College football is famous for its historic rivalries that date back over 100 years. These matchups stand out as some of the largest and most celebrated in college football, playing a crucial role in the widespread appeal of the sport. The iconic venues and the intense rivalries play a pivotal role in maintaining the tradition of a developing college football scene.
As of the 2024-25 season, there are 10 conferences and 133 schools participating in the competition.
Biggest rivalries in college football
College football hosts rivalries where teams play for pride, dominance or to get their hands on coveted trophies. Below are a few intense college football rivalries that have gained widespread recognition.
Michigan vs Ohio State
The college football rivalry between the University of Michigan and Ohio State University, dates back to 1897. Known as 'The Game', Michigan and Ohio State first played against each other on October 16, 1897, where Michigan claimed victory with a score of 34-0. In a game on November 30, 2024, Michigan claimed victory, 13-10, marking their fourth consecutive year of winning this rivalry match-up.
Alabama vs. Auburn
The rivalry between the Alabama Crimson Tide and the Auburn Tigers is played in the 'Iron Bowl', which dates back to February 18, 1893. In the first meeting, Auburn won the match with a score of 32-22. The rivalry has witnessed some defining moments including Chris Davis returning a missed Alabama goal for more than 100 yards, which took the Auburn Tigers to victory in the 2013 season.
As of their last meeting on November 30, 2024, the Alabama Crimson Tide lead the rivalry with a winning streak from 2020-2024.
Army vs. Navy
While the U.S. military typically operates as a unified body, the Army Black Knights and the Navy Midshipmen engage in a fierce rivalry on the football field. Dating back to 1890, the Army-Navy game between the two oldest branches of the military became an annual tradition in 1930. The record stands at 63-53-7, with the Navy holding the lead, as of the 2024-25 season.
Oklahoma vs. Texas
The Red River Rivalry, a pivotal matchup in college football, unfolds between the Texas Longhorns and the Oklahoma Sooners. As of the 2024-25 season, Texas maintains a 64-51-5 lead in the 'Red River Showdown', a rivalry originating in 1900. This annual clash has been played without interruption since 1929.
USC vs. Notre Dame
Despite the geographical distance, the rivalry between the University of Southern California and the University of Notre Dame has endured since 1926. Notre Dame holds a 52-38-5 lead in the contest for the Jeweled Shillelagh, an Irish club adorned with ornaments.
Georgia vs. Florida
The matchup between the Bulldogs and Gators is one of the Southeast's esteemed football rivalries featuring the University of Georgia and the University of Florida. The yearly tussle's historical record is a point of contention, with Florida asserting a lead of 55-44-2, while Georgia maintains it as 56-44-2.
Florida vs. Florida State
The rivalry between Florida State and Florida is known as the 'Sunshine Showdown'. This rivalry dates back to 1958, when Florida bagged victory, 21-7. As of the 2024-25 season, Florida leads the rivalry 38-28-2.
California vs. Stanford
The University of California, Berkeley, and Stanford University, engage in one of the state's longest-standing and most intense football rivalries known as the 'Big Game'. These institutions have clashed since 1892, with Stanford holding the lead at 65–51–11, as of the 2024-25 season.
Miami vs. Florida State
The Sunshine State also hosts the battle between Florida vs. Florida State. Since 1951, the University of Miami and Florida State University have been locked in fierce football competition. The Miami Hurricanes hold a narrow lead of 36-33 against the Florida State Seminoles, as of the 2024-25 season.
Texas vs. Texas A&M
The football rivalry between the University of Texas at Austin and Texas A&M University dates back to 1894. The Texas Longhorns have dominated the series, leading against the Texas A&M Aggies with a score of 77–37–5.
UCLA vs. USC
The California rivalry between the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), and the University of Southern California (USC) is recognized as the 'Victory Bell' game. USC holds a lead of 51-34-7 in this historic matchup dating back to 1929.
What is the oldest rivalry in college football?
The Yale-Princeton rivalry stands as the oldest in college football, dating back to 1873. The roots of this rivalry run deep, with both Yale and Princeton dominating the early college football scene, claiming a combined total of 21 national titles between 1869 and 1894. Another notable matchup, known simply as "The Game," features the rivalry between Yale and Harvard, dating back to 1875.
Princeton also engages in the Princeton-Penn series, it's the third-oldest rivalry with an Ivy League opponent, established in 1876. The Princeton-Harvard rivalry, commencing in 1877, adds to the list of Princeton's rivalries.
FAQs on College Football rivalries
A: The rivalry between the University of Alabama and Auburn University is famously known as the Iron Bowl.
A: The Yale-Princeton rivalry is one of the oldest rivalries in college football history.
A: There are many rivalries in college football but the rivalry between the University of Michigan and Ohio State University stands out as one of the biggest rivalries in college football.
A: The rivalry between Yale and Princeton began in 1873.
A: The rivalry between the University of Michigan and Ohio State University originated in 1897.
