Rivalry Week: Ranking the top 5 rivalries of week 14 in CFB

In honor of Rivalry Week I thought the G4IT podcast could take a break from all of the CFB Playoff talk and focus on something a little more fun. I wanted to examine some of the biggest rivalry games in college football this week rank them top to bottom and give you a little background on each. Without further ado lets get started.

1. Ohio State Vs. Michigan

   Total meetings: 119

   Series record: Michigan leads 61-51-6 (Ohio State's win in 2010 was vacated.)

   First meeting: Oct. 16, 1897; Michigan 34, Ohio State 0

   Last meeting: Nov. 25, 2023; Michigan 30, Ohio State 24

   Longest win streak: Michigan, 9 (1901-09)

   Current win streak: Michigan, 3 (2021-2023)

   This to me is the mountain top of rivalry games in college football. These two teams absolutely despise each other in a way that puts all other rivalries to shame. It seems like each year it intensifies. Not only do the players and coaches hate each other but the fans do as well. Luckily for me I work with some of the more levelheaded fans of each team, but with the recent cheating allegations and Michigan's 3 game win streak during that time the fan bases have been at each others throat all year. Not only is this the 59th time they will face each other in the regular season they have also played for the B1G conference title 22 times. They don't play for a trophy like most of the other rivalries that we will mention, but Ohio State does give a gold charm replica of football pants to each player with the players initials, the score, and the date of victory engraved on them. My favorite quote from this rivalry came from Woody Hayes, and it sums up the rivalry perfectly. With Ohio State up 50-14 in the 1968 game the Buckeyes unsuccessfully went for 2. When asked why after the game Woody responded, "Because I couldn't go for 3."

   

   
   

2. Notre Dame USC

   Total meetings: 94

   Series record: Notre Dame leads 51-38-5

   First meeting: Dec. 4, 1926; Notre Dame 13, USC 12

   Last meeting: Oct. 14, 2023; Notre Dame 48, USC 20

   Longest win streak: Notre Dame, 11 (1983-93)

   Current win streak: Notre Dame, 1 (2023)

   None of the rivalries that will be listed next have the same hatred level that the Ohio State Michigan game does, but they do feature some of the most successful brands in college football. Like this next one USC and Notre Dame. This rivalry dates all the way back to 1926 when the first game was played. During that time Michigan head coach Fielding Yost was leading an anti catholic campaign and convinced the rest of the then Western conference now known as the B1G to stop scheduling the Irish. This led to Notre Dame's independence and to seek out new teams to add to the schedule like Army, Navy, and Pitt. With another slot open then decided to go out West and partner with USC. This rivalry has been a battle of streaks with Notre Dame having the longest one from the 80s to the early 90s while USC got the best of the Irish from 2002-2009. They play for the coveted jeweled schillelaugh, and have some absolute classic matchups. Dan Devine in 1977 unveiled the green jersey's in route to a 49-19 upset, the Bush Push game is still one of the most talked about games in the rivalry as Reggie Bush illegally pushed Matt Leinhart across the goaline in an epic comeback. The two teams have celebrated 22 national championships and 14 heisman winners between these two storied programs. In 2023 Keyshawn Johnson a former WR for USC took a picture inside Notre Dame stadium calling it a dump. Notre Dame proceeded to beat the undefeated Trojans 48-20. The funny thing is he did the same thing in his playing days leading up to the game and proceeded to lose by 28 points then too. USC fans may be hoping he keeps his mouth shut this year.

   
   

   

   
   

3. Alabama Auburn

   Total meetings: 88

   Series record: Alabama leads 50-37-1

   First meeting: Feb. 22, 1893; Auburn 32, Alabama 22

   Last meeting: Nov. 25, 2023; Alabama 27, Auburn 24

   Longest win streak: Alabama, 9 (1973-81)

   Current win streak: Alabama, 4 (2020-2023)

