Ranking college football's 100 best rivalries. Who earned the top spot?

New York Times

07-07-2025

To understand what a college football rivalry means, walk into any bustling office building in Birmingham, Salt Lake City or Des Moines the Monday after the Iron Bowl, Holy War or Cy-Hawk. You'll find half the employees smiling and gloating. The other half are miserable and evasive.
Before kickoff, rivalries bring families, friends and colleagues closer together. The outcome instantly divides those same people. In each of those communities — and thousands like it across the country — emotions swirl around rivalry games. But if passion is comparable for in-state rivalries, how can one differentiate among them?
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That's what I attempted to do below in ranking college football's top 100 rivalries. I peeled back the layers of reputation and examined each one's attributes, then compared them with objective measurements and the help of input from my colleagues at The Athletic. A few choices are perhaps controversial, but this list is a snapshot taken with a wide lens, not a selfie-stick at a tailgate. Several quality rivalries didn't make the top 100, and I'll break those down later Monday along with deeper rationale behind the rankings.
So, take a gander at the list below, and remember that rivalries are fun. Which one was too low? Which was too high? Which one should have made the list and why? Let's have a debate. But in the process, hopefully we can all agree that the only thing worse than losing to a rival is not playing them.
What do you think are the best rivalries? Vote here.
What to know: The longevity of this SEC series merits inclusion despite its lopsided nature. LSU has played Mississippi State more than any other opponent, and the series ranks second for the Bulldogs behind the Egg Bowl.
Biggest game: Top-ranked LSU stood two wins from an undefeated 1958 campaign as it faced lowly Mississippi State in Jackson. It was the first time in 25 years the teams played outside of Baton Rouge, and for most of the game the Tigers failed to match the Bulldogs' home-state energy. Both teams scored one touchdown, but LSU hit its extra point to win 7-6 as it inched toward its first national title.
What to know: WKU-MTSU has lasted through three conferences and several years of independent status to become Conference USA's most-played series. The teams consider one another their top rival, with the series unofficially known as '100 Miles of Hate.'
Biggest game: WKU and MTSU battled into a second OT in 2016. Both teams scored TDs, but the Hilltoppers blocked the Raiders' PAT attempt to pull out a 44-43 win. The win propelled WKU to a division title, the Conference USA championship and an 11-3 season.
What to know: In one of the newer series spawned by realignment, the schools have completed the regular season against one another every year on Black Friday, save for 2020. It became an established annual SEC series in 2014.
Biggest game: In their inaugural SEC matchup in 2014, Missouri needed to beat Arkansas to claim its second straight SEC East crown. Trailing 14-6 entering the fourth quarter, the Tigers outscored the Razorbacks 15-0 in the final period, capped by running back Marcus Murphy's 12-yard run for the 21-14 win.
What to know: UCF and USF have engaged in several high-profile battles in a relatively short period of time. Although they're no longer annual opponents, 'The War on I-4' feels like it has another era ahead of it.
Biggest game: With the AAC East title and a New Year's Six bowl bid at stake, No. 13 UCF and No. 22 USF met on Black Friday in 2017 and waged one of the most exciting games this century. In a 53-second span in the final three minutes, the teams combined for three TDs, including a 83-yard pass followed immediately by a 95-yard kick return. UCF forced a late fumble, won 49-42 and finished 13-0.
What to know: Like all in-state rivalries, this one has its share of heated moments. The wildest came in 2023 when then-NMSU quarterback Diego Pavia appeared in an offseason video urinating on New Mexico's logo in its indoor practice field. Later that year, the Aggies qualified for the New Mexico Bowl, held at the Lobos' stadium. The host school allegedly tried to keep the Aggies away from their practice facilities in the bowl's buildup, leading to scathing responses from then-NMSU coach Jerry Kill.
Biggest game: New Mexico's 6-2 victory against New Mexico State in 1938 not only handed the Aggies their only Border Conference loss, but it caused a conference vote for its Sun Bowl representative. The Aggies (4-1) had one fewer conference loss than the Lobos (4-2), but the league's other schools voted for New Mexico because of its head-to-head victory.
What to know: The Virginia-based FCS foes compete in 'The Capital Cup.' With 135 meetings, it ranks No. 4 among Division I series in total games.
Biggest game: With an FCS playoff bid at stake in 2008, No. 6 Richmond led 20-0 at halftime. Despite throwing six INTs, William & Mary rallied with 17 fourth-quarter points to force OT. The Tribe had their field-goal attempt blocked, while the Spiders hit their 37-yarder for a 23-20 win. Richmond went on to win the FCS national title.
What to know: The conference debuted in 1947 with four teams: Cincinnati, Case Western, Butler Reserve and Ohio. By 1955, only Ohio remained and it was joined by Bowling Green, Kent State, Toledo, Western Michigan, Miami (OH) and Marshall. A major expansion in 1975 provided the backbone of what the MAC is today. It's impossible to rank one MAC rivalry above another, but collectively they are worthy of special mention because of the similarities between schools and the parity in the conference.
Biggest game: No game has defined MACtion like Toledo's 66-63 win against Western Michigan on a Tuesday in 2011. The teams, who have 79 career matchups, combined for MAC records in total yards (1,439) and points in a non-OT contest (129). Each side scored at least one TD in each quarter and combined for 18 TDs, which also was a high for a non-OT contest.
What to know: Amherst was founded by a Williams professor who brought (or stole, depending on your perspective) some materials and faculty with him in 1821. The schools transitioned their feud to the football field 63 years later.
Biggest game: In 2001, both teams entered their meeting 7-0 for the first time. Amherst led by 10 points in the second half, but Williams rallied to force OT. After an Amherst field goal, Williams fullback Tyler Shea burst in from the 1-yard line to secure a 23-20 victory.
What to know: This series ranks second in ACC games played when matching teams from different states. They played 27 times before becoming ACC charter members in 1953.
Biggest game: In a battle that decided the ACC Atlantic, No. 6 Clemson outlasted No. 20 NC State 38-31 in 2017. The Wolfpack led at halftime before the Tigers twice built 10-point second-half leads. In the final two minutes, NC State drove to the Clemson 28 before a fourth-down INT.
What to know: Although others are joining the ranks, this is the only long-term rivalry pitting one team in a power conference against a rival from a mid-major league. It has become feisty in recent years and has a history of high-level competitions.
Biggest game: Every year from 1989-2003, at least one team was ranked entering their matchup. But the sizzle from their late-night 2023 double-OT battle boasted more than 9 million television viewers. Colorado QB Shedeur Sanders' 45-yard TD pass with 36 seconds forced OT. After both teams scored in the first OT, Sanders fired his fourth TD pass and a 2-pointer to give the Buffaloes a 43-35 lead that held up after a defensive stand.
What to know: Historical frequency and proximity form the backbone of most rivalries, especially in lower-division football. This one exists solely on prominence. Over an 11-year period from 2005-15, the teams met nine times for the Division III national championship and once in a semifinal.
Biggest game: Although selecting the most important game among nine championships is semi-futile, 2011 had legacy ramifications. Whitewater was going for its third straight title, all of which came at Mount Union's expense. The game's most important play came midway through the third quarter when Whitewater recovered a fumble on a sack at the 1-yard line. Whitewater punched in its only TD on the next play and held on 13-10.
What to know: Separated by just 130 miles, Maryland and Virginia had a strong all-sports rivalry in the ACC and still recruit heavily against one another. The Cavaliers remain Maryland's most-played opponent and the Terrapins rank third for Virginia.
Biggest game: With a share of the ACC title at stake for Virginia, the Cavaliers (9-4) rallied from an 11-point deficit to win at Maryland 21-18 in 1995. Maryland blocked a punt late, which pulled the Terps within three points, but Virginia RB Tiki Barber ran out the clock to clinch the win. The loss kept the Terps from the postseason despite a 6-5 record.
