Michigan-Ohio State or Auburn-Alabama: Which Is the Greater Rivalry?

Rivalries.

They are what make college football special. There is no other sport—amateur or pro—where rivalries are as ubiquitous, intense, enduring and important.

And, of course, there are plenty of collegiate football rivalries. Notre Dame and Southern Cal, Oklahoma and Texas, Florida and Florida State, just to name a few.

Nevertheless, at least as far as national perception is concerned, there are two rivalries that top them all: Auburn vs. Alabama; and Michigan vs. Ohio State.

One takes place in the deep south and includes the sixth and the 15th winningest programs of all time. The other takes place in the Midwest and includes the No. 1 and No. 5 winningest programs of all time.

After that, there is one other key similarity and that is intensity that sometimes borders on hatred.

It's odd to me, as I grew up in New York City, where nobody cared (or cares) about college sports. There were only pro teams and that level of emotion was not an issue. As a Jets fan, I wanted the Jets to win, but I had no personal animosity towards the Dolphins or Patriots or whoever the Jets were playing that week.

Consequently, when I became immersed in college sports, the fanatical, illogical emotions that came with rivalries baffled me.

However, it was later explained to me that when you grow up learning and believing in something as an absolute truth—such as not giving a damn for the whole state of Michigan—there is no logic that will pierce such a cloud of emotion.

Such abstractions aside, the question before me is which is not only the greater rivalry between the two, but ultimately, which is the greatest rivalry in all of college football, and therefore, the greatest rivalry in all of sports?

As it is a purely emotional rivalry it is impossible to answer that question, but I will do my best.

Auburn/Bama: Where Does the Rivalry Come From?

The Iron Bowl gets its name from Birmingham, the largest city in Alabama around which are a number iron ore deposits.

The first game was played in Birmingham in front of a crowd of 450 people. Until 1903, the game moved between Birmingham, Montgomery and Tuscaloosa. However, the final four years of the first era of the matchup saw it stay in Birmingham.

Myth contends that in 1907, violence and unsportsmanlike play caused a break in the series. Nonetheless, historical documents indicate that whether or not there was violence, the bigger problem concerned money and the referees.

Due to this, the Iron Bowl was dormant from 1908-1947, though there were multiple efforts to start the game up again.

Perhaps that dormancy period added to the hostility between the two institutions. Either way, during that time Alabama rose to prominence while Auburn wallowed in relative mediocrity.

When the game finally did resume, it was moved to Birmingham's Legion Field, with the two schools splitting the tickets. The pre-game pageantry became a vital element of the game. Legion Field opened its gates several hours early and the student bodies of the respective schools engaged in shouting matches in which one side screamed "War Eagle" and the other screamed "Roll Tide." This lasted for hours. The game remained at Legion Field until the late 80's.

In 1951, Auburn hired Shug Jordan as its head coach in order to stop a slide into the basement of the SEC. Meanwhile, in 1955, Bama suffered its only 0-10 season ever. This led to the hiring of Bear Bryant.

Though the Tigers turned their overall fortunes around, Bryant owned Jordan's Tigers for the duration of the 60's and 70's. Regardless, it was during this time that the intensity of the rivalry became cemented.

Michigan/OSU: Where Does the Rivalry Come From?

Some say that the bad blood between these two states began with the Toledo War—a brief, nearly bloodless border dispute that took place between 1835-1836. Essentially, the bad blood started there and the football game became a modern manifestation of a never fully buried hatchet.

The first football game occurred in 1897—a game that Michigan easily won 34-0. In fact, the Wolverines owned the early part of the series, going 12-0-2, before a six-year hiatus.

Michigan joined the Big Ten Conference in 1896 and then left it in 1908 over a rules dispute. Ohio State joined the Big Ten 1912 and Michigan came back in the fold in 1917. Over the years, the end-of-the-season game at either Ann Arbor or Columbus has directly decided the Big Ten championship 22 times. It has also affected the determination of the conference title 26 additional times.

In truth, this was a rivalry at the mid-point of the decade, but it was nowhere near as fierce as it soon became. The catalyst to that upswing in intensity was the hiring of Ohio State coach Wayne Woodrow "Woody" Hayes.

