Some rivalries rise above the rest as the most venomous and most intense of all. This column is one man's opinion of which are the best of the best, ranked tidily from 1-15. You probably won't agree, but that just leads right in to the other strong pillar that holds up college football: argument. Let the debate begin.
1. Army vs. Navy
You'll notice with these top 3 rivalries that I'm following a pattern: first, a truly national rivalry; second, the greatest border battle; and third, the most intense interstate tandem. Army and Navy may be programs who are light years off the national radar and the national championship hunt, but their annual grudgematch in Baltimore or Philadelphia means more to each team, and to each set of cadets and midshipmen, than any other single game. The fact that in perhaps just a few short months these men may be standing next to one another in battle in a far-flung overseas land makes it all the more special. Other games may have annual national championship implications or glamor names dotting each roster, but nothing matching the passion and pageantry of Army vs. Navy. As long as we have a national defense, this game will remain at the top of this list.
2. Ohio State vs. Michigan
We've all likely heard the stories that surround this rivalry. Woody Hayes refusing to fill his car with gas in Michigan and referring to the Wolverines as "that school up north". The Ten Year War between Hayes and Schembechler that determined the Big Ten champion seemingly every season. Coaches Cooper (Ohio State) and Carr (Michigan) getting canned in no small degree for their failures to defeat their hated rivals. The Columbus based punk band going by the moniker "The Dead Schembechlers". Maybe the reason this intrastate war is so intense is because the two schools are essentially mirror images of one another. Both are tradition-laden programs in the Rust Belt who pride themselves on winning with character and class (though some editions of their annual showdown lack both). But their colors and uniforms are oh-so-different, and look oh-so-sweet when lined up across from one another.
3. Alabama vs. Auburn
The Iron Bowl is the most vehement of all the civil wars that dot the landscape in mid-to-late November. No game carries more statewide bragging rights than this one, and no state shuts down during their annual clash like Alabama does. While some same-state schools have dull edges to their hatred, this one stays razor sharp all year long. More venom is likely spewed toward the Crimson Tide, as Auburn was treated as a second-class citizen in Alabama, not having a true home game in the series until 1989. The resentment still lingers, and the arrival of wonder-boy Nick Saban to Tuscaloosa hasn't cooled the fires any.
4. Texas vs. Oklahoma
The Red River Rivalry has emerged in recent years as the most relevant to the annual national championship picture. It's always been a heated affair, but since the creation of the Big 12 and placement of these longtime foes in the same division, it's stepped up a notch. The fact that Oklahoma and Texas always seem to be in the top 5 helps too. But while the atmosphere in the Cotton Bowl, with a dead even split of Burnt Orange and Crimson, is unparalleled, the games have largely fallen flat, many being blowouts.
5. Florida vs. Florida State
The Sunshine State battle rose to prominence in the 90's, when Spurrier and Bowden strode the sidelines across from one another. This game became what Texas-Oklahoma is now: a must-see showdown between top 10 teams that always seemed to influence the national title picture. Even though it's cooled some and the ol' Ballcoach has moved on, Florida-Florida State remains among the most intense settings in all of college football. And no matter how big the Miami game has been or will be for the Seminoles, the Gators are the team they really want to take care of.
6. Texas vs. Texas A&M
The Texas A&M Aggies will resent the fact that the Longhorns regard Oklahoma with greater disdain, but it's the truth. And it'll remain the truth until Texas A&M becomes relevant again. But this is still a classic rivalry, and as lowly as the Aggies have been recently, they've managed to nip their bitter rivals a few times, ruining very good Longhorn seasons.
7. Notre Dame vs. USC
Maybe this deserves to be higher on the list, based on the caliber of talent that's played in this annual shootout, but in recent years it's been dominated by the Trojans, and the history of Irish-Trojans is riddled with blowouts. That, and I think both schools are way too overhyped and too chic for my taste. One question though: why Notre Dame-USC? The schools are thousands of miles apart, have no real similarities other than rich tradition, and really have no reason to play except for the fact that they started the series in both schools heyday. They truly are the Odd Couple of college rivalries.
8. Georgia vs. Georgia Tech
I've always loved this game, and I don't know why. Maybe it's the underrated uniforms of both schools. Or the greatest rivalrly name of them all: Clean, Old Fashioned Hate. Whatever the case, this is one of the rivalries I most enjoy watching. It's rare that both are ranked simultaneously, but the games always seem to be competitive and entertaining, and there is an underlying hatred that gives the Peach State rivalry intrigue and spunk.
