1. Army vs. Navy
Only one college football rivalry gathers so many Americans who serve the country and have the President flip the coin each year. While neither team has competed for a national title for decades, no other college rivalry has a reason behind it that runs as deep or as long as Army and Navy.
2. Alabama vs. Auburn
If an Alabama fan and Auburn fan had a cigar-smoking contest, fans would pay to watch. Typically, at least one of the two teams is in contention for a national championship or a top 10 finish to the season. With no professional sports teams in the state, Alabama residents pick a side during childhood and typically stay with it for life. The series features arguably the longest list of sensational final plays of any college football rivalry.
3. Ohio State vs. Michigan
The rivalry between Ohio State and Michigan regained strength during the past two decades. Prior to the 2000s, the most heated years were arguably during the era when Bo Schembechler and Woody Hayes famously coached against each other from 1969 to 1978. The legend of Woody Hayes pushing his car across the Ohio border to avoid buying gas in Michigan is not true, but it symbolizes the level of hatred between the programs. Michigan dominated the series during the 90’s and Ohio State ultimately fired coach John Cooper in 2000. Cooper touted 111 wins, 43 losses and four ties record during his 13 seasons (1988-2000) at Ohio State, but his 2–10–1 record against archrival Michigan ultimately cost him his job. His most disappointing losses to the Wolverines came in 1993, 1995, and 1996.
4. Oklahoma vs. Texas
Known as the “Red River Rivalry”, the Oklahoma Sooners and Texas Longhorns have maintained their intense hatred through multiple conference changes. The games are played at Texas’ Cotton Bowl Stadium and coincide with the Texas State Fair. The intensity has escalated as both programs are now members of the exteremely competitive Southeastern Conference and can’t afford to lose multiple games in a single season if they hope to remain in the hunt for the SEC Conference championship game or the College Football National Playoff.
5. Florida vs. Florida State
For 30 of the past 40 years, Florida and Florida State University consistently ranked among the top 10 to 25 teams, and during the 90’s, both teams were frequently in the top five. Coaches Bobby Bowden and Steve Spurrier were two of the most iconic in the history of college football. The Gators enjoyed a string of victories during the Urban Meyer era, but the tides turned after Meyer left and Jimbo Fisher led FSU to wins in 7 of 8 games against UF. Florida has gone through four coaches since Meyer and is still seeking a leader who can right the ship. FSU won a championship in the calendar year of 2014 (for the 2013 season), but since Fisher left, the Seminoles have only enjoyed two strong seasons in 2022 and 2023 under coach Mike Norvell. If the programs can return to their former status as consistent championship contenders, this rivalry will escalate.
Who could ever forget “The Choke at Doak”?
6. Notre Dame vs. USC
Some college football historians will tell you that there was no greater rivarly than Notre Dame vs. USC when both teams were powerhouses in the 1960’s, 70’s and 80’s. The list of players who went on to NFL success is too long to list. If you want to watch a clash of titans, watch any recording of a Notre Dame vs. USC game from that era.
7. South Carolina vs. Clemson
South Carolina Gamecock fans embrace the role of underdogs and spoilers when they take on Clemson for their season finale. You never know what to expect in this game, even if South Carolina has a losing record and Clemson is in the national championship hunt.
8. Mississippi vs. Mississippi State
College football is an unofficial religion in the deep south, and Mississippi is no exception. Even when both teams were perennial SEC cellar dwellers, the intensity of their hatred for each other has always been extremely high. Now that Ole Miss is a major competitor for the conference championships, the higher stakes have made the “Egg Bowl” even more intense and exciting.
9. Alabama vs. Tennessee
Alabama and Tennessee have played each other on the third Saturday in October for so long that fans of respective teams block off the weekend from wedding planners. More often than not, at least one of the two teams was among the top three teams of their respective division, back when the SEC had an East Division and West Division. (The divisions ended in 2023 after Texas and Oklahoma joined) Alabama dominated during most of the Saban era, but Tennessee won two of the past four games.
10. UCLA vs. USC
UCLA is known much more as a basketball school, but when these two teams clash, fans don’t hold back their passion. I never would have considered this game in my top ten list until I attended a game in person, when both teams weren’t even ranked, but fans in the stands fought throughout the game and also came up with some of the most impressive taunts that I’ve ever heard at any game.
Honorable Mention: Utah vs. BYU: What happens when a secular university squares off vs. the largest Mormon school? Watch this video to get a glimpse into the rivalry.