For whatever reason, Hayes loathed the Wolverines, and in fact, loathed the "whole damn state of Michigan." In fact, in the 1968 game with the Bucks up 50-14, Hayes called for OSU to go for a two-point conversion. Later, when asked why he went for two points when the game was put away, Hayes was rumored to have said, "Because I couldn't go for three."

It speaks volumes that whether that story is true or not, it is believable.

The rivalry was taken up another 10 notches when, in 1969, former Ohio State assistant coach Glen "Bo" Schembechler was hired as the new Michigan head coach.

This began the Ten Year War, and since then, the intensity of this rivalry has remained constant.

Statistical History of the Iron Bowl

Been played since: 1893.

Current Leader of Series: Alabama 40-34-1 (75 games).

Last Ten Years: Auburn 7-3.

Most Recent Game (2010): Auburn 28-27.

Biggest Blowout: 1948. Alabama won 55-0.

Longest Winning Streak: 1973-1981. Alabama.

Highest Scoring Game: 1969. Auburn: 49, Alabama: 26.

Lowest Scoring Game: 1960. Alabama: 3, Auburn: 0.

Average Score: Auburn: 15.99, Alabama: 14.61.

Average Differential: 15.36.

Longest Amount of Time Game Wasn't Played: 1908-1947 (39 years).

SIAA, Southern Conference and SEC Championships: Alabama: 26. Auburn: 11

National Championships (these numbers are debatable): Alabama: 8. Auburn: 2. 

Statistical History of the Game

Been played since: 1897

Current Leader of Series: Michigan 57-44-6.

Last Ten Years: OSU 8-1 (OSU vacated their 2010 win).

Most Recent Game (2010): OSU 37-7 (the win was later vacated).

Biggest Blowout: 1902. Michigan won 86-0.

Longest Winning Streak: 1901-1909. Michigan

Highest Scoring Game: 1902 Michigan: 86, OSU: 0. More recently, 2006 OSU: 42, Michigan: 39.

Lowest Scoring Game: 1929 and 1960. Michigan: 7, OSU: 0. 1951. OSU: 7, Michigan: 0.

Average Score: Michigan: 15.24, OSU: 13.11 (Does not include vacated 2010 game).

Average Differential: 14.20 (Does not include vacated 2010 game).

Longest Amount of Time Game Wasn't Played: 1912-1918 (6 years).

Big Ten Championships: Michigan: 42. OSU: 34.

National Championships (these numbers are debatable): Michigan: 7, OSU: 7.

Iron Bowl: Greatest Games

1967: It was a muddy, rainy, messy day at Legion Field. Alabama came into the game 7-1-1. Auburn was 6-3. In a game that was mostly defined by defense and punting, the Tigers were up 3-0 with 11 minutes left in the game. Then quarterback Kenny Stabler held on to an option and ran 47 yards for a touchdown that squashed Auburn. The Tide wound up winning 7-3.

1972: Bear Bryant's Tide came into the game ranked No. 2 in the country. They had a perfect 10-0 record. Meanwhile, Shug Jordan's Tigers weren't slouches, as they came into the game with a 9-1 record. Despite this, Bama was heavily favored.

They played like heavy favorites through the first three quarters, maintaining a 16-0 lead. After a fourth quarter field goal, Auburn closed the gap to 16-3. Then, in the final five minutes of play, the Tigers blocked two punts and ran both back for touchdowns. Auburn won the game 17-16.

1982: 7-3 Alabama came into Birmingham riding a nine-game win streak against Auburn. However, 11-game winning streaks against Tennessee and LSU, as well as a 57-game win streak in Tuscaloosa all came to an end earlier that season. Auburn was 8-3 and things were looking very bright behind second-year coach Pat Dye. The Tigers won the game 23-22 when freshman running back Bo Jackson went "over the top" for the winning score.

Auburn went on to play in and win the Tangerine Bowl against Boston College, while Bama went to the Liberty Bowl where they beat Illinois. Shortly after the season ended Bear Bryant retired, and one month after retiring, he passed away.

