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Biggest College Football Rivalries of All Time

August 21st, 2009 Posted by: Senorita Queso Tronca

Michigan & Ohio State This huge rivalry dates back to 1897, when Michigan spanked Ohio State with a 34-0 win! Ever since the first historic game, there has been bad blood between the teams. This makes for exceptionally entertaining college football!

Alabama & Auburn The Iron Bowl is an annual NCAA football game where the Auburn Tigers and Alabama Crimson Tide collide. This game is often held on Thanksgiving weekend and is greatly anticipated by both teams. The rivalry began in 1893 after the very first match up between these two teams and pressure has been building ever since.

Texas & Oklahoma When the University of Texas Longhorns take on the University of Oklahoma Sooners it’s known to the world, as the Red River Rivalry. Many college football freaks consider this to be the ultimate rivalry. The history of the battle between these two teams began in 1900 and still holds strong today.

Notre Dame & Southern California Ever heard of the Jeweled Shillelagh? If not, no fear! The Jeweled Shillelagh is a trophy awarded to the winner of the Notre Dame and USC annual game. It’s definitely not the best looking trophy; however it has a story to tell. The Shillelagh is an Irish weapon that was made in Ireland and is decorated and presented to the winning team every year. The tradition of this trophy was started in 1952 and the rivalry between the two teams began in the winter of 1926. The champions also receive the highly sought after bragging rights.

Florida State & Florida These two teams battle for the Governor’s Cup aka  the Sunshine Showdown every year. Both of these teams are huge universities in Florida and strive to be coined the best! This rival features the Florida Gators versus the Florida State Seminoles. Even though this is not one of the oldest rivalries (it is rumored to have started in 1958), it certainly is one of the most popular.

Georgia Tech & Georgia It’s just “clean, old-fashioned hate”! This is the moniker given to the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets and Georgia Bulldogs rivalry. These two institutions are only a few miles from each other, but the attitudes are far apart! Since 1893 the yellow jackets and bulldogs have been passionate about taking the competition under.

USC & UCLA Most often, the winner of the football game has won the Pac-10 Championship. This fierce rivalry is felt around Los Angeles leading up to the game. The week before the game both schools will often see a rise in school spirit and some seriously silly pranks take place!

Stanford & Cal State The first “Big Game” ever was in the spring of 1892 between Stanford University and Cal State Berkley. This game is usually held in November or December, annually and is always a fan favorite. Students gather for a bonfire and pep rally before the game.

ASU & University of Arizona Ahh, the Duel in the Desert! The fire is definitely burning in these two Arizona teams. Fans are always glued to their seats during this match up and this in state rivalry gets hotter every year!

Army & Navy The between the United States Military Academy and the United States Naval Academy, this rivalry has been going strong for almost 80 years. The Army versus Navy rivalry has always been a friendly one, however sometimes the mascots will play tricks on one another. This is always an exciting game to see live and it is broadcast every year.

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