What to know: It may not have the sizzle of Pitt-West Virginia or the historical impact of Pitt-Penn State, but among long-term eastern rivalries, Pitt-Syracuse is the one that has survived through multiple rounds of realignment.
Biggest game: The first of three times the teams met as ranked foes was on Sept. 29, 1956. No. 10 Pitt held All-American running back Jim Brown to 52 yards rushing to upset No. 7 Syracuse 14-7. It was the Orange's only regular-season loss.
What to know: This rivalry spans their mutual transition from the FCS Southern Conference to the FBS in 2014. It was one of the biggest FCS rivalries, with the programs combining for nine national titles, and it has become a featured clash in the Sun Belt.
Biggest game: Only the winner could earn a bowl bid in the 2022 finale, and the teams put on a show in Statesboro. An App State field goal gave the Mountaineers a three-point lead at the midpoint of the second overtime, but Georgia Southern QB Kyle Vantrease connected with Ezrah Archie for 25 yards to lift the Eagles to a 51-48 win and a Camellia Bowl berth.
What to know: The Wolfpack and Demon Deacons have played annually since 1910, the second-longest FBS streak. Despite constant realignment and conference changes, the longtime foes have found ways to meet.
Biggest game: A ranked shootout in 2021 decided the ACC Atlantic crown. In a back-and-forth battle with the teams combining for nearly 900 total yards, No. 13 Wake Forest held off No. 21 NC State 45-42.
What to know: The rivalry's competitiveness belies the series record. The campuses are separated by just 164 miles, and both sides have inflicted some pain on the other.
Biggest game: In one of the rivalry's few November meetings, the nation's top two running backs clashed at Sanford Stadium on Nov. 1, 1980. Heisman Trophy winner George Rogers rushed for 168 yards, but freshman Herschel Walker's 219 yards, including a 76-yard TD on a draw, boosted the eventual national champion Bulldogs to a 13-10 win.
What to know: Although it has been diminished over time, Ohio State-Illinois is the 10th most-played rivalry in Big Ten history. Every so often, the ferocity would come to the forefront and make this one of the league's signature games — especially in the 1980s and 1990s, when Illinois won five straight from 1988-92.
Biggest game: In a game that decided the Big Ten title, Ohio State's ground game outlasted Illinois' high-flying passing in a 34-27 shootout in 1981. It featured five lead changes, and a roughing-the-passer call allowed Ohio State to score the game-winning TD. The Buckeyes tied for the league title with a 6-2 record, while the Illini finished a half-game back at 6-3.
What to know: This rivalry is a relic between one program that has steadily risen to power-conference status and another that is staunchly a MAC program. It is tied as the fourth most-played series in FBS, and other than 2020, it was played annually from 1945-2024. The teams, separated by less than 40 miles, will not meet this year but will in 2026.
Biggest game: In 2003, Ben Roethlisberger threw for 377 yards to give the RedHawks a 42-17 lead in the fourth quarter, then Cincinnati staged a furious comeback with 20 straight points. In the final two minutes, the Bearcats stopped the RedHawks to seemingly get the ball back, but a fumbled punt on the next snap allowed Miami to hold on, 42-37, en route to a 13-1 record and No. 10 final ranking.
What to know: While it doesn't match the number of meetings of Baylor's former Southwest Conference foes, Bears-Red Raiders has developed into one of the most important series for both programs. The series has no shortage of entertainment over the years.
Biggest game: On Black Friday 2014, Baylor needed a win to keep pace with TCU for a Big 12 championship, and it led Texas Tech 45-20 with 17 minutes to play. Texas Tech QB Patrick Mahomes then torched Baylor the rest of the game with four TDs passes — all beyond 40 yards — to pull the Red Raiders within 48-46 with 1:42 left. Mahomes' 2-point run fell short, and the Bears prevailed despite Mahomes' 598 yards and six TDs.
What to know: Of the many historic HBCU rivalries, Southern and Grambling share the most prominent series. Its history includes one of the greatest coaches in collegiate sports history in Grambling's Eddie Robinson (408 wins) and the programs have combined for 47 SWAC titles and 26 Black College National Championships.
Biggest game: With the SWAC West title on the line, the 2003 Bayou Classic featured a combined 961 passing yards and five lead changes. Southern's 22-point fourth-quarter barrage held off three-time divisional champ Grambling 44-41. The Jaguars then won the SWAC title and claimed the Black College National Championship.
What to know: The in-state aspect and total number of games put this series in the top 80. But if both teams weren't located in Tennessee, it might not crack the top 100. From 1965 to 2004, Tennessee was 37-2-1. The series has become more competitive in recent years with Vandy winning five of 13 to give it some more flavor.
Biggest game: Both clinched bowl bids by their 1982 finale, but Vanderbilt was seeking its first home win against Tennessee since 1964. Commodores QB Whit Taylor was brilliant in passing for 391 yards and engineering a 28-21 win. Vanderbilt fans stormed the field and tore down the goal posts. The next time Vandy beat Tennessee at home was in 2012, 30 years later.
What to know: The men's basketball version of the Governor's Cup is the best nonconference rivalry in that sport. This one has become a solid annual tradition, but it's one of the least-played in-state series and hasn't quite spilled over into mutual pain.
Biggest game: In 2023, Louisville had sewn up a spot in the ACC title game, and Kentucky had qualified for a bowl game. They went score-for-score until Kentucky took a 38-31 lead on a 37-yard run from Ray Davis with 56 seconds left. The Cardinals zoomed up the field before an end-zone INT with two seconds left allowed the Wildcats to prevail for their fifth straight rivalry win.
What to know: This long-standing in-state rivalry transferred into the ACC when Virginia Tech joined in 2004. They play annually for the Commonwealth Cup, which extends to other sports.
Biggest game: In 1995, No. 13 Virginia and No. 20 Virginia Tech met as co-champions of the ACC and Big East, respectively, with a major bowl at stake for the winner. Trailing 29-14 in the fourth quarter, the Hokies rallied to take a 30-29 lead. With Virginia nearing field-goal range, Virginia Tech's Antonio Banks' 65-yard INT return — in which he appeared to be nearly tripped by a UVa trainer on the sideline — provided the clinching score in a 36-29 win.
What to know: Widely regarded as college basketball's best rivalry, UNC-Duke in football is critical to both schools but its importance beyond both campuses pales in comparison to hoops.
Biggest game: When they met at midseason in 2022, it seemed like a traditional rivalry game. Ultimately, their encounter determined the ACC Coastal championship. In a game with seven lead changes, No. 22 UNC pulled out a 38-35 win when Drake Maye connected with Antoine Greene for the winning score with 16 seconds left.
What to know: These teams' success, historical ties and proximity (70 miles) suggest they should be bitter foes. They compete regularly for top recruits in the same footprint, but it's strange they've never lined up in high-stakes football games. Since 2014, Clemson has seven CFP appearances and Georgia has four, but they haven't met in the postseason.
Biggest game: Defending national champion Georgia entered their 1981 meeting at Clemson ranked No. 4 with a 15-game winning streak. Clemson was unranked, but that changed after forcing nine turnovers in a 13-3 upset. A second-quarter INT set up the game's lone TD, and the victory propelled the Tigers to their first national title.
What to know: Results matter in rivalries, but so do proximity, longevity and other factors. There's a sizzle between the fan bases that belies Tennessee's lopsided advantage. It spills over to other sports, too.