1985: Auburn came into the season ranked No. 2 in the AP poll. Bama wasn't ranked. The Tigers failed to live up to preseason expectations, and came into the Iron Bowl with an 8-2 record. Meanwhile, the Tide was 7-2-1. The SEC crown went to Tennessee and Florida that year. Before the Iron Bowl took place, Auburn had accepted a bid to play in the Cotton Bowl, while Alabama was going to the Aloha Bowl. There was nothing at stake other than winning the game.

The game went back and forth with both teams claiming the lead at some point during the first three quarters. With :57 seconds left in the game, Auburn took a 23-22 lead and all looked lost. However, after driving down the field, Van Tiffin kicked a 52-yard field goal as time expired to give Alabama the win.

2010: Auburn came into the game 11-0. They weren't supposed to be in this position. Pundits kept saying they couldn't win, yet they kept winning. On the other hand, 9-2 Bama was supposed to be in Auburn's place. As the reigning national champions, they had come into the season ranked No. 1, and they were supposed to be playing for a bid to the SEC championship, not Auburn.

In the first half, it looked like the Tide were the favorites as they took a 24-point lead. However, eventual Heisman-winner Cam Newton was involved in four touchdowns, as he led the Tigers to a 28-27 comeback win, an SEC title berth and eventually, a national championship.

The Game: Greatest Games

1950: Known as "the Blizzard Bowl" or "Snow Bowl," this game was played in the worst blizzard Columbus had seen in 37 years. There were five inches of snow on the ground when unranked Michigan earned a safety off a blocked kick and touchdown off a blocked punt to win 9-3 against the No. 8-ranked Buckeyes. This win sent the Wolverines to the Rose Bowl.

1969: Ohio State coach Woody Hayes had been a mentor to Bo Schembechler. Schembechler had worked under the irascible Hayes in 1952 and again in 1958-1962. In effect, it went without saying that when Schembechler took the Michigan head coaching job in 1969, it was a declaration of war.

Ohio State had owned the Wolverines during the 60's, compiling a 7-2 record against their hated foe. Heading into the game, the Buckeyes had rolled over their eight previous foes. Meanwhile, Michigan was 8-2, but they had picked up steam since their early-season losses. In the end, the Wolverines upset the No. 1-ranked Bucks 24-12, earning themselves a trip to the Rose Bowl and beginning the "10-year war" between Schembechler and Hayes.

1973: The Buckeyes were 9-0. Michigan was 10-0. OSU was ranked No. 1. The Wolverines were ranked No. 4. The conference title, a berth to the Rose Bowl and possibly the national title was on the line. In heavy rain, the two tied 10-10, with Michigan missing two field goals in the final quarter.

This sent the question of who was going to the Rose Bowl to the athletic directors. Though both Michigan and Woody Hayes felt that the Wolverines would get the bid, the AD's gave it to OSU instead.

1997: Michigan was 10-0 and ranked No.1 in the nation. Ohio State was 10-1 and ranked No. 4 in the nation. In a defensive struggle, the Wolverines came out on top, winning 20-14. Cornerback Charles Woodson put on a display that helped cement his Heisman Trophy-winning season. He had one interception in the end zone, returned a punt for a touchdown and had a 37-yard reception. UM went on to win the final pre-BCS national championship (though they had to split it with Nebraska).

2006: Pretty simple. Bragging rights for a year, the Big Ten championship and a berth to the national championship game. It was all on the line. Despite the constant hype that surrounded the game for at least two weeks leading up to it, it was unquestionably a great game. Michigan had extra incentive to win as legendary coach Bo Schembechler had died the Friday preceding the game. Still, Ohio State came away with a 42-39 win.

Auburn/Bama: Greatest Players and Coaches

Alabama Coaches: E.B. Beaumont, Eli Abbott, Otto Wagonhurst, Allen McCants, W.A. Martin, M. Griffin, M.H. Harvey, W.D. Blount, Jack Leavenworth, J.W.H. Pollard, Guy Lowman, D.V. Graves, Thomas Kelly, Xen Scott, Wallace Wade, Frank Thomas, Harold Drew, Jennings B. Whitworth, Paul "Bear" Bryant, Ray Perkins, Bill Curry, Gene Stallings, Mike DuBose, Dennis Franchione, Mike Price, Mike Shula, Joe Kines, Nick Saban.

