Longest Continuous College Football Rivalries

College football rivalries stand as pillars of tradition, intensity, and enduring athletic legacies, weaving a tapestry of competition that stretches across decades. These rivalries represent more than just games; they embody the fervor and history deeply ingrained in the fabric of American collegiate sports.

Among them, the oldest and most storied rivalries stand as a testament to time, tracing their roots back to the late 19th century. The Rivalry, dating back to 1884, holds the distinction as the oldest continuous college football rivalry, exemplifying the depth of tradition and rivalry ingrained in the very essence of these revered institutions. As these clashes persist year after year, they continue to captivate audiences, shaping the narrative of college football's rich and enduring history.

List of Longest Continuous College Football Rivalries

The Rivalry - Lehigh vs. Lafayette

Division: FCS

First Meeting: 1884

Continuous Since: 1897

All-Time Record: Lafayette leads 81-72-5

The Rivalry between Lehigh University's Mountain Hawks and Lafayette College's Leopards is a historic college football clash, kicking off in 1884 and unbroken since 1897. With a whopping 159 meetings, it's the most-played rivalry in college football. Lafayette holds the edge in the overall record at 81-72-5, including a significant 78-0 win by Lehigh in 1917, the largest victory in their history.

The rivalry saw Lafayette's domination with a decade-long winning streak from 1919 to 1928. Currently, Lafayette enjoys a two-game winning streak since 2022, showcasing the ongoing intensity of this enduring gridiron showdown.

Paul Bunyan’s Axe - Minnesota vs. Wisconsin

Division: FBS

First Meeting: 1890

Continuous Since: 1907

All-Time Record: Wisconsin leads 45-27-3

The Paul Bunyan’s Axe rivalry in college football dates back to November 15, 1890, when Minnesota routed Wisconsin 63-0 in their first encounter. This fierce rivalry has seen 133 meetings, showcasing intense battles between the two teams. The coveted trophy, Paul Bunyan's Axe, replaced the earlier "Slab of Bacon" as the sought-after prize for the victor.

Throughout the years, the rivalry has remained incredibly close, with Wisconsin holding a slight edge in the overall series at 63–62–8. The Badgers also lead in the trophy series, marking 46 victories against Minnesota's 27 wins and 3 ties, underlining the enduring competitiveness of this celebrated rivalry.

NC State-Wake Forest Rivalry - NC State vs. Wake Forest

Division: FBS

First Meeting: 1895

Continuous Since: 1910

All-Time Record: NC State leads 68-42-6

The NC State-Wake Forest rivalry stands as a testament to college football history, igniting since their inaugural clash in 1895 and persisting continuously from 1910. With a total of 117 matchups, this rivalry showcases the gridiron battles between NC State and Wake Forest, with NC State holding the edge in the all-time record at 68-42-6.

Throughout the years, NC State has displayed dominance, claiming a massive 76-0 victory in 1908 and boasting a decade-long winning streak from 1908 to 1917. Their recent meeting in November 2023 witnessed NC State securing a 26-6 win, extending their current winning streak, and showcasing the enduring intensity of this historic football feud.

Sunflower Showdown - Kansas vs. Kansas State

Division: FBS

First Meeting: 1902

Continuous Since: 1911

All-Time Record: Kansas leads 64-51-5

The Sunflower Showdown blazes between the Kansas State Wildcats and the Kansas Jayhawks, spanning various athletic contests, especially football and men's basketball. This rivalry draws its name from Kansas' state nickname and the state flower, the sunflower.

Since their inaugural clash in 1902, the rivalry has persisted continuously since 1911, marking it as the sixth-longest continuous sports rivalry. Kansas holds the lead in the overall series at 64-51-5. The latest victor in this heated showdown continues to add to the legacy of this storied rivalry between these two Kansas-based universities.

Farmageddon - Iowa State vs. Kansas State

Division: FBS

First Meeting: 1917

Continuous Since: 1917

All-Time Record: Iowa State leads 52-50-4

Farmageddon symbolizes the enduring rivalry between Iowa State Cyclones and Kansas State Wildcats in college football. Commencing in 1917, it stands as one of the longest continuous series, unbroken since its inception, and marked as one of only two uninterrupted rivalries in college football.

The intense showdown between these teams has persisted annually, reaching its 100th consecutive meeting in October 2016. However, the Big 12's scheduling matrix announced in November 2023 suggests a change, potentially concluding the continuous streak of this historic rivalry by 2027, marking a potential shift in the landscape of this storied college football clash.

South’s Oldest Rivalry- North Carolina vs. Virginia

Division: FBS

First Meeting: 1892

Continuous Since: 1919

All-Time Record: North Carolina leads 65-59-4

The South's Oldest Rivalry marks the enduring clash between the University of Virginia's Cavaliers and the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill's Tar Heels in college football. Commencing in 1892, this rivalry has persisted annually since 1919, showcasing an intense gridiron battle.

The series holds a rich history, with North Carolina leading the overall record at 65-59-4. Both teams, part of the Atlantic Coast Conference since 1953, boast a remarkable legacy, having faced off more times than any other two ACC football programs. Beyond football, Virginia and North Carolina share extensive rivalries across various sports, underscoring the depth and breadth of their competitive history.