Biggest game: The hammer-vs.-nail history doesn't leave much for great games, but their 2007 edition was a classic. The Wildcats featured one of their best teams and Tennessee was in position to claim the SEC East crown with a win. Kentucky QB Andre' Woodson threw six TDs to erase a 17-point deficit. Trailing 52-50 in the fourth OT, Woodson's 2-point run fell short and the Vols — behind QB Eric Ainge's seven TDs — held on.
What to know: The 'Battle of the Brazos' escalated from rivalry to feud in 2011 when Baylor threatened to sue departing conference member Texas A&M and the SEC for destabilizing the Big 12. Ultimately, the sides reached an agreement, but each day was filled with drama that fall.
Biggest game: In what ultimately determined the 1986 Southwest Conference title, Texas A&M QB Kevin Murray — Kyler Murray's father — threw three TDs passes to rally the No. 11 Aggies from a 17-point deficit to edge No. 20 Baylor 31-30. Both teams finished the season ranked in the top 15, but A&M earned the Cotton Bowl spot.
What to know: A nice regional game for 120 years, this series has escalated in importance for both teams after they were left behind in the most recent round of realignment.
Biggest game: In 2023, the only time the teams met as ranked opponents nearly produced one of the Pac-12's greatest comebacks. QB Cam Ward threw four TDs and rushed for another to give No. 21 Washington State a 35-14 fourth-quarter lead. Then No. 14 Oregon State rallied with three TDs to cut its deficit to 38-35 with 1:12 left. But the Beavers failed to recover an onside kick to preserve the Cougars' win.
What to know: One of the four California games on hiatus after the Pac-12 breakup, the teams played 12 ranked matchups over their 95 meetings.
Biggest game: In 2012, they met for the Pac-12 title a week after facing off during the regular season. No. 17 UCLA led by a TD in the fourth quarter, but No. 8 Stanford rallied with 10 straight points to take a 27-24 lead. The Bruins reached Cardinal territory twice afterward, but a 52-yard field goal fell short, and Stanford claimed the league title and a Rose Bowl bid.
What to know: Texas A&M's entry into the SEC turned this into an annual affair, and it became one of the top organic rivalries from recent conference realignment.
Biggest game: If college football ever had a 'hold my beer' moment, it took place on Nov. 24, 2018, in College Station. Texas A&M sent the game into OT with a 19-yard TD pass with no time remaining. The ensuing seven overtimes didn't have a play clock, and neither defense could stop the other. It mercifully ended with Kellen Mond's third 2-point conversion (after his sixth touchdown pass) in a 74-72 A&M victory.
What to know: They have played 118 times but are rarely good concurrently. It's a close, competitive series historically and it's definitely a rivalry, but it doesn't get circled on the calendar the way other in-state rivalries do.
Biggest game: Every game was 'the story of the season' for the 1995 Wildcats and this was no exception. Illinois' staunch defense helped build a 14-0 lead before Northwestern chipped away at its deficit. Facing fourth-and-goal at the 1-yard line in the fourth quarter, Northwestern QB Steve Schnur changed from a sneak to a pitch, and Darnell Autry walked into the end zone for a 17-14 win. The Wildcats made their first bowl game in 47 years and won the Big Ten title.
What to know: With 116 meetings spanning three centuries, the 'Border War' is the most-played FBS rivalry outside of power-conference teams. The teams are located just 64 miles apart along Highway 287.
Biggest game: In 1996, the rivals faced off in a winner-take-all season finale for the WAC Pacific title at Fort Collins. Colorado State led 24-13 midway through the fourth and by five points when Wyoming took over at its 4-yard line. A 14-play, 96-yard drive culminated in a 6-yard Marques Brigham TD run to give the Cowboys a 25-24 win and a WAC title game invite.
What to know: With 110 meetings, Cal-USC ranks second in games played among the California universities behind Stanford-Cal.
Biggest game: With Heisman winners Reggie Bush and Matt Leinart competing for top-ranked USC and No. 7 Cal boasting future NFL stars Marshawn Lynch and Aaron Rodgers, their 2004 clash had the makings of a classic. Rodgers completed his first 23 passes, but the Trojans led 23-17 entering the final two minutes. Rodgers drove the Bears inside the USC 10-yard line, but Cal couldn't punch it in. USC won the BCS title, while Cal finished 10-2.
What to know: From 1993-2010, these schools served as the Big Ten's geographic outposts, but perhaps no organic Big Ten series has featured more classic finishes and upsets over the past three decades.
Biggest game: No. 3 Penn State sat 9-0 with a chance to earn a BCS title bid when it traveled to unranked Iowa on Nov. 8, 2008. The Nittany Lions led by nine points midway through the fourth quarter, before the Hawkeyes rallied with a touchdown, then a 31-yard field goal with 1 second left to end Penn State's title hopes. The 24-23 upset propelled Iowa to a 13-game winning streak.
What to know: As public universities under the same board of regents, UCLA and Cal became the athletic tentpoles for the state of California. The teams played every season from 1933-2023 until the Pac-12 disintegrated.
Biggest game: Both UCLA and Cal were unbeaten and in the top 20 in their clash at the Rose Bowl in October 2005. No. 10 Cal led 40-26 in the fourth quarter. Spurred by RB Maurice Jones-Drew's 299 all-purpose yards and five TDs, the No. 20 Bruins staged a furious rally with three late TDs to win 47-40 en route to a 10-2 season.
What to know: This is the Big Ten's best non-rivalry 'rivalry.' The teams play for a trophy, they have competed on the final weekend 24 times since 1994 and their games consistently matter in the Big Ten standings. Yet it's not a series that either chooses to protect and now is on a rotation.
Biggest game: In 2008, they engaged in a winner-take-all showdown for a share of the Big Ten title in Happy Valley. The result did not match the stakes. Behind QB Daryll Clark's five combined TDs, No. 7 Penn State rolled through the No. 17 Spartans 49-18 to earn a Rose Bowl trip.
What to know: It doesn't have the lore or regional appeal of other SEC rivalries, but each of these programs has won two national championships over the past 20 years. This is the annual rivalry that neither side really wants, but it's too good for the SEC to let it expire.
Biggest game: Their 2007 battle in Baton Rouge stands out as first among equals. Top-ranked LSU trailed No. 9 Florida 24-14 with 10:15 left in the game before rallying for two TDs to take a 28-24 lead. Florida moved into LSU territory but Heisman winner Tim Tebow's final pass attempt fell incomplete, and the eventual BCS champion Tigers — who went 5-for-5 on fourth downs — held on for the win.
What to know: For much of their mutual existence, these programs battled over who could stay out of last place. But over the past few decades, that has changed. They now rank among the best programs in the new-look Big 12.
Biggest game: No. 19 Kansas State had hopes of a Big 12 title game appearance when it faced 11.5-point underdog Iowa State in the 2023 finale in Manhattan. As more than 6 inches of snow fell, which christened the game as 'Snowmageddon,' the Cyclones outran and outpaced the Wildcats 42-35. Both teams finished 6-3 in Big 12 play and a game out of the Big 12 championship.
What to know: The best of the NoCal-SoCal rivalries, the Pac-12's private school tandem combined for 10 Pac-12 titles from 2003-17 and waged several epic battles during that time.
Biggest game: The teams engaged in one of the great shootouts in Pac-12 history in 2011 at the Coliseum with No. 4 Stanford scoring a TD with 36 seconds left to force OT against No. 20 USC. Both teams scored TDs in the first two OTs, and Stanford added another TD to open the third. USC seemed poised to score just two plays into its series, but a fumble at the 1-yard line ended the game in a 56-48 Stanford victory.
What to know: This series has waned in recent years with Purdue's fortunes, but this once was a circled game on the calendar for both programs. There were several impactful games and perhaps more upsets in this in-state nonconference series than any other.
