Texas vs. Texas A&M should definitely be on your list! The 3rd most played rivalry matchup, both schools are in-state and the alumni work side by side, unlike nearly every other matchup on your list! Also, both schools have fight songs directly mentioning their rival school in them.

clemson vs. university of south carolina is like a biblical event here in sc

It is right on--hard to capture everyone but Ohio State-UM is a worthy number 1--both very old traditional powers that always save that game for the last and almost always with major stakes at hand---they play the same style and are two of the top program's in country pretty consistently.

Just a side note, if OU played Nebraska every year like they used to, it would definetly be top 3.

The rivalry between Texas and A&M is unlike all others. Longhorns and Aggies show hatred when they have to but these two Texas institutions share a brotherly rivalry that can be turned into unity. When Bonfire collapsed the Longhorns showed extreme class, respect, and admiration towards the Aggies for their capability of withstanding and enduring such tragedy as a true family! Aggies and Longhorns are rivals when it comes to football or any other sport. The rivalry series is called the Lone Star Showdown and is carried out in all Big XXII Sports! To me it is the number one rivalry and the most interesting! Gig em or Hook Em! You decide!

Yeah but ask any Longhorn (of which I am one) who their rival is in football and they'll tell you it is the Sooners, not the Aggies.

Being a Seminole who went to FSU from my hometown of MIAMI, I would have to STRONGLY disagree that UM is a bigger rival to my beloved 'Noles than those dirty Gators. There is definitely a rivalry between my 'Noles and the 'Canes, but ask ANYONE at FSU who our biggest rival is and they will certainly tell you that the Gators take the prize.

PS - Dear folks at the NCAA... before you go and make rules "on behalf of Native Americans", why don't you speak to them and see what they have to say. Start with the Seminole Tribe of Florida who happen to be proud supporters of Florida State University.

Auburn vs Alabama should be #1. Its the only game that the entire state chooses sides. You are either an Auburn or Alabama fan from birth, and where your parents attend school is more than likely where you will attend. Its complete craziness

Come on now, ARMY-NAVY should be #1!! The series is tied 49-49.....nuff said!! Navy-ND is fourth for tradition of gridiron football!!!

Indiana (PA) vs. Slippery Rock
2nd to None..................Go Rock!

BYU-UTAH. Everyone over looks this one because they aren't BCS teams. If you come down to watch the Holy Battle you will be stunned. It is even a feirce rivalry in my ELEMANTRY school. Last year a huge fight broke out, one kid even broke his nose. This year it will be a huge games. To me if BYU beats the Utes and loose the rest it is a good season. GO Cougs!

Alabama vs. Auburn or South Carolina vs. Clemson goes down at the best rivalry period, simply for the pure hatred of between the schools of these two rivalries. I mean, the South Carolina national guard had to be called to Clemson this past year after the riot on the field and in the stands, not to mention that death that occured at the Alabama-Auburn game in the 1990's due to a stabbing.

1.FSU vs. UF
2.OSU vs. MIU
3.Texas vs. Texas A&M
4.UF vs. Tenn
5. Miami vs. FSU

There is only one correct answer: The Iron Bowl. Alabama-Auburn is college football's best rivalry.

The Iron Bowl takes the prize here. Alabama and Auburn is as fierce a rivalry as you can imagine. The worse of it is in towns that have a mix of the two fans. Bragging rights last for 364 days.

What About the Civil War Oregon State Vs Oregon in 2001 it could of decided the Championship

Army-Navy is definitely number 1. Where else can both teams be 0-10 and sell out a pro-football stadium (Lincoln Financial) and be on national television. Plus, this game is shown around the world to all of our armed forces overseas.

GO NAVY! BEAT ARMY!

Oklahoma-Texas best rilvary ever go Sooners!!!!!!!!!!!

Let me add Arizona vs. ASU. There is plenty of hate to go around between the two schools, it's been pretty competitivee through the years, plus it sports the oldest rivalry trophy in the country in the 'territorial cup'.

Coe vs. Cornell

Oldest west of the Mississippi, 115th meeting in 2005, though it really may be 116 since the two teams played twice in 1945. Both team in the same Iowa county, Linn.

USA Today Sports Weekly is publishing a special College Rivalries issue on this exact subject Nov. 14, 2005 ... not to shill shill sell, but this is the kind of one-stop mag a college football fan like myself has been looking for. Should be easy to find at local newsstands or you can order online.

Lafayette -Lehigh will be playing #141 on Nov 19th. Two Patriot League teams in the Lehigh Valley PA are sell outs each year in the most played rivalry in the nation. It is between two outstanding academic schools and the scholarships are based solely on financial need without a wide latitude of admission flexibility.

Harvard-Yale, except it's probably not as much fun now that they've clamped down on the tailgating.

Georgia tech and georgia should be on the list. there has been shoot outs at these games and fans have died. Every year the atlanta S.W.A.T. team goes to these games and guard these crazy fans. Alabama and auburn are not the best. those rivals are so OVERATED i watched the game last year there is nothing intense about that rival. And as far as those lame yankee rivals up north ohio state and michigan that is OVERATED too that rival might as well be soccer.GEORGIA TECH AND GEORGIA IS THE BEST>

yes for once i agree with a tech fan he is right Georgia tech and georgia should be on the list bama and burn is lame

i agree 100% that the OSU, Michigan game is the number 1 rivalry. it's one thing to have a state divided by two teams, but it's a whole other level when you've got 1 state that completly hates another. it's not just two weeks before and after the game though. it's all year, every year. just because people don't get shot or aren't from the south doesn't take away from the fact that it is the biggest rivalry in college football.

By far the 2 best rivalries in the nation are Clemson vs. South Carolina & the Iron Bowl because of the pure hatred between these schools. Many people might laugh at the Clemson/South Carolina one, but if you ever visit the state of South Carolina in the week before the game, it is intense. There is no sitting on the fence, you are either a gamecock or a tiger.

Even though it's definately overshadowed by the Ohio State - Michigan rivalry, the next best rivalry in Ohio is the Bowling Green - Toledo game. With these two cities only 20 Miles apart, the Battle of I-75, in the past three years, would decide who would play in the MAC Championship Game.

