The Game and The Iron Bowl. The Apple Cup and The Territorial Cup. And everything in between.
These are the games that make college football, the fierce rivalries that last three hours and consume 365 days. Games that save jobs and cost jobs, that breed heroes and expose goats.
These are the top 10 rivalries in college football:
1. Alabama vs. Auburn
Series record: Alabama, 42-35-1
Last 10: 6-4, Auburn
Fighting words: Far and away, the most bitter, hate-filled rivalry in the game, and probably in all of sports. No professional teams in the state, and everyone — like it or not — chooses a side when they first comprehend it all. And never, ever, do you waver. Been that way forever, not just recently when the shine of the spotlight has turned the game into a corporate event.
2. Army vs. Navy
Series record: Navy, 58-49-7
Last 10: 10-0, Navy
Fighting words: A bucket list moment. The parade of servicemen and women heading into the stadium prior to kick, and the beautiful game of football (at its purest) playing out on the field. There’s nothing quite like each team standing at attention for each other’s alma mater after the game. Navy has won 12 straight in the series.
3. Ohio State vs. Michigan
Series record: Michigan, 58-46-6
Last 10: 9-1, Ohio State
Fighting words: Bo and Woody, the Ten Year War and all of those All-Americans and memorable games from all those years. The closest thing you can get to Alabama-Auburn, with similar burning intensity from each side. The only difference: Michigan and Ohio State fans can agree to root for the rest of the Big Ten away from the game. Alabama and Auburn agree on nothing — and hate everyone.
4. Notre Dame vs. USC
Series record: Notre Dame, 45-34-5
Last 10: USC, 7-3
Fighting words: The one true rival for Notre Dame, which counts many others as “rivals” despite the lack of true hate. This one hits at the core: two private universities with strong traditions on the field and in the classroom. The glitz and glam of Los Angeles vs. the everyday grind of the Midwest. And, of course, two of the most successful programs in the history of the sport.
5. Texas vs. Oklahoma
Series record: Texas, 60-44-5
Last 10: 5-5
Fighting words: The game and the spectacle that is the Texas State Fair create an uncommon aura of fried food and fried nerves. The neutral site has driven the boiling passion for decades, as have the star players and championship teams — and championships that have died because of losses in the Red River Rivalry. Sooners coach Bob Stoops is 10-6 all-time vs. the Longhorns, including big victories in which his team has scored 63, 65, 55 and 63 points. Those days with defensive whiz Charlie Strong now at Texas, likely are over.
6. Florida vs. Florida State
Series record: 34-22-2
Last 10: Florida, 7-3
Fighting words: In the 1990s, there was no bigger — or more heated — rivalry in the game. Then Florida cycled up and FSU cycled down and we were left with false bravado in the early 2000s. Now that the tables have turned again, it’s Florida desperately trying to get it back. Maybe winning in Tallahassee next week and spoiling FSU’s chance to repeat as national champions gets this tinderbox ignited again.
7. Florida vs. Georgia
Series record: Georgia 49-41-2
Last 10: Florida, 6-4
Fighting words: These two can’t even agree on the series record (we’re going with 49-41-2). They get to Jacksonville early in the week and tailgate for days before the game begins at 3:30 p.m. ET every year. That gives the World’s Largest Outdoor Cocktail Party about a week to gas up for the game that more times than not will decide the SEC East Division champion.
8. Stanford vs. Cal
Series record: Stanford, 54-43-10
Last 10: Stanford, 5-5
Fighting words: The Band Is On The Field! One of the all-time iconic moments in college football history defines this series. For decades it hasn’t meant anything in the grand scheme of the national championship race, but that doesn’t make the passion and hate any less.
9. South Carolina vs. Clemson
Series record: Clemson, 65-42-4
Last 10: South Carolina, 6-4
Fighting words: More than 100 years of hate that got so bad in 2004, the teams ended the game with an all-out, fist-throwing, helmet-swinging, head-stomping (seriously) fight after Clemson’s 29-7 home win. The problem now for the Tigers: Steve Spurrier owns border rivalry games. He did it to Georgia while at Florida, and he’s doing it to Clemson now (five straight, six of nine).
10. Oregon vs. Oregon State
Series record: Oregon, 61-46-10
Last 10: Oregon, 7-3
Fighting words: In the state of Oregon, the Civil War may as well be the Iron Bowl. Less than 50 miles separate the universities on Interstate 5, and there are stark differences between the two from the campuses to the student bodies to the way they play on the field. The only similarities: Nike cash has helped both elevate their national profiles.