X
Lost password?

Don't have an account?
Gain Access Now

X

Receive free daily analysis

NFL
NBA
NHL
NASCAR
CFB
MLB
MMA
PGA
ESPORTS
BETTING

Already have an account? Log In

X

Forgot Password


POPULAR FANTASY TOOLS

Expert Advice
Articles & Tools
Import Your Leagues
Daily Stats & Leaders
All Pitcher Matchups
Compare Any Players
Compare Any Players
Rookies & Call-Ups
24x7 News and Alerts

Top 10 College Football Rivalries of All Time

Quinn Ewers - Fantasy Football Rankings, College FB, NFL Rookies, Draft Sleepers

Dominick takes a look at the fiercest rivalries in the history of college football. Whenever these rivals meet, they're always bound to make it a good game.

Some rivalries transcend sports. The Boston Red Sox and the New York Yankees, the Boston Celtics and the Los Angeles Lakers, and of course Star Trek or Star Wars. But we are here today to look at the most important rivalries of them all. College football rivalries.

We all know some of the ones that will be on this list. But there are also some lesser-known rivalries which may surprise you with their hatred.

Did you know that UCF has a rivalry with UConn? Neither does UCF. But there will be some other lesser-known rivalries on the list. Let’s look at 10 of my favorites.

 

Alabama Crimson Tide vs. Auburn Tigers | The Iron Bowl

Whether Auburn or Alabama are good or bad, this game always seems to result in a tight finish. From kick six to fourth and 31, this game rarely disappoints its fans or the nation.

The game has been played a total of 88 times with Alabama winning 50 games, Auburn winning 37 games, and one game ending in a tie. The ultimate kick in the pants for these two teams. Of all the games on this list, this is a top-2 rivalry.

 

Cal Golden Bears vs. Stanford Cardinal | The Big Game

Although no one honestly cares about this game anymore, it is still a fun rivalry that gives us the unforgettable. “The band is on the field! The band is on the field!” It is also the oldest rivalry in the West dating back to 1892.

With both teams now entering the ACC, the rivalry will extend. Although it will not be on the final week of the season moving forward. But it is still being played, and that is something to celebrate during these times of realignment. This is also a close rivalry with Stanford leading the series 66-53-11.

 

BYU Cougars vs. Utah Utes| The Holy War

Another rivalry, another game with a name.

These two teams genuinely hate each other. And now that they are both in the Big 12, they can no longer avoid playing every year. This will make a great atmosphere in either home stadium and no matter how good or bad either is, this will be a fight to the end.

Both schools, with a high Mormon population, have players well into their twenties. This allows both to perform higher than their skill level would suggest. Most of the athletes have taken missions around the world before returning for their education. While noble, this also leads to the maturity level of the teams and the coaches to outdue most teams they face. But not each other.

This is a fun rivalry and has a true hatred behind it. Do not let this one go past without watching. Utah leads the series 62-35-4 overall.

 

Florida Gators vs. Florida State Seminoles

While most people consider Georgia the fiercest rival of Florida, fans of these two teams know the truth.

This is a battle for the state of Florida, the most fertile recruiting ground in the country for all programs. Not just these two schools.

A win or a loss in this rivalry can mean the difference between a recruit going to Florida or flipping to Florida State. Or vice versa.

While no one likes to lose a recruit to another school, losing one to an in-state rival is likened to treason by that student-athlete. Something not easily forgotten by the fans. Or the coaching staff.

Although more successful recently, Florida State is still the little sister of the Florida Gators. With Florida being older, the state school, and having far more resources, Garnet & Gold from Tallahassee is consistently clawing its way to respectability. Something they have been successful in and want to continue to do moving into the future. Although this is a newer rivalry due to the age of Florida State University being established later than many schools, their teams have still played more than 60 times with Florida leading the all-time series at 37-28-2.

 

Michigan Wolverines vs. Ohio State Buckeyes | The Game

Sorry Iron Bowl fans. But this is the biggest rivalry in college football. Not only has it been played 118 times, with the first meeting coming in 1897, but it also takes place in two stadiums, both of which seat more than 100,000. Not to mention it is the highest-rated television audience of any regular-season college football game. Ratings are what matter nowadays, right?