Auburn Coaches: George Petrie, D.M. Baillet, D.H. Harvey, F.M. Hall, John Heisman, Billy Watkins, Robert Kent, M.H. Harvey, Willis Bates, Mike Donahue, Willis Kienholz, Boozer Pitts, Dave Morey, George Bohler, Red Floyd, Chet A. Wynn, Jack Meagher, Carl M. Voyles, Earl Brown, Ralph "Shug" Jordan, Doug Barfield, Pay Dye, Terry Bowden, Bill Oliver, Tommy Tuberville, Gene Chizik.

Alabama Heisman Winners: Mark Ingram, 2009.

Auburn Heisman Winners: Pat Sullivan, 1971. Bo Jackson, 1985. Cam Newton, 2010.

Alabama Players/Coaches that are in the College Football Hall of Fame: 23.

Auburn Players/Coaches that are in the College Football Hall of Fame: 12.

Alabama All-Americans: 114.

Auburn All-Americans: 62.

Michigan/OSU: Greatest Players and Coaches

Michigan Coaches: Mike Murphy and Frank Crawford, Frank Barbour, William McCauley, William Ward, Gustave Ferbert, Langdon "Biff" Lea, Fielding Yost, George Little, Elton Wieman, Harry Kipke, Herbert "Fritz" Crisler, Bennie Oosterbaan, Chalmers "Bump" Eliot, Glen "Bo" Schembechler, Gary Moeller, Lloyd Carr, Rich Rodriguez.

OSU Coaches: Alexander Lilley, Frederick Bushnell "Jack" Ryder, Charles A. Hickey, David Edwards, John Eckstorm, Perry Hale, E.R. Sweatland, Albert Herrnstein, Howard Jones, Harry Vaughn, John Richards, John Wilce, Sam Willaman, Francis Schmidt, Paul Brown, Carroll Widdoes, Paul Bixlar, Wesley Feslar, Woody Hayes, Earl Bruce, John Cooper, Jim Tressel.

Michigan Heisman Winners: Tom Harmon, 1940. Desmond Howard, 1991. Charles Woodson, 1997.

OSU Heisman Winners: Les Horvath, 1944. Vic Janowicz, 1950. Howard Cassady, 1955. Archie Griffin, 1974 and 1975. Eddie George, 1995. Troy Smith 2006.

Michigan Players/Coaches that are in the College Football Hall of Fame: 33

OSU Players/Coaches that are in the College Football Hall of Fame: 30

Michigan All-Americans: 126.

OSU All-Americans: 173.

Auburn/Bama: Peripheral Stories

Following the 2010 Iron Bowl, a disgruntled Alabama fan by the name of Harvey Updyke Jr. poisoned Auburn's historic Toomer's Corner Oak Trees. Speaking as an outsider, I don't know whether this was a case of overzealous fanaticism or just plain lunacy.

Due to differences of opinion over the rules, which referees should have been used and what the universities should have been reimbursed for room and board expenses, among other things, the rivalry was discontinued from 1908-1948. Alabama FC Jonathan Fravel does an excellent job of going into more detail on the dead period.

"Sure I'd like to beat Notre Dame, don't get me wrong. But nothing matters more than beating that cow college on the other side of the state."—Bear Bryant to a group of boosters before the Iron Bowl. Auburn wound up upsetting the Tide.

According to Auburn FC Kevin McGrady, he is not sure the Auburn/Bama rivalry is the best in college football, though he is sure it is the most hate-filled. However, "The hatred in this rivalry is and always has been mostly one-sided," with that side being the Alabama side. With that in mind, there is no denying that when one does some sort of "Auburn hate Alabama" Google search, the majority of the enmity is from Tide fans. Still, much as with Michigan and Ohio State, competitiveness and even bad feelings can take many forms.