Biggest game: In 1968, No. 1 Purdue traveled to South Bend to face the No. 2 Irish. It was the fourth straight season the teams met in a top-10 matchup. Big Ten MVP Leroy Keyes rushed for 90 yards and two TDs, plus threw another one, and the Boilermakers rolled 37-22.
What to know: As one of the premier FCS rivalries, Montana-Montana State often has national implications. One of the two has competed in the FCS title game three of the past four years and 11 times overall.
Biggest game: In the 2018 season finale, both entered 6-4 with the winner earning an FCS playoff invitation. Montana led 22-7 in the fourth quarter, then Montana State rallied to take a 29-25 lead. With 14 seconds left, the Grizzlies had scored a winning TD from the 1-yard line, but officials waved it off for a Montana State timeout. On the next play, Montana fumbled and the Bobcats recovered to preserve the lead and the win.
What to know: The longevity is a testament to the schools competing in the same league for more than a century. It's one of only four protected Big 12 rivalries and matters equally to both fan bases, but outside of Kansas, it doesn't involve big-picture ramifications the way other in-state series do.
Biggest game: No. 6 Kansas entered the 1995 Sunflower Showdown unbeaten (7-0) while No. 14 K-State's only blemish came to eventual national champion Nebraska. But that's where the competition ended. The Wildcats scored a safety a minute into the game on a bad snap, then blocked a punt and rolled to a 355-19 rushing advantage in a 41-7 victory.
What to know: There's plenty of feistiness between these two programs when they take the field. But their meetings have become so sporadic that the rivalry doesn't measure up to their in-state feuds with Florida State.
Biggest game: Following the 2000 season, the teams met in the Sugar Bowl with the SEC champion Gators facing the Big East champion Canes. No. 7 Florida led early in the third quarter, but a combination of penalties, turnovers and special teams errors propelled No. 2 Miami to 24 second-half points in a 37-20 win.
What to know: Both teams have strong rivalries with in-state foes Duke and Wake Forest, while North Carolina competes with Virginia in the second most-played FBS series. But their most heated football rivalry is this one.
Biggest game: In 2022, No. 18 North Carolina already had locked up the ACC Coastal while NC State was jostling for bowl positioning. With the Wolfpack leading by seven, UNC's Drake Maye tossed a 4-yard TD pass with no time left to send the game into OT. The Wolfpack prevailed 30-27 in double OT.
What to know: Few rivalries reached a fever pitch like Notre Dame-Miami in the late 1980s. There was legitimate bad blood between the programs, and it spilled over into pregame encounters. If it was played with more regularity, it would be much higher on the list.
Biggest game: The buildup for the 1988 matchup between No. 1 Miami and No. 4 Notre Dame remains unmatched nearly 40 years later. Now known for the 'Catholics vs. Convicts' T-shirts, the animosity spilled over into a pregame fracas. The game matched the hype with the Hurricanes cutting the Irish's lead to 31-30 with 45 seconds left. On a 2-point attempt, Notre Dame CB Pat Terrell deflected Miami QB Steve Walsh's pass to give the Irish a one-point win that propelled them to their most recent national title.
What to know: This ranking is based strictly on prominence. They were the two best football programs of the 2010s and their battles are worthy of more mention as some of the best games in college football history.
Biggest game: Their CFP championship battles following the 2015 and 2016 seasons tie in this category. In a fourth quarter that produced 40 combined points, Alabama's Derrick Henry punched in the game-clinching touchdown in a 45-40 win for the 2015 title. In the CFP rematch in 2016, Clemson QB Deshaun Watson completed a 2-yard TD pass to Hunter Renfrow with 1 second left for a 35-31 win.
What to know: The Sun Devils and Wildcats form a red-hot in-state rivalry no matter their records. They've rarely had games impacting more than the series ledger, but after moving to the Big 12, there's a chance it climbs the list.
Biggest game: In 2014, the rivals engaged in a winner-take-all Territorial Cup in Tucson for the Pac-12 South title. With a 42-35 lead in the final two minutes, Arizona forced an errant Arizona State pass on fourth down to earn a Pac-12 title game invitation.
What to know: After they had little shared history before the SEC expanded to 12 teams, this has become one of the league's most important series. Depending on how often they play in the future, it could soar into a top-30 rivalry or fall back.
Biggest game: In the first No. 1 vs. No. 2 matchup in Sanford Stadium history, the top-ranked defending national champion Bulldogs and second-ranked Vols met while 8-0 in 2022. Georgia's all-world defense produced six sacks and held Tennessee's high-flying offense to 289 yards in a 27-13 rout. The Bulldogs later won their second straight national title.
What to know: Clemson-Florida State has developed into the ACC's most prominent series with the teams claiming 13 of the last 14 conference titles. Yet they rarely have outstanding seasons concurrently.
Biggest game: No. 3 Clemson and No. 5 Florida State entered their prime-time showdown in 2013 unbeaten with the winner stamping itself as a true national title contender. That's exactly what FSU did in an epic 51-14 beatdown. Heisman winner Jameis Winston threw for 444 yards and led the Seminoles to the final BCS title.
What to know: In the Big Ten's first five decades, Michigan-Minnesota was its most prominent rivalry. Although both schools had more heated border foes, these programs played every season and often for the Big Ten title.
Biggest game: The Big Ten and national titles were at stake when No. 2 Minnesota and No. 3 Michigan met in 1940 in Minneapolis, and the game did not disappoint. Minnesota's Bruce Smith, who won the Heisman in 1941, scored on an 80-yard run to hold off 1940 Heisman winner Tommy Harmon in a 7-6 victory. It was the signature win in the Gophers' fourth national title run in a seven-year span.
What to know: If this were an annual series, it easily would soar into the top 10, perhaps the top five. The teams don't play regularly enough to count it as a true rivalry, but they are the SEC's top programs and every time they face off there are national implications.
Biggest game: It doesn't get bigger than what they faced in 2017 and 2021 national title games. The Bulldogs took the second matchup 33-18, but it's the first that goes down in history. Down 13-0 at halftime, Alabama coach Nick Saban benched Jalen Hurts in favor of Tua Tagovailoa. The game went into OT, where Tagovailoa hit future Heisman winner DeVonta Smith for a 41-yard TD on second-and-26 for the 26-23 victory.
What to know: With 126 meetings, Indiana-Purdue ranks second in games played among Big Ten rivalries, behind only Wisconsin-Minnesota. It's a historic series, but its impact has limited reach.
Biggest game: A Rose Bowl bid was at stake for the 1967 finale between No. 3 Purdue and unranked Indiana (the AP ranked only 10 teams that year). The Hoosiers kept the Boilermakers out of the end zone multiple times in the fourth quarter and held on 19-14. The teams finished tied at 6-1 alongside Minnesota atop the Big Ten, and the Hoosiers earned the trip to Pasadena. Indiana finished No. 4 in the final poll while Purdue was ninth.
What to know: LSU-Arkansas may have an uncertain future as an annual series in the SEC, which perhaps knocks it back a few spots, but over the past 24 years, these teams have played 15 one-score games and seven were upsets. It has developed into a true rivalry.
Biggest game: In a series marked by thrilling games and finales, nothing compared to their 2007 Black Friday matchup in Baton Rouge. Top-ranked LSU faced a rushing juggernaut in Arkansas and the teams battled into triple OT before the Razorbacks pulled out a 50-48 upset. The loss initially seemed to knock the Tigers out of the national title chase, but LSU survived and eventually claimed the BCS championship.
What to know: The first major round of realignment in the early 1990s created this series, and it quickly developed into a rivalry. They have combined for 12 Big Ten titles since Penn State's Big Ten inaugural season, and they boast the nation's two largest stadiums. When the Wolverines and Nittany Lions play, it regularly becomes one of the season's most-viewed games.