Michigan won the first meeting in this series in 1897 by a score of 34-0. Ever since then, this has been a series of streaks. While Ohio State has dominated during large stretches, Michigan has won the past three games and used its 30-24 victory in 2023 to win a national championship. Ohio State looks to do the same in 2024 with the game returning once again to The Shoe on the final week of the season.


Although we do not get the fun names like the kick six or fourth and 31, this game routinely pits two teams that live in the top 10 of AP ranks most seasons. This, as well as the hatred and respect both schools have for each other, makes this the pinnacle of college sports and a must-watch. Michigan leads the all-time series at 61-51-6.

 

Mississippi State Bulldogs vs. Ole Miss Rebels | The Egg Bowl

Another rivalry full of hatred. With two schools that are not usually relevant for a national championship, this is the matchup to end all matchups for both schools. It was after losing the Egg Bowl in 2019 that Matt Lute was fired by Mississippi State and Mike Leach was hired. This was due to the penalty on Bulldogs WR Elijah Moore, who decided to act like a dog and pretend to pee in the end zone. This penalty caused 15 yards to be added to an extra point, an attempt that was ultimately missed and cost the Bulldogs the game.

It is scenes like this that can make any rivalry fun. But when it happens in a state where no other game is in town, it makes it even more high profile. Imagine the calamity that will ensue if the Bulldogs can return the favor in 2024 and defeat what is supposed to be the best team Ole Miss has had under Lane Kiffin. Oh, the joy that would be seen in Starkville.


Ole Miss currently leads the all-time series at 65-46-6.

 

Notre Dame Fighting Irish vs. USC Trojans

While not a traditional rivalry, this rivalry still pits two of the most successful and well-known brands in the game.

If Lincoln Riley has his way, this game will end. Luckily for us, he will be gone before this game is over. It is especially important for both schools, especially Notre Dame, which needs to play in California for recruiting the nationwide pool of players it needs to recruit from.

While anyone has a chance to get into USC, the academics and rigorous nature of South Bend make it far more difficult for the Fighting Irish to remain at the top of the heap. As long as the prestige of the Notre Dame brand outshines most other schools, no one, including USC, will want to stop playing them. It is an automatic 10 million viewers and the exposure which comes with it is needed by both universities. Not to mention, who can forget the Matthew Leinart push of Reggie Bush to keep the USC national title hopes alive? The original idea of the tush push perhaps?

Notre Dame leads the all-time series at 51-38-5.

 

Oklahoma Sooners vs. Texas Longhorns | The Red River Rivalry

I attest that this is the only rivalry game that should be played at a neutral site. There, I said it.

This game does not have the hatred many may expect. Sure, both teams want to win. But there is a huge amount of respect between both schools and what they represent to each other. Remember, when Texas decided to leave the Big 12, it went to Oklahoma to join it. Knowing it would be better for both if they did it together.

This game, which is always centered around the Texas State Fair in Dallas, will be around long after realignment has finished destroying the rest of college football.

The likes of Adrian Peterson, Ricky Williams, and others have made this game what it is. Not to mention Barry Switzer, Bob Stoops, and Mack Brown putting this game on a pedestal as their most important game of the season. Much like the Ohio State vs. Michigan rivalry, this is the only game that matters for their fans. A loss here and the results of the season are vanquished in one fell swoop.


What can we expect from this game as both teams enter the SEC? Much of the same. However, the gravity of the game will be minimized slightly due to the SEC being a far more competitive conference than the former Big 12 from which the teams are coming. Texas and Oklahoma will not rule the SEC with an iron fist like they did before. And, quite possibly, this may not even be the biggest rivalry game for Texas in the new conference.

Texas leads the all-time series at 63-51-5.

 

Pitt Panthers vs. West Virginia Mountaineers| The Backyard Brawl

Once a fierce rivalry, another game went away when West Virginia was forced to join the Big 12 following the disillusion of the Big East as a football conference.

