The biggest college football rivalries deliver passion, history and unforgettable moments that define the sport.
College football thrives on these annual battles. Iconic venues, decades of shared history and intense regional pride create matchups that transcend the regular season. From the Big Ten to the SEC and beyond, the oldest college football rivalries continue to produce drama year after year.
Here is a ranking of the top college football rivalries based on longevity, intensity, cultural impact and memorable moments.
1. Michigan vs Ohio State – “The Game”
Total meetings: 120
Series record: Michigan leads 62-51-6
First meeting: 1897
Current streak: Michigan, 4
Simply called “The Game,” this rivalry stands as one of the biggest in all of American sports. The 1968 moment when Woody Hayes went for two while leading late perfectly captures the deep animosity. Recent years have only heightened the stakes as both programs chase national titles.
2. Alabama vs Auburn – “Iron Bowl”
Total meetings: 89
Series record: Alabama leads 51-37-1
First meeting: 1893
Current streak: Alabama, 5
The Iron Bowl has produced some of the most dramatic finishes in college football rivalry history. Chris Davis’s 2013 “Kick Six” return remains one of the sport’s signature plays. The intensity off the field has matched the on-field drama for generations.
3. Oklahoma vs Texas – “Red River Rivalry”
Total meetings: 120
Series record: Texas leads 64-51-5
First meeting: 1900
Current streak: Texas, 1
Played at the Cotton Bowl with the stadium split down the middle, the Red River Rivalry is pure border-war theater. The move of both programs into the SEC only raises the already sky-high stakes.
4. Florida vs Georgia
Total meetings: 102–103 (disputed)
Series record: Georgia leads
First meeting: 1904 or 1915 (disputed)
Current streak: Georgia, 4
Even the series record is contested, which says everything about the rivalry. Neutral-site games in Jacksonville have delivered decades of memorable moments and recruiting battles across the Southeast.
5. Army vs Navy
Total meetings: 125
Series record: Navy leads 63-55-7
First meeting: 1890
Current streak: Navy, 1
The oldest of the major service-academy rivalries delivers unmatched pageantry every December. For a few hours the two academies that stand together in service become bitter on-field rivals.
6. Notre Dame vs USC
Total meetings: 95
Series record: Notre Dame leads 52-38-5
First meeting: 1926
Current streak: Notre Dame, 2
Separated by more than 2,000 miles, this intercepting rivalry has produced national-championship implications and iconic plays such as the 2005 “Bush Push.”
7. UCLA vs USC – “Crosstown Cup”
Total meetings: 94
Series record: USC leads
First meeting: 1929
Current streak: USC, 1
Los Angeles bragging rights and the Victory Bell trophy fuel this intense crosstown battle that has defined Southern California football for nearly a century.
8. Florida State vs Miami
Total meetings: 69
Series record: Miami leads 36-33
First meeting: 1951
Current streak: Miami, 1
Two programs with multiple national titles and Heisman winners have turned this relatively younger rivalry into one of the fiercest in the South.
9. Florida vs Florida State – “Sunshine Showdown”
Total meetings: 68
Series record: Florida leads 38-28-2
First meeting: 1958
Current streak: Florida, 1
In-state pride between the two oldest public universities in Florida still boils over every year despite the changing conference landscape.
10. Mississippi State vs Ole Miss – “Battle for the Golden Egg”
Total meetings: 121
Series record: Ole Miss leads
First meeting: 1901
Current streak: Ole Miss, 2
Only 75 miles separate the campuses, and the Golden Egg trophy has been the center of decades of drama, ejections and unforgettable finishes.
Additional Historic Rivalries
Oregon vs Oregon State (Civil War), Oklahoma vs Oklahoma State (Bedlam), Washington vs Washington State (Apple Cup) and Texas vs Texas A&M round out the list of oldest college football rivalries that continue to matter deeply to their fan bases even as conference realignment reshapes the sport.
These biggest college football rivalries remain the heartbeat of the game. Conference changes may alter scheduling, but the history, animosity and annual stakes ensure these matchups will continue to define seasons and create lasting memories for generations of fans.
FAQ
What is the biggest college football rivalry?
Michigan vs Ohio State is widely regarded as the biggest and most intense rivalry in the sport.
What are the oldest college football rivalries?
Army-Navy (1890), Michigan-Ohio State (1897) and several others date to the late 19th or early 20th century.
Which rivalry has the most meetings?
Army-Navy and several others have more than 120 meetings, placing them among the most frequently played.
Why do some series records differ between schools?
Disputes over early games, vacated wins and formal recognition of programs occasionally create differing official counts.
Will conference realignment end these rivalries?
Most of the top college football rivalries are expected to continue through protected series or special scheduling agreements.
