College football rivalries are something that everybody looks forward to all across the United States, and some are more heated than others. Today, we are going to look at what I think are the best college football rivalries.

10. Wisconsin vs. Minnesota

A regional Big Ten rivalry and the oldest in college football. The first game between Wisconsin and Minnesota was in 1890, when Minnesota won 63-0. Since that year, they have held an annual game with many emotions on display on the field. Despite Minnesota’s dominant start, the all-time record is 63-63-8, making it the only rivalry in the FBS that is exactly .500. The winner of this contested matchup takes home Paul Bunyan’s Axe. The old trophy, “The Slab of Bacon,” was lost in 1943, and it is rumored that Wisconsin hid it from Minnesota. This year, Minnesota holds the axe after winning 24-7, wrapping up their season.

9. Clemson vs. South Carolina

The Palmetto Bowl is an old rivalry between two in-state universities. South Carolina and Clemson first played in 1896, with South Carolina winning 12-6. The rivalry was cemented in 1902 when South Carolina upset an undefeated Clemson team, leading to a full-scale fight on the field. From 1909 to 2019, the teams faced off in 111 consecutive games, making it the second-longest streak of of consecutive matchups between two teams in college football history. Clemson currently leads the series 73-44-4. In recent years, the teams have traded wins every time they faced each other. This year, South Carolina won at Clemson with a score of 17-14.

8. BYU vs. Utah

The Holy War is a rivalry between BYU and Utah. These two teams first met in 1896 but didn’t play each other every year for a long time. Now, they attempt to play annually. Utah has dominated the rivalry, holding a record of 62-35-4. However, despite Utah’s dominance, BYU is currently on a two-game winning streak. The rivalry has been thrilling, with many games ending in close scores. It was cemented in 1922 after Utah’s 49-0 victory, which left BYU frustrated. Over the years, one team would either dominate for an extended period or have a few close games. This year, BYU made a comeback on Utah’s home field, winning 22-21. Since both teams are strong right now, the recent games have been highly competitive. With both teams now in the same conference again, there is a possibility of seeing them face off in the Big XII championship.

7. Florida St. vs. Miami

Miami and Florida State share an in-state rivalry that is highly aggressive. Miami currently leads the series with a record of 36-33. This has been a back-and-forth rivalry, with both teams experiencing significant success. They first met in 1952, with Miami winning 35-13. Over the years, there have only been three interruptions to the rivalry, all beyond the control of either team. This year, Miami had a dominant 36-14 victory, rising to prominence as Florida State struggled. Hopefully, next year will bring a more competitive matchup, like those seen over the past 20 years.

6. Florida vs. Georgia

Georgia and Florida are normally two of the best teams in college football. The game is played in Jacksonville and has been an annual tradition since 1926, though they have only played in Jacksonville since 1932 onward. The two rivals have had many great teams and very entertaining games. Georgia currently leads the series with a record of 56-44-2. This year, Georgia won a sloppy game in which Florida’s quarterback went down with an injury. The reason these two are rivals is that they are very close to each other geographically and have been in the same conference for a very long time. During that time, a large number of brawls have broken out on the field.

5. USC vs. Notre Dame

Another classic old rivalry comes from USC and Notre Dame. USC and Notre Dame are not in the same region. In fact, they are on almost exact opposite sides of the country. However, it is one of the most entertaining rivalries in college football. Both teams are very good on an annual basis, and Notre Dame currently leads the series 52-38-5. These two teams first played in 1926 in California. The reason they played is that Notre Dame needed games on their schedule, and USC offered. This year, Notre Dame won 49-35 after two pick-sixes secured the win. This year’s game was a shootout and competitive for both teams, making it a great game.

4. Alabama vs. Auburn

The Iron Bowl is between two in-state rivals, Alabama and Auburn. Alabama currently leads the series 51-37-1. This is a game that either team can win, no matter how good the other team is. One of the most famous plays of all time happened during this game in 2013 when Chris Davis returned a field goal attempt 100 yards to win the game. The first game took place in 1893, with Auburn winning 40-16. Although they haven’t played every year, the rivalry became annual once both teams joined the SEC. Alabama and Auburn are two of the best teams in football history, and when they play, it is always a treat.