While the game went away, the hatred never did. While it may not be the Hatfield vs. McCoy’s, it is close. And both have roots in West Virginia.

These schools, which lie a mere 75 miles apart, constantly feel like little brothers to other schools in the region. From Penn State to Virginia and Virginia Tech, both schools deal with scorn from bigger and more successful counterparts. This adds to the complex both schools feel, and they take it out on each other.

This game is finally returning, at least for the next few seasons. We can only hope both schools see the need to keep it going even longer. Not to mention, West Virginia still wants to get revenge on Pitt for beating it in 2007 and keeping it out of the national championship with a 13-9 victory over Steve Slaton, Pat White, and Co. West Virginia entered the game ranked No. 2 while the Pitt Panthers entered the game with a 4-7 record.

Pitt leads the series at 62-41-3.

 

Texas Longhorns vs. Texas A&M Aggies

Hatred. Pure hatred. That is what is the key to this game. The all-mighty Texas Longhorns against the cult of the Texas A&M Aggies.

Since leaving the shadow of Texas, the Texas A&M Aggies have flourished in the SEC. But they still have no conference titles or national championships to show for it. This is why they throw good money after bad in an attempt to outdo their in-state rivals. But now Texas is in the same conference again and the Aggies will be forced to compete against it once again. Something they refused to do until they had to.

The pettiness of this rivalry is amazing. It is like both schools are toddlers who cannot get along. Like Oklahoma State taking its ball and going home and dismantling Bedlam. But this one is even deeper because everything is bigger in Texas. This, of course, includes rivalries.

The game returns in 2024 after a hiatus and it will be just as vicious as it was the last time it was played in College Station. Another rivalry where you can throw out the records, this game will be massive for both teams. But just imagine what could be at Kyle Field should both these teams come in looking for a berth in the playoff. The stadium might collapse.

Texas has dominated this series with a record of 76-37-5.

 

Honorable Mentions

Some rivalries were great in the past. Some of them have fallen by the wayside and some have been retiring with realignment. Others just missed the cut due to the number of rivalries out there. Here are some that just missed the top 10.

Arizona Wildcats vs. Arizona State Sun Devils

Colorado Buffaloes vs. Nebraska Cornhuskers

Oregon Ducks vs. Oregon State Beavers

Washington Huskies vs. Washington State Cougars



Download Our Free News & Alerts Mobile App

Like what you see? Download our updated fantasy football app for iPhone and Android with 24x7 player news, injury alerts, rankings, starts/sits & more. All free!

More College Football Analysis

More DFS Lineup Picks

POPULAR FANTASY TOOLS

Expert Advice
Articles & Tools
Import Your Leagues
Daily Stats & Leaders
All Pitcher Matchups
Compare Any Players
Compare Any Players
Rookies & Call-Ups
24x7 News and Alerts