1. Florida-Florida State
2. Army-Navy
3. Alabama-Auburn

IT'S IRON BOWL WEEK.

ROLL TIDE!

Alabama/Auburn the best rivalry! Please. It is no contest. The experts on this top 10 list got it right when they put Ohio State/Michigan as number 1. No other rivalry has meant more to college football than this one.

1. Army-Navy
2. OU-Texas
3. Ohio State-Michigan
4. Auburn-Alabama
5. Notre Dame-USC
6. OU-Nebraska
7. Wisconsin-Minnesota
8. Florida-Florida State

The Montana and Montana State rivalry shold definatly be on this list. Saturday will be there 105 meeting, thats a rivalry 105 years in the making, the two schools totally hate eachother and the game is sure to be an amazing one. They fight for the reputation of the school. Every one in the state has a favorite team it's like the "superbowl" for MONTANA.

Utah-byu. "the Holy war." guarenteed if more people knew about this rivalry it would make everyone's top 5. rivalries don't compare unless it's within state and you have to deal with the other side all year. there's nothing i enjoy more than beating byu and hearing them make excuses. Go Utes

only a byu fan would spell lose as "loose" and say "a huge games." See quote 11. describes their kind of fans.

most played rivalry is the country. two great academic schools. all day parties. better than any big time football program

Texas/OU hands down.

What about the Alabama v Tennessee or more recently the Gators v Tennessee??

I'm truly appalled that Clemson vs. South Carolina isn't even in the top ten. I've been to countless rivalry games; but none as intense as Death Valley in Clemson when they play USC.

Since I attend Tech after all, I have to make a few suggestions haha

Tech vs. WVU - no longer going to be played sadly, but it was always a big rivalry for the Black Diamond Trophy

Tech vs. UVA - not known much outside VA, but its a HUGE instate rivalry

Tech vs. Miami - grown bigger recently with both teams being damn good

OU/Texas or Army/Navy

GO SOONERS!!! TEXAS SUCK!!!

come on guys how bout some of the oldest in the game Wisconsin vs Minnesota-Oldest Rivalry game in country
Michigan vs Minnesota-Oldest Rivalry Trophy in the country

BYU vs. Utah is absolutely one of the best rivalries ever. The hatred is intense and the games extremely nerve racking. The Boys in Blue rule and will die for the Y. Hey Ute (Post #35), quite trying to be a wanna-be intellectual by picking on a junior high kid. Bring it on! Why are there hardly any fans at Rice Eccles unless BYU shows up. They are there out of hate for the team that every one loves to hate, not out of love for their team. BYU rocks, Utes are nothing, go back to your Gay clubs at the U.

Hey Ute, if you think you are so smart check out the stats and the grades and credibility of our schools and you will see that The Y is superior, so quite trying that typical Ute wann-be intellectual garbage. There is no substance to your claims about our fans. We will rock you.

How about those Penn State Lions. 10-1 this season. They have come out of no were to kick the Big Ten in to high gear. There Defence has always been there, they just need an offence that would kick some ass. Now that they got that they are on a roll. They could give Joe Pa a few more good memorys. Go Lions, and Go Hawks (Iowa). RP out

BYU Utah all the way. it's the best rivalry in the country. GO COUGARS!!!

the best football game ever was win JANETT JACKSON top came off i have that doneloaded in my computter...

Hey if your going to talk about Janet Jackson go some were else. We want to talk about football not some half time show mess up. The best rivialry is Ohio State Michagan. Dude come on, it is just the Hatfields and the MoCoys. These teams love to hate each other. It is a game that always has the chips in the pot. Big Ten Championship is always on the line in that game. You just got to love man

I am personally fond of the Ohio State/PSU matchup... it seems like Ohio and Pennsylvania are always warring, football is only one indicator of that underlying tension between the two states.

I total agree. That match has had some great games in the past. This year's match up was an all time great. The great in rivialry no one knows about, Iowa Iowa State. This game has been one of the unknow games, but of recently the teams sucess has brought this game into the spot light. You also go to love Penn State Minnesota. Battle for the Gov's Bell. That has been a hard physical game for years.

i cant believe the classic BYU/Utah Holy War wasn't on the list. The hatred between the two schools is crazy. Go BYU!

An all-year 'round rivalry- Indiana vs. Purdue
Not one of the most exciting football rivalry games to watch, Purdue lately is a dominating force on the football field to the Hoosiers. But in winter, the Hoosiers come alive on the hard court, winning out against the Boilermakers. Even during the year out of the football and basketball seasons, alumni and fans for both schools feud.

Dude...What about "The 3rd Saturday in October"?Tennessee/Alabama is the South's oldest rivalry!!! Bear Bryant said that he would rather beat Tennessee than Auburn any day. I know the Iron Bowl is huge, but this one is definitely as big as they come when you're talking about old school rivalries. For the last 15 years none have been more intense or more significant than Tennessee v. Florida as well. I'm not even a Tennessee fan, but I can't believe they're not even being mentioned. If Tennessee would've won ten games like normal this year, I bet those games would be getting their due.

i gotta give respect to mich-osu, and nd-usc, and fla-fsu, and ok-tex, but what about this. florida and georgia have such a hatred for eachother that they don't even play at eachothers stadiums, they had to find a nuetral ground somewhere. you gotta give that fact some consideration. not to mention the fact that it is the world's largest outdoor cocktail party. i mean what's wrong with that, drinks and football, the pillars of american society.

oh yeah, and just one more thing to say. what the heck ever happened to anyone talking about how much tennessee and georgia hate eachother. that game definitely should be considered a rivalry, but it isn't for some reason. oh well. go dawgs, get 'dem gata's.

by the way i gotta say it cause i'm from the boot, you don't even know how big of a rivalry the bayou classic is in louisiana. bigger than anything lsu has, and southern and grambling are div. 2 schools

when i play for Michigan I'll make Ohio pay

I would definitely have to say Aggies vs. Longhorns. I live in Texas and thats a huge rivalry even for the people who take sides in middle and high schools.

