Sport Rivalries: How Do They Rank?

Nikki Wyatt — Sat, 29 Mar 2008 05:20:24 -0400

There’s nothing better than a good sports rivalry.

I’m talking about the ones that you watch whether or not you support either of the sides. Those ones that make two mediocre teams play well during bad years just because of tradition. Those games also never end in a blowout or without controversy.

Those are the ones to watch. Here are my top five favorite sports rivalries. What are yours?

5. Pats—Colts: It’s the new generation of the Niners-Cowboys. These two teams are almost guaranteed to have a match up every season whether it be regular, post or both. The Pats were a constant thorn in Manning’s side, beating him in two post season games (one AFC title game) despite him having incredible years. These losses were the source of the “can’t win the big one” label that followed him around for some time.

Then the Pats began to flag and the Colts gained an advantage eventually beating them in a thrilling come-from-behind victory in the conference championship last year. Manning went on to win the Super Bowl. As both teams remain the NFL’s elite, it is obvious that every time these two meet, there are AFC title implications. And if they were in different conferences, those implications would be Super Bowl ones.

4. Ian Crocker—Michael Phelps: Although they are great friends and teammates out of the pool, in the pool they are fierce competitors. While Michael Phelps was busy dominating almost every other event, Crocker was quietly dominating one event: the 100m butterfly. Combined with Phelps’s talent and Crocker’s focus, everyone else in the pool during the 100m butterfly is racing for third.

Phelps took Olympic gold in 2004, edging Crocker by .04 of a second. Crocker retaliated with one of the best swimming races ever to take place at the World Championships the follow year, shattering the former world record.

No matter what the circumstances are, the Crocker-Phelps 100m butterfly rivalry is one of the highlights of the upcoming Olympics and for years to come.

3. Duke—UNC: Maybe it’s the fact that only eight miles separate them. Or it could be that they are always the top two ACC teams. Or maybe it’s the history that goes with it, but Duke-UNC is the biggest college basketball rivalry there is. Their (twice or more yearly) games always seem to go to the buzzer and their fans the most passionate.

Who could forget the UNCs 14-0 in conference play or UNC spoiling JJ Reddick’s senior night with the most viewed college basketball game ever? Or Hansbrough jumping up to confront Henderson and ending up breaking his nose, blood pouring everywhere.

Every time these two teams play, the nation watches because there’s nothing like it.

2. Yankees—Red Sox: These two teams have met 1744 times. They have played each other for AL championships, titles and regular season series. The Yankees had the upper hand in years past winning two AL championships against the Sox and the World Series and 26 World Series titles surely, just ask any Boston fan, because of the Curse of the Bambino.

However, this rivalry took a new turn when the Sox came back from three down in the ALCS to win four games in a row for the championship. They then went on to win the World Series two times in three years while the Yankees faltered.

But no matter what the circumstances, Yankees-Red Sox is always a game worth watching.

1. Michigan—Ohio State: Ever year these two football teams battle it out in front of thousands. These games usually determine some of college football’s most important bowl games and almost always who wins the Big Ten title. The rivalry is one of the most dated in the world-the first game being held 1897.

It still continues today.

These two schools are always on the better end of the NCAA and represent some of the winningest programs in history (Michigan owning that title at .745). UM has won 11 National titles and OSU close at seven. Great players like Desmond Howard, George Allen and Lou Groza have come out of these schools. Their fans are crazy, their weather is unpredictable and their players are always NFL worthy.

This makes for a great rivalry that we are lucky enough to witness every year.

Andrew "Pacman" Jones : Not Another Pats Success Story

Nikki Wyatt — Tue, 25 Mar 2008 13:54:05 -0400

Contrary to recent rumors, the New England Patriots confirmed today that they are not and never were interested in trading for suspended cornerback Adam "Pacman" Jones. I happen to believe that this is not only the safest decision but also the most sensible one.

I am aware of his talent for kick returns and have not forgotten the ones he has taken to the house against the Pats in recent years. I am also aware of the team's tendency to give new life to disgruntled players that have not had success on other teams. All that aside, I firmly believe that signing Mr. Jones would be a bad idea.

See Jones happens to not be like Dillon or Moss. These two, at one time, unruly players are very different in terms of character. Both Dillon and Moss were on losing teams frustrated with their situation.

Of course the Patriots could fix that kind of mal content. All they had to do was win a few games. with a slightly good QB, a moderately brilliant coach and a barely in touch ownership, winning is a reasonable thing expect.

Fortunately, the Pats had, and still have, all of these things, so appeasing the likes of Randy Moss and Corey Dillon was a simple task. I mean if you can call winning the Super Bowl and going 18-1 simple.

But Pacman Jones is a different breed of disgruntled player. We have no clue what his problem is. It shouldn't be a winning deal; the Titans went from 4-12 his rookie season to a miraculous 8-8 the next year and in contention for a playoff spot.

We'll ignore the fact that last year, when he was not allowed to play with the team, they actually secured that playoff spot at 10-6. Tennessee is home to an Offensive Rookie of the Year and a couple pro-bowlers. They have been a solid team in a tough division the past couple years with the addition of Vince Young.

In that same span of time, Jones has been arrested six times, received three years probation and had other charges including assault filed against him. Even after the honor of the first season long suspension befell him, he didn't seem to learn.

He is not a fixable acquisition. His track record proves that whatever his problem is, winning will not assuage it. The Patriots do not need to waste their time on a moderately good corner who, by the way, has not played in a year. It's not worth it. He's not the kind of player the Pats can handle.

He's not the kind of guy who will go from loudmouth to mouse after the tenth win. He's not Randy Moss or Corey Dillon. A playoff spot or a +.500 record will not calm this one.

The Pats needn't worry about letting him get away even with the loss of Asante Samuel, because no matter how many wins they have or rings they wear, Adam "Pacman" Jones will not magically transform into a team player. He's obviously got worse problems than frustration.

The Pats are not the team for him. Leave him to the Cowboys. They have a knack for that.

Bleacher Report - Articles by Nikki Wyatt

Sport Rivalries: How Do They Rank?

Andrew "Pacman" Jones : Not Another Pats Success Story