What are the 14 Oldest College football rivalries to know: Ranking, History, stats, more
College sports fans are passionate. College football brings out a unique level of enthusiasm. The rich traditions, iconic venues and intense rivalries within college football have provided many memorable moments over the years. Here's a look at some of the sport's biggest rivalries.
Michigan vs Ohio State
Total meetings: 120
Series record: Michigan leads 62-51-6 (Ohio State's win in 2010 was vacated.)
First meeting: Oct. 16, 1897; Michigan 34, Ohio State 0
Last meeting: Nov. 30, 2024; Michigan 13, Ohio State 10
Longest win streak: Michigan, 9 (1901-09)
Current win streak: Michigan, 4 (2021-2024)
Known simply as "The Game," this rivalry transcends college football as one of the biggest and most heated matchups in all of American sports. With Ohio State leading Michigan 50-14 late in their 1968 matchup, the Buckeyes unsuccessfully went for two. When asked why he did it, Ohio State coach Woody Hayes said, "Because I couldn't go for three." That statement perfectly sums up the animosity between the two Big Ten powerhouses.
Alabama vs Auburn
Total meetings: 89
Series record: Alabama leads 51-37-1
First meeting: Feb. 22, 1893; Auburn 32, Alabama 22
Last meeting: Nov. 30, 2024; Alabama 28, Auburn 14
Longest win streak: Alabama, 9 (1973-81)
Current win streak: Alabama, 5 (2020-2024)
The "Iron Bowl" has birthed some of the most memorable moments in college football history. In 2013,Auburn's Chris Davis returned a missed Alabama field goal more than 100 yards for a game-winning touchdown as time expired.
In 2011, Alabama fan Harvey Updykeserved prison time for poisoning Auburn's iconic oak trees at Toomer's Corner. The Tide and the Tigers almost never disappoint.
Oklahoma vs Texas
Total meetings: 120
Series record: Texas leads 64-51-5
First meeting: Oct. 10, 1900; Texas 28, Oklahoma 2
Last meeting: Oct. 12, 2024; Texas 34, Oklahoma 3
Longest win streak: Texas, 8 (1940-47, 1958-65)
Current win streak: Texas, 1 (2024)
The "Red River Rivalry" is a border war. Every October, fans from both Oklahoma and Texas evenly fill the stands at the Cotton Bowl in Dallas to cheer on one of college football's most intense and storied rivalries.
The fervor will only grow as the rivalry moves from the Big 12 to the SEC, the country's toughest, deepest and most successful football conference.
Florida vs Georgia
Total meetings: 102 (or 103)
Series record: Georgia leads 55-44-2 (according to Florida); Georgia leads 56-44-2 (according to Georgia)
First meeting: Oct. 15, 1904, Georgia 52, Florida 0 (according to Georgia); Nov. 6, 1915, Georgia, 37, Florida 0 (according to Florida)
Last meeting: Nov. 2, 2024, Georgia 34, Florida 20
Longest win streak: Florida, 7 (1990-96); Georgia, 7 (1941-48)
Current win streak: Georgia, 4 (2021-2024)
You know it's a fierce rivalry when the schools don't even agree on how often they've played.
According to Georgia, the Bulldogs lead the all-time series 56-44-2 (102 meetings).
According to Florida, the Bulldogs lead the series 55-44-2 (101 meetings).
Florida insists that the 1904 meeting between the two schools -- a 52-0 Georgia win -- doesn't count. The reason? The school didn't formally become the University of Florida until 1905. The football team wasn't established until 1906.
Florida State vs Miami
Total meetings: 69
Series record: Miami leads 36-33
First meeting: Oct. 5, 1951; Miami 35, Florida State 13
Last meeting: Oct. 26, 2024; Miami 36, Florida State 14
Longest win streak: Florida State, 7 (1963-72, 2010-16)
Current win streak: Miami, 1 (2024)
Though relatively young, this rivalry pits two programs with supremely rich traditions against one another. Stakes are especially high on the recruiting trail.
Florida State and Miami have a combined eight national championships and six Heisman Trophy winners. The 2006 meeting between the two teams broke ESPN viewership records.
Florida vs Florida State
Total meetings: 68
Series record: Florida leads 38-28-2
First meeting: Nov. 22, 1958; Florida 21, Florida State 7
Last meeting: Nov. 30, 2024; Florida 31, Florida State 11
Longest win streak: Florida, 9 (1968-76)
Current win streak: Florida, 1 (2024)
With 150 miles separating Tallahassee and Gainesville, there is a fervid rivalry between Florida State and Florida, the two oldest public universities in the state.
While the animosity between the schools reached its greatest heights during the Bobby Bowden-Steve Spurrier years, emotions still boil over whenever these two teams meet in the "Sunshine Showdown."
Notre Dame vs USC
Total meetings: 95
Series record: Notre Dame leads 52-38-5
First meeting: Dec. 4, 1926; Notre Dame 13, USC 12
Last meeting: Nov. 30, 2024; Notre Dame 49, USC 35
Longest win streak: Notre Dame, 11 (1983-93)
Current win streak: Notre Dame, 2 (2023-24)
The Notre Dame-USC rivalry isn't about proximity. More than 2,000 miles separate the two campuses. That distance was a challenge back when teams were still traveling via train.
The marquee matchup, which once drew 120,000 fans when played at Soldier Field, has withstood the test of time. Perhaps the most famous -- or infamous -- play from the series came in 2005.