Ah c'mon....where's Louisville vs. Kentucky???

there is another great rivalry and that is....
Nebraska vs. Oklahoma

1. Nebraska vs oklahoma
2. Notre Dame vs Purdue
3. Clemson vs South carolina
4. Texas vs Oklahoma
5. Michigan State vs Michigan

I WOULD ALSO LIKE TO ADD THAT I THINK NEBRASKA AND BAYLOR SHOULD BE A RIVALRY ALTHOUGH ITS NOT REALLY A CONTEST WE STILL PLAY THEM EVERY YEAR, GO HUSKERS!!

I am a UGA fan, and think that (back when clemson and uga played reguarly - as in the 80s) that the rivalry between the two schools was extremely intense - I hate clemson...

but i also think that the clemson/south carolina rivalry should be in the top ten. after the brawl 2 years ago, it was obvious how much these two teams hate eachother. the whole state is divided on gameday...clemson/usc played their 103 game last year - making it one of the oldest rivalries in the nation - and definately one of the most storied with plenty of tradition

There is no rivalry more intense than than the MIGHTY COCKS & the Tigers. This should be # 1. If you ever get a chance to go to a game you will understand. USC/Clemson.

The Florida/Georgia game is by far the most intense (FSU wishes that they were Florida's biggest rival, but they just can't overcome the hatred for the Dawgs.) UGA can't even spell dog! What a school. The game is played at a neutral site, Jacksonville, Florida. It's a very special game with as many Dawg fans as there are Gators (and yes, Spurrier did enjog beating Gearogia 11 out of 12 times!)

Kansas VS Mizzou

2nd oldest rivalry alltime


this isnt a once a year deal, Missourians and kansas wankers hate each other 24/7/365. the hatred goes deep and back to the early 1800's.

there is an old saying in missouri, the only good kansas native, is a dead kansas native.


not a flashy matchup, or top team matchup, but definately more hatred in the game than any of those other rivals. people were killed in the border war in early 1800 in the name of each state! Missourians burned Lawrence to the ground, while Jayhawkers murdered innocent missourians.


hate, thats what it is, hate!!!!!!!

FU KU

Clemson-Shamecocks with out a doubt

The Auburn Georgia rivalry is the most overlooked rivalry in college football. Because Georgia Tech is in the ACC, this is Georgia's finale in the SEC and has determined their championship hopes so many times I've lost count. Many, many Auburn players, heralded recruits, come from Georgia, so there's an extra incentive there for those recruits. Auburn blemished Georgia's national championship season in 1942, when Georgia won the Rose Bowl. Auburn ended Georgia's three year undefeated SEC winning streak in 1983. Georgia's tie against Auburn in 1994 ended a two year undefeated run by Auburn. New Georgia fans hate Florida. Old Georgia fans like me hate Auburn.

hey what about florida and tennessee. being a gators fan, i would still have to say that FreeShoesU is the biggest. i hate anything that has to do with anything that has to do with FSU, and i hate them dawgs to the north. go gators

BYU-Utah AKA The Holy War is above the rest as it is not a geographical rivaly like the majority of the rivaries, instead throw in religion and it brings out the best and worst of its fans, from the Mormons to the Mormon haters, and between the Mormons that got into BYU and the Mormons that couldn't get into BYU and had to settle enrolling to the U of U.

AMEN go coug's the rivalry is definitely one of the top in the country but isnt recognized by much. NOONE will know the fullness of the rivalry between BYU and utah until you have lived it...go BYU

OU-Texas is the best rivalry. You have to be in Dallas to experiece it, and its wild.

I have one issue in regards to this list's interpretation of rivalries. Having two rivals diminishes the the nature of a rivalry, making both rivalries less strong.

On this list Notre Dame, Florida State, Florida, USC are all mentioned twice which means that one of their rivalries is diminished by the other and should probably not be on the list. There are smaller rivalries which are actually much more fierce such as BYU-Utah, or Maryland-Virginia which should be on the list, but aren't because they are not in the spotlight as much.

Since Notre Dame seems to be a bigger rival of USC than UCLA, take off the USC-UCLA rivalry and throw in the Holy War. Come to Utah, and you'll understand. Go Cougs

HOLY WAR ISN'T ON THERE BECUASE NOBODY CARES GATHER ALL YOUR WIVES AND STAY HOME
BUCKEYES FIESTA BOUND AGAIN!!!!!!!

#6

OU is just UTs big rival right now cause A&M is in a slump lol.

If A&M returns to the national powerhouse they used to be, I am sure things would go back to the way they used to be.

When I was a little kid and I meet another kid, one of the first things we would ask eachother is if you were an Aggie or a Longhorn.

I would have to say that the Buckeyes and the Wolverines hate each other more than most. I know that when I see Michigan colors I feel sick. Like I'm gonna puke. So here's a little song for Michigan and all those doubters out there who think their teams are special. We don't give a damn for the whole state of Michigan, the whole state of Michigan, the whole state of Michigan. OH we don't give a damn for the whole state of Michigan. We're from OHIO. We're from OHIO, O-H. We're from OHIO, I-O. OH we don't give a damn for the whole state of Michigan. We're from OHIO.

Go Bucks.

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.

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.

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.

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

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.

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.

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.

Georgia-Georgia Tech, the biggest in state hated rivalry in the country

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! :-)

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.

michigan ohio state is the best even though michigan has historically owned ohio state in every category.

Go Blue!

Go Blue? We'll see... We'll see

lol yep we will see

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,

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.

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

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

Georgia - Florida should be No. 3.

Dude, N.C. State and North Carolina is a freaken huge rivalry. Not to mention Carolina and Duke but thats in basketball. Go Pack

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.

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!!

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.

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.

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

why are the Redskins and the cowboys not on there?

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.

WELL BYU VR UTAH would be the best rivaly ever this year. because BYU hasent won 1 game sence 2001

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.

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!

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!

Williams v Amherst

'nuff said.

Nothing is more intense than Alabama/Auburn. No two teams hate each other more.

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!!!

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.

