7 College Football Rivalries That Are Current Fierce Recruiting Battles

Rivalries are everywhere in college football, whether they are crosstown rivalries, in-state rivalries, regional rivalries or conference rivalries, a good rivalry is always good for the game.

For this read, I'm going to give you seven college football rivalries that we love that are also currently big-time recruiting battles. So while you'll see a following pair of programs go at it this fall on the field, they're already fighting for something in spring on the recruiting trail.

Here we go. 

7. Oklahoma vs. Oklahoma State

The Pokes and Sooners don't care for each other, and it seems like OSU doesn't like to be viewed as OU's little brother.

Each program has enjoyed some great recent success, but OU is consistently viewed as the superior program. Right now, they're both locked in a heated recruiting battle for WR Laquon Treadwell.

Personally, I think Treadwell is bound for Michigan, but the Cowboys and Sooners are major suitors, according to Scout.com.

6. California vs. Stanford

This rivalry sparked perhaps the greatest play in college football and many great players have come from both schools. Cal fans feel Stanford is an arrogant school and Stanford thinks Cal students are Cardinal rejects.

On the trail, per Scout.com, the Bears and the Cardinal are both in the top five for 4-star LB Peter Kalambayi. 

Each school will try to get the talented linebacker from the Tar Heel state on campus for a trip.

5. Ole Miss vs. Mississippi State

The Egg Bowl is always a great game, as Ole Miss and Mississippi State simply don't like each other. The Bulldogs and Rebels get at one another annually in the SEC.

Right now, Kailo Moore has both schools in his top three, according to Scout.com. Even though LSU is also recruiting him, expect the talented RB prospect to stay inside the Magnolia State.

4. Florida vs. Florida State

Two powerhouse programs that pretty much despise one another. This is a fierce rivalry that has made great games and legends fall.

Each program is always after the same players around the Sunshine State, and this year is no different.

Specifically, per Scout.com, explosive RB Ryan Green has his eye on both Florida and Florida State in his top schools, along with Auburn and Clemson. 

3. USC vs. UCLA

The Trojans have been insanely dominant over the Bruins in the past decade or so, but look out for Jim Mora Jr. and his staff going forward at UCLA.

Right now, according to Scout.com, Mora is doing all he can to reel in 5-star DB Su'a Cravens, and even 4-star OT Nico Falah is giving the Bruins a long look along with USC, Scout.com states.

2. Florida vs. Georgia

These are two of the best programs in the SEC East, and the rivalry is so fierce that they meet at a neutral site in Jacksonville.

Fans flock to the annual Gators vs. Bulldogs game and attend the world's largest outdoor cocktail party. The game is always great and even the recruiting battles are fierce.

The biggest target for each school is 5-star OT Laremy Tunsil, who has both schools as his major suitors, per Scout.com. 

1. Alabama vs. LSU

Alabama's main rival is Auburn, but LSU is also a hated foe. The Crimson Tide and Tigers played twice last year, in the regular season and in the BCS title game.

They're in the same division and always have an eye on each other because they're the two dominant programs in the SEC West.

On the recruiting trail, right now they're battling hard against each other for elite prospects like DE Robert Nkemdiche, ATH/OLB Kendell Beckwith and DE/LB Tim Williams. 

Edwin Weathersby has worked in scouting/player personnel departments for three professional football teams, including the New York Giants, Cleveland Browns and the Las Vegas Gladiators of the Arena League. He spent a year evaluating prep prospects & writing specific recruiting and scouting content articles for Student Sports Football (now ESPN Rise-HS). A syndicated scout and writer, he's also contributed to WeAreSC.com, GatorBait.net and Diamonds in the Rough Inc., a College Football and NFL Draft magazine.