One of the best weeks in college football is Rivalry Week, where some of the most decorated programs around the nation go head-to-head with their longstanding rivals, looking to add on to their school’s growing history.
Let’s take a look at some of the best rivalries in college football.
25) Harvard vs Yale
- First Meeting: 1875
- Series Record: Yale leads 72-61-8
The rivalry between Harvard and Yale rarely has anything at stake outside of bragging rights. Still, when the two academic powerhouses line up on the gridiron, each school appreciates the rich history that comes with the matchup. First played in 1875, this rivalry is one of the longest-standing in college football and is considered one of the original college rivalries.
24) San Jose State vs Fresno State (Battle for the Valley)
- First Meeting: 1921
- Series Record: Fresno State leads 45-39-3
Dating back to 1921, both SJSU and Fresno State have an illustrious history with one another, spanning six different college conferences and 87 football games to date. These two Mountain West teams seemingly play for it all when the ball is snapped, as territory, conference standings, and, of course, pride are at stake.
23) Michigan vs Michigan State
- First Meeting: 1898
- Series Record: Michigan leads 75-38-5
In the state of Michigan, both the Wolverines and Spartans have seen some memorable moments, but on the football field, the University of Michigan has seen far better times than its MSU counterpart. While the two teams’ history dates back to 1898, the introduction of this rivalry, the Paul Bunyan-Governor of Michigan trophy, was not presented until 1953.
22) BYU vs Utah (Holy War)
- First Meeting: 1896 per Utah / 1922 per BYU
- Series Record: 62-35-4
Another rivalry spanning several conferences, the Holy War between BYU and Utah has been a lopsided battle, to say the least, as the Utes have dominated the Cougars over the years. What used to be a deciding factor for the championship in the Mountain West has become a matchup between two of college football’s preeminent programs that are on the brink of a potential playoff run. With a rivalry that dates back to 1896 or 1922, depending on which program you ask, it certainly deserves to crack the top 25.
21) Oregon vs Oregon State (Oregon Classic)
- First Meeting: 1894
- Series Record: Oregon leads 70-49-10
A game previously dubbed the Civil War by Oregonians, the Ducks and Beavers have a lengthy history stretching over 130 years. Deemed the most-played rivalry in the Western United States, Oregon leads its “little brother” school by 21 games in a rivalry that has no intention of slowing down as the years go on.
20) Lafayette vs Lehigh (The Rivalry)
- First Meeting: 1884
- Series Record: Lafayette leads 82-74-5
While just two small private schools, separated by 17 miles, Lafayette and Lehigh have one of the most impressive records in football when it comes to rivalry games. Between 1897 and 2020, both teams did not miss a single face-off, making them the longest uninterrupted rivalry in college football history. Keeping such a prestigious rivalry off the top 25 would be almost disrespectful to the sport and what it stands for.
19) Pittsburgh vs West Virginia (Backyard Brawl)
- First Meeting: 1895
- Series Record: Pittsburgh leads 63-42-3
Given one of the coolest rivalry nicknames with the Backyard Brawl, both WVU and Pittsburgh are anything but cool when these two teams face off. This rivalry has been played at over 10 different venues since its inception in 1895, utilizing the largest stadiums Pittsburgh has to offer, with only 75 miles separating the schools.
18) Stanford vs Cal (Big Game)
- First Meeting: 1892
- Series Record: Stanford leads 65-51-11
What’s a rivalry list without one of Northern California’s biggest matchups between Cal’s Golden Bears and the Stanford Cardinals? This battle between two of California’s smartest campuses remains one of college football’s oldest rivalries, with the Cardinals holding a distinct 14-game edge over the Golden Bears.
17) Kansas vs Missouri (Border Showdown)
- First Meeting: 1891
- Series Record: Missouri leads 58-54-9
Kansas and Missouri’s rivalry, like many others, holds historical significance, as it was long known as the Border War due to the conflict along the Missouri River from 1854 to 1865. Although the two schools would not meet until almost 30 years after the war, bad blood remained, which trickled into the two programs’ relationship on the gridiron.
16) Clemson vs South Carolina (The Palmetto Bowl)
- First Meeting: 1896
- Series Record: Clemson leads 73-44-4
An in-state rivalry that dates back to 1896, this rivalry between Clemson and South Carolina was the second-longest uninterrupted NCAA streak, before the 2020 season was halted due to the pandemic. This rivalry is so intense that, before 2007, each school had its own ritual against the opposing team’s mascot to gain an edge over the other.
15) Washington vs Oregon
- First Meeting: 1900
- Record: Washington leads 63-49-5
Want to know how serious this rivalry is between Oregon and Washington? Both of these teams have faced each other more times than they have their own in-state counterparts, having met a total of 117 times so far.
14) Alabama vs LSU (The Saban Bowl)
- First Meeting: 1895
- Series Record: Alabama leads 58-27-5
Despite both teams being powerhouses in the college football world, the Crimson Tide has steamrolled the Tigers in their longstanding rivalry, going back to 1895. Both programs have seen some of the best talent football has ever seen, but only 27 times have the Tigers been able to best Alabama in 90 matchups.
13) Texas vs Texas A&M (Lonestar Showdown)
- First Meeting: 1894
- Series Record: Texas leads 77-37-5
Another case of big brother-little brother, the in-state rivalry between Texas and Texas A&M is a historically lopsided contest. The Longhorns have dominated this series dating back to 1911, when they established a 15-4-2 record lead over the Aggies.