REAL-TIME FANTASY NEWS

Nico Hischier

Ruled Out for Rest of World Championships
Matthew Tkachuk

Sees Point Streak End Friday
Corbin Burnes

Strikes Out 10 in Six Shutout Innings
Matthew Knies

Questionable for Game 7
Joseph Woll

Quiets Panthers with 22-Save Shutout
Max Pacioretty

Nets Third Playoff Goal
Wilmer Flores

Collects Eight RBI in Three-Homer Game
Auston Matthews

Ends Goal Drought Friday
Josh Hart

Has A Triple-Double On Friday Night
Karl-Anthony Towns

Picks Up A Double-Double In Game 6
Jalen Brunson

Leads New York To A Win On Friday Night
Greg Joseph

49ers Sign Kicker Greg Joseph
John Jenkins

Ravens Agree to One-Year Deal With John Jenkins
Cole Ragans

Exits his Start on Friday With Groin Tightness
Pete Crow-Armstrong

Knocks in Six Runs
Miguel Vargas

Homers Twice in Loss
Byron Buxton

Clears Concussion Protocol, Considered Day-To-Day
Ezequiel Tovar

Activated and Starting on Friday
Xavier Edwards

Scratched With Back Tightness
Carlos Correa

Goes on Seven-Day Concussion Injured List
Aaron Nola

Goes on Injured List
Alex Ovechkin

Capitals Expect Alex Ovechkin to Return for 2025-26 Season
Mattias Ekholm

Expected to Miss Two More Games
Calvin Pickard

to Miss Start of Conference Finals
Pontus Holmberg

Re-Enters Maple Leafs Lineup on Second Line
Sergei Bobrovsky

Looks to Stay Hot Friday
Joseph Woll

Starts Game 6 for Maple Leafs
Evan Rodrigues

Out on Friday
Brock Purdy

Signs Five-Year Extension
Aidan Hutchinson

Looks Good in Practice
Greg Zuerlein

Jets Release Greg Zuerlein
Chris Olave

Steelers Showing Interest in Chris Olave
Carlos Correa

Byron Buxton Both Out on Friday
Michael Morales

Set For His First UFC Main Event
Gilbert Burns

In Dire Need Of Victory
Precious Achiuwa

Uncertain For Game 6
Derek Carr

More to Derek Carr's Retirement Than his Injury?
Rodolfo Bellato

Set For UFC Vegas 106 Co-Main Event
Paul Craig

Returns To Light Heavyweight
Shedeur Sanders

Browns Say Shedeur Sanders is Willing to Put in the Work
Mairon Santos

Looks To Remain Undefeated In The UFC
Harold Fannin Jr.

Browns, Harold Fannin Jr. Agree to Terms on Four-Year Rookie Deal
Sodiq Yusuff

Set For Lightweight Bout
Nursulton Ruziboev

Looks To Win Back-To-Back Fights
Dustin Stoltzfus

An Underdog At UFC Vegas 106
Melquizael Costa

A Favorite At UFC Vegas 106
Julian Erosa

Set To Open Up UFC Vegas 106 Main Card
Keaontay Ingram

Chiefs Waive Keaontay Ingram
D.J. Humphries

No Deal Yet Between 49ers, D.J. Humphries
Cleveland Browns

Browns Maximizing Reps For Rookies
Cleveland Browns

Browns To Utilize Fullback Position In 2025
MLB

Former MLB Shortstop Rafael Furcal Arrested
Mark Scheifele

Returns To Score Sheet With Two Points
Nikolaj Ehlers

Finds The Net Twice As Jets Stave Off Elimination In Game 5
Connor Hellebuyck

Shuts The Door On Stars In Game 5
Frederik Andersen

Registers Third Consecutive Victory
Andrei Svechnikov

Scores Decisive Goal In Series-Clincher
Seth Jarvis

Records Two Points In Series-Clinching Win
Shohei Ohtani

Smashes Two Homers, Drives In Six
Hunter Brown

Dominates Rangers, Takes Tough Loss
Jacob deGrom

Quiets Astros In Masterful Start
Jaxson Dart

2025 Could Be A Redshirt Year For Jaxson Dart
Eric Johnson II

Claimed By Indianapolis
Donovan Jackson

Signs Rookie Contract
Brandon Lowe

Smacks Two Homers On Thursday
Lars Eller

Won't Play On Thursday
Charlie Lindgren

May Miss Thursday's Game
Jordan Addison

Jury Trial Set For June In Connection To Jordan Addison's 2024 DUI Citation
Spencer Strider

To Start Next Week Against Nationals
Las Vegas Raiders

Raiders Hiring Brandon Hunt As Vice President Of Player Personnel
Patrick Murtagh