   This might be one of the more wacky rivalries in college football, as one Alabama fan named Harvey Updyke took it upon himself to poison Auburn's iconic oak trees in Toomer's corner. Updyke would end up serving prison time for this crime. This rivalry also took a 41 year hiatus because the two teams couldn't agree on where the referees for the games should be hired from, Auburn supposedly wanted a northern referee and Alabama wanted a southern referee to officiate the game. Even the trophy they play for has a weird name, they play for the coveted Foy-ODK Sportsmanship Trophy after their annual Iron Bowl football game. The trophy is named after James E. Foy, a former dean of students at both schools, and Omicron Delta Kappa, an honor society on both campuses. This sounds like a rivalry straight out of the Hatfields and McCoy saga. This is another storied rivalry that has had some memorable games. Bo Jackson a native of Alabama was recruited by both squads but ultimately chose Auburn over Alabama because Bear Bryant told him he'd have to sit and wait his turn to be the star at Alabama. Jackson chose Auburn started all 4 years and won the iron bowl jumping over the top of the Alabama defense. They have also had games like the kick 6 and punt bama punt game. One of the more fun quotes of this rivalry was from the iconic football coach Bear Bryant who said, "I'd rather tbeat that "cow college" than beat Texas 10 times."

   
   

   

   
   

4. Texas Texas A&M

   Total meetings: 118

   Series record: Texas leads 76-37-5

   First meeting: October 19, 1894 Texas 38 Texas A&M 0

   Last meeting: Novemeber 24, 2011 Texas 27 Texas A&M 25

   Longest win streak: Texas, 10 (1957-1966)

   Current win streak: Texas, 1 (2011)

   This at one time was the third longest rivalry matchup in college football. Then in 2011 Texas A&M left the Big 12 conference and joined the SEC and things got a little heated. But this year with Texas joining the SEC the rivalry is now back on and fans on both sides cannot wait, because this game is not only a battle for the state but also for a spot in the SEC title game to face Georgia. These two teams dislike each other so much their fight songs feature lines specifically about the other school. Texas' the eyes of Texas fight song says goodbye to A&M and A&M's Aggie war hym says so long to the orange and white and reference the eyes of Texas are upon you a song you sing so well and then it is usually accompanied by sounds like hell. Much like Michigan trying to hold down Notre Dame Texas tried to do the same to A&M when they left the Big 12. Texas' athletic director swore they would never play A&M again and even urged the rest of the Big 12 not to schedule them. I think college football is better off with this rivalry intact and the first game played since 2011 should be a fun one.

   
   

   

   
   

5. Indiana Purdue

   Total meetings: 125

   Series record: Purdue leads 77-42-6

   First meeting: November 14th 1891 Purdue 60 Indiana 0

   Last meeting: Novemeber 25, 2023 Purdue 35 Indiana 31

   Longest win streak: Purdue, 10 (1948-1957)

   Current win streak: Purdue, 3 (2021-present)

   Most college football fans normally wouldn't give this game a second look but this rivalry might be second to Ohio State Michigan in the hate category. Viewed more as a basketball rivalry than a football one both teams have had more success on the hardwood than the field turf, but that doesn't stop fans from hating each other year round. This game is played for the old oaken bucket the most typical Hoosier form of trophy, a chain hangs off of the bucket with a bronze "I" and "P" letters representing each university. The school winning the traditional football game each year should have possession of the "Old Oaken Bucket" until the next game and should attach the block letter representing the winning school to the bail with the score engraved on the link. These two programs are only separated by 113 miles and most of the state is divided into Purdue or Indiana fans with a sprinkle of Notre Dame fans as well. Indiana views Purdue as its little brother often referencing the schools lack of basketball national championships after all Indiana is a basketball state. While Purdue has a whole chant dedicated to Indiana University. It doesn't matter who they play that day but during any kickoff or media timeout Purdue will let out a roar of IU Sucks! That is pure hatred no matter how you slice it. I also have several family members and friends that went to Purdue and the success IU is having on the football field this year is fueling that jealousy fire that rages within all boilers. They would love nothing more than to play spoilers and hold IU out of the CFB Playoff. Adding fuel to the fire is IU's new coach Cur Cignetti. When introduced at and Indiana basketball game Cignetti took the mic and shouted, "Purdue Sucks. But so does Michigan and Ohio State". Cignetti is 1-1 in those 3 games so far and Indiana fans want nothing more that to pour it on Purdue this weekend.