College football rivalries are full of history and tradition. You wait all year long for that one big game against the team you loath, and the hype around it is so much bigger than that of any other game all season. Here are some of the greatest rivalries in college football and a little information about how they got started and who comes out on top. Enjoy!
Big Ten Conference
University of Michigan Wolverines & The Ohio State University Buckeyes
The Wolverines vs. the Buckeyes is one of the biggest and oldest college rivalries to date. The teams first met in 1897. Both teams are well accomplished and have won a number of national championships. Michigan has 11 and Ohio has 8. Michigan currently leads the rivalry 58-46-6.
University of Minnesota Golden Gophers & the University of Wisconsin Badgers
The Border Battle between the Gophers and Badgers is a relatively new rivalry, but still a strong one. Minnesota and Wisconsin have always had a state rivalry and adding college football into the mix makes things more interesting. For the past 6 out of 7 years that the teams have played, the Gophers have won, giving them an overall record of 7-4 .
Big 12 Conference
University of Kansas Jayhawks & the Kansas State University Wildcats
This state rivalry first started when the teams took the field against each other in October of 1902. To date this game has been played 111 times, with the Jayhawks coming out on top overall with a record of 64-43-5. Each year the winner of this game is presented with the Governor’s Cup Trophy.
University of Oklahoma Sooners & the Oklahoma State University Cowboys
The Sooners vs. Cowboys conflict is a known as the Bedlam Series, and the game often decides the conference championship. The Sooners hold a long standing lead over the Cowboys with a current record of 84–18–7. A crystal bell trophy known as the “Beldam Bell” is awarded to the winner of this game each year.
Pacific-12 Conference
University of Oregon Ducks & the Oregon State University Beavers
A game also known as the “Civil War,” this rivalry is another one for the books. This game was first played in 1894 making it the fifth most played college football game in US history. The Ducks lead the series 62-46-10 and the winner of the game receives the Platypus Trophy.
University of California, Los Angeles Bruins & the University of Southern California Trojans
Unique to this rivalry, these two schools are not only located in the same state but in the same city as well with the campuses only 12 miles apart. These schools may be close but their record is not, as the Trojans are winning the series with a record of 44-31-7.
Southeastern Conference
University of Alabama Crimson Tide & the Auburn University Tigers
Each year this game, known as the Iron Bowl, tears the state apart. This is the biggest college football rivalry in the south. The teams and their fans spend all year preparing for it and want nothing more to win this game. This game has been played 77 times and the Crimson Tide holds a controversial lead with a record of 42-34-1.
University of Florida Gators & the University of Georgia Bulldogs
The Florida vs. Georgia rivalry is more than just a game, it is known as “The World’s Largest Outdoor Cocktail Party.” Each year the game is held close the Florida Georgia boarder in Jacksonville FL. Although the record is close, the Bulldogs are currently ahead with a record of 49-41-2.
Sun Belt Conference
University of Louisiana at Lafayette Cajuns & the University of Louisiana at Monroe Warhawks
This Louisiana showdown is known as the “Battle on the Bayou” and has been taking place for 50 years. The current but close series record puts the Cajuns in the lead 26-24. This rivalry goes deeper than football, continuing the battle to all sports programs at both schools.
American Athletic Conference
University of Tulsa Golden Hurricane & the University of Houston Cougars
This rivalry, commonly known as the “Battle for the Best City,” is the longest standing in the AAC. The teams first met in 1950 and have played each other 39 times. The series is close but the Cougars are currently on top with a record of 21-18.
Atlantic Coast Conference
University of Virginia Cavaliers & the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Tar Heels
This is the “South’s Oldest Rivalry.” The game was first played in 1892 and has been played annually since 1919, meaning the teams have met 119 times total. The Tar Heels are currently on a 5 year winning streak giving them the lead over the series with a record of 61-54-4.
Conference USA
University of Southern Mississippi Golden Eagles & the University of Memphis Tigers
This southern rivalry is known as the Black and Blue Brawl. The name comes from the black of the Golden Eagles uniforms and the blue of the Tigers. The teams have met 63 times, the first being in 1935. The Golden Eagles have a huge lead over the Tigers with a record of 40-22-1.
Mid-American Conference
University of Connecticut Huskies & the University of Massachusetts Amherst Minutemen
These New England rivals play a game known as the “U Game.” This game was first played in November of 1987. The teams took a break from each other for about 10 years in the early 2000’s, but are now back at it and have played each other a total of 72 times. The record is close but the Minutemen take the lead with 36-34-2.
Mountain West Conference
University of Nevada, Las Vegas Wolf Pack & the University of Nevada, Reno Rebels
This game is called the Battle for Nevada and the winner receives the Fremont Cannon trophy. This is an intense rivalry that as even resulted in a stadium brawl in 1995. The Rebels lead the series with an overall record of 24-16, playing 40 games throughout history.
Non-Conference Rivalries
Florida State University Seminoles & the University of Florida Gators
University of Louisville Cardinals & the University of Kentucky Wildcats
University of Pittsburgh Panthers & the West Virginia University Mountaineers
University of Kansas Jayhawks & the University of Missouri Tigers
University of Notre Dame Fighting Irish & the University of Southern California Trojans