3. Texas vs. Oklahoma

The Red River rivalry is one of the most aggressive southern rivalries. Two of the biggest football schools in the country have participated in an annual matchup since 1930, but their first matchup was in 1900. In 1900, Texas beat Oklahoma 28-2. Texas also has the series lead with a record of 64-51-5. These teams have played in the same conference for a long time, which has made it easy to schedule an annual matchup. Ironically, they have only played in a conference championship game against each other once, even though they’ve been in the same conference for a long time

2. Army vs. Navy

The Battle of the Military Academies is one of the longest-standing rivalries in the country. It is also one of the oldest. They started playing in 1890, and the only times they couldn’t play were from 1894 to 1898, 1909, 1917, 1918, 1928, and 1929. Outside of those 10 years, they have played every other year. Navy currently leads the series with a record of 62-55-7. Navy also won the first game. The reason they are rivals needs little explanation: the two biggest service academies face off to see who is better.

1. Michigan vs. Ohio State

“The Game” is the most competitive game in all of college football. Brawls happen almost every year, and if you lose at home, just know that the opposing team will plant their flag on the logo. Michigan leads the series 62-51-6. The main reason they are rivals is because of the history behind the Toledo Strip. Both states claimed the Toledo Strip as part of their territory, but Ohio got it, while Michigan was given the Upper Peninsula. They did not like this and have always been rivals with Ohio. Since then, these two schools have hated each other, and being in the same conference and playing every year doesn’t help. It is now clear that the winner of this game will most likely make the playoffs. This year, Ohio State was upset at home, losing 13-10. Ohio State’s Big Ten championship hopes were spoiled, and they were stuck with a lower seed in the playoffs because of it. Michigan had a lost season this year but was able to beat their rival and spoil their season. In all, neither team likes the other, and actually, “hate” is a better word. That is why it is the best rivalry.

Conclusion

In all, we have seen plenty of great rivalries between multiple teams. All of these games will be competitive, no matter how good the other team is. That is why college football rivalries are better than pro rivalries and more significant. It is because of the stadiums, the competitiveness, the college kids, and the student sections that fill the stadium with energy. Every year, we see history on the field. That is why these are the best college football rivalries.

Works Cited:

• Wisconsin badgers. (2024b, November 29). https://uwbadgers.com/sports/football/opponent-history/university-of-minnesota/11
• History of the game: South Carolina vs. Clemson. Columbia Metropolitan Magazine. (2021, October 26). https://columbiametro.com/article/history-of-the-game-south-carolina-vs-clemson/
• BYUvs.UTAH. Home | BYU vs. UTAH Football. (n.d.). https://exhibits.lib.byu.edu/byu-vs-utah-football/
• Florida State University Football History VS University of Miami. Florida State University. (n.d.). https://seminoles.com/sports/football/opponent-history/university-of-miami/20
• Florida Gators. (2024, November 2). https://floridagators.com/sports/football/opponent-history/university-of-georgia/23
• USC Athletics. (2024, November 30). https://usctrojans.com/sports/football/opponent-history/university-of-notre-dame/27
• Alabama Crimson Tide vs. Auburn tigers football series history games list. Winsipedia. (n.d.). https://www.winsipedia.com/games/alabama/vs/auburn
• Leuzzi, J. (2024, October 12). Red River Rivalry Football: All-time series record, history between Texas, Oklahoma. Statesman. https://www.statesman.com/story/sports/college/longhorns/football/2024/10/12/red-river-rivalry-history-series-record-texas-oklahoma-football-out-cotton-bowl/75579585007/
• Army West Point Football history vs Navy. Army West Point. (n.d.). https://goarmywestpoint.com/sports/football/opponent-history/navy/229
• Um vs OSU all-TIME results. (n.d.). https://bentley.umich.edu/athdept/football/umosu/results.htm