Army vs. Navy and the 10 Most Storied College Football Rivalries

Army and Navy are set to square off today. No other contest in American sport can match the fervor, the pageantry and, of course, the patriotism of the annual contest. Because of those factors, it is one of the most storied rivalries in college sports.

What are some of the other ones? Which rivalries, when brought up, evoke story upon story of years past. Which rivalries have the greatest traditions and histrionics?

That is what this list seeks to discover. This isn't necessarily a list of greatest rivalries, or most competitive, or the best teams. While that plays a small part in it, this seeks to find which are the most storied.

Enjoy!

10. Brigham Young vs. Utah

The "Holy War" is a clash of culture, socioeconomic status and, of course, religion. Utah is the publicly owned university, while BYU is privately owned by the church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

While many Utah alums and students are members of the LDS, they nevertheless engage in the rivalry. BYU fans will accuse Utah fans of being drunk and inferior, while Utah fans will accuse BYU fans of being pompous, self-righteous and hypocrites, should they break their honor code. To put it into context, BYU nose guard Lenny Gomes once stated: "All those guys think that's all there is to life. But when I'm making $50-60,000 a year, they'll be pumping my gas. They're low-class losers."

The two cannot reach an agreement on when the first game was played. Utah claims they played BYU in 1896, but BYU's records only show a football team dating back to the 1920s. Depending on whether you consider six early games to have taken place or not, Utah either leads the series 55-34-4 or 52-31-4.

A notable incident occurred in 1999. On the road in Provo, a male Utah cheerleader ran down the sideline with the Utah flag following a score. An overzealous fan attacked him but was quickly neutralized. The cheerleader put a beatdown on the fan, which led to then-WR Steve Smith to state: "Even our cheerleaders are kicking your butt."

Great games, teams and players have defined the series, from Steve Young and the 1984 championship team to Brian Johnson and the 2009 Utes. But the series will always be defined by the divide.

Some coaches have embraced it, others were turned off by it. Former Utah coach Ron McBride is quoted as saying: "When Brigham Young came into the valley, he pointed to where the University of Utah would be and said, ‘This is the place.’ Provo was just an afterthought." Another former coach, Wayne Howard, simply stated: "There's too much religion involved. I did not like that. I really didn't."

9. FSU vs. Miami

The fact that this rivalry has been around the shortest puts it low on the list. The contributions and impact it has had in such a short time gets it on the list, regardless.

FSU did not field a football team until 1947 (they were a women's college for most of their existence). A few years later they would begin playing what would become their fiercest rival, the Miami Hurricanes.

Both teams' rise to prominence in the 1980s played a key role in the development of the rivalry. The Hurricanes would win three national titles in the 1980s. In two of those seasons, they beat the Seminoles by one point (ironically, in 1989, they lost to FSU).

Over the past 25 years, the two have combined to provide some of the most legendary games. The 1987 contest saw the two ranked in the top four. The teams would trade touchdowns in the final minute before Bobby Bowden ultimately went for two points instead of a tie. The conversion failed, and Miami won 26-25.

In 1991, the teams met as No. 1 and No. 2 late in the season. FSU drove within field-goal range to win the game, but as we all know, the kick sailed wide left. Miami would go on to win the national championship. The next year, they met both ranked in the top three, and a FSU field goal that would have tied the game sailed wide left.

The two met ranked in the top three once again in 1993. This time FSU dominated en route to a national championship. 1994 broke the streak of the two meeting as top five teams. The 1994 contest saw No. 3 FSU against a Miami team that was "only" ranked No. 13.

The rivalry picked up steam once again near the turn of the century. Miami defeated FSU in 2000 (Wide Right III), but with each team sharing a loss, the BCS chose FSU over Miami for the national title game. FSU would lose to Oklahoma.

Two years later, No. 9 FSU would squander a big lead against No. 1 Miami at the Orange Bowl. Once again they were in position to kick a field goal and win, but the kicker missed it...wide left.

The two have met every year since 1962. In 2004, they played in the Orange Bowl game as well. Miami would win both games that season, their Orange Bowl win coming on a missed field goal...Wide Right IV.

8. Harvard vs. Yale

When discussing the tradition, history and pageantry of the game, the Harvard-Yale game belongs on any list of rivalries. The rivalry is long lasting, the second longest in all of college sports, and close; Yale leads 65-55-8.

The schools are located just a couple of hours apart and the two teams have met annually the final week of the season (except during war time). The two started playing in 1875, and their inaugural game was just the second game between two colleges ever.

As is the case with any rivalry, the two have had their share of incidents and controversy.

In 1933, Yale's bulldog mascot, Handsome Dan II, was kidnapped by Harvard students. Yale retaliated by smearing hamburger on the statue of John Harvard on the Harvard campus. Harvard would get the last laugh, however, as a photo was then snapped of Handsome Dan II licking John Harvard's feet. The photo ran in major newspapers across the nation.

The most famous game occurred in 1968. 8-0 Harvard trailed 8-0 Yale 29-13 with less than a minute to go. Miraculously, Harvard tallied 16 points in the final 42 seconds to tie the game 29-29. Given the circumstances of the tie and Yale's perceived edge, the Harvard Crimson ran the now-famous title "Harvard beats Yale, 29-29."

Harvard has played spoiler to Yale several times. Ten times Yale came into the game undefeated, and only once did they emerge victorious against Harvard. Conversely, Harvard has