Biggest game: In 2005, unbeaten Penn State rallied from a touchdown deficit to lead Michigan by four points inside the final minute. The Wolverines stormed down to the Penn State 10-yard line with 1 second left. On the next snap, Michigan QB Chad Henne found Mario Manningham on a slant for a touchdown to hand the Nittany Lions their only loss that season, 27-25.
What to know: Familiarity breeds contempt. TCU and SMU are in the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex and compete for everything from athletes to fans to media attention. The disdain the programs have for one another adds spice, no matter their records.
Biggest game: Their 1935 showdown received 'Game of the Century' distinction and lived up to the billing. With the score tied 14-14 in the fourth quarter and SMU facing fourth-and-4, the Mustangs' Robert Finley connected with Bobby Wilson for a 37-yard TD. SMU (12-1) won the Southwest title, landed in the Rose Bowl and claimed a piece of the national title. Behind superstar QB Sammy Baugh, TCU (12-1) played in the Sugar Bowl.
What to know: Michigan State and Notre Dame sit about 145 miles from one another, and that proximity made this a series of convenience. But their battles in the 1950s and 1960s and the constant swirl of upsets became legendary.
Biggest game: Their 1966 battle between No. 1 Notre Dame and No. 2 Michigan State at East Lansing was one of many labeled 'Game of the Century,' but the 10-10 tie lacked satisfaction. Notre Dame coach Ara Parseghian chose to run out of the clock on the ground rather than go for the win. It worked for the Irish, who won the AP national title over the Spartans.
What to know: Of all the series forged in realignment over the last 15 years, this one has emerged as the fiercest. It pits two passionate fan bases from border states that didn't know they disliked one another until they started playing every year.
Biggest game: One year after Nebraska blasted Iowa 57-0, the Hawkeyes hosted the No. 7 Huskers on Sept. 12, 1981. Iowa pulled off a 10-7 stunner that catapulted the Hawkeyes to a Big Ten championship season and ended a streak of 19 consecutive non-winning seasons. Nebraska won the next five meetings in the series, including the final three nonconference matchups by a combined 99 points.
What to know: A staple of Deep South football, these teams have played annually since 1935 (save for World War II) and have competed for the Magnolia Trophy since 2008. It's a series deeply embedded in the cultures of both fan bases.
Biggest game: On Halloween night in 1959, No. 3 Ole Miss led No. 1 LSU 3-0 with 10 minutes left at Tiger Stadium. LSU's Billy Cannon fielded a punt at his own 11, broke seven tackles and raced 89 yards for one of the greatest TDs in college football history. It nearly became a footnote until the Rebels were stopped for no gain on fourth-and-goal at the Tigers' 1-yard line to preserve a 7-3 LSU win.
What to know: In 'The South's Oldest Rivalry,' Virginia and North Carolina have faced off 129 times, which is tied with Georgia-Auburn for the second-most in FBS history. Although it's rarely relevant nationally, it's historically significant.
Biggest game: On Nov. 16, 1996, No. 6 North Carolina led 17-3 with the ball at No. 24 Virginia's 9-yard line. Cavaliers DB Antwan Harris intercepted a third-down pass and returned it 95 yards for a TD with 10:02 left. The 'Hoos scored twice more, including the winning field goal with 39 seconds left to hand the Tar Heels their second and final loss of the season.
What to know: These teams have played more games against one another than any other series in college football history, often meeting twice per year in the late 1800s. In 2024, they completed their 160th edition. The next most-played series is Yale-Princeton, which is 14 games behind.
Biggest game: No other rivalry has celebrated a 150th meeting, so it was special when these teams reached that milestone in 2014. The game moved to Yankee Stadium — the first time it relocated to a neutral site since 1891 — where it was sold out. Behind running back Ross Scheuerman's 304 rushing yards, Lafayette won 27-7.
What to know: They are different series with different trajectories, but they carry equal importance. Perhaps both rivalries aren't competitive, but they provide a window to early Americana. That history matters.
Biggest game: On Nov. 10, 1946, top-ranked Army entered on a 25-game win streak and featured 1945 Heisman winner Doc 'Mr. Inside' Blanchard and 1946 Heisman winner Glenn 'Mr. Outside' Davis. The No. 2 Irish boasted future Heisman winners Johnny Lujack (1947) and Leon Hart (1949). Despite the scoreless tie, the lore surrounding the 'Game of the Century' at Yankee Stadium trumps the result.
What to know: It's unfair sometimes to compare FCS and FBS rivalries, but this rivalry can hold its own with the best in the sport at any level. It has become FCS' premier on-field rivalry.
Biggest game: It's difficult to look past the 2022 FCS championship game, which South Dakota State won 45-21. But the 2024 FCS semifinal in Fargo added legacy to the scorching-hot rivalry. Top FCS quarterbacks Cam Miller (NDSU) and Mark Gronowski (SDSU) went toe-to-toe with the Bison pulling out a 28-21 win over the two-time defending FCS champs. North Dakota State then claimed its 10th FCS title.
What to know: When Arkansas joined the SEC in 1992, this was a top-15 rivalry. It has a chance to inch upward now that they're in the same conference again, but it's unlikely the stakes will be as high annually as they were in the Southwest Conference. The SEC competition is too fierce and too much time has passed.
Biggest game: No. 1 Texas faced No. 2 Arkansas in a 'Game of the Century' on Dec. 7, 1969, in Fayetteville, and it lived up to the hype. The schools agreed to move their game back to have a larger national platform, and the Hogs took a 14-0 lead into the fourth quarter. Texas rallied for 15 points and clinched the SWC title with an interception at its 21 with 1:13 left. President Richard Nixon attended the game and declared Texas the national champion.
What to know: Once the primary rivalry in the East and a Thanksgiving weekend staple, Pitt-Penn State conjures nostalgia of a bygone era. If a rivalry ranking took place in the mid-1980s, this easily would have made the top 10. But with infrequency and the programs' uneven status, no other great rivalry has fallen more over the last 40 years than this one.
Biggest game: On Black Friday in 1982, a year after Penn State spoiled No. 1 Pitt's '81 title hopes with a 48-14 thumping, the winner between No. 2 Penn State and No. 5 Pitt would meet top-ranked Georgia in the Sugar Bowl. Behind Dan Marino, the Panthers led 7-3 until the third quarter when the Nittany Lions moved ahead on a touchdown pass and stretched it with multiple field goals to win 19-10. Penn State went on to beat Georgia to claim its first national title. Pitt instead went to the Cotton Bowl and finished No. 10.
What to know: Tennessee and Florida barely resonated for either fan base until they were forced to play one another every year in the SEC East. Once they did, the series sizzled and became the SEC's most competitive rivalry in the 1990s. It doesn't measure up when compared alongside these teams' historical feuds, but it's on the map.
Biggest game: After five straight top-15 losses to the Gators, No. 6 Tennessee hosted No. 2 Florida in 1998. The Vols picked up a 20-17 OT win when Florida's game-tying attempt said wide left. The win propelled Tennessee to the first BCS championship.
What to know: Baylor and TCU have asserted themselves as factors in the Big 12 over the past decade-plus and elevated their now-annual series. They both are well-positioned to contend for league championships and their rivalry has steadily moved up in importance since TCU joined the Big 12 in 2012.
Biggest game: Few regular-season games this century can match the entertainment and ramifications of TCU-Baylor in 2014. No. 9 TCU led 58-37 inside of 11 minutes to play before No. 5 Baylor scored TDs on three straight possessions to tie the score. The Bears then won with a field goal as time expired. The teams tied for the Big 12 title, and without a championship rematch, Ohio State passed both for the final spot in the first CFP.