12) USC vs UCLA (Crosstown Cup)
- First Meeting: 1929
- Series Record: USC leads 51-34-7
The battle for LA has become a memorable one for Southern California as both of its top football teams battle it out each season to see who is the best. The Trojans hold a significant lead over their crosstown rivals, despite having to vacate victories from seasons prior.
11) Florida State vs Florida (Sunshine Showdown)
- First Meeting: 1958
- Series Record: Florida leads 38-28-2
While this rivalry has seen better days during the 1990s and 2000s, both Florida and FSU still come together for an annual rivalry game to give their fans a chance at bragging rights, regardless of where both programs may stand. During the peak of this rivalry, when both schools were regular top-ten features in the rankings, this game was one of, if not the biggest, in the country.
10) Ole Miss vs Mississippi State (Egg Bowl)
- First Meeting: 1901
- Series Record: Ole Miss leads 66-46-6
When it comes to in-state rivalries, none may be more heated on this list than Ole Miss and Mississippi State. A rivalry that has been played since 1901, these two teams have showcased the bad blood for each other on several occasions, with the most recent being in 2019 when an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty decided their game.
9) Minnesota vs Wisconsin (Border Battle)
- First Meeting: 1890
- Series Record: Tie, 63-63-8
The only rivalry in which both teams have no edge over one another is the Border Battle between Minnesota and Wisconsin, which is tied at 62 wins apiece and has eight actual ties. Going back to the late 1800s, each program has had its fair share of victories. Notably, Wisconsin holds the longest win streak from 2004 to 2017, with 14 consecutive victories.
8) Miami vs Florida State
- First Meeting: 1951
- Series Record: Miami leads 37-33
One of the shorter rivalries on this list, Miami and Florida State have only played each other 70 times, but the in-state battle between the two schools has made for fireworks over the years. Another rivalry that stems from a claim for territory and bragging rights, as both schools are in the ACC, neither has gained a distinct edge over the other. Despite Miami currently leading the series by four games and having won the last two contests, neither school has established a clear advantage.
7) Alabama vs Tennessee (Third Saturday in October)
- First Meeting: 1901
- Series Record: Alabama leads 60-40-7
For a while, it looked like this rivalry was going to become an afterthought for the Crimson Tide as they beat Tennessee 15 games in a row until the Volunteers finally got their revenge in 2022 with a huge upset win. What makes this game so awesome is the victory cigar tradition dating back to the 1950s, when the Tide would beat Tennessee. Each school knowingly violates the NCAA rule, yet still reports it in honor of tradition.
6) Army vs Navy (America’s Game)
- First Meeting: 1890
- Series Record: Navy leads 63-55-7
No, there isn’t a title or playoff shot in the rivalry between Army and Navy, but it is one of the few rivalries based on pure tradition, driven by the love and respect that comes with competition. Since 1930, the matchup has been played uninterrupted in front of the sitting U.S. President, featuring several patriotic traditions, including flyovers, “The Prisoner Exchange,” and “The March On.”
5) Florida vs Georgia (World’s Largest Outdoor Cocktail Party)
- First Meeting: 1904 per Georgia / 1915 per Florida
- Series Record: Georgia leads 58-44-2
One of the SEC’s most intense rivalries, Georgia and Florida provide everything a fan could want when the teams play: hard-hitting, fast-paced, and gritty American football. With only ten wins separating the two schools, this game has, over the years, provided some of the largest tailgates in college football, as well as some of the most memorable football games. However, the Bulldogs have won the last eight out of nine games, creating a lopsided rivalry over the past decade.
4) Notre Dame vs USC
- First Meeting: 1926
- Series Record: Notre Dame leads 51-37-5
Becoming an annual game in 1926, USC and Notre Dame have become one of the few heated rivalries in College Football that really holds no significant history between the two schools. Both programs are highly decorated, boasting a combined 15 Heisman winners and 24 national championships. Perhaps this rivalry simply stems from a desire to outdo the other school; however, Notre Dame holds the lead with 96 games played.
3) Auburn vs Alabama (The Iron Bowl)
- First Meeting: 1893
- Series Record: Alabama leads 48-37-1
A rivalry that spanned from the Thanksgiving weekend of 1893 to 1993 and resumed in 2007, Alabama and Auburn have provided their fans with much excitement during the teams’ battles for over a century. With a history linked to the Morrill Land Grant Act of 1862 during the Reconstruction Era following the Civil War, the two programs have no love lost for one another, as the War Eagles have been a thorn in Alabama’s side for years, despite the school’s dominance over other SEC programs.
2) Oklahoma vs Texas (Red River Rivalry)
- First Meeting: 1900
- Series Record: Texas leads 62-50-5
Starting back in 1900, the Red River Rivalry has become a staple in college football as the Longhorns and Sooners battle back and forth for the illustrious Golden Hat. Since 1932, this matchup has been played on neutral ground at the Cotton Bowl in Dallas, TX, with the Longhorns still holding a 12-game lead in the 121 meetings between these two programs.
1) Ohio State vs Michigan (The Game)
- First Meeting: 1897
- Series Record: Michigan leads 62-51-6
Literally known as “The Game” to not just Buckeye and Wolverine fans, this decorated rivalry is undoubtedly deserving of the No. 1 spot on this list due to its longevity, history, and memorable moments. With roots that trace back to a legitimate border dispute between the two states in 1835, these two teams share nothing but bad blood for one another, even to the point where Ohio State players, alumni, and faculty will x out the letter “M” from everything during the week of their matchup with Michigan.