Alabama FC Larry Burton and Auburn FC Ian Berg agree that, in Burton's words, "Alabama / Auburn is more than a rivalry, it is bragging rights for a whole year and a chance to Lord over the other." Furthermore, according to Berg, "This is the only rivalry that separates families as strongly as the Civil War did in the 1800’s. Yes, people take it that seriously."

Michigan/OSU: Peripheral Stories

"How did Woody feel about Michigan? Let me illustrate with one story. One time we were at the Quarterback Club and the team was being introduced and a freshman had on a blue tie. Woody took one look at that blue tie, and he walked over and whipped it off that freshman. The audience went wild. We learned quickly that tradition dictated we wear ties of scarlet and gray..."—Randy Gradishar, from the book What It Means to Be a Buckeye by Jim Tressel and Jeff Snook.

Most people know about tattoogate by now. For those that don't, here are the details. After it came out that Jim Tressel knew about his players exchanging memorabilia for tattoos, a Wolverine fan rented use of a billboard on I-94 in Michigan, and put up a sign that said, "Liar, Liar, Vest on Fire!" Shortly thereafter, Jim Tressel resigned.

To the best of my knowledge, the following story is urban legend. It may or may not be true. That said, it was well known that Woody Hayes hated anything to do with Michigan. In fact, he refused to refer to it as "Michigan." He called it, "that state up north," or "that team up north." That is true. What is questionable is that on a recruiting trip to the Great Lakes State, Hayes was in the car with an assistant. The assistant noticed that the car was almost out of gas. He nudged Hayes and asked him if he should pull over and get gas. Hayes said "no."

20 minutes later he asked again to which Hayes replied, ""No, goddammit! We do NOT pull in and fill up. And I'll tell you exactly why we don't. It's because I don't buy one goddam drop of gas in the state of Michigan! We'll coast and PUSH this goddam car to the Ohio line before I give this state a nickel of my money!" The assistant knew he wasn't kidding, and they barely made it across the border and sputtered into the first gas station they found in Ohio.—taken from Buckeyefansonly.com.

According to maizenbluenation.com, OSU fans are the "most obnoxious group of people in the world."

There is a band called the Dead Schembechlers that dress up as Woody Hayes and only sing hate-filled songs about Michigan with such titles as "M means Moron" and "Bomb Ann Arbor Now."

According to Michigan FC Joel Greer, "Michigan fans are much more passive that their OSU counterparts. Buckeye fans are just plain rude." The rude issue is what it is, but I can certainly believe the passive part of what he said. The majority of the taunts, the barbs, the videos, etc. seem to come from Ohio State fans. Maybe it has something to do with UM having a number of different rivalries, while OSU only has one that is modern and relevant. I'm not saying the hatred is one-sided. I am just saying Ohioans seem to approach the rivalry differently—more aggressively—than Michiganders.

Final Verdict

So, which is the greater, and therefore, the greatest rivalry?

Historically, OSU-Michigan has played a greater part in determining conference titles and national championships.

On the other hand, Ohio State might be entering into a down period and Michigan is certainly in a down period. It remains to be seen if new coach Brady Hoke will be the end of the down period or a continuation thereof.

Also, will the new Big Ten divisions diminish the importance of the Game? After all, the Bucks and Wolverines are not in the same division. Furthermore, their end-of-the-regular-season game will no longer determine the Big Ten champion, and, due to the separate divisions, it could wind up being played twice a season. Whether the Game will be diminished or not, I can say with absolute certainty that Woody and Bo would have despised these changes.

Meanwhile, Auburn and Alabama are both in the SEC West, and the Iron Bowl will never get played more than once a year. On top of that, the state of Alabama has brought home the national champion two years running, and in the recently released USA Today preseason coaches poll, the Tide were ranked No. 2 with Auburn No. 19. On the other hand, Michigan was unranked and OSU was No. 16.

But is national relevance the only measure of a rivalry?

In the end, I suppose it has to be, as there is no way to measure intensity. Moreover, does pure intensity define a rivalry? What of parity and competitiveness?

In 2011, the greatest rivalry is Auburn-Alabama. But that may change tomorrow in the dynamic world of college football.