What to know: Tied for the fourth most-played rivalry in Big Ten history, few Midwestern series boast more vitriolic moments than Iowa-Minnesota. Although it doesn't often determine championships, they play for one of the nation's most recognizable trophies.
Biggest game: In 1960, No. 1 Iowa traveled to No. 3 Minnesota (ranked second by coaches) for the highest-ranked matchup in Big Ten annals to that point. It also marked the first top-10 battle between Black starting quarterbacks (Sandy Stephens for Minnesota, Wilburn Hollis for Iowa). A litany of Iowa second-half mistakes led to the Gophers' 27-10 win, which enabled Minnesota to claim its most recent national title. Despite the loss, Iowa also earned national title distinction.
What to know: The programs have uneven histories, but when Colorado became a national title contender in the late 1980s, this series took off as the pivotal Big Eight/Big 12 game. They've played only four nonconference games since splitting into different leagues in 2011, but a healthy disdain remains between fans.
Biggest game: Several of the teams' most important games were blowouts, but the first time this became a rivalry was in 1989. Two long punt returns that led to scores helped No. 2 Colorado edge No. 3 Nebraska 27-21 in Boulder. It's an infamous result in Nebraska, where it's known more for a phantom pass interference call negating an interception and a non-clipping call on a punt return.
What to know: A lack of ranked matchups keeps the Cy-Hawk from climbing into the top 25, which is where the fan passion lies. Known as the state's Super Bowl, up to 30,000 extra fans gather at the host site simply to tailgate before and during games. In a state without pro sports, nothing generates more conversation year-round than the Cy-Hawk result.
Biggest game: The 2021 matchup featured ESPN's "College GameDay" at Jack Trice Stadium and marked the only time the rivals met as ranked opponents. In a top-10 showdown, No. 10 Iowa's stifling defense intercepted three passes and returned a fumble for a TD to beat No. 9 Iowa State 27-17.
What to know: This series has survived conference shakeups to endure as a Thanksgiving weekend staple. Georgia Tech was the better program until the 1970s, but Georgia has owned the series since then and carries a much higher profile.
Biggest game: For only the second time, Georgia-Georgia Tech kicked off on Black Friday in 2024, and the rivals put on an unforgettable show. The Yellowjackets led by two TDs late, but Georgia rallied to force OT. The teams battled for eight OTs before Georgia converted the final 2-pointer to win 44-42.
What to know: These teams represent vastly different parts of the state, and that culture clash adds a little spice to the Apple Cup. Unfortunately, what made this a special series has the potential to wane over time with the Huskies now in the Big Ten.
Biggest game: When the Apple Cup kicked off in 1981, Wazzu had its eyes set on the Rose Bowl for the first time in 51 years. Washington sought to make its third trip in five years. In a winner-take-all showdown, the teams were tied 10-10 in the third quarter before an avalanche of six turnovers buried Wazzu, and the Huskies headed to Pasadena thanks to a 23-10 victory.
What to know: Known as 'The Big Game,' Stanford-Cal in some ways feels like the FBS version of Harvard-Yale. It rarely strays into national relevance with only one ranked matchup over the past 73 years, but "The Play" elevates it in the public consciousness.
Biggest game: Behind John Elway's final drive heroics, Stanford took a one-point lead with 4 seconds left that seemingly was going to send the Cardinal to the 1982 Hall of Fame Bowl. But on the ensuing kickoff, Cal lateraled the ball five times, with Kevin Moen collecting it first and receiving it last. Moen burst through the Stanford band gathered near the end zone and crossed the goal line for perhaps college football's most incredible ending in a 25-20 Cal victory.
What to know: With the relatively new moniker of 'Holy War,' Utah and BYU has long endured as the signature rivalry in the Rocky Mountains. Only 40 miles separate the campuses and their mutual upward trajectory has elevated it into a major power-conference series. Its profile has grown over the past two decades and it could become even more impactful with both in the Big 12.
Biggest game: There were plenty of impactful games between the rivals, but their most recent battle in 2024 was a classic. BYU entered the first Holy War since 2021 unbeaten but trailing 21-10 at halftime. The Utes led by two points when BYU started its final drive inside of two minutes. The Cougars converted on fourth down because of a controversial defensive holding call and hit a field goal with 4 seconds left to win 22-21.
What to know: No offense to the Apple Cup, but this is the best former Pac-12 rivalry in which the programs no longer share a conference. Several games the past two decades decided league and divisional titles. With only 40 miles separating the campuses, this rivalry has a chance to maintain its intensity even with Oregon moving on to the Big Ten.
Biggest game: A year removed from similar stakes, a Rose Bowl bid and the Pac-10 title were at stake when the Ducks and Beavers clashed on a Thursday night in December 2009. The teams exchanged leads six times entering the fourth quarter, then Oregon kept the ball for the final 6:09 to preserve a 37-33 win.
What to know: 'The Backyard Brawl' regularly boasts close competition and has a heavy dose of upsets. A top-10 team has been beaten four times in this series. Its impact nationally is limited but it's a throwback rivalry that could move up if it becomes an annual series.
Biggest game: A BCS title game berth was at stake when No. 2 West Virginia hosted Pitt in 2007. The Mountaineers averaged 41.6 points per game, while the Panthers had a losing record and were 28.5-point underdogs. Behind LeSean McCoy's 148 rushing yards, Pitt pulled off one of the most stunning upsets of the decade in a 13-9 win and knocked WVU out of the BCS race.
What to know: With Oklahoma State's rise this century, 'Bedlam' became one of the most entertaining games every season. And with several competitive games, the win disparity is surprising. Now a dormant series, it's likely Bedlam's importance will wane outside of Oklahoma.
Biggest game: No. 2 Oklahoma and No. 3 Oklahoma State met in the 1984 season finale with national title hopes and an Orange Bowl bid at stake. Although the Sooners dominated the statistics, the Cowboys held tough until a fumbled fair catch led to the Sooners' game-clinching score in a 24-14 win. Oklahoma ended the year ranked No. 6 and Oklahoma State finished No. 7. It's one of two times both teams finished in the AP top 10, along with 2021.
What to know: The Palmetto Bowl ranks among the more vicious in-state rivalries. The teams were ACC charter members in 1953 and competed there until South Carolina left in 1971. The nonconference nature makes the stakes local, although they've had several impactful games over the past 15 years.
Biggest game: In 2013, the rivals met for the only time as top-10 opponents and they entered the fourth quarter tied. No. 10 South Carolina went ahead 24-17, then No. 6 Clemson imploded with turnovers on four consecutive possessions. The Gamecocks took advantage of one mistake for the game-clinching score in a 31-17 win. South Carolina finished No. 4 while Clemson was ranked No. 8.
What to know: Every in-state rivalry has a distinguishing characteristic, and this one is no exception. The history, longevity and the willingness to move the game to Jackson for nearly two decades to accommodate more fans makes it a true people's rivalry. It may be the best current rivalry without regular championship implications.
Biggest game: In 2014, No. 4 Mississippi State eyed an at-large berth in the inaugural College Football Playoff entering the season finale against Ole Miss. But the No. 18 Rebels relished playing spoiler with quarterback Bo Wallace outdueling counterpart Dak Prescott in a 31-17 Ole Miss win. Both teams qualified for New Year's Six bowls with the Bulldogs in the Orange and Rebels in the Peach.
What to know: In perhaps the most overlooked great rivalry, these Upper Midwest programs combined for seven division titles and nine 10-win seasons over the Big Ten West's 10-year existence. They are built with the same tenets of physicality and power, which make for some of college football's hardest-hitting games.
