Gardner

Ranking the meanest college football rivalries

Paul Gardner GAR01025@BYUI.EDU raider in rexburg

It’s official: No. 1 University of Southern California will play No. 2 University of Texas in the Rose Bowl for the National Championship. USC remained undefeated by beating rival UCLA 66-19, Dec. 3. Where does that rivalry stack up against all other college football rivalries? Here is my top 5:

1. Alabama/Auburn

2. Michigan/Ohio St.

3. BYU/Utah

4. Army/Navy

5. USC/Notre Dame

The Alabama-Auburn rivalry is the meanest in college football. No two teams in the country hate each other more. Auburn beat Alabama this year, 28-18, and they lead all-time 38-28-1. The fire and passion in this game called the Iron Bowl is unparalleled in college football, and it dominates sports radio in Alabama 365 days a year.

Only 111,591 people showed up to see Ohio State beat Michigan this year. Michigan leads all-time 57-37-6. This rivalry’s best story is when legendary coach Woody Hayes ran out of gas on the way back to Ohio from a recruiting trip in Michigan and ended up pushing his car over the border to fill up in Ohio because he refused to spend money in Michigan.

“The Holy War,” “Church vs. State,” “Blue vs. Red,” “BYU vs. Utah.” Utah beat BYU 41-34 in overtime this year, and the Utes lead all-time 48-28-4. ESPN’s Andy Katz put this rivalry as the fifth best in the country.

“This rivalry doesn’t get enough national publicity,” Katz said. “But there is more dislike for each school than most would even know. BYU is owned and operated by the Mormon Church. Utah is the state school. This adds to the rivalry more than people would admit. Listen to talk radio in Salt Lake City and BYU fans want Utah to lose, even when the Utes aren’t playing BYU, and the feeling is mutual from Utah fans.”

Navy beat Army 42-23, Dec. 3. The all-time series is now tied at 49-49-7. The game wasn’t all too spectacular, but the events surrounding the game are some of the most unique. Before the game, the Cadets and the Midshipmen walk onto the field carrying their respective battle flags, which have combat ribbons representing every battle the U.S. Military has fought. After the game, both teams stand at attention while the bands play each school’s alma mater. Each team shows mutual respect no matter what the scoreboard says.

If you missed USC beating Notre Dame 34-31 this season, then you missed what I would consider one of the best college football games in the past two decades. Notre Dame leads all-time 42-28-5. Many people consider Notre Dame to be the most popular team in the nation, and of all their rivals, USC is the most enduring. The mystic behind these two teams make it a must-watch every year.