Believe it or not, rivalries in college football stretch back as far as the 19th century. For over a century, colleges and universities have nurtured competitions that are still hot today, pulling in massive crowds who perform all kinds of traditions, rituals, and more to watch their team get the upper hand.
Below, we rank the top 10 oldest rivalries in NCAA Division I, based on their historical significance, memorable moments, and iconic trophies.
10 Oldest Rivalries in College Football History
According to NCAA.com, most of the oldest rivalries are between Ivy League schools. Below, let’s look at some of the oldest, non-Ivy League FBS rivalries in the sport.
1) Cincinnati vs. Miami (OH) (1888)
The Victory Bell rivalry, started in 1888, is college football’s oldest non-Ivy League rivalry, with 128 meetings through 2024.
Cincinnati leads 60-59-7, so you can understand how heated these matches get with such a laser-thin margin. In 2024, Cincinnati’s 27-16 win extended their streak to 17 games, making it the series’ longest winning streak.
2) Duke vs. North Carolina (1888)
Another Victory Bell rivalry, this time between Duke and North Carolina, also started in 1888. So far the teams have faced off against each other 111 times, with North Carolina leading 64-43-4.
Played annually since 1922, this Tobacco Road rivalry is much more serious than football,. Over the years, real cultural divides between the schools have sprouted regarding the games. The 2024 game saw North Carolina topple Duke 21-20, with fans storming the field to claim the bell.
3) North Carolina vs. Wake Forest (1888)
The third rivalry in the list to start in 1888, this tug-of-war between North Carolina and Wake Forest is very important for the fans of both programs.
So far, they have met 111 times, with the Tar Heels leading 71-38-2. Though lacking a trophy, the rivalry still gets very intense among the locals. The 2024 matchup ended with North Carolina’s 31-24 victory, continuing their dominance.
4) Army vs. Navy (1890)
The Army-Navy Game, named “America’s Game,” began in 1890 and has been played 125 times, with Navy leading 62-56-7.
The Secretary’s Trophy, introduced in 1972, honors the service academies’ best record among Army, Navy, and Air Force. The 2024 game, a 31-13 Navy win, showed their recent form and their upper hand on the other service academies.
5) Minnesota vs. Wisconsin (1890)
The most-played FBS rivalry, with 134 games since 1890, Minnesota-Wisconsin battles for Paul Bunyan’s Axe. Wisconsin leads 64-62-8, with their 2024 win (24-7) extending a 20-game streak.
The axe, introduced in 1948, replaced the Slab of Bacon trophy. The series has been uninterrupted since 1907, making it the longest continuous series.
6) Illinois vs. Purdue (1890)
The Purdue Cannon rivalry, starting in 1890, has seen 100 meetings, with Purdue leading 48-45-6. The cannon was introduced in 1905. Illinois’ 49-30 win in 2024 snapped a three-game Purdue streak.
7) Indiana vs. Purdue (1891)
The Old Oaken Bucket, contested since 1925, marks the 126-game Indiana-Purdue rivalry, starting in 1891. Purdue leads 78-41-6, with a 35-15 rout in 2024.
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Drew Brees’ 2000 performance clinched a Rose Bowl berth and went down in history as a legendary matchup.
8) Iowa vs. Minnesota (1891)
Iowa and Minnesota have fought for Floyd of Rosedale, a bronze pig trophy, since 1935. So far, they have met for 118 matches since 1891. Iowa leads 63-52-2, though Minnesota’s 12-10 loss in 2024 stunned Hawkeye fans. The rivalry also has a very quirky origin.
9) California vs. Stanford (1892)
Dubbed the “Big Game,” this rivalry has marinated with 131 meetings since 1892. Stanford leads 66-50-11, winning 31-28 in 2024.
The most iconic match of this rivalry happened in the 1982 game, which had a five-lateral kickoff return, aka “The Play.”
10) Utah vs. Utah State (1892)
The Utah-Utah State rivalry has met in 113 games since 1892. It saw Utah leading 79-30-4. The 2024 game, a 38-21 Utah win, revived the matchup after a decade. However, even with all their heat, this rivalry lacks a trophy.
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