What is the biggest rivalry in college football?

College football is famous for its passionate and historic rivalries that capture the attention of fans across the nation. These matchups stand out as some of the largest and most celebrated in college football, playing a crucial role in the widespread appeal of the sport. Integral to college football, rivalries play a significant role in asserting supremacy among teams. Rooted in geography, tradition, and history, these rivalries can also undergo transformation driven by coaching dynamics, current team success, or shifts in league alignment.

As of 2024, there are 10 conferences and 133 schools participating in the competition. Most of the top schools generate tens of millions of dollars in yearly revenue.

Biggest rivalry in college football

College football rivalries are known for drawing fans into stadiums with flamboyant passion, solidarity, and allegiance, establishing them as some of the most thrilling competitions in the realm of sports. A list of such rivalries are mentioned below:

• Michigan vs Ohio State: The enduring college football rivalry between the University of Michigan and Ohio State University, dating back to 1897. The rivalry reached a milestone in 2021 when the Wolverines secured a victory, extending their historical lead to 59-51-6 in “The Game” played around Thanksgiving weekend. This historic rivalry has given rise to unforgettable moments in college football history and the intensity given by the fans elevated it to one of the most thrilling games of the season

• Alabama vs. Auburn: Often likened to a religious fervor in the American South, college football takes center stage at the University of Alabama and Auburn University. The longstanding rivalry, dubbed the "Iron Bowl," has been a tradition since 1893. In this intense matchup, the Alabama Crimson Tide currently holds the upper hand with a record of 48-37-1 against the Auburn Tigers

• Army vs. Navy: While the U.S. military typically operates as a unified body, the United States Military Academy and the United States Naval Academy (USNA) engage in a fierce rivalry on the football field. Dating back to 1890, the Army-Navy game between the two oldest branches of the military became an annual tradition in 1930. The current record stands at 62-53-7, with Navy holding the lead.

• Oklahoma vs. Texas: The Red River Rivalry, a pivotal matchup in college football, unfolds between the University of Texas and the University of Oklahoma. Texas maintains a 62-50-5 lead in the “Red River Showdown,” a rivalry originating in 1900. This annual clash has persisted without interruption since 1929.

• USC vs. Notre Dame: Despite the geographical distance, the rivalry between the University of Southern California and the University of Notre Dame has endured since 1926. Notre Dame holds a 48-36-5 lead in the contest for the Jeweled Shillelagh, an Irish club adorned with ornaments.

• Georgia vs. Florida: The matchup between the Bulldogs and Gators is one of the Southeast's esteemed football rivalries featuring the University of Georgia and the University of Florida. The yearly tussle's historical record is a point of contention, with Florida asserting a lead of 53-44-2, while Georgia maintains it as 54-44-2.

• Harvard vs. Yale: In a historic Ivy League clash, two of the United States' oldest and most esteemed universities engage in a longstanding rivalry. Since 1875, these institutions have brought their all-encompassing competition to the football field, creating one of the country's oldest football feuds. The Yale Bulldogs currently maintain an edge with a 68-61-8 lead over their opponents.

• Florida vs. Florida State: Not all is cheerful in the Sunshine State, especially when it's time for the University of Florida to face off against Florida State University. The Gators have the upper hand in the rivalry against the Seminoles, holding a 37-26-2 lead in a series that dates back to 1958. The rivalry is also known as “Sunshine Showdown.”

• California vs. Stanford: In the heart of California, two esteemed universities, the University of California, Berkeley, and Stanford University, engage in one of the state's longest-standing and most intense football rivalries known as the "Big Game." These institutions have clashed since 1892, with Stanford currently holding the lead at 65-48-11.

• Miami vs. Florida State: The sunshine state also hosts the battle between Florida vs. Florida State. Since 1951, the University of Miami and Florida State University have been locked in fierce football competition. The Miami Hurricanes presently hold a narrow lead of 35-31 against the Florida State Seminoles.

• Texas vs. Texas A&M: The football rivalry between the University of Texas at Austin and Texas A&M University stands out as a firece rivalry. Dating back to 1894, the Texas Longhorns have dominated the series, leading the Texas A&M Aggies 76-37-5.

• UCLA vs. USC: Concluding the list is a notable California rivalry between the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), and the University of Southern California (USC). It is recognized as the "Victory Bell" game. USC holds a lead of 49-33-7 in this historic matchup dating back to 1929.

What is the oldest rivalry in college football?

Dating back to the inaugural college football game in 1869, the sport quickly witnessed the emergence of enduring rivalries among the earliest teams. This journey begins with the historic clash between Yale and Princeton in 1873.

The Yale-Princeton rivalry stands as the oldest in college football, dating back to 1873. The roots of this historic rivalry run deep, with both Yale and Princeton dominating the early college football scene, claiming a combined total of 21 national titles between 1869 and 1894. Another notable matchup, known simply as "The Game," features the enduring rivalry between Yale and Harvard, dating back to 1875.

Princeton also engages in the Princeton-Penn series, it's the third-oldest rivalry with an Ivy League opponent, established in 1876. The Princeton-Harvard rivalry, commencing in 1877, adds to the list of Princeton's enduring engagements with historic opponents. Yale's rivalry with Brown, established in 1880, contributes to the array of Ivy League matchups that form the bedrock of the oldest rivalries in college football.