Biggest game: In 2010, top-15 teams collided in Iowa City with 30 draft picks (15 on each side) and battled through eight lead changes. A fake punt, a twisting TD by Wisconsin's Montee Ball and a blocked PAT from J.J. Watt led to a 31-30 Badgers win. The victory propelled Wisconsin to a share of the Big Ten title.
What to know: These border foes have engaged in a different type of rivalry with one another than with their in-state foes, and this one has especially gained prominence the last 15 years. This Pacific Northwest series has the highest growth trajectory of any current rivalry.
Biggest game: With the final Pac-12 championship serving as the backdrop, No. 3 Washington and No. 5 Oregon played a rematch that goes down as a legacy-defining game. Behind All-American QB Michael Penix, Washington led 20-3, before Bo Nix and Oregon took the lead with three TDs. The Huskies rallied with 10 points, then ran out the clock for a 34-31 win and CFP berth.
What to know: U.S. presidents have coached in and attended 'The Game,' and some of the nation's most impactful leaders have donned Harvard jerseys and Yale helmets. Harvard-Yale doesn't determine a national champion, but its legacy is so tethered to college football history that to extract it would be to remove the entire sport from its existence.
Biggest game: In 1968, Yale entered 'The Game' on a 16-game winning streak and both teams were 8-0. The Bulldogs led Harvard 29-13 midway through the fourth quarter before the Crimson cut its deficit to eight points with a TD and 2-pointer with 42 seconds left. Harvard recovered the onside kick and scored a TD and a 2-pointer with no time left for the tie. The headline in The Crimson student paper said it all: 'Harvard beats Yale 29-29.'
What to know: Other rivalries are more prominent but perhaps only Michigan-Ohio State features the same level of contempt for the other side among interstate series. It was long known as the Border War, in part because of the guerilla war that raged on both sides of the Missouri River from 1854-65. The sides tried to soften it by calling it the Border Showdown, but only school officials use that term.
Biggest game: There was never a bigger Border War than in 2007 when No. 2 Kansas faced No. 3 Missouri at Arrowhead Stadium. It was the first time they met as ranked opponents since 1973 and a Big 12 North Division title was at stake. The Tigers scored three early touchdowns and held off Kansas' furious second-half rally to win 36-28 and vault to No. 1 in the next poll before a Big 12 title loss to Oklahoma knocked it ouf of the national championship chase.
What to know: This has almost every element of a tier-one rivalry. It has mutual dislike, history, geography and prominence. They are the two winningest programs in college football history with a combined 23 national titles (12 Michigan, 11 Notre Dame) with the two most iconic fight songs. If it ever returned to annual status, it's easily a top-10 rivalry. But the infrequency knocks it down a few spots.
Biggest game: Defending national champion and top-ranked Notre Dame traveled to No. 2 Michigan in September 1989 for the Wolverines' opener. Irish speedster Raghib Ismail returned the second-half kickoff for a 92-yard TD, then brought back another 88 yards for a score to lead Notre Dame to a 24-19 win.
What to know: Each team has another rival that brings out a bit more passion, but the history, proximity (175 miles) and competitiveness make this an annual marquee matchup in both the SEC and nationally.
Biggest game: The first of two improbable victories for No. 7 Auburn in 2013 took place at home against No. 25 Georgia. With the Bulldogs leading 38-37, the Tigers faced fourth-and-18 with 36 seconds left. Nick Marshall launched a pass down the middle that was tipped into Ricardo Louis' hands for a 73-yard TD and a 43-38 win. It's known as 'The Prayer at Jordan-Hare.'
What to know: Every in-state rivalry has passion and intensity, but this one often boils over the top. It's probably the most vicious in-state rivalry with pregame and postgame altercations between players, some of which have led to player arrests. It's also a competitive series involving two of the Big Ten's better programs, which is why it outranks most in-state rivalries.
Biggest game: About a dozen games could qualify but none rates as high as their 2015 encounter. No. 12 Michigan led No. 7 Michigan State 23-21 with 10 seconds left. A bobbled snap on a punt led to a mid-air scoop by Michigan State's Jalen Watts-Jackson, who returned the fumble for a touchdown with no time remaining. The victory led the Spartans to the Big Ten title and a Playoff berth.
What to know: When it comes to pure passion, few can match this one. But the win-loss column is fairly uneven and there aren't nearly as many ranked matchups as other rivalries. Its fierce competition, however, keeps it as a top-15 rivalry.
Biggest game: It was only fitting that No. 6 Texas and No. 16 Texas A&M met with the final Southwest Conference title at stake in 1995. Behind Ricky Williams' 164 rushing yards and a defense forcing six turnovers, the Longhorns won 16-6 at Kyle Field to clinch their 19th outright SWC championship.
What to know: The battle of Los Angeles sometimes gets overlooked on rivalry weekend, but it not only harbors the same intensity of other key rivalries, it also brings out the stars.
Biggest game: No. 1 UCLA faced No. 4 USC with the Rose Bowl on the line in 1967, and two players made strong cases for the Heisman. UCLA QB Gary Beban, who won the award, threw for 301 yards and led the Bruins to a six-point advantage in the fourth quarter. Three snaps later, 1968 Heisman winner O.J. Simpson took a handoff and raced 64 yards for a TD in a 21-20 Trojans win.
What to know: These teams may not share a border or play for a trophy, but Alabama-LSU is as important and competitive as any SEC rivalry. When the Crimson Tide and Tigers competed in the SEC West, they earned a combined 22 trips to the SEC title game. All the series lacks is a clever nickname.
Biggest game: In 2011, No. 1 LSU beat No. 2 Alabama 9-6 in overtime to claim their regular season matchup. They faced off again with the same rankings two months later for the BCS national title in New Orleans. Like the first matchup, in which nobody scored a touchdown, it was all field goals for the first three quarters. With 4:36 left in the game, Alabama running back Trent Richardson finally punched one over the goal line in a 21-0 win for the national title.
What to know: Each team has important in-state rivalries, but this ranks No. 1 for both programs and their fans. They've yet to have a top-five matchup, but the outcomes often lead directly to an SEC championship participant.
Biggest game: No. 2 Georgia's hopes of an unbeaten season appeared dashed approaching the final minute of its 1980 clash with the No. 20 Gators. Down 21-20 and facing third-and-11 at the 7-yard line, Bulldogs QB Buck Belue rolled right and threw across his body to Lindsay Scott at the 25-yard line. With Georgia announcer Larry Munson shouting, 'Run Lindsay!' the receiver outraced the defense for a 93-yard TD and a 26-21 victory. The Bulldogs later won the national title.
What to know: For more than a century, Alabama-Tennessee has been the SEC's signature border-state clash. The Crimson Tide and Vols rank first and third in SEC winning percentage and conference titles, respectively. Tennessee's program woes during Alabama's unprecedented run under Nick Saban knocks this back a few notches, but it's still a quintessential SEC rivalry.
Biggest game: The rivals entered their 2022 matchup unbeaten for the first time since 1989. The No. 6 Vols built a 28-10 lead, then No. 3 Alabama stormed back and took a 49-42 lead midway through the fourth quarter. Tennessee tied the score on Jalin Hyatt's fifth touchdown catch. After getting the ball back with 15 seconds left, the Vols picked up a pair of chunk plays, then kicked a 40-yard field goal as time expired for a 52-49 victory.
What to know: Perhaps no other border feud contains the ecstasy of victory and misery in defeat like Minnesota-Wisconsin. They are codependent Big Ten rivals in every sense of the word. While the Badgers have been more successful the last three decades, the result of this game impacts how every season is remembered for both teams.