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.

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.

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

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.

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.

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

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"?

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:

`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.''


For the rest of this BLOOMBERG article click anywhere in the underlined section.

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... :-/

See Jet, what did I tell you? Bo Schembechler is dead.

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.

Mr. President, if you'll recall it was Pateron that you said was dead.

Oklahoma vs. Texas rivaly has got to be in the Top 3 (#1). Here is why:

1- They haven't been #1 and #2 going into the game just once (like OSU vs. UM)
2- It is played on a neutral field every year.
3- They play in the Cotton Bowl- which is exactly the same miles to Austin (TU)as it is to Norman (OU).
4- The stadium is split at the 50 yard line= exactly half of the fans are in Red and half in that ugly burnt orange (which a perfect line in the stands can be seen on TV- meaning red to orange shirts).
5- It is played during the State Fair of Texas.
6- The Texas State Fair just happens to be held on the same grounds as the Cotton Bowl.
7- You can see the fair in the back drop of the stadium(just outside the gates).
8- They can't stand each other.
9- Both teams have to come out of the same tunnel to enter the field
10- All who have played the game-says there is something about that tunnel...like nothing else experienced.

Those of you who might not be aware of this, you might want to check it out. It is always the first weekend of October!....

damn, ohio state won again, at least i won't have to see any more of troy smiths ugly face ever again

Lafayette is "The Rivalry". Period.

Any other series of contests that's been played less than 140 times or for less than 110 consecutive years is just a Johnny Come Lately.

And Lehigh and Lafayette football players are actual students as well, with real majors like engineering or economics (not phys ed or basket weaving) and top twenty NCAA graduation rates. With the exception of Harvard-Yale or Army-Navy, most of the other series aren't really between colleges, but between pseudo minor league professional football teams.

James Madison vs. Richmond
James Madison vs. William & Mary
William & Mary vs. Richmond
VT vs. WVU
Vt vs. UVA
WVU vs. Marshall
Marshall vs. Ohio
VT vs. Miami
WVu vs. Miami
BC vs. Maiami

UTAH - BYU

virginia vs. va tech should at least get some consideration. you cant go to a game with out seeing or getting into a fight with someone of the opposite team. theres no pro. sports in virginia and these two schools are within 100 miles of each other, and the only two major athletic universities in the state. if they were both top 10 teams every year theres no doubt this would be right up there. trust me they hate each other

As you can tell you are either RED or BLUE in Utah from the earlier comments. This hatred is bad and would only be understood if you lived here! Mormon and LOVE THE U!! Go UTES!!!!

1. ARMY-NAVY by far..... means alot more to the schools rather then OSU MICHIGAN.....has also been played longer

2. OSU-MICH

3. HARVARD-YALE

two people were shot over the outcome of the university of south carolina vs clemson university game. the rivalry just doesnt get much attension because neither team is ranked high but it doesnt matter if you lose every other game as long as you win this game. nothing else matters

putting rivalries aside, i am outraged that usc is ahead of michigan in the bcs. i am a michigan fan but still, this is outrageous. usc lost to an UNRANKED oregon state team and had several other extremely close calls. they had one good game against notre dame and that is it. the pac-10 is very overrated and california lost to tennessee 31-0.yes michigan may have had there chance against ohio state but usc has had their chance the last three years. if usc plays ohio state ohio state will win by at least two touchdowns. this is ridiculous and hopefully ucla will beat usc and end this california bias.

Well, I must say Auburn vs Bama is one hell of a rivalry, but so is Auburn vs Georgia, but the last couple years, the hardest hitting game this year was Auburn vs LSU.....

Oh did I say I went to Auburn....
lol

Oregon v. Oregon State

Civil War

Doesn't get any better than this.

Can it all of you. You don't live in Columbus so you haven't seen the riots, dumpster burnings, cars being overturned, and general chaos... and that when Ohio State WINS.

I won't even try to describe when OSU loses to Michigan.

Everything else is just a piss in the ocean compared.

Jet

Game of the Century
Nebraska vs. Oklahoma

FLORIDA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I HATE ohio state, but i hope htey beat florida by three touchdowns, which they will, to prove that the SEC is overrated and that michigan should have gotten to the championship game.

GATOR NATION SPOKEN HERE. ALL OUTSIDE OF THE SEC IS OVERRATED. MR#141. OHIO STATE BY 3 TD'S. ONLY IN YOUR DREAM'S MICHIGAN. LET THE CHIPS FALL WHERE THEY MAY SIR AND GOOD LUCK.

Pretty much agree, Texas-Texas A&M and Clemson-USC are pretty intense, someone just shot someone else over a bet a couple of weeks ago over the Clemson-USC game. Because A&M and Texas, like USC and Clemson, are in the same state, many families are torn between the two schools, making it an even bigger rivalry, when half your friends go to that school. Michigan-OSU I understand is huge, but because the schools are huge. Now if both were in the same state...

the gator nation has not spoken, a couple of sec coaches switched their votes in favor of a non-rematch, not for florida being the number two team in the nation, because they are obviously not.

I'm not a Gator fan, Michigan. But in all fairness, you guys had your shot at them and you lost. That's the bottom line. It was a great game, and I enjoyed it, but it shouldn't automatically entitle you to a rematch with the Buckeyes.
OSU proved they can beat Michigan, now they have to show they can beat Florida. I expect them to do so handily.

you make a good point bonnie, however i am not saying michigan didn't have its chance, i am saying that if florida played michigan at a neutral site, i believe that michigan would win. florida has a good team, but i do not think they are the second best team in the country

The Army-Navy game is the biggest rivalry in college football for several of reasons.

1. It is one of the oldest rivalries that dates back to 1890, and has been played continuously since 1930, even during World War II.

2. No other schools indoctrinate everyone of its students to appreciate the rivalry like Army and Navy. The very first thing that students at USNA learn is to say "Go Navy, Beat Army" and vice versa at Army. For an entire year, plebes at both academies have to chant this at every turn, literally.

