The Biggest Rivalries in College Football
In the US, there is nothing like college season. Nearly 100k fans flock to stadiums across the country to see their school’s team face off against their bitter rivals.
These rivalry games are filled with history and are what makes college football so special. Here’s a list of the biggest rivalries in college football history.
Michigan vs. Ohio State(The Game)
- First Meeting: 1897
- Series Record: Michigan Leads 60-52-6
In all of the biggest rivalries in college football history, no rivalry is bigger than Michigan vs. Ohio State. This is one of the oldest and most bitter rivalries in all of college football.
Each season, the two college football teams meet each other in a match up, which is simply called “The Game.” For Ohio State and Michigan, this is the most important game of the year.
Even if one team won the Big 10 Championship, their season would be considered a failure if they lost to the other. Legendary OSU coach Woody Hayes hated Michigan so much that he refused to buy gas within the state.
Alabama vs. Auburn(Iron Bowl)
- First Meeting: 1893
- Series Record: Alabama Leads 49-38-1
Of all of the SEC feuds, Alabama vs. Auburn is one of the biggest rivalries in college football. For over a century, these Alabama colleges have had a blood feud.
Their hatred for one another is intense and every year nearly 100k fans make the trip to see the Iron Bowl. Alabama has historically beaten Auburn in the rivalry, but both teams always show up for this game.
One of the most bitter moments of the rivalry was when an Alabama fan poisoned Auburn’s centuries old oak trees.
Oklahoma vs. Texas(Red River Rivalry)
- First Meeting: 1900
- Series Record: Texas Leads 63-51-5
Every year, bitter state enemies OU and UT meet for one of the biggest rivalries in college football. The Red River Rivalry is a highly-anticipated rivalry game that takes place every year in Dallas.
Oklahoma travels across the Red River, while Texas comes up from Austin to meet them in Dallas during the state fair. Legendary members of each school from Ricky Williams, Adrian Peterson, Baker Mayfield, and Vince Young dominated this rivalry game.
The inner-state rivals first met in 1900 and the University of Texas currently leads the series 63-51-5.
Florida vs. Georgia
- First Meeting: 1904
- Series Record: Georgia Leads 55-44-2
Every SEC game is a big game, but Florida vs. Georgia is one of the biggest rivalries in college football. “The World’s Biggest Cocktail Party” as the game is called has been going on since the early 1900s.
This game always has major implications on which teams will make it to the national title or bowl game. The Georgia Bulldogs currently lead the Florida Gators in this classic college football rivalry.
Florida State vs. Miami
- First Meeting: 1951
- Series Record: Miami Leads 35-32
The state of Florida is home to many of the biggest rivalries in college football. This includes the bitter feud between Florida State and the University of Miami.
Both schools are historically known for having strong football teams. When the Seminoles and Hurricanes are good, it makes for one of the best college games of the year.
Historically, this rivalry game usually goes down to the last play and Miami leads the series 35-32.
Florida vs. Florida State(Sunshine Showdown)
- First Meeting: 1958
- Series Record: Florida Leads 37-28-2
Back in Florida for another one of the biggest rivalries in college football is the Sunshine Showdown. The Florida Gators annually go to battle with the Florida State Seminoles every year.
Historically, both teams have had strong programs and have won many national and conference titles. Along with being an inner-state rivalry makes the Sunshine Showdown a must see game every year.
Notre Dame vs. USC
- First Meeting: 1926
- Series Record: Notre Dame Leads 50-39-5
In all of the biggest rivalries in college football, you couldn’t find two different college football teams. The USC Trojans and the Notre Dame Fighting Irish have been clashing with one another for almost a century.
USC being one of the best teams from the west coast, while Notre Dame is a midwest darling makes this rivalry. These teams are different in just about every way and don’t like each other.
As of now, the Fighting Irish lead this bitter rivalry 50-39-5.
USC vs. UCLA
- First Meeting: 1916
- Series Record: USC 50-34-7
Over in California is another one of the biggest rivalries in college football between in-state rivals. The USC Trojan and UCLA always meet each other towards the end of the year in a huge game.
Only 12 miles separates these schools, which makes the rivalry even more intense. Any time these schools meet, the stakes are high as both teams consistently vie for a Pac-12 or national title.
Historically, USC has gotten the better of UCLA, but the Bruins love spoiling USC’s title hopes.
Army vs. Navy
- First Meeting: 1890
- Series Record: 63-54-7
In all of the biggest rivalries in college football history, there’s none older or bigger than Army vs. Navy. The two military universities have a longstanding rivalry both on and off the gridiron.
In recent years, Navy has dominated the rivalry and went on a 14-game win streak from 2002-2015. However, Army got the better of Navy last year and is looking to take down their rival once again this year.
Mississippi State vs. Ole Miss(The Egg Bowl)
- First Meeting: 1901
- Series Record: Ole Miss Leads 65-46-6
For the last spot on the biggest rivalries in college football, we’re going down to the deep south. Inner-state rivals Ole Miss and Mississippi State University always show up for this big Mississippi showdown known as “The Egg Bowl.”.
The Egg Bowl has over 120 years between these SEC rivals. Ole Miss currently leads Miss State in the rivalry 65-46-6 in this rivalry. Every year, there are big implications for which school will make their way to the top of the SEC standings.
