The Top 5 Greatest College Football Rivalries
For years, sports fans alike have debated which of the many college football annual rivalries is the greatest. The arguments never seem to end though, so I thought it would good to finally settle it once and for all. That's right, what is printed below is without question the truth according to me. I guess you will let me know if you believe me or not, but I have witnessed these games in person, and the intensity leading up to the game from behind the scenes. Winning one of these rivalry games buys you time from a coaching standpoint, but only for 365 days.
1 Michigan vs Ohio State
This annual battle between two storied programs that absolutely hate each other is the best rivalry in college football. Every year, this game is played with Big 10 championships on the line, and every year something unexpected happens. Michigan leads the series 56-37-6 over the Buckeyes. The main reason this game is the best rivalry is because no matter how many other games a coach wins at one of these two schools, if he doesn't win this game, he loses his job. Take former Ohio St. head coach John Cooper for example, his Buckeyes were national title favorites every year until the last week of the season. Cooper finished many seasons with just one loss, but it was to Michigan, and it eventually did him in. Cooper only won 2 out of 13 games against the Wolverines, but finished as one of the most successful coaches in Ohio State football history. You do the math, this game is all that matters.
2 Nebraska vs Oklahoma
While this rivalry has been weak as of late, it is a very close runner-up to the Michigan/Ohio State game as one of the best ever. It isn't too often that you find a game where two of the nations best line up against one another year after year. That's what this rivalry showcased for over three decades. Former Husker coach Tom Osbourne, and former Sooner coach Barry Switzer brought this heated contest to new heights in the 70's and 80's. There is no shortage of highlights in this rivalry. The play that defines this annual clash happened in 1971, when Husker running back Johnny Rogers returned a punt for a touchdown in what many considered the greatest college football rivalry game ever played. Talk about success, Nebraska has won a total of 5 national championships and Oklahoma has accumulated 8 national titles. Nebraska leads the series 40-37-3 over the Sooners.
3 USC vs Notre Dame
Last year's unforgettable game between top ranked USC and the Irish of Notre Dame was an instant classic, but this rivalry has been producing classics since it first began. Notre Dame leads the series 42-30-5, but USC has stolen the limelight with two out of the last three national championships and Heisman Trophy winners. This rivalry continually features some of the best talent and teams in the country. Combined, this game has featured 19 national champions and 11 Heisman Trophy winners. One of the most memorable moments in this rivalry came in 1972, when USC's Anthony Johnson scored 6 touchdowns to help the Trojans come from behind to beat Notre Dame in Los Angeles. Johnson's performance is still one of the greatest ever registered in any rivalry game. When it comes to helping players make it to the NFL, USC and Notre Dame are two of the best. USC has 65 first round NFL draft picks in its history to lead all division 1A schools, and Notre Dame has 57, which is good for 3rd place. Notre Dame has 12 national championships and USC is right behind them with 11.
4 Texas vs Texas A&M
From bonfires to a big cow named Bevo, the annual Thanksgiving clash between Texas and Texas A&M is called the “Lone Star Showdown”, and it is usually a classic. The hatred for each other is so intense that the two bands actually have disparaging words about the other in their fight songs. Texas owns this series as of late, and also overall with a 70-34-5 advantage. When the Longhorns have it going, it is not really a great game, but in the 90's, the Aggies reeled off 8 straight wins over their heated rival. Between the two schools, there are 665,000 alumni around the world. Texas owns the advantage with four national championships to A&M's two. This game is all about state pride and bragging rights, and it is definitely one of the best rivalries of all time.
5 Alabama vs Auburn
The Iron Bowl, as it's called, is my pick for the final spot in the top 5 rivalries of all time. The Tide and Tigers call the game the “Uncivil War” for good reason. The game is so heated that it has to be played at a neutral site in Birmingham, Alabama. These two fierce rivals have played each other since 1893, with Alabama leading the overall series. Legendary figures like Alabama's Bear Bryant and Auburn's Bo Jackson have engraved this matchup into the history books. Interestingly, Auburn and Alabama didn't play for 40 years from 1907 to1947, allegedly because of dirty play and violence in the 1907 contest. The Crimson Tide have won 12 national championships in their program's rich history, and Auburn has the only Heisman Trophy winners (Bo Jackson – 1985, and Pat Sullivan -1971) between the two schools.