3. It is one of the only games that is officially played on "neutral ground."

4. As someone else said, no other two schools who play each other could have 0-10 records going into the biggest game of their season and still command a national audience and a sold out professional stadium. This has happened more than once, and as recently as 2001, when bigger games could have displaced them from TV time.

5. Name one other game where the President of the United States always attends.

6. Name one other game where all the players from each team stand side by side while the losing team sings their alma mater, and then both teams go to the winning side to hear the winners sing theirs. Along with that, name two other schools where not only the team does such an honor, but where the entire student body of both teams does the same.

7. Name another game where every student attends (unless competing in another varsity sport). Both schools effectively shut down for this game.

8. Name another game where it is televised via satellite to alumni all over the globe, literally every corner of the world, even at sea.

9. Name one other rivalry where the last two words of their alma mater are about beating their arch rival? At the end of Navy Blue & Gold, all Midshipmen shout BEAT ARMY at the top of their lungs. Army does the reverse. They also sing this at every game during the season.

10. Name one other rivalry where the students at both schools know that they will not be playing professional football for at least 5 years, yet still play their hearts out, even if they have a losing season going into the Army-Navy game.

11. Name one other school who has a Heisman trophy winner and Superbowl winning quarterback who has been quoted saying he felt more pressure in the Army-Navy game than in either of the Superbowls he won.

When you add all of those up, you have 11 reasons that Army-Navy is the biggest rivalry in college football. Not to take away from the other rivalries, as they are important also, but in my estimation, none compare to Army-Navy.

What kind of military drugs are you on LCplMIDN 2000? Forget about it. You forgot reason #12...... Nobody watched that game. Michigan VS. OSU is the most watched rivalry in the nation year after year. Get real will ya?

I like Missouri & Kansas. It is the second most played rivalry in the NCAA. They hold ceremonies at the games attacking the other team. Plus the two date back to the Civil War when people would sneak over the border from Kansas to Missouri to steal slaves back.

Sooo... you could debate the rivalry has really been going on since the 1840's.

Uncledots,

If Michigan-OSU is such a great rivalry, why is it that only people from the Ohio and Michigan really care about it?

The problem with determining the best college rivalry is that most people know their region only and don't give credit to other regions. For example, you obviously have roots in either Michigan or Ohio, and I obviously have roots at USNA. However, I grew up in Tennessee where Vol football is supreme. I still love my Vols, and think the Alabama-Tennessee or Tennessee-Florida games are huge rivalries.

With that said though, can you explain to me how much the average student at either OSU or Michigan really care about the game? Probably not a lot. Are their freshmen indoctrinated into football like Army or Navy freshmen? No, I think not.

Just because more people watch it on TV doesn't make it a bigger rivalry. Neither does looting, rioting, or committing acts of violence in the name of rivalry.

The problem with your logic is that people may watch the game, but do they really truly care with deep passion about who wins the Michigan-Ohio game? Students will go back to normal at either of your schools after the game, win or lose. For Midshipmen or Cadets, the outcome of the game can make an impact until the next time the game is played. Literally, if you were to ask pretty much any alumni from either Army or Navy, they would tell you point blank: while winning other games are nice, it is imperative to win in the Army-Navy game. Seriously, at both schools the rest of the schedule is just preparing for the final game of the season. The ONLY game that matters to Army or Navy is the Army-Navy game.

It's easy if you ever see this discussion that the southern hicks always claim the best rivalry is one where they stab each other and "no sitting on the fence."

If you notice, Michigan v. Ohio State is the only one that people not from either school UNIVERSALLY recognize as THE rivalry.

Tradition just doesn't seem to matter to some people...

Not to mention the teams are actually good most years versus other rivalries have crap teams that no one other their the alumni of the school care about it.

Rivalries don't really matter when there isn't much at stake. Some people consider a bid into a crappy bowl high stakes. That's hilarious.

You'll see the worst offences coming from very "edu-ma-cated" southerners talking about their schools that the rest of the country could give two shits about.

Dear anonymous your quote listed below is completely wrong it is the oldest rivalries in division 1a (and one of the best) but Wisconsin leads the battle for paul bunyans axe 53-33-3

#89 -- September 25, 2006 @ 20:53PM -- 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,

Yeah, I am dredging this article up after all these years cuz i just bumped into it. So, I noticed that our 'Apple Cup' (University of Washington vs. Washington State University) got a few votes. It sometimes can be a doozy and sometimes is the deciding game to who goes to the Rose Bowl. then it is fun if both teams have losing records during the season.

GO HUSKIES or GO COUGARS!!!

Byu and Utah all the way. Hardly anybody knows anything about how intense this rivalry is. The games are so much fun to watch especially when BYU does one of its final miracle plays to win the game.

It has to be Texas A&M and t.u.!

I saw two measly pokes at the Iowa - ISU rivalry. I grant you, there are more universal rivalries, as well as more vitriolic ones -- The Iron Bowl scares the hell out of me -- but the Cy-Hawk showdown is always a great time. It's kind of amiable, as in:

Cyclone fan: Hey, fuck the Hawks!

Hawkeye fan: You know what, fuck you! Let's drink fourteen or fifteen more beers and tell dirty jokes.

Cyclone fan: Good call.

Hawkeye fan: And fuck Cy too.

Cyclone fan: Fuck you.

Can't do that with some of the bigger rivalries.

LET'S GO HAWKS!

ohio state vs. mich. is definetly the biggest rivalry. Having said that, I live south carolina so u can't say its biased. osu-mich rivalry is the only game where the lossers coach gets FIRED. Coach cooper of OSU won almost every season game except for mich - osu game. after about 5 years he was fired. THATS A RIVALRY

Apple Cup!
The Cougs will rock the dawgs this year!

Utah - BYU

Hey Cougs -- let's not forget that President Hinckley graduated from Utah.

This game is probably not in the top 10, but it would have to be in the top 25! I remember watching last year's matchup and the commentators seemed surprised by the energy and intensity happening on the field and in the stands. It can be real nasty.

They're both big schools with a lot of pride. BYUs stadium holds 65,000 -- Utah's holds 45,000. Definitely worthy of the top 25 list.

