Our Five: Best rivalries in college football

Welcome to rivalry week, folks.

There’s a lot on the line in some of the most heated rivalry games in all of college football. In others, well, there isn’t much at stake, but that doesn’t take all that much away from what it means for rivals to meet. College football rivalry games are still special regardless of their impact on the national picture.

With that said, we decided to rank the best rivalries in college football for this week’s Our Five. It was only right.

Previously on Our Five: Best Group of Five teams, worst divisions, surprises from first CFP rankings, best players not to win the Heisman, underrated teams, disappointing teams, coaches on the hot seat, biggest upsets, surprise undefeated teams, turnover celebrations, traditions

5. USC vs. Notre Dame

Two of the nation’s traditional powerhouses have been rivals dating back to 1926 despite being located nearly 2,000 miles apart. When you see those two uniforms on the field it just feels like college football, doesn’t it? Notre Dame had some eras of dominance in the series (USC did in the 2000s), but it’s been back-and-forth in recent years with the teams splitting their last 10 matchups.

4. Oklahoma vs. Texas

Every year dating back to 1932, these two traditional Big 12 powers meet at the Cotton Bowl in Dallas. And the Red River Rivalry actually began all the way back in 1900 — when Oklahoma wasn’t even a state. Some history could be made in this rivalry this season. The two teams already played back in October, but could meet again in the Big 12 title game if OU beats West Virginia and UT beats Kansas this weekend.

3. Army vs. Navy

What is there to say? The pageantry. The patriotism. The spirit. It’s all there, especially from the seniors who, mere months after their final game, will be serving our country. It’s a pretty special thing. Navy had won 14 straight in the series from 2002 to 2015 until Army finally snapped the streak in 2016 before following it up in 2017. Can the Black Knights make it three in a row in a few weeks in Philadelphia?

2. Ohio State vs. Michigan

“The Game” is taken so seriously that Ohio State completely removes the letter “M” from its campus in the week ahead of the Michigan game. Things really intensified in the years of Woody Hayes and Bo Schembechler, but the rivalry has been one-sided in Ohio State’s favor the last two decades. Ohio State has won six in a row, but Michigan is the favorite on Saturday when the Big Ten East is on the line.

1. Alabama vs. Auburn

A rivalry that saw its birth more than 100 years ago, the Iron Bowl is as intense as it gets in a state that lives for college football. Even in Nick Saban’s era of dominance at Alabama, Auburn has had its moments, including the infamous “Kick Six” finish in 2013 and last year’s SEC West-clinching victory. Alabama has already wrapped up the West this year, so Auburn can play the role of spoiler.

Also considered:

Miami vs. Florida State: This one really peaked in the ’90s but has lost some of its luster in recent years even though both schools are now in the ACC. This one just missed the cut.

Utah vs. BYU: You know a rivalry is heated when it’s called “The Holy War.” The schools are less than 50 miles apart, but couldn’t be more different culturally. BYU controlled the series throughout the ’70s and ’80s, but Utah has won 12 of the last 15, including seven straight.

Mississippi State vs. Ole Miss: The Egg Bowl rivalry boiled over in a big way in the form of NCAA violations by Ole Miss involving cash payments to recruits who ended up at Mississippi State. If not for the NCAA sanctions, Ole Miss would have had bowl eligibility on the line against its rivals. Instead, the Rebels are ineligible.

Texas vs. Texas A&M: Formerly a longstanding Thanksgiving weekend tradition, this rivalry met its unfortunate (and hopefully temporary) end when Texas A&M left for the SEC. Since then, it’s been nothing but bickering from both sides.

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