With seven seconds to play and USC trailing 31-28 on the Irish 1-yard line, Trojans quarterback Matt Leinart attempted a sneak but was stopped cold -- until running back Reggie Bush gave him a forceful nudge across the goal line.
The "Bush Push" has been sewn into the rivalry's rich history ever since.
UCLA vs USC
Total meetings: 94
Series record: USC leads 51-34-7 (USC's wins in 2004 and 2005 were vacated.)
First meeting: Sept. 28, 1929; USC 76, UCLA 0
Last meeting: Nov. 24, 2024; USC 19, UCLA 13
Longest win streak: UCLA, 8 (1991-98)
Current win streak: USC, 1 (2024)
The UCLA-USC rivalry, also known as the "Crosstown Cup," is the annual battle for bragging rights in Los Angeles. The winner hoists the Victory Bell trophy, an actual bell from a vintage Southern Pacific locomotive.
Mississippi State vs Ole Miss
Total meetings: 121
Series record: Ole Miss leads 66-46-6 (Ole Miss' wins in 2012 and 2014 were vacated. Mississippi's win in 2018 was vacated.)
First meeting: Oct. 28, 1901; Mississippi A&M (now Mississippi State) 17, Ole Miss 0
Last meeting: Nov. 29, 2024; Ole Miss 26, Mississippi State 14
Longest win streak: Mississippi State, 13 (1911-25)
Current win streak: Ole Miss, 2 (2023-2024)
A mere 75 miles separate the two schools in the "Battle for the Golden Egg."
The rivalry between Mississippi State and Ole Miss has had its fair share of drama over the years. In 2017, Bulldogs fan Steve Robertson was involved in exposing phone calls to escort services that ultimately led to the resignation of former Ole Miss coach Hugh Freeze.
The following year, four players were ejected from the Thanksgiving Day matchup after a brawl erupted at the end of the third quarter. In 2019, wide receiver Elijah Moore brought the Rebels to within a point with four seconds left, but drew an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty for his unique touchdown celebration.
Ole Miss attempted a 35-yard extra point, but the Rebels missed and lost.
Army vs Navy
Total meetings: 125
Series record: Navy leads 63-55-7
First meeting: Nov. 29, 1890; Navy 24, Army 0
Last meeting: Dec. 14, 2024; Navy 31, Army 13
Longest win streak: Navy, 14 (2002-15)
Current win streak: Navy, 1 (2024)
Every December, the annual matchup between the two service academies features an electric atmospherebeyond compare. While the Army and Navy aretypically aligned in defense of the United States, the Black Knights and Midshipmen are bitter rivals for a few hours on game day every year.
Oregon vs Oregon State: (The "Civil War" Rivalry)
Total meetings: 128 (as of 2024)
Series record: Oregon leads 69-49-10
First meeting: 1894 (Oregon State won 12-0)
Last meeting: Sept.14, 2024 (Oregon won 49-14)
Longest win streak: Oregon, 8 games (1975–1982)
Current win streak: Oregon, 2 game (2024)
There was a time when the Ducks and Beavers played mainly for laughs – who can forget that infamous scoreless draw from 1983? But the series has been a lot more fun in recent years as both programs have improved their on-field products.
That is perhaps more the case for the Ducks, which is why this breakup is happening, but the Beavers might just get the last laugh this year.
Oregon State running back Deshaun Fenwick (5) dives into the end zone to score a touchdown against Oregon during the second half at Reser Stadium.
Oklahoma-Oklahoma State (The "Bedlam" Rivalry)
Series record: Oklahoma leads 91-20-7
First meeting: 1904 (Oklahoma won 75-0)
Last meeting: Oklahoma State 27-24 Oklahoma (Nov 4, 2023)
Longest win streak: Oklahoma, 19 games (1946–1964)
Current win streak: Oklahoma State, 1 game, 2024
The Bedlam series is one of the most lopsided rivalries in college football history, with Oklahoma's dominance spanning decades.
The final Bedlam football series game with the teams in the Big 12 will take place this November in Stillwater.
The series spanning 117 games has been dominated by the Sooners throughout all eras. The only blip was five wins in eight games by the Cowboys from 1995-2002. Since then, Oklahoma has won 17 of 20.
There are currently no scheduled meetings after this season, which means this year's home game gives Oklahoma State fans an opportunity to have final bragging rights before the Sooners head off to the SEC.
Washington-Washington State (The "Apple Cup")
Total meetings: 116 (as of 2024)
Series history: Washington leads 76-33-6
First meeting: 1900 (Washington - W.St. ties 5-5)
Last meeting: 2024 (Washington won 24-19)
Longest win streak: Washington, 10 Games a11/28/2009 - 11/29/2019
Current win streak: Washington, 1 game
The Apple Cup has been a cornerstone of Pacific Northwest football. With Washington moving to the Big Ten, the rivalry's future scheduling is under negotiation.
Officials at Washington have stated publicly they would like to keep the Washington State series alive when the Huskies join the Big Ten. But even if they do, it seems likely that game will no longer occupy its special place at the end of the season, although numerous SEC and ACC schools have managed to maintain their in-state finales on Thanksgiving weekend.
Texas vs. Texas A&M
Series history: Texas leads 76-37-5.
Thanksgiving weekend wasn't complete without the Longhorns and Aggies meeting either in Austin or College Station. They played every year from 1915 to 2011 before A&M's departure to the SEC.
That final game was a memorable Texas win with the schools unable to agree on continuing the series. They'll resume the rivalry in 2024 with the Longhorns following to the SEC, and the marquee matchup is expected to be one of the protected games however the league sorts out its schedule.
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