Top 10 Biggest College Football Rivalries

With college football just around the corner, teams are already preparing for their toughest challenges.

Some teams have tougher challenges ahead this season, while others have easier schedules.

Every team has at least one rivalry, but most college teams have several.

In college, every game matters.

Some teams start off with their toughest rivalry games, while others wait until the end of the season.

Here is a look at the top 10 biggest college football rivalries.

10. Georgia Tech vs. Georgia

This in-state rivalry began in 1893.

Called the "Clean, Old-Fashioned Hate" rivalry, Georgia and Georgia Tech have no conference title on the line. They only have the respect of the state for the year.

Georgia leads the series 59-39-5.

9. USC vs. UCLA

This rivalry began in 1929.

They shared the Los Angeles Coliseum until the 1980s. Since the Pacific-10 Conference began play, USC and UCLA have won or shared 33 of 48 Pac-10 titles.

8. BYU vs. Utah

BYU and Utah began playing each other in 1922.

Dubbed "The Holy War," this rivalry pits two in-state schools against each other.

The Holy War is more than two college football teams facing off; it is also church versus state.

7. Notre Dame vs. USC

Beginning in 1926, this rivalry features the most national titles (22) and Heisman Trophy winners (14), plus more future NFL Hall of Famers, than any other college series.

Despite the recent success of USC, Notre Dame leads the series 42-33-5.

6. Pittsburgh vs. West Virginia

This "Backyard Brawl" began in 1895.

Pittsburgh leads the overall series 61-37-3.

One of the more memorable games of the series was the 100th game in 2007. The Panthers upset West Virginia, knocking them out of BCS contention.

5. Alabama vs. Auburn

The "Iron Bowl" began in 1893.

With an SEC title on the line, these two teams face off every year. There is more hatred in this state than in a lot around the country.

Alabama leads the series 39-33-1.

4. Stanford vs. California

The California students do not allow red in their stadium. California-Berkeley and Stanford have faced off 111 times, with Stanford leading 55-45-11.

The most famous game was in 1982 with "The Play." The play consisted of five laterals and the Stanford band on the field.

3. Georgia vs. Florida

"The World's Largest Outdoor Cocktail Party" is held in Jacksonville Municipal Stadium every year.

With two hard-fighting teams and SEC title hopes on the line, the Bulldogs and Gators have one of the toughest rivalries in the country.

Beginning in 1915, Georgia leads the series 46-38-2.

2. Texas vs. Oklahoma

Texas leads the "Red River Rivalry" 57-40-5. Since 1945, one or both of the teams has been in the top 25 in 60 out of the 65 games.

When Oklahoma plays Texas, Big 12 country stops in its tracks.

1. Michigan vs. Ohio State

This rivalry is more than two universities against each other.

This is a hatred of epic proportions.

People that live in Michigan hate people that live in Ohio, and vice versa. This goes well beyond the gridiron, beginning with the Toledo War.

The first meeting was in 1897. Michigan leads the overall series 57-42-6.

Credits

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