What is your top 5 greatest NCAA football rivalries of all time?

Submitted by MichiganPhotoRod on

What is your top 5 (and 1 honorable mention) all-time NCAA football rivalries?

Mine is:

5)Oklahoma-Nebraska

4)Notre Dame-USC

3)Alabama-Auburn

2)Michigan-Notre Dame

1)Michigan-Ohio State

Honorable Mention: Yale-Harvard

jamiemac

September 17th, 2009 at 12:10 PM ^

Thats what I get for trying to be a smart ass!! Thanks for pointing that out. Fixed it

FWIW, I actually have taken a drink out of the Monon Bell after the Little Giants big win over Depauw in 1993. Holy crap, they freaking ring that bell all night after they win.

Great weekend. Not enough chicks, though, if you ask me at WU.

In all seriousness, while I was trying to be lippy here (no worries, I upvoted the O.P.), the Monon Bell game is a huge rivalry and for the folks involved there is no bigger game.

drexel

September 17th, 2009 at 12:33 PM ^

Its great to see the Monon Bell game getting some recognition. Keystone light tastes the best when its being poured all over your face out of a 350 pound bell. A good friend of mine chipped his tooth on the thing after a big Little Giant victory in the year of "the Catch" 2001.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q9b_-31wwtE

That was my freshman year, and we hadn't won the bell in 5 years. I almost got to play in the game due to an injury, but it turned out the guy just got the wind knocked out of him. The ironic part for Michigan fans was that the name of the play was Trips Lex Gun Colorado Red. Colorado for the Kordell Stewart play. Luckily, it was renamed to Bell Red after that game, and I did not have to be reminded of the Kordell Stewart play every Friday walk through, when we practiced that play, for the next 3 years.

But yes it is a very intense game for anybody that has never been.

HelloHeisman91

September 17th, 2009 at 3:26 PM ^

This a myth is trophy lore. The oldest trophy game is ASU and UofA.

The Territorial Cup is a trophy that is awarded annually to the winner of the college football game (commonly referred to as "The Duel in the Desert") between the Arizona State University (ASU) Sun Devils and the University of Arizona (UA) Wildcats and has also served as the symbol of the long standing rivalry between the two schools. The NCAA has certified it as the oldest award given for a rivalry game.[1]

The cup was originally awarded to the Arizona Territorial Normal School football team for winning the Arizona Territorial Football League Championship after a season of three games in 1899. As a result, the cup is actually the property of Arizona State University. The Normals, as they were known at the time, were undefeated in gridiron matches with the Phoenix Union High School (6-0), the Phoenix Indian School (6-0) and the University of Arizona (11-2).

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Territorial_Cup

emmekel

September 17th, 2009 at 11:47 AM ^

1. Michigan v Ohio State

2. Central Michigan v Western Michigan

3. Army v. Navy

4. Yale v. Harvard

5. Mount Union v. Baldwin-Wallace

HM - Kansas v. Mizzou (Trust me, it's fierce.)

bouje

September 17th, 2009 at 11:53 AM ^

If I'm going to have a pillow fight in my top ten it's going to be Army v Navy/ Harvard v Yale:

1. Michigan/OSU
2. Bama/Auburn
3. Florida/Georgia
4. Army/Navy
5. Harvard/Yale

Honorable Mention:
Florida/FSU
Cal/Stanford
ND/USC
USC/UCLA
OU/UT

Ezeh-E

September 17th, 2009 at 11:47 AM ^

but after spending time in Alabamy for a year or two, I have to put their rivalry as the most heated/best current rivalry.

Of all time, though, nothing takes UM-OSU

bigmc6000

September 17th, 2009 at 11:48 AM ^

1) UM-OSU (I'm partially biased ;)
2) OU-UT
3) Alabama - Auburn
4) Army-Navy (solely based on historical perspective)
5a) UF-UGA
5b) UM-MSU
5c) USC-ND
5d) FSU-Miami (yes, that Miami)
5e) UT-A&M

Tshimanga Cowabunga

September 17th, 2009 at 11:50 AM ^

1. Michigan/Ohio State

2. Auburn/Alabama

3. Oklahoma/Texas

4. Florida/Georgia

5. Army/Navy

6. Harvard/Yale

If it was the 90's still Florida/Florida State would replace the Florida/Georgia game but I feel the SEC rivalry is bigger. IMHE there is no bigger rivalry in all of American sports than Michigan/Ohio State. Though Auburn/Alabama consumes the entire state pretty much all year round

LandryHD

September 17th, 2009 at 11:52 AM ^

To me the rivalry games I looking forward to are:

1)Michigan vs Ohio State
2)Michigan vs Notre Dame
3)Michigan vs Penn State
4)Michigan vs Michigan State
5)Indian vs Purdue... I live in Indiana and go to that game every year. Normally end the night with a Hoosier or Boilermaker!! *note I'm in my early 20's and in College!

saveferris

September 17th, 2009 at 11:55 AM ^

1. Michigan vs. Ohio State
2. Michigan vs. Newspaper That Shall Not Be Named
3. Michigan Fans (for RR) vs. Michigan "Fans" (against RR)
4. Texas State Armadillos vs. Texas Colts
5. Albion vs. Hope College (this one is for my wife)

PhillipFulmersPants

September 17th, 2009 at 11:55 AM ^

... but Big8 to Big12 expansion has kind of mucked it up in that they miss each other once in a while on the schedule.