9. Clemson vs. South Carolina
Take one look at the tape from the end of the 2004 version of this game and you'll see why it deserves to be in the top 10. A helmet-swinging, chaotic, seemingly endless brawl broke out late in the game and ruined the bowl dreams of both schools. This rivalry is also noted for two of the most passionate, loyal to the core fan bases in the country. The intensity and zeal of the fans of the Tigers and Gamecocks doesn't make sense when you consider the fact that each team always seems to be 7-5 or 8-4. Either there is literally nothing else to do in South Carolina, or the people are a hardy folk who get riled up at the thought of consistent mediocrity and continually failed expectations.
10. Florida State vs. Miami
This game has lost a few steps since the 90's, but it still proves to be one of the most hard-hitting affairs of the season. The ACC hoped it would be the flagship game that carried the conference to new football heights, but it's fallen flat as both programs have been muddled in mediocrity. As a result, so has the conference as a whole. But this rivalry will emerge as a national sensation once again, and with it the prospect of a new crop of famous missed field goals.
11. Penn State vs. Pitt
A curious selection, to say the least. But during the prime years of this rivalry - from the mid 70's to early 80's - it became THE game of the year, much in the same way Florida-Florida State did in the 90's, Texas-Oklahoma is now, and Nebraska-Oklahoma once was. A heated, testy game between national title contenders that always had a plethora of storylines. Those days have passed, and the two teams have only played 4 times since Penn State joined the Big Ten. But the hatred still exists. I should know, I'm a PSU alum living in Pittsburgh. Only it exists in the form of verbal potshots between fans and the constant icy reception by Joe Paterno of all things Pitt. JoePa won't admit it, but the real reason these two don't play is because he's still holding onto an old grudge that began in the Jackie Sherrill years. The Nittany Lions started the wheels in motion for an all-sports conference of Eastern schools, only to have it nixed, largely by Sherrill and Pitt. Two years later, Pitt joined the Big East (a young, emerging conference at the time), going around the back of Paterno's plan. And so Paterno has shut the door on any renewal of the series. Any rivalry that won't even contest a game because of an old grudge deserves to at least be mentioned among the greats. And I wouldn't be a true Penn State fan if I let a Penn State-Pitt discussion go by without mentioning the 1981 game. Pitt entered ranked #1, cruising toward a national championship behind stud QB Dan Marino. At home, the Panthers raced out to a 14-0 lead and threatened to score another TD, only to have Marino toss an INT in the end zone. Penn State would promptly score the next 48 points of the game, flattening any hope of a national title for Pitt and giving the Nittany Lions their greatest regular season victory.
12. Florida vs. Georgia
The Cocktail Party in Jacksonville is similar to the setup of Texas-Oklahoma: a neutral field site, strong programs rich in tradtion, regular matchups of highly ranked teams. But it falls a few steps shy of the Red River Rivalry in each category. The national title implications aren't quite as high, tradition isn't quite as rich, and neutral field not quite as truly neutral. But it's still a big game, and still carries massive bragging rights.
13. Stanford vs. California
Any game worthy of the title "The Big Game" merits consideration on this list. And the fact that the series includes "The Play" cements its place, even though the game rarely matches two high-powered teams and often features more entertainment from the bands. The schools have a nonchalant, chilled out, California sort of hate, and the laid back nature of this game adds to its intrigue and uniqueness as a big-time rivalry. There really isn't a rivalry quite like it.
14. Kansas vs. Missouri
There is no way this game would have made the list even as recent as 2 years ago, until the national spotlight shone on what is a deeply bitter rivalry. It lived in relative obscurity until miraculously both Kansas and Missouri emerged in the top 5, and we all were exposed to the type of hatred, and the bloody backstory, that is the Border War. It will likely settle back into obscurity, where it belongs and where fans of both teams will relish it all the more, but the deep-seated hatred will remain.
15. Oregon vs. Oregon State
It's called the Civil War, so it has to make the cut, right? This is another one of those games that always seems to intrigue me, much like Georgia-Georgia Tech. It always seems close, always entertains, and lives far enough off the radar to be more a curiosity than just another overhyped dud.
Honorable Mention goes to: BYU-Utah (The Holy War), Nebraska-Oklahoma (THE game in its heyday), Auburn-Georgia (the oldest rivalry in the South), Pitt-West Virginia (the Backyard Brawl), Minnesota-Wisconsin (the most played matchup in college football)
Next week: 15 Games I'd Like to See Happen
