tiem record of 52-51-9. This can not be matched any where else.
101 - michigan
my dad went to depauw for college, and michigan for graduate school, and he has been to games of both rivalry and he says michigan ohio state is way better no question. also about 8 out of 10 people in michigan wear maize and blue colors every day of the year. there is no way a rivalry that took a forty year break even deserves to be mentioned.
102 - green,blue,gold
umm yeah notre dame and usc is the #1 rival in collage football...look at last year the winner of that game would go to the natinol championship game and that game was deciaded on the very last play of the gamee when with Bush's push, when he pushed matt lienert in the endzone..and this year its ganna be just as big...and to Mich and OSU yeah that a big game but ND and USC have had alot mmore big games..
#1 ND-USC
#2 Mich-OSU
103 - ellen
why are the Redskins and the cowboys not on there?
104 - Jake
Montana vs. Montana State.
this is probably one of the most unrecognized and biggest rivalries in college football. one because most people are like "wheres Montana? its in canada isnt it?" and they are also 1-AA teams.
105 - kyle
WELL BYU VR UTAH would be the best rivaly ever this year. because BYU hasent won 1 game sence 2001
106 - college football fan
I don't think it's right to even compare Notre Dame vs. USC to the OSU vs. Mich game. Nortre Dame has many rivalries.. not just USC. OSU and Mich. have one game that holds a rivalry to the standards at which a rivalry should... like the Red Sox vs. the Yankees. This game is set for the last season game of the year for each team and has been since 1935.. except for one game I guess. Most of the time the game is the deciding factor in who wins the Big Ten title and quite possibly advances to the National Championship. November 18th, 2006 is going to be one of the biggest games in college history.. the #1 Ohio State Buckeyes vs. #2 Michigan Wolverines. This is the National Championship game.. regardless who wins and who plays in the BCS title game.
107 - tyler
What the heck is your problem? UTAH-BYU is the BEST rivalry hands down! It is pure HATRED! My dog was painted blue the night before the game by some gay Y. fans that went into my backyard. GO UTES! Kiss mine cougars!
108 - tyler
Please stop all of the Michigan-Ohio State game. It isn't going to end up to be as great and holy as you guys build it up to be.
P.S. Go MICHIGAN!
109 - JR
Williams v Amherst
'nuff said.
110 - TJSAERWa
Nothing is more intense than Alabama/Auburn. No two teams hate each other more.
111 - BC
BYU-Utah, The Holy War. I have seen fights break out in church over this thing. The Lord's team v. Satan incarnate. You can't top that. Go Cougars!!!
112 - wvufan0524
Regardless of the year's record for either team, throw out rankings, throw out BCS, throw out bowl implications - then I have 2 words: Backyard Brawl
This is what it is year in and year out - WVU/Pitt
One of the fiercest games in college football - period.
113 - CorporateAmerica
Michigan - Ohio State
Both schools are academically solid, flagship public universities representing their respective states. Throw in the history and perennial national implications, and you have the greatest rivalry in American sports.
114 - michigan
Notre Dame is overrated every year and have the easiest schedule in college football except for two games against Michigan and USC, which they will lose both. and stop saying alabama auburn is the biggest rivalry just because they are in the same state or because they hate each other the most. michigan ohio state has always been the biggest rivalry in sports and always will be.
115 - brad schader
The best I ever saw was the Miami, Fl- Notre Dame hatrid of the 80's. The entire "Catholics vs Convicts" was priceless.
116 - OSU Beavers
The west coast is not getting any love. here is my top rivalries.
The Civil War Oregon State VS. Oregon
The Apple Cup Washington VS. WSU
The Big Game Cal. VS Stanford
117 - Sam
Gee, think this poll has a lot to do with where you live, or went to school?
As an Oregon alumnus, this may be the first time I've agreed with an OSU fan on anything (see OSU Beavers, above), but on the West Coast, The Civil War is the one that counts. USC-UCLA ain't even close.
Cut the West Coast out of the poll, and my vote goes to Auburn-Bama.
118 - college football fan
Some ass really tried to say that Utah and BYU is a bigger rivalry than OSU/MICH.. that's cute. Do you realize that I'm not the only one who agrees that this is the biggest rivalry in college football. An entire nation agrees as well and just about every commentator on ESPN. I do agree that this game may not be as close as people are expecting.. Michigan's offense hasn't played against a defense like OSU's and if their front line can't stop Pittman's run game or Troy Smith when he decides to run instead of pass... they are doomed. OSU wins by at least 10.
119 - college band fan
You want to talk about state-dividing rivalries? Montana-Montana State is the only in-state college rivalry that crosses the Great Divide. Our current governor is a Montana State alum, and he states publicly that as a government official, he roots for the University of Montana every day but one. I've lived all over the country (from Florida to New York to Washington to California), and now having settled in Montana for the time being, I can tell you how voracious this one is. It's either Cat-Griz or Griz-Cat, depending on who you talk to. I don't doubt that more people talk about Michigan-OSU or Alabama-Auburn (and therefore they would be "bigger"), but you have to think about how many more people live in Ohio, Michigan, and Alabama. Montana has a population of less than 1 million people, and yet any time of the year, you'd be hard pressed to find someone that doesn't bring up the latest game in conversation (usually football, but basketball sometimes too). To most fans, it is the ONLY game that matters. A 1-10 season is a successful one if you beat them.
PS- silly football fans, the band is the reason for saturday! :-p
120 - MCH
As a fifth generation Montanan and lifelong sports fan, I can attest to the intensity and importance of the Cat-Griz rivalry. This battle has been going on for 109 years, since 1897. Coaches have made their players actually get down on their knees and swear to God that they would not lose to the Bobcats or Grizzlies, depending.
In 1956, when MSC beat the Griz in Missoula for the first time in 52 years, the Bobcat fans stormed down on Dornblaser Field and started tearing the goal posts down, and when the UM fans tried to stop them, it took the fire department hoses to break-up the ensuing rumble.
college band fan, have you read the book "The Divide Wars"?
121 - Misopogon
What's great about rivalries is they're all different. What makes Florida/FSU great isn't what makes the Iron Bowl great, or the Red River Shootout great, or the Holy War great, or the Battle of I-75 great.
If you're going to rank them, though, I think Michigan/Ohio State does it best. Hatred isn't the midwest's style, but Michigan/Ohio State is the one game in any sport all year that you can always count on to be big. Players from all over the country come to these schools, just for the chance to play in that game. It's college football at its core: nose-to-nose, strength on strength, repeat for a century. It also has that whole Blue State/Red State thing that taps into the country's true biggest rivalry.
I should also point out that Michigan and Ohio are the only states to ever declare war on each other, even if they were too drunk to actually fight it.
Different states will have their huge in-state rivalries, and I think the Iron Bowl edges Florida/FSU for that. And different segments of society will have theirs. Back when a majority of American men had served in the armed forces, Army/Navy overshadowed everything. And if you're in the Ivy League, or around a bunch of people who were, there's nothing like Harvard/Yale (and the better rivalry, IMO, MIT pranksters versus Harvard/Yale).
But Michigan/Ohio State transcends border wars and local hate-fests, and even national segments. In the mid-'90s, Florida-FSU got a taste of what it's like having two superpowers face off, but the Blue and the Red have been doing it for over 100 years now. The Game is hands-down the best rivalry in American sports, for history, hatred, transcending characteristics, national interest, and affect on the sport. But I think after that, each of these categories deserves a list of its own.
How about it:
Top in-state rivalries:
122 - Jet in Columbus
`Bo'' Schembechler, who led the University of Michigan football team to 17 bowl games in 21 seasons as coach, died today after collapsing while taping a television show. He was 77.
Schembechler died at 11:42 a.m. New York time at Providence Hospital in Southfield, Michigan, said Mike Dowd, an investigator for the Oakland County, Michigan, medical examiners office. He was taken to the hospital after passing out during a taping of his weekly television show, said Southfield Police Detective Steve Schneider.
Schembechler's death comes one day before Michigan's annual game with archrival Ohio State. Ohio State is ranked first in the national polls with Michigan at No. 2.
``This is an extraordinary loss for college football,'' Ohio State coach Jim Tressel said in a statement. ``Bo Schembechler touched the lives of many people and made the game of football better in every way.''
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123 - President Bush
Top in-state rivalries:
There are quite a few good ones, but I think UF - FSU takes the cake...or at least it used to, about 10 years ago... :-/
124 - President Bush
See Jet, what did I tell you? Bo Schembechler is dead.
125 - Zach
How come Nebraska isn't on your list. I mean they have big rivalary games with Oklahoma and Missouri. I guess people arn't paying attention to Nebraska anymore.