This is in response to TrevorE2W’s article.
I came up with what I thought were the 24 best rivalries and made a top 15 from there. The other eight are honorable mention.The Biggest College Rivalries
15. Cortland State-Ithaca (Football)
This is as fierce as D-III rivalries get. The Cortaca Jug has gone to the winner of this rivalry since 1959. Unfortunately for Cortland State, Ithaca has dominated the series recently. Cortland beat Ithaca in Ithaca’s 1988 National Championship season. However, Ithaca gained revenge with a second round win in the playoffs.
14. BYU-Utah (Everything)
The Holy War is only holy until these two teams get on the battle field. Then it is deadly. Utah has historically dominated the series. However, BYU has the national title. The rivalry is just as fierce in basketball, with numerous NCAA births decided in this match up.
13. Oklahoma-Nebraska (Football especially)
Although they don’t play annually anymore thanks to the stupidity of the Big XII, the brutal history of this rivalry keeps this on the list. There is a reason they played the “Game of the Century.” This once was a Top 5 rivalry. Hopefully it will be again.
12. Lehigh-Lafayette (Everything)
120 and counting. Within the next 84 years, one of these teams will reach 100 wins over the other. Currently 73-62-5 Lafayette. Unlike most other 100+ rivalries, the teams actually agree on the record. But that is about it. And this ain’t just a football rivalry, as these teams carry the Pennsylvania hate into all other sports.
11. Georgia-Auburn (Football especially)
These two teams have literally played and beaten up on each other forever. This game matters more than the Cocktail Party or Good Old Fashion Hate. It is “The Oldest Rivalry in the Deep South” and filled with more hate and competitive contests than any other. Auburn’s 52-48-8 lead in the series is indicative of the evenness of the rivalry. To boot, these two teams played in the first ever overtime game in SEC play.
10. Michigan-Ohio State (Football especially)
Do I honestly have to say anything more? This is one of the classic rivalries. We all know what happens that Saturday before Thanksgiving, but we can never predict it.
9. Boston College/Boston University/Northeastern/Harvard (Hockey especially)
This Holiday tournament is by far hockey’s regular season biggest. The Beanpot is more than just a hockey tournament: it is the bragging rights for the entire state for a year. And with four competitive teams, anything can happen.
8. Minnesota-Iowa (Wrestling especially)
Although this has not always been the biggest rivalry, it has always been a rivalry. And with the national emergence of Minnesota in the `90s, it became the rivalry. The highlight came when two years in a row, Iowa came back on the final day at the NCAAs to win keep Minnesota from its first title. Minnesota then won two years in a row. These teams are fierce football rivals as well.
7. Oregon-Oregon State (Everything)
Who says the Civil War was fought in the 1860s? It has been fought 108 times since, including one in the 1980s where neither team was able to score! There were years where this season finale would keep both teams from going winless, but over the last decade the two teams have become competitive.
6. Kentucky-Louisville (Basketball)
There is so much history in this rivalry. From Adolph Rupp to Denny Crum to Rick Pitino and all the stars and superstars who played for them. Not to mention the seven combined National Titles. Not bad for two Midwestern schools from Kentucky. Oh, and with Pitino now at Louisville, this rivalry is even fiercer.
5. Johns Hopkins-Maryland (Lacrosse)
This is the only match up to have been played 100 times in the history of college lacrosse. With bragging rights and frequently the number one spot on the line in the regular season, these games are heated. Three times they have met for in the title game. Hopkins has won 35 titles since 1891; Maryland has won 9 since 1936.
4. Texas-Texas A&M (Football)
The bonfire tragedy only made this hated rivalry fiercer. Texas leads 72-34-5, but you’d think it were 50-50 during the game. The day after Thanksgiving makes or breaks every Aggie and Longhorn’s heart.
3. Duke-North Carolina (Basketball)
Eight miles of road and countless hate-filled games separate these two academic and basketball superpowers. UNC may have had the better history, but Duke has bridged the gap with three titles in the last fifteen years to UNC’s two. When these teams play, whether it’s at Cameron or Dean Smith or the ACC tournament or the NCAA tournament, everything is on the line.
2. Harvard-Yale (Everything)
The two schools produce presidents, scientists, everything, and yes, starting centers in the NFL (Matt Birk). But nothing is more important than winning “The Game” each year, especially when an Ivy crown is on the line.