Utah leads the series 53-32-4 (most of those 32 wins happened under the legendary Coach LaVell).

Just a side note, but my dad went to BYU and I went to Utah. During Urban Meyer's years, I actually got my dad to be a fan of Utah. Otherwise, he pretty much hates Utah.

Go Utes!

How is Utah BYU not a top 10 sporting news named it the #3 and said it easily could be #1

WHAT ABOUT THE SECOND OLDEST RIVALRY IN THE COUNTRY,

THE BEAVERS Vs. THE DUCKS

OUT HERE IN OREGON THIS GAME DEVIDES THE STATE!

I agree with Tayler. In '05 when this thread started, The Wall Street Journal ranked the BYU-Utah rivalry 4th in the nation.

Here's the URL with Sporting News ranking the rivalry as the #3 Fiercest in College Football.

Instead of hearing us fans argue over it, read that article. He explains really well the depth and multiple facets to this rivalry.

OHIO STATE - MICHIGAN

Enough Said...

wisconsin-minnesota best ever

Battle for the Peace Pipe, UT-BG!! BG girls are ugly!!!! noone wants a B!G girl either Fuck the Falcons Go Rockets, T-O-L-E-D-O but outside the midwest and osu michigan (GO BLUE) its gotta be BYU Utah, never been to the Holy War, but have watched this rivalry its intense fans go NUTS! much like we do at Toledo...B-G...-F-U!

The oldest Rivalrie on here is Georgia vs Flordia. Georgia vs georgia Tech should also be on here even tho Georgia usely dominates them.... Glory Glory To Old Georgia!!!!

Auburn vs Alabama has to be the best. The best time to go grocery shopping in Alabama is during this game because everyone is watching the game. Auburn has two rivalries really though. The Iron Bowl and the Deep South's Oldest Rivalry (Auburn vs Georgia) which can be intense also. Auburn and Georgia have been playing each other since 1892 with the exception of WW1 nd WW2. Auburn and LSU have been intense since this has decided in the past who was going to the SEC Championship. Wegl Wegl...War **** Eagle!

The only game that matters:

Ohio State v. Michigan (and Michigan sucks!)

Slippery Rock dominates IUP! D2's greatest rivalry possibly even in the whole NCAA. GO ROCK!

Obviously Lafayette vs Lehigh....The most played Rivalry in Football...every year they have to add on additional stands just for this game

Georgia vs. Florida is more than a rivalry...it is good vs. evil.

Auburn & Alabama!!!!! Sorry to all you other want-to-be's. No other game means more in the State of Alabama. You decide who you pull for from berth. Most fans hate the other team so much they want to see them lose every game even if winning would help their team!!!! It doesn't matter what the records are... for the fans in this state its the biggest game of the year!!! If Auburn or Alabama were undefeated after the Iron Bowl... the SEC Championship game or the National Championship game would considered a perk!!!! If either team lost the Iron Bowl and still played for the SEC or National Championship they would be considered a consolation prize!!!! If you don't believe it's this big come to Alabama and see for yourselve.

In recent times, Tennessee Vols - Florida Gators is as intense a rivalry as it gets. You gotta be at the games to see it. What about the oldest rivalry in the south between the Tide and Vols ??

I have noticed that everyone is biased toward their own rivalry (obviously), but I am going to take the road less traveled. A couple years ago I got a ticket from a friend who attends Auburn to the "Iron Bowl." I honestly have not seen anything like that in my life. That rivalry is number one in the nation, hands down. The state exudes hatred. Go Gators! Beat Georgia!

i would def have to say the Montana State/ University of Montana rivalry is huggggeee. Moving to Montana 7 years ago, I have come to realize how big of a rivalry it truly is. Now attending Montana State, I'v realized just how huge of a deal it is. If a person mentions anything about the grizzlies, everyone goes nuts!! It's crazy. To get tickets to the big game, you must either buy them a year ahead of time, or if you are a student you camp out hte night before for 11 hours to stand in line for a ticket! The huge event of the year!!! Bring it On!!! GO CATS!!!

The Tide and the Vols are not the Oldest Rivarly in the South, it's UVA vs UNC. It's like one or two games ahead of the Deep South's Oldest Rivarly (AU vs GA). Granted the rivarly between the Vols and the Tide is intense (it's like Auburn vs Georgia), but it's not the oldest. I know because I married a Tide fan. WAR EAGLE! Beat that Crimson Tide!

Auburn Vs. Georgia is the oldest rivalry in the South. It was the first game ever played in the south. 2007 was the 111th meeting.

I live in Georgia, and even I know that the best rivalry is the Auburn Alabama game. It's the Iron Bowl. I've been to the Iron Bowl, it's pure insanity that starts on Monday and ends Sunday am after the game.

I agree that A&M/UT needs to be on that least (although that would mean listing UT twice). Longhorn fans only pretend only pretend to be above the rivalry now because they've had the upperhand recently. When A&M becomes competitive again, this will reemerge as a rivalry demanding respect.

BYU/Utah is intense as well. They have the whole in-state thing going, the private/public thing, and there is a religious flavor (BYU fans call it the Holy War). It splits families and workplaces. But it doesn't have the esteem of some of the great rivalries.

One of the best and deepest rivalries in the country is Mizzou vs. KU. Goes back to the border wars of the Civil War, with raiders from both states murdering and pillaging. Even now KU wears the redlegs to harken back to those dark days. And on November 24 the nation will watch #4 Mizzou take apart #3 KU!

How is the Holy War not in there? I could have sworn it was in the Top 3 in 2004... P.S. Go Cougs

Again, listening to every sports television show, radio show and Newspaper article ( I am in California), shows Ohio State vs Michigan as the number one rivalry in sports. And OSU just made it 4 in a row!!! Go Bucks.

The Apple Cup! Many people may not pay as much attention to is as others since were up in the northwest not the east coast. But this divides a state and families! People talk about hatred and dislike. Fans in martin stadium bust into chants of "F**k the Huskies!" numerous times a season. The two schools have knocked eachother out of rose bowl berths in the past. The wiinner get the braggin rights for a whole year! If you have a bad season it can be made up for by winning this game. GO COUGS!!!