Let Go By Jaguars
Christian Barmore

 Expected To Play In Week 1 After Dealing With Blood Clots
Byron Buxton

Leaves Game Thursday, In Concussion Protocol
Carlos Correa

In Concussion Protocol After Collision On Thursday
Caleb Williams

Considered Way Around Going To The Bears
Josh Lowe

Activated And Starting On Thursday
Josh Hart

Leads Knicks In Scoring Wednesday Night
Derrick White

Erupts For 34 Points As Celtics Stay Alive
Luke Kornet

Big For Boston In Game 5
Jaylen Brown

Records Double-Double In Crucial Win
Anthony Edwards

Posts Double-Double In Series-Clinching Win
Julius Randle

Scores Game-High 29 Points In Series-Clincher
Kyle Stowers

Smashes Two Homers In Marlins' Victory
Brian Harman

Not A Great Option For PGA Championship
Nikola Vučević

Nikola Vucevic May Be Involved In Trade Talks Again This Offseason
Jared McCain

Moving In The Right Direction
Cameron Smith

May Not Be Worth The Risk At Quail Hollow
Joaquin Niemann

A Strong Play At Quail Hollow
Stephen Curry

Cleared For Light On-Court Work
Sam Hauser

Returns To Action Wednesday
PGA

Sungjae Im Could Be Someone To Watch At Quail Hollow
Max Homa

Still Not Trustworthy Ahead Of PGA Championship
Jason Day

Looking To Continue Success At Quail Hollow
Sam Burns

A Shaky Play At Quail Hollow
Daniel Berger

Looking To Capture First Major At Quail Hollow
Jordan Spieth

Looks To Complete Career Grand Slam At Quail Hollow
Rory McIlroy

All Eyes Are On Rory McIlroy At Quail Hollow
Jon Rahm

Fits Quail Hollow Well On Paper
Keegan Bradley

A Reliable Option At Quail Hollow
Will Zalatoris

Enters PGA Championship With Major Concerns
Justin Thomas

Peaking At The Right Time For PGA Championship
Akshay Bhatia

Not Quite The Same Since Players Championship
Donovan Mitchell

Scores Game-High 35 Points In Tuesday's Loss
Harris English

Playing Well Heading Into PGA Championship
Collin Morikawa

A Solid Contender At PGA Championship
Tyrese Haliburton

Returns To Form In Closeout Game
Gary Woodland

Not Expecting Much At PGA Championship
Jamal Murray

Tallies 28 Points In Game 5 Loss
Si Woo Kim

A High-Risk, High-Reward Option At PGA Championship
Nikola Jokić

Nikola Jokic Ends Shooting Slump In Game 5
Tom Hoge

A Risky Play At Quail Hollow
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander

Leads Team With 31 Points In Comeback Victory
Stephen Curry

Officially Ruled Out For Game 5
PGA

Tyrell Hatton A Volatile Pick At PGA Championship
Sam Hauser

Expected To Play On Wednesday Night
Jack Della Maddalena

Becomes The New UFC Welterweight Champion
Belal Muhammad

Outclassed At UFC 315
Manon Fiorot

Drops Decision At UFC 315
Valentina Shevchenko

Defends Title
José Aldo

Jose Aldo Retires After UFC 315 Loss
Aiemann Zahabi

Extends His Win Streak
Alexa Grasso

Loses Back-To-Back Fights
Alexa Grasso

Natalia Silva Outclasses Alexa Grasso
Kyle Prepolec

Submitted In His UFC Return
MMA

Benoit Saint-Denis Gets Back In The Win Column
Ryan Blaney

Holds Strong For A Top-Five Finish At Kansas
William Byron

Struggles At Kansas With An Underwhelming Finish
Chase Briscoe

Scores A New Career-Best Cup Finish At Kansas
Denny Hamlin

Mechanical Issues Ruin Denny Hamlin's Promising Kansas Performance
Alex Bowman

Puts Together A Strong Top-Five Finish At Kansas
Ryan Preece

Earns His First Career Top-10 Finish At Kansas
Christopher Bell

Finishes Second In Otherwise Subpar Day For Toyota
Chris Buescher

Has Decent Run At Kansas, But Teammates Outperform Him
Josh Berry

Despite Qualifying Error And Speeding Penalty, Josh Berry Finishes Sixth
Joey Logano

Despite Joey Logano's Complacency, Penske Cars Fast Enough For Top-10 Finish
Tyler Reddick

Once Again Inexplicably Mediocre At One Of His Better Tracks
Brad Keselowski

Crashes Out At Kansas But Shows First Hint Of Speed
RANKINGS
C
1B
2B
3B
SS
OF
SP
RP

RANKINGS

QB
RB
WR
TE
K
DEF