For pure hatred, blood boiling rivalries that typically mean something (Sorry Army/Navy, great rivalry but I don't think I've ever watched more than a quarter), I'd go with:

Mich/OSU
Auburn/Alabama
SC/Notre Dame
Texas/OU
For me, a 5th is a little hard to point in the category with these other four, but I'll go with Fla/GA

ross03

September 17th, 2009 at 11:56 AM ^

5)USC - ND (edging out FL/Georgia)
4)Texas - OU
3)Alabama - Auburn
1)tie: Army Navy
1)tie: Michigan - Ohio State

Honorable Mention: Laffeyette - Lehigh - a great DII rivalry with amazing atmosphere. The piece of post tradition was insane(used wooden goal-posts that got torn down and distributed to drunk crazy wackos until the 90's or so).

As an alum of both of my #1 rivalries it's hard to choose. UM/OSU is more relevant and more intense from a fan standpoint (and clearly better football).

But Army/Navy has so much tradition and pageantry and is truly the defining moment for an entire season. A win in that game can wipe out the bad taste of a horrible year. The respect each school has for each other, but the intense desire to beat each other for bragging rights is unique. It's impossible to compare the bond between Cadets (WP and AF) and Mids with other schools where there is some level of respect but more animosity.

Engin77

September 17th, 2009 at 12:20 PM ^

5) Lehigh-Lafayette ; have met 144 times since 1884
4) USC - ND ; Private School Championship
3) Auburn - 'bama ; intrastate hatefest
2) Texas - Texas A & M ; divides families
1) Michigan - Ohio State ; needs no explanation here
Honorable Mention: Cal/Stanford, USC/UCLA, FlaSt/Miami, Fla/Ga

littlebrownjug

September 17th, 2009 at 12:13 PM ^

1. Michigan v. Ohio State
2. Army v. Navy
3. Lehigh v. Lafayette
4. Harvard v. Yale
5. Wisconsin v. Minnesota

Just outside the top 5:
6. Alabama v. Auburn
7. Oklahoma v. Nebraska
8. Texas v. Oklahoma
9. Cal v. Stanford
10. Notre Dame v. USC

Alumnus93

September 17th, 2009 at 12:25 PM ^

here they are, IN ORDER OF IMPORTANCE....

1. Michigan vs Ohio State
2. Army vs Navy
3. Notre Dame vs Southern Cal
4. Alabama vs Auburn
5. Texas vs Oklahoma

CPS

September 17th, 2009 at 12:35 PM ^

(1) THE UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN WOLVERINES - THE UNIVER$ITY OF MINNE$UCKA GEAUXFUR$ (there is nothing "golden" about them)

(2)-(5) No other rivalry even comes close enough to bother listing.

MichFan1997

September 17th, 2009 at 12:40 PM ^

1. Michigan-Ohio State
2. Auburn-Alabama
3. Army-Navy
4. Texas-Oklahoma
5. Notre Dame-USC

From my perspective:

1. Michigan-Ohio State
2. Michigan-Notre Dame
3. Michigan-Michigan State
4. CMU-WMU
5. Michigan-Penn State

BrayBray1

September 17th, 2009 at 12:50 PM ^

1.) Michigan vs Ohio St
2.) Auburn vs Alabama
3.) Miami vs Florida St
4.) Oklahoma vs Texas
5.) Florida vs Georgia

In reality I could have put every one of our rivalry games up there but instead I decided to give a more unbiased viewpoint.

andriy

September 17th, 2009 at 1:31 PM ^

5) Boston College vs Notre Dame - Makes me wish there was a Lutheran powerhouse.
4) South Carolina vs Clemson
3) Georgia vs Georgia Tech - I've watched every game for as long as I can remember.
2) Michigan vs Notre Dame
1) Michigan vs OSU

From a purely personal point of view (I could not say greatest), I love Wheaton Collge vs North Central College due to the hate level between the students. All NCC students wanted to go to Wheaton. They all end up at NW or UM for grad studies eventually, so the hate can continue there...which it does.

Keeeeurt

September 17th, 2009 at 1:55 PM ^

1.) Michigan vs OSU
2.) Michigan vs MSU (this game always seemed big in High School due to the sharp divide between state fans and real fans)
3.) Oklahoma vs Texas
4.) Florida State vs Miami
5.) CMU vs WMU

Honorable Mention
Grand Valley State University vs Saginaw Valley State University

Braylon Edward…

September 17th, 2009 at 4:55 PM ^

1. Do I have to say?
2. Kentucky-Louisville. (I grew up in Kentucky and all year round thats all they talked about with both lately doing somewhat good in football. It use to be only basketball.)
3. Miami-FSU
4. Auburn-Bama
5. Oklahoma-Texas

NHWolverine

September 17th, 2009 at 5:01 PM ^

This is definitely not one of my favorite rivalries but I have to give some love to Purdue/ ND. I work with a lot of Purdue grads and they have a deep seated hatred for Dame. It's about all we have in common.

BlueGoM

September 17th, 2009 at 6:28 PM ^

1. UM vs OSU
2. UM vs MSU
3. UM vs Minnesota ( THE JUG, BABY, THE JUG)
4. UM vs ND
5. Wisconsin vs Minnesota -> For some reason I love the notion of playing for a giant axe.