This is how you top 5 should be.

Michigan - Ohio State
Nebraska - Oklahoma
Cal - Stanford
USC - ND
Auburn - Alabama

there is no list of top five rivalries- only one separates itself above and beyond- the war between Auburn and Alabama. Its not a game and its really not a rivalry- its a hatred, day in day out 24-7; anything else is really,, just another football game.

Auburn Alabama game should be the biggest

ESPN best rivalry in all of sports: OSU vs. UM there is no rivalry that has greater national importance, national following, large stadiums, hate, and fan base. It begins and ends with The Game. Go Bucks!

It just doesn't get any better than a snow-covered field littered with lavender and piss yellow and plenty of crimson and gray on the scoreboard. The APPLE CUP is a religious experience of mutual distain (even in frustrating years like this). GO COUGS! HUCK THE FUSKIES!

Florida vs. Florida State is the most heated rivalry. End of Story. Don't believe me? I DARE you to walk around UF campus wearing Garnet and Gold, or to walk through FSU wearing Blue and Orange. I have looked at several of these articles/polls and they all have it wrong. I am as big of a Gator fan as you will meet and I guarantee you that while the UF-UGA rivalry is a big one, nothing compares to the battle for the Governor's Cup. Screw FSU. Go Gators!

Alabama/Auburn - We may not be the oldest or the biggest rivalry, but we're in the top 3! We're the most hated rivalry. In my family we're a house divided. Its pure war on Iron Bowl day! I would have to say it's a tie between Michigan/Ohio State and Alabama/Auburn! The only difference is Michigan/Ohio are not in state rivalries, like the Alabama/Auburn. You're born being one or the other! Roll Tide!!!

are you fucking kidding me .. MICHIGAN , ohio state is the biggest rivalry ever .. not only did espn have it as number 1 over every fucking sport but michigan and ohio actually fought over the border of the states and who got toledo .. i see some of tha fags that write besides michigan and ohio fans who reallly knows bout that rivalry , come on bro if your a sports fan you know that is the game of the century .. just cuz you go to your southern schools dont mean you have to lie and say they are the greatest rivalry cuz its michigan and osu .. GO BLUE .. another thing , michigan has the winningest record in college football and will keep it for years to come ..

gator could win it all ($$$$$$$$$)

Top 5, To me

1. Army Navy
2 Nebraska Oklahoma
3 Michigan Ohio State
4 NotreDame USC
5 Auburn Alabama.

BYU/Utah is the best rivalry because it just is. The Utard Utes suck and that's all I have to say about it. If you are a EWE fan then my condolences. Go COUGARS!

Im from the Los Angles and I know its not a top contender but the USC vs. UCLA game is a fierce rivalry... high schools n LA are divided!. I have actually had final exams where teachers will make you put Trojans or Bruins to lose in order to recieve credit. Its bananas! but aside from our little rivalry Ohio State vs. Michigan is number one in rivalry because it emcompasses everything a rivalry should be. Second is Auburn vs Alabama for the pure hatred. Gives me chills just thinking about it.....

Auburn v Alabama is the biggest, toughest, meanest rivalries. I know marriages that failed because of this game. Besides which of the other rivalries refused to play each other between 1907 and 1948 and almost took an act of state legislation to get them to play again.

oh by the way

WAR DAMN EAGLE!

all of u suc balls

College Football is so much more passionate in the south than the rest of the country. It is a way of life that consumes everyday conversations. No two rivalries in the South have states divided where every fan has to hear it everywhere they go from fans of the rival school as Auburn/Alabama & Clemson/South Carolina. The fanbase in each of these rivalries is divided about 50/50 and if you live in either state, even if you moved in from Boston or Los Angeles, you have to pick a side to feel welcomed. These rivalries are intense and full of hatred. They just don't exist on gameday. The pure hatred of the rivarly lasts year round w/ the victor getting the upper hand on the loser teams fan all year.

In addition, I understand if you went to a school like Oregon, Washington, BYU, Arizona, etc.. you may feel like you are in a passionate rivalry. Well I have been to 45 of the 50 states and never heard any talk of college football like that in the South. Every person in the state of Alabama or South Carolina must pick a side in their rivalries, not just the ppl that went to the schools. The most bloody and brutal part of the hatred between the rivals is by fans that did not even attend college. I read an article about Arizona/Arizona State rivalry being one of the best ever. It said they both had less than 10,000 fans at their spring games. I am guessing most West Coast teams are similar. Alabama had over 90,000 at their spring game and had to turn fans away, and Auburn, Clemson, and South Carolina have never had less than 30,000 at a spring game. Not only that but they always sell out every home game in 80,000+ seat stadiums. If you've never been to the South (Florida is not part of the true south) than you just don't understand. I have been to the states of all the listed rivalries on these posts except kansas/kansas state which im guessing isn't that bad.

I went to Toledo but grew up in Columbus and I have to disagree with the posters who say Toledo-BG is a great rivalry. It may be fun for some people at the two schools but in the grand scheme it really doesn't mean a heck of a lot. Growing up as a front-row witness to Ohio State-Michigan, it didn't take long to see Toledo-Bowling Green doesn't have much fire at all and it's as much contrived as anything.
"You're down the street? OK, you're our rival. I don't like you!"

"You're either for us, or against us" - Clemson sucks - GO COCKS!

Pitt v.s. Penn State: BRING BACK THE RIVALRY! BRING BACK THE RIVALRY! BRING BACK THE RIVALRY! we miss watching these 2 PENNSYLVANIA TEAMS play each other. It was the most exiciting game 2 watch on tv! WE ARE.......PENN STATE WE ARE.....PENN STATE! I also think we need 2 get more momentum in the stands when these 2 teams get together. The stakes are higher the hits are harder and most of all 4 all u Penn State fans.....GO PENN STATE!