Biggest game: In the 1962 season finale, No. 3 Wisconsin hosted No. 5 Minnesota with the Big Ten title at stake. With a 9-7 lead, the Gophers intercepted a pass with two minutes left and appeared ready to close out the game. But a roughing the quarterback penalty followed by a personal foul on Minnesota coach Murray Warmath gave the ball back to the Badgers, who scored the winning touchdown a few plays later. Gophers fans chased down the officials and fought with Badgers players on the field after the game.
What to know: What was a nice in-state nonconference series turned into one of national consequence during the 1990s. With coaching legends Steve Spurrier and Bobby Bowden on opposite sides, Florida-Florida State set the table for many postseasons. Its annual importance may have diminished, but it's still the most prominent SEC-ACC Thanksgiving weekend feud.
Biggest game: In the 1996 regular-season finale, No. 2 Florida State edged No. 1 Florida 24-21 and the quarterback hits rankled Spurrier. After Florida won the SEC title game, the Bowl Alliance lined up the No. 1 Seminoles and No. 3 Gators for the fifth time over a three-year span, again in the Sugar Bowl. Florida led by four points in the third quarter, then scored four second-half touchdowns in a 52-20 win. The Gators won the national title while Florida State fell to No. 3.
What to know: From the moment Penn State joined the Big Ten in 1993, this competition has vaulted into the league's No. 2 annual game. Although the Nittany Lions revel in their 'Unrivaled' moniker, this series is the epitome of a rivalry. It features two border-state programs that see themselves as national title contenders, which creates organic friction.
Biggest game: In a 2017 showdown in Columbus that decided the Big Ten East title, No. 2 Penn State and RB Saquon Barkley led No. 6 Ohio State 35-20 with under 11 minutes left. In the fourth quarter, Buckeyes QB J.T. Barrett completed all 13 passes for 170 yards and three TDs in a shocking 39-38 comeback.
What to know: FSU-Miami became college football's must-see event just as TV networks were allowed to show games without restriction in the 1980s. The series dripped with talent and it set the tempo for an entire generation of college football fans. It has somewhat flat-lined over the past two decades, however. They were expected to dominate the ACC when Miami joined in 2004 but have not yet met for the league championship. Still, it remains one of the most competitive rivalries in college football history.
Biggest game: In a 1991 clash of unbeatens, No. 1 Florida State and No. 2 Miami had winning streaks of 16 and 14 games, respectively, and the winner had the inside track on a national title. The Seminoles led by nine in the fourth quarter before the Hurricanes' comeback gave them a 17-16 lead. In what has been called 'Wide Right I' as the first in a string of dramatic games that came down to kicking problems, Florida State missed a 34-yard field goal with 25 seconds left to hand the game — and ultimately the national title — to Miami.
What to know: This was the preeminent rivalry of the Great Plains throughout the 20th century. There was a healthy respect among the programs and fan bases, but the games were spirited and hard-nosed. In conference realignment, Oklahoma-Nebraska became the first major casualty when they split into opposite Big 12 divisions. Then, the Huskers moved to the Big Ten, and the teams have played just twice since the 2010 Big 12 title game.
Biggest game: The rivals met twice in No. 1 vs. No. 2 battles, and the first was labeled a 'Game of the Century.' Of all the games tagged with that moniker, the 1971 matchup in Norman might deserve it the most. No. 1 Nebraska led the nation in total defense, while No. 2 Oklahoma paced the country in total offense. Twice the Huskers built 11-point leads only to have the Sooners rally to retake the lead. Late in the fourth quarter, Nebraska RB Jeff Kinney burst in for his fourth TD of the day to claim a 35-31 Thanksgiving win en route to the national title.
What to know: USC-Notre Dame might seem like an unnatural rivalry, but that's the biggest reason why it's listed in the top five. It's a cross-country trip with no conference allegiance, yet these renowned programs have battled almost yearly for a century.
Biggest game: In 2005, top-ranked USC had won 27 straight games, including the last two national titles, and had beaten No. 9 Notre Dame three consecutive years by 31 points. With hype matching 'Game of the Century' environments, the Irish wore green jerseys and led 31-28 inside of two minutes. With seven seconds left and no timeouts, USC QB Matt Leinart attempted a sneak from the Notre Dame 1-yard line and was stood up short of the goal line. Then, star RB Reggie Bush shoved Leinart from behind and into the end zone for a 34-31 win on a play known as 'The Bush Push.'
What to know: There's no sporting event more American than Army-Navy football. Presidents and dignitaries regularly take in the festivities, as do the Cadets in gray and Midshipmen in their dress blue when they 'March On' the field. The end-of-game alma maters to 'Honor the Fallen' instantly provide goosebumps to millions watching on television. And for the participants, nothing compares to singing the alma mater second.
Biggest game: Three months after World War II ended, No. 1 Army and No. 2 Navy battled in 1945 before 102,000 at Philadelphia's Municipal Stadium. President Harry Truman spent the first half on the Army side and the second with Navy. The game itself was not close. Army took this battle and the national crown from the outset, 32-13, behind Heisman Trophy winner Doc 'Mr. Inside' Blanchard's three TDs. Glenn 'Mr. Outside' Davis' two scores helped propel him to the 1946 Heisman.
What to know: With two of the nation's winningest programs, the Oklahoma- Texas result regularly impacts the national title hunt and, for the last three decades, conference titles. They've had 10 top-five collisions (Oklahoma leads 5-4-1) in five different decades, and the No. 1 team has played 13 times in this series. 'The Red River Rivalry' is a legacy-defining game and often produces unpredictable outcomes.
Biggest game: Of their 10 top-five matchups, the 1975 clash at the Cotton Bowl had the biggest national title impact. Texas rallied from a 10-point deficit to tie the score in the fourth quarter, before Oklahoma FB Horace Ivory burst up the middle for a 33-yard TD with 5:31 left to win 24-17. The Sooners finished 11-1 and claimed the AP national championship. Texas finished 10-2 and sixth in the final poll.
What to know: Every traditional in-state rivalry is filled with emotion. Then there is Auburn-Alabama. No college sports rivalry consumes an entire state like this one. The Iron Bowl permeates nearly every aspect of life in Alabama, and its national impact regularly exceeds its hyper-local importance. That's why it's greater than every rivalry save for one.
Biggest game: With a spot in the SEC championship at stake in 2013, No. 1 Alabama traveled to No. 4 Auburn. With the score tied at 28-28, Alabama kicker Adam Griffith attempted a 57-yard field goal on the game's final snap. It was short and Auburn's Chris Davis caught it in the end zone. Davis darted up the middle, then bent to the left. He raced up the sideline for the game-winning touchdown in a 34-28 win. Perhaps the greatest play in college football history, it's forever known as the 'Kick Six.'
What to know: Arguably, Michigan-Ohio State football is the greatest rivalry in American sports. It unquestionably holds that status in college athletics. Their co-dependence deepens the intensity, both in victory and in defeat. There's history from the territorial conflict over Toledo in 1835-36 that led to Ohioans referring to Michiganders as 'Wolverines.' There's proximity, prominence, moments, stakes, frequency and longevity. There is nothing like it.
Biggest game: In the second No. 1 vs. No. 2 battle in Big Ten history, top-ranked Ohio State hosted fellow unbeaten Michigan in the 2006 regular-season finale, and 'The Game' exceeded the massive hype. Great players traded blows all game, led by Ohio State's Heisman-winning QB Troy Smith and Michigan RB Mike Hart. A controversial late hit on third down kept a pivotal Buckeyes' drive alive, and the Buckeyes held on for a 42-39 legacy-defining win.
(Illustration: Will Tullos / The Athletic; photos: James Black, Rich Von Biberstein, Barry Chin, Richard W. Rodriguez, Brandon Sumrall, Damien Strohmeyer / Getty Images)