The Best and Worst of the Biggest Rivalries In Sports

Rivalries keep us intrigued in each sport. Every rivalry has a break in the relationship. Even though it is harder now days with the media, especially the worldwide leader, promoting them so you tune in and get excited. Now if one of those teams involved in the rivalry is your pride and joy then have at it. Enjoy it. But don’t drag us into it. The “major” rivalries will always have history but at times they aren’t legitimate. 

Here are some of the rivalries that deserve our full attention and some that don’t for now: (I say for now because it takes one year, one game, one moment to bring it back to life.)

BEST:

Lakers – Celtics

The best rivalry in sports right now, bar none.  Arguably the two best teams in the NBA. They’ve played each other twice in the Finals in the last few years and whenever they play its on national television. Now we all know the history of the rivalry, starting obviously with maybe the best player-to-player rivalry with Bird and Magic. But as some know, the rivalry DIED for years.

From the early 90s to well when the Celtics got KG and Ray, this wasn’t a rivalry.  Paul Peirce was alone in Boston trying to survive as an NBA team until the other two came along. During this time the Lakers were winning titles and Kobe and Shaq were dominating the NBA. 

Red Sox – Yankees

Probably one of the more overrated rivalries, for history’s sake. Now, there is definitely hatred between the two teams, fans and cities. That will never change, regardless of who’s winning or not. It's just hard to say it’s a rivalry by definition when the Yankees were the best team in sports for a hundred years and the Red Sox couldn’t win a championship even if they played the Expos. That’s just how it was.

Sox fans would chant “Yankees suck” when they would play the Tigers, the Yankees fans wouldn’t even think about giving Boston fans that satisfaction, ever. In 2003 when Aaron Boone embarrassed Boston again, it was becoming a bigger joke than ever.

What the Sox needed was something to put the Evil Empire in their place. That’s just what they did in the 2004 ALCS. The rivalry has been GREAT ever since. Both teams are always on top and every game they play against each other counts more than ever.

Duke – North Carolina (basketball)

The Tobacco Road rivalry, similar to the Sox–Yankees, means a lot to each team. The fact that both teams play in the same conference adds on to the importance of each time they play each other. 

These are the two teams that people depend on to win the ACC every year. So when they play twice a year (sometimes three or four depending on if they meet in ACC or NCAA tournament) it’s a huge deal for their rankings or seeding.

Looking back Duke (’01, ’10 champs) and Carolina (’05, ’09 champs) have been the best teams in the decade. Also have produced two of the best players in college history with JJ Redick and Tyler Hansbrough. The rivalry gets bigger every time they play.

Bears – Packers

This is an interesting one. This matchup was the biggest for all the old time football fans.  For us young, hip gridiron fans, it is gross and boring. But all the sudden this year made it fun for all ages.

When Jay Cutler got traded from Denver, where he and Phillip Rivers were starting up a nice little personal feud, I had hoped he and Aaron Rodgers would start to get into it. Well I haven’t gotten that, yet, but the teams played once more than usual this year in the NFC Championship and made this matchup interesting again.

They split the season series but the one the Packers won excelled their team that started their Super Bowl push. This rivalry will get more compelling as the years come along.

Steelers – Ravens

These two teams play football the way it’s supposed to be played. Hard hitting, bruising, power football. Every time they play it’s an extremely close game.  If they could they would only separate each game by half a point every time.

Ray Lewis, Ed Reed versus Troy Palatal, and James Harrison. It's great. These really are the only two teams that could play each other and the score would be 6-3 and it would be the most entertaining game of the week. Now the history isn’t there but we will never forget some of the matchups these teams have had.

Patriots – Colts

Now the flame of this rivalry is starting to get dim. However, we always will tune in as long as Brady and Manning are throwing the rock. Unlike the Ravens–Steelers, these games get up to 35-28, and are as entertaining.

But like I said, this series is starting to fizzle, or at least I’m getting that feeling. We will definitely be talking about the Jets–Patriots rivalry in the coming years as one of the best in sports. But let's cross that bridge when we fully cross it, just in case Rex starts a bigger one with someone else.

Auburn – Alabama (football)

Probably the game that summed up Auburn’s season the most was the 21-point comeback against Alabama. The two teams both play in the state of Alabama and fight for the state crown every year.

Years back when Auburn was a powerhouse for a year or so, Alabama wasn’t. Then once Alabama reeled in Saban and regained their power, Auburn was just starting ride the downhill slope.

Last year, with both teams on top, called for an interesting battle when they would meet up. Alabama went up 21-0 and looked to have the game in hand. Cam Newton wouldn’t let it come that easy and carries his team on his back to win the game 24-21. Now of course Auburn went on to win the crystal ball one year after Alabama did. Interesting.

WORST:

Redskins – Cowboys

The biggest rivalry in NFL history is now merely just a card game between the two high-roller owners. Every move each team makes is reflected against the other. Jerry Jones builds his palace and people immediately wonder when Snyder will build his. Both teams give up tons to bring in the moneymaker player who won’t win them Championships. Just has gotten gross. 

Giants – Dodgers

Every year, if one team is good the other sucks. The history goes back when both teams were in New York. Now the rivalry is for their fans to hate each other, that is it. 

Michigan – Ohio State

When Jim Tressel was hired, he made it a point to beat Michigan every year. Too bad he didn’t. Since ’01 (when he was hired) he has been 9-1 against the Wolverines. This won’t be a great rivalry again until Michigan makes it a point to return the favor.

Army – Navy

I understand the rivalry. I enjoy the meaning. But you can’t pay me to watch it. Plus the fact that Navy owns them in recent years.

Cubs – Cardinals, Phillies – Mets

Well simply put: Cardinals and Phillies win, Mets and Cubs don’t. Doesn’t seem like it’s going to change any time soon either.

Florida State – Miami

Remember these? Kickers missing field goals to lose games going wide left, the battles of the two best teams not only in Florida but also in the country. Those were the days. Too bad both teams haven’t been good in YEARS!

Pitt – West Virginia (football)

“The Backyard Brawl” isn’t interesting to anyone except to the people living in that small gap between the two campuses. 

Harvard – Yale

Isn’t this cute?