I am from Toledo and hands down OSU vs. UM is the biggest sports rivalry of all time!!! In Toledo (and the rest of the state of Ohio and Michigan) shuts down to watch the game. Our gas stations take down the $$ of gas and put the score of the game up on their signs!! It is not just a game, it is "THE GAME" and a way of life. It all dates back to 1835, when the state of Ohio went to war with the Michigan Territory for Toledo. The two states hate each other and you are either a OSU fan or a UM fan from birth!!!! GO BLUE!!!!!

Texas vs Texas A&M and Texas vs Oklahoma are the best!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

BYU/UTAH should definitely be in that list somewhere. It really is interesting to watch just how passionate these two schools get about their football teams. I go to BYU and this game is always sold out within hours of tickets going on sale. I know there are some bigger rivalries out there but BYU/UTAH should have made that list

this is my top 4 list
1. Texas vs oaklahoma
2. Ohio St. vs Michigan
3.Georgia vs Fkorida
4. Mizzou vs. Kansas

Ohio State and Michigan is by far hands down the biggest rivalry in all sports. The whole country tunes it to watch it. John Cooper and Loyd Carr had one of the best winning percentages in college football history hardly losing any of there games every year! But they get fired just because of their record between OSU or U of M. The game was recently #1 vs #2 it doesn't get better than that!

That's a rivalry. GO BUCKS!

Ohio State and Michigan is by far hands down the biggest rivalry in all sports. The whole country tunes it to watch it. John Cooper and Loyd Carr had one of the best winning percentages in college football history hardly losing any of there games every year! But they get fired just because of their record between OSU or U of M. The game was recently #1 vs #2 it doesn't get better than that!

That's a rivalry. GO BUCKS!

Auburn v. Alabama is the best rivalary ever. You dont know how much HATERED there is. Friends are divided, family, and the whole state. Bear Bryant called Auburn a "cow college" now Auburn has beaten Alabama 6 years in a row. There is NOTHING in the USA like SEC football and when it comes down to it. AUBURN AND ALABAMA PLAYING EACH OTHER gives the WHOLE DAMN state chills! WAR EAGLE!

This is WAYYYY after the game... if you cant tell how PASSIONATE Auburn fans are about beating Bama then get another life!

HELLO people what about the deep souths OLDEST rivalry auburn and georgia or auburn in alabama the sec is the best because we play the hardest out of any conference and for those of you who say the iron bowl aint important come down here to alabama and say that WAR EAGLE BABY

Why do you think its called the IRON BOWL

I miss the Pitt vs Penn State rivalry. This was once a great rivalry and now the don't even play each other.

I admit, Michigan and tOSU is the best rivalry. Not even close.

Like many on here have already said, South Carolina vs. Clemson needs to be first or second. If anyone has very looked at the history between the two schools, the rivalry is far greater than any of the ones listed.
The South just has better rivalries. Those who made that list are obviously clueless.
-GO COCKS!

The Iron Bowl to me is the best rivalry in all of college football with ohio state - michigan a close second.

The Holy War- BYU v. Utah. I lived in Los Angeles for 18 years and USC v. UCLA is nothing compared to the way that BYU and Utah fans hate each other. These schools are about 35 miles apart and when they play it is crazy!! It is hard to describe how much the fans HATE each other. People vandalize their neighbors homes if they root for the opposite team. Some kids painted a farmers cows blue because he was a Utah fan!

BYU-UTAH hands down, this game is crazy! i cant even explain how competitive this state gets when it's time for the holy war. you're for BLUE or RED take your pick and watch this game you will be amazed GO COUGS!!! TAKE THOSE UTES DOWN THIS SATURDAY!!!!

The Holy War Is By Far THe best Go Utes

BYU and Utah, hands down one of the best in the country. And with this year and so much riding on it, it makes it even more interesting. The cougs have been great, but the UTES have been underestimated. The cougs have a "quest for perfection" well thats over, UTES will dominate the cougs this year and each and every other year. Go UTES!!

The OSU/Michigan rivalry is definitely not #1. To be #1 it would have to be the biggest rivalry for BOTH teams. While it's the biggest rivalry game for OSU, in Michigan the Mich/Mich State game is a bigger rivalry. And P.S. not everyone in Ohio or Michigan cares about the game at all. Even in Columbus people hate Ohio State. Besides, the longest standing NCAA football rivalry is Cincinnati/Miami (OH).

Most of these games are candy-ass land grant college games. Most of the fans can't spell and most of the players are gangsters and/or homosexuals. Real rivalries are Lafayette-Lehigh, Harvard-Yale and Amherst-Williams. The rivalries are singular, reciprocal, and longstanding. The players actually attended classes, and can write and spell their own names - which incidentally don't begin with Le-, Ta-, Ja- or Ray-.

That has to be one of the most racist, rude, degrading things I have ever heard. ALL football players attend classes, and ALL have the brains to spell, and if they're good and that's the point what does it matter anyway?

I.. am completely confused and appalled that the Holy War didn't make this list. I live in Logan (about an hour north of Salt Lake) and go to Utah State University and what everyone says is true. The holy war is a state-wide hate fest.

It divides my university and we're not even involved in the game. I was at my neighbors apartment today watching the war and they are all BYU fans, my roommate and I however am a Utah fans and was clad in all my red. They seriously wanted to attack me every time Utah would score a touchdown and I'd jump up and cheer, fortunately my roommate is huge. I did however get the remote thrown at me.

Once Utah got up by 17 and Hall threw an interception they changed the channel to the Jazz game, at least we could all agree on it.

The excitement, intensity and pure hatred of the schools, and fans extending throughout the entire state an even to other universities.. I can't imagine any other college football rivalry being quite the same. I grew up in LA and USC vs ND or USC vs UCLA was nothing at all like this. The letters U and Y aren't simply letters (on the hill) in the state of Utah...

Sigh I wish Utah State was good again like they were in the 70's and 80's.

LEHIGH vs. LAFAYETTE

The most played college football rivalry - 144 games.

If you haven't experienced the full week of it, you have no idea.

I hate Clemson with a passion.

1.USC vs Clemsux
2.Alabama vs Auburn
3.Ohio State vs Michigan
4.Army vs Navy
5.Florida vs Florida State

By the way, I refer to South Carolina as USC.