Rivalry Week takes place during each Week 14 of the college football season.
During Rivalry Week, the best and most historic college football rivalries take place, with many teams/players looking forward to the week from the beginning of the season. Though Week 14 is the annual Rivalry Week matchups, some of the best college football rivalries happen before/after the traditional week.
Some rivalries are so iconic/historic that they have nicknames for when the two team’s meet (The Game, Red River Rivalry, America’s Game, etc.)
Let’s take a look at the best college football rivalries of all-time.
Top 10 Rivalries In College Football
#10 – Miami-Florida State
One of the best in-state rivalries is between Miami and Florida State. With both teams being in the ACC it ramps the meetings up with no team having a clear advantage. Despite just 70 all-time meetings, Miami leads the head-to-head rivalry 37 to 33.
#9 – BYU-Utah
BYU and Utah are the biggest colleges in the state of Utah. They hold a rivalry dubbed the, “Holy War,” due to the teams’ ties to the Church of Latter-Day Saints. The Utes have dominated the Cougars in recent years, but the inner-state battle is something Utahns look forward to.
#8 – Alabama-Tennessee
Alabama and Tennessee play in an annual Third Saturday in October game. For awhile, it looked as if the rivalry lost steam with Alabama winning 15 contests in a row. The Vols have restored the rivalry, winning two of the last three meetings including an upset in 2022.
#7 – Florida-Georgia
One of the SEC’s most intense rivalries is Florida-Georgia. What was once known as, “The World’s Largest Outdoor Cocktail Party,” the Gators-Bulldogs rivalry has produced some of the best tailgates, atmospheres, and games in college football history. However, the rivalry has been one-sided in recent years with Georgia winning eight of the last nine games.
#6 – USC-Notre Dame
These two rich programs met in 1926 and face one another annually. USC and Notre Dame are two of the best programs in college football history, combining for 15 Heisman winners and 24 national championship titles. Notre Dame leads all-time 51-37-5.
#5 – Army-Navy (America’s Game)
One of the most iconic matchups due to its tradition, is the annual end of the season Army-Navy game. These two teams first met in 1890 and meet for the ceremonial final regular season game of the college football season. The service members sport their uniforms which makes for one of the best crowds at a college football game. Navy leads 63-55-7.
#4 – Alabama-LSU
Alabama and LSU have combined to win nine national championships this century. Known as “The Saban Bowl,” LSU and Alabama have combined for eight ranked matchups since the 2015 season. The two programs have produced some of the best football talent in history despite the rivalry being one-sided in favor Alabama.
#3 – Texas-Oklahoma (Red River Rivalry)
Texas and Oklahoma have a unique twist to their rivalry. Since 1932, the game has been played at a neutral site at the Cotton Bowl in Dallas, Texas. They don’t play during Rivalry Week, but instead play during the week of the state fair in Texas in early October. One side of the stadium is crimson while the other side is orange. Texas leads the all-time series 62-50-5.
#2 – Alabama-Auburn (The Iron Bowl)
Alabama and Auburn is another heated in-state rivalry known as, “The Iron Bowl.” The Iron Bowl games have produced many classics of its own with signature plays/names of games such as “Milroe Miracle,” Punt Bama Punt,” and “Kick-Six.”
From 2009-2013, the two teams combined to win four national championships. Alabama has won the last five and last eight of 10 matchups in the rivalry.
#1 – Ohio State-Michigan (The Game)
These two teams first met in 1897 and its rivalry has grown into an annual meeting dubbed, “The Game.” The two border state teams hate one another and deserve the top spot due to its longevity, history, and iconic moments.
Michigan leads the all-time series 62-51-6, and has won the last four matchups.