1. Army-Navy (Everything)
Say what you want about every other rivalry, this one follows over into the classrooms, the government, and into service for the country. Not to mention that game the first Saturday of each December.
Honorable Mention (no order):
Georgia-Georgia Tech (Football especially)
Anything called “Good, Old-Fashioned Hate” is worthy of honorable mention.
Florida-Florida State (Football especially)
It is required by law that these two teams meet alternating years at home. Talk about hatred between a girl’s nursing school and Florida.
Auburn-Alabama (Everything)
Too common a response. That is my only excuse.
Grambling State-Southern (Football)
Bayou Classic each Saturday after Thanksgiving. Unfortunately, the game will not be held at the Superdome anymore after more than 30 years there.
Florida-Georgia (Football especially)
Too one-sided. Georgia dominated under Dooley and Florida dominated under Spurrier. It was never back and forth.
West Virginia-Virginia Tech (Everything)
I once got punched for changing the channel when a Va Tech fan was watching this football game. Need I say more?
Minnesota-Wisconsin (Everything)
Border war as good as it gets. Paul Bunyan’s axe….
Stanford-Cal (Everything)
“The Big Game” came into the spotlight with “The Play”, but these schools have hated each other in every sport since the beginning of time.
Montana-Idaho (Football especially)
Idaho dropped the rivalry after Montana beat the 1-A Vandals four years in a row. They could pick it back up.
Indiana-Kentucky (Basketball especially)
So much tradition in these two bordering states and this rivalry stands for the history of basketball.
32 replies on “College Sports’ 15 Greatest Rivalries”
oops my bad, i didn’t mean to vote it down. sorry
Where is? Indiana-Kentucky (Basketball) and IU-Purdue? I also don’t understand how Army-Navy got #1. I mean I know it’s one of the oldest ones but it’s doesn’t mean much anymore since they both have pretty miserable teams. Harvard-Yale, c’mon let’s be realistic, you gotta put Ohio State-Michigan closer to the top it just to me one is of the greatest from it’s capacity and history.
Two Things Very good article. An all college one was very necessary.
I have two quibbles. First off, if we’re doing an all college one, I think Cincinnati-Xavier should make it. The Crosstown Shootout is always one of the most hotly contested games of the year.
Michigan-Ohio State seems awfully low at #10. I have that as the second best rivalry in all of sports. In terms of history, competitiveness, and relevance it has survived the test of time.
jus wanted to see your reaction I’m putting it in as an honorable mention. I knew you’d be pissed!
hehe nice one.
i love Cinci-Xavier, but it was #26. Last one I left out.
Obviously I have a southeastern prejudice here anyway.
i forgive you it happens to all of us.
not only in football OSU and U of M have a great rivarly in hockey. They belong below # 10, inside the 5 in my opionon.
not only in football OSU and U of M have a great rivarly in hockey. They belong below # 10, inside the 5 in my opionon.
First of all… to put a rivarly that has to do with lacrosse above any football rivarly is retarded, lacrosse does not even come close to football in poularity. Secondly you said this article had to do with sports, so why in the hell is harvard and yale even on this list, no one watches any of these games as much as they wacth the ohio state and michigan game, and you have them ranked 10th. You give people reasons like this article to get on you about not knowing anything about sports, and you obviously keep showing them they’re right. This article makes you look retarded, honestly.
This article is pathetic in a sports view
ok but that is no reason to vote this article down.
You cannot vote something down because you disagree with the opinion.
ya ur probably right. I just am sick of seeing it #1 on so many people’s lists. I underrated it; you are right.
Call it a southeast prejudice.
comment Standing ovation for NonHacker for the most generalized comment I’ve ever read. “Nobody wathes those games.” “Lacrosse before football is retarded”. “This article makes you look retarded”. Give me a break kid. Grow up or get outta here. Both preferrably.
what the hell are you talking about?
Your an idiot lol
Explain to me what you just wrote in a form where you dont sound retarded.
Generalized comment?? its the truth.
Whens the last time you’ve seen lacrosse get ratings like football. You Don’t. To the larger part of America Lacrosse doesnt even compare to football you idiot.
Next time you comment an article, make sure you don’t sound like you know what you’re talking about, becuase you don’t.
