Rivalries are arguably the main reason College Football has more passionate fanbases than the NFL. The whole season feels like a long build to rivalry week, in which teams and fans get to find out if it will be them, or their rivals, going home with the rivalry game trophy to flaunt on campus.

But, who has the best rivalries? While many fans will argue their rivalry is the best, most hate-fueled, and most passionate, we tried to take an unbiased look at the 10 Best Rivalries in College Football based on how competitive and hate fueled they are, as well as the history they have.

10. The Backyard Brawl – Pitt vs WVU

The Pitt-WVU Rivalry Game known as the “Backyard Brawl”

Pitt-WVU is such an old rivalry that, when it was first played, Pitt was named “Western University of Pittsburgh”. The rivalry is a no-brainer given there’s only an hour and fifteen minute drive between the two football intensive schools. That being said, conference realignment messed with the rivalry for a while – it wasn’t played between 2011 and 2022 with Pitt in the ACC and WVU in the Big 12 (following the implosion of the Big East football conference), but it’s been played in 2022 and 2023 and is set for 2024. Pitt leads WVU 62-3-41 through 2023.

9. The Palmetto Bowl – Clemson vs South Carolina

Clemson-South Carolina is arguably the most hate-fueled rivalry in College Football

The Palmetto Bowl has a long history, first played in 1896. But this rivalry is more know for its hate than its history – in fact, this is perhaps one of the only rivalries where blood was shed in “warfare”. IN the 1902 matchup, after the Gamecocks paraded a banner celebrating their 12-6 win over Clemson, fights broke out that culminated in Clemson Cadets arming themselves with rifles and marching on South Carolina’s campus, complete with a barricade. The “battle” was broken up before any casualties, but can you name a single other rivalry where that occurred? Clemson leads South Carolina 72-4-43 through 2023.

8. The Revivalry – Baylor vs TCU

Baylor-TCU is called the “Revivalry” due to the Christian identity of both schools

When it comes to rivalries, we all know proximity breeds hatred. Well, few schools are closer on our list than Baylor and TCU, separated only by the only hour and 15 minute drive between Fort Worth and Waco. In fact, both schools were actually located in Waco for a short period of time starting in 1895. Both schools being Christian also intensifies the competition between them (for students and otherwise), never mind the fact that Baylor is closely tied to the Baptist branch while TCU isn’t. This rivalry was also further intensified when, following the dissolution of the Southwest conference, Baylor was a founding member of the Big 12 and TCU was left out. TCU leads Baylor 58-7-53 through 2023.

7. Bedlam – Oklahoma vs Oklahoma State

Oklahoma-Oklahoma St. is fittingly called Bedlam, which means loud chaos

Two major football schools in the same state is always fuel for a good rivalry. Bedlam has been played many, many times under the dark night skies of Stillwater and in the deafening Gaylord Family Memorial Stadium. Sadly, these two teams won’t be in the same conference when OU moves to the SEC, but here’s to hoping they find a way to keep it going – it’s arguably the most chaotic rivalry in college football, after all. Oklahoma dominates this rivalry, leading 91-7-19 through 2023.

6. World’s Largest Outdoor Cocktail Party – Florida vs Georgia

One visit to the Jacksonville Tailgate lot will tell you why UF-UGA is the “WLOCP”

How can you not be excited about a rivalry called the World’s Largest Outdoor Cocktail Party? If you’re lucky enough to go to Jacksonville to see it in person, you’ll find out how it got that name. The tailgate lots for this rivalry are the gold standard for College Football, and great tailgates make rowdy crowds! Add in the long history between these schools and the number of spoiler games that have occurred on both sides, and you’ve got yourself a Top 10 Rivalry. Georgia leads Florida 54-2-44 through 2023.

5. The Game – Harvard vs Yale

Harvard-Yale is the second oldest CFB rivalry, and second most played

It has to be a real amazing rivalry for an FCS game to make our Top 10. Harvard-Yale (known as “The Game” but not to be confused with Michigan-Ohio State) is most certainly that game. It is the second oldest rivalry in college football (behind only Yale-Princeton) and the third most played (behind Yale-Princeton and Lehigh-Lafayette). Between Historic Stadiums (the Yale Bowl and Harvard Stadium) and two of the nation’s most elite schools, this is the most “Classic” rivalry in college football – we’re lucky it’s still going on today! Yale leads Harvard 68-8-61 through 2023.

4. The Iron Bowl – Alabama vs Auburn

The legendary “Kick 6” happened in the 2013 Iron Bowl

If you’re reading this article, chances are you know about the Kick 6 – if not, go watch it on YouTube right now and witness one of the most legendary moments in college football history. But, the Iron Bowl is much more than that single play. Given Alabama and Auburn’s histories as very dominant teams in the sport, and perhaps even more so due to Auburn’s ability to play spoiler in any given year, the Iron Bowl is almost always peak College Football and must watch TV. Students did not take up arms like in Clemson-South Carolina, but Auburn did have its famous Toomer Oaks poisoned, showing the deep hate prevalent in this rivalry. Alabama leads Auburn 49-1-37 through 2023.

3. Red River Shootout – Oklahoma vs Texas

While Texas-OU has rebranded to “Showdown”, it will always be “Shoutout” to us

Much like Alabama and Auburn have intense rivalry gamed due to their frequent position at the top of the conference, the Red River Shootout between Texas and OU often has championship implications (both for their conference and the national championship game). Perhaps the most important aspect of this rivalry is its setting – played at the Texas State Fair, this game has a rowdy and fun-filled backdrop to complement the gritty on field match. Thankfully, this rivalry will continue to be played as both teams are moving to the SEC. Texas leads Oklahoma 63-5-51 through 2023.

2. Army-Navy Game

The Army Navy game is played in different neutral site locations each year

College Football is the most American sport there is, and it doesn’t get any more American than Army-Navy. There’s just something special (and unique to College Football) about two service academies matching up on the field in what is often a very smashmouth, low-scoring game of strategy and brutality, hearkening to the military institutions themselves. This game includes the amazing tradition of “March ON”, where the Brigade and Corps of Cadets both take the field. Perhaps the best part of this rivalry is the underlying understanding that both sides of the competition are going on to serve our country. Plus, this rivalry has some of the best uniforms in the sport. Navy leads Army 62-7-54 through 2023.

1. The Game – Michigan vs Ohio State

There’s a reason Ohio State-Michigan is simply called “The Game”

It shouldn’t be surprising that Michigan-Ohio State is number one on our list. It’s not the oldest played, but it’s certainly the most prominent, and there’s never a year where the game doesn’t matter. It truly deserves the title of “The Game” given it’s intensity and significance. This rivalry takes over the entire country but is hyper focused on the Michigan – Ohio border given the proximity of these schools. This game is likely the best one on this list in any given year. It’s much more competitive than some younger fans may expect – Michigan leads the series 60-6-51 as of 2023.

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