The Greatest Rivalries in Sports

The last article I wrote about the UNC/DUKE rivalry got a lot of positive feedback, although many people disagree that it's the best rivalry in sports.

Now I'm not one to think my opinion is better than anyone else's, so I'm going to list some of the top rivalries in the world of sports in no particular order. 

College Football

Florida State Seminoles vs. Florida Gators

Few, if any, match the intensity and impact of a Florida Gators vs. FSU Seminoles game in NCAA football. Why you ask?

Could it be the sweltering Florida heat? Might it be the fact that this game often determines one team’s national championship hopes? The Sunshine Showdown for the Governors Cup is always a close, hard-fought game.

Let's not forget about the other Florida football powerhouse—the Miami Hurricanes—involved with these two programs either.

Ohio State vs. Michigan

"The Game" is probably the most recognized rivalry in college football. In 2006, history was made when these two teams were the top two in the country at 11-0 each. Ohio State won the game 42-39 to win the outright Big Ten Championship.

Michigan is currently on a four-game losing streak to the Buckeyes and six of their last seven overall. There is a reason why this is referred to as "The Game."

College Basketball

Other then the obvious Duke-Carolina rivalry here are some other hate-filled basketball games.

Kentucky vs. Louisville

This is a much storied rivalry in the world of college basketball, although it did take a break from 1959 to 1983 because of one man—Adolph Rupp. He hated Louisville so much and was convinced Kentucky was the superior program so he refused to schedule Louisville.

The rivalry resumed and shortly after Rick Pitino was named head coach in Kentucky. From 1989-1997 he lead the Wildcats to basketball prowess and won the National Championship in 1996. Four years after he left Kentucky he is back in the rivalry, although this time as the Louisville coach.

Kansas vs. Missouri 

"The Border War" between Kansas and Missouri is very heated. Missouri always seems to be looking up at Kansas and is usually given the underdog status.

Quinn Snyder, a protégé of Mike Krzyzewski, has really added some fireworks to this rivalry. During his first season as the Missouri head coach they throttled the then-No. 7 Jayhawks.

NBA

NBA rivalries come and go as some teams lose their competitive edge. Therefore, these rivalries usually go by era.

1980's Lakers vs. Celtics

This is possibly the best NBA rivalry of all time. The teams met in the NBA finals four times during the decade with the Lakers winning three of them. The ever famous "BEAT LA" chant was always bellowed at Boston Garden when Magic and the boys came to town.

If you have ESPN Classic, keep an eye out for the marathons of old Lakers-Celtics games and be sure to tune in.

Late 80's Detroit Pistons vs. the NBA

Everyone they played absolutely hated the original "Bad Boys of basketball." Isaiah Thomas, Bill Laimbeer, Dennis Rodman, and Joe Dumars were extremely physical, arguably dirty players. They were able to win the NBA finals two years in a row cementing their status as one of the great teams in NBA history.

NFL

Cowboys and Redskins

This rivalry is coming up on its 50th year of existence. Between the two teams they have eight Super Bowl wins. This is one of the most competitive rivalries in pro sports. In the down years of either team, the games are always within a touchdown.  

Packers and Bears

The oldest rivalry in the NFL has maintained the same level of pure hatred between two franchises since 1921. The Bears are ahead in the all-time series 85-76-6. Fifty Hall-of-Famers have competed in the rivalry.

The Brett Favre era in Green Bay has been good for the Pack although they were swept this year by a 7-9 Bears team.

NHL

Toronto Maple Leafs vs. Montreal Canadiens

Yikes! This is the Packers-Bears rivalry of the NHL. The oldest and by far most bitter rivalry in the NHL is always physical and full of pure hatred. They have met in the playoffs 12 times and in the Stanley Cup Finals five times.

The on-ice competition is intense but maybe not as intense as the deeper rivalry in Canadian society between the English and the French-Canadians.

Colorado Avalanche vs. Detroit Red Wings

This rivalry was originally between the Detroit Red Wings and the Quebec Nordiques. The Nordiques were moved to Denver, along with the rivalry and a new set of fans for the Red Wings to get booed from. This rivalry has been linked to the success of both teams in recent memory.

From 1996-2002 they have met in the playoffs five times, three of which were in the Western Conference Finals. However, in recent memory the rivalry is kind of on the back burner. Many of the memorable characters have relocated or retired.   

MLB

YANKS vs. SOX

This is the rivalry I believe many people will say is better than Carolina-Duke, however, only in recent memory has it been a true rivalry.

There is no questioning each team’s undying hatred of the other and the passion put into every game. But, for what many consider the best rivalry in sports, it has been quite one-sided up until the 2004 New York meltdown. There isn't another rivalry between two teams that has involved a curse based on one player. The teams have won 30 World Series championships between them, however the Yankees hold 27.

Since the addition of the wild card team and added divisional series, the Yanks and the Sox have faced off in the ALCS three times. The Yankees won the first two meetings in 1999 and 2003 and the Red Sox come back from an improbable 3-0 series deficit in 2004 to win.

This rivalry has also seen two middle infielders hit game-winning home runs changing their middle names to "effin." Bucky effin' Dent in 1978 and Aaron effin' Boone in 2003.

Dodgers vs. Giants

This rivalry started out as the battle of New York.—the Brooklyn Dodgers in Ebbets Field and New York Giants at the Polo Grounds. After the 1957 season the Dodgers owner relocated to Los Angeles for financial reasons. Obviously the Giants didn't want to kill the rivalry so they packed up and headed to the West Coast also.

The heat of this rivalry was never as evident as in the famous 1951 season. This was the original "spy gate" controversy in pro sports. The Dodgers held a 13.5 game lead over the Giants on Aug. 11. Lead by rookie Willie Mays, the Giants just rolled through the last six weeks of the season to tie the Dodgers for the pennant.

The teams played in the three game playoff ending with Bobby Thomson's famous home run "Shot Heard 'Round the World."

These are just a few of the rivalries I wished to write about. I mean, I didn't even include the Tennessee-UConn Women's basketball Rivalry. There are many more out there and I would love to hear what you all think about: 1.

Rivalries discussed in this article; 2. Other rivalries not mentioned; 3 Rivalries involving smaller schools, such as high schools or lower levels of collegiate athletics.