I think someone needs to take 5…. Dude relax. All he was saying is that you used generalizations. For example “Nobody watches lacrosse.” Well actually people do watch lax, especially during the final four.
Also calling people retarded may not be the best or most constructive way to critique someone’s article.
Fell free to write what you want. But 2 things 1.)The way you write make you look like an immature idiot and 2.) unless you write an article that is equal or better than this one, please keep your comments to yourself. I don’t agree with most of the ranking but this article is all Bsd’s Opinion.
The article is of good quality and he is well respected on this site for his style and writing ability. SO again, write something that is almost as good in quality and we will overlook the fact that you are an idiot.
red river??? OU vs TEXAS?????
comment Let me spell it out for you NonHacker:
Y-o-u u-s-e-d g-e-n-e-r-a-l-i-z-a-t-i-o-n-s
is that spaced out enough for you? I am not trying to tell you that football is less popular than lacrosse, I am pointing out that you make it sound like nobody watches lacrosse when in fact it is a very popular sport, and still growing. My 9-year old sister calls people retarded by the way so unless you are that age or younger, stop doing it, because it may be offensive to someone, and it also doesn’t help the writer at all. Say something constructive next time.
oops That I missed. I put it aside thinking I’d get back to it and I completely forgot.
That was my mistake.
When possession of a river depends on a football game, then its a rivalry.
I’ll incorporate that in later.
Yet again, that was my fault.
are u gonna cry becuase he used the word “retarded”, im sick of all you people running to bsd’s side like he needs your help, you didnt write this article, so dont say how constuctive Nonhackers comment is. It doesnt affect you. And what was the point of your comment? Are you trying to say that BSD was justified in using lacrosse as a legitamate (cant spell) rivarly compared to a football rivarly. No one gives a shit if its growing, it doesnt matter, its still not close to football in popularity. And if your 9 your old sister calls you retarded, shes probably right
holy crap man this has nothing to do with defending bsd he can defend himself, i just dont like when people are posting comments saying how “retarded” or “terrible” articles are…how about “this story needs a little work and here’s why:”
comment and yes, he is justified in using a lacrosse rivalry against a football rivalry. it’s his opinion, he can use whatever rivalries he wants.
USC-UCLA How could you miss the USC-UCLA rivalry!?!?
It is one of the greatest in all of college football….terrible oversight
nope Big rivalry, but many bigger. Even people I know going to USC or UCLA agree that it is not the best rivalry even in the state.
It is a big rivalry, but there are many bigger.
Take It from Someone Who Lives In L.A. HUH?? Those people have misinformed you then, as there is no bigger rivalry in California.
Cal-Stanford doesn’t even compare…how many times have they featured Heisman trophy candidates playing for a berth in the Rose Bowl.
If anyone tells you that USC-UCLA isn’t the biggest rivalry in the state of California; they’re jealous. I’m born & raised in L.A., and believe me, there is none better (especially in football).
If you don’t believe me…just look at what ABC shows every year….Ohio State vs Michigan at 9 am, then its USC-UCLA at 12:30 every year. There’s a reason for that.
The only reason Cal-Stanford even makes a blip on the radar is because of 1982, and that great play where Cal wins the game. Even that year, both teams were terrible and just fighting to get over .500.
I guarantee you USC-UCLA will be a thousand times bigger than Cal-Stanford this year as well. Both SoCal teams are undefeated whereas Stanford just lost to a Division 1AA team…there’s really no comparison.
Why do You hate OSU so much, i just want to know that.
fyi USC/UCLA would not be a national game then.
It would be a regional game after OSU/Michigan.
Isn’t it December 3???
What?!? It still is a top 10 game.
Geez…..
No im saying You dont have them very high on here and you didnt even rank them in ur first preseason top 25, on purpose. I dont understand why you think they are so bad
UCLA-USC im going to have to agree with aveosmth on this one, the UCLA-USC rivalry is definitely one of the top 15 college rivalries there are. Hell, on the UCLA campus the teachers teach anti-trojan chants and cheers in class…
Do not vote for this I will be insulted if anyone votes for this.
Renewed Rivalries Next season Penn State vs. Norte Dame football? That has to be on top of the list. Also old school Penn State vs Syracuse.
The funny thing is… it’s southeast predjudice even though you don’t live in the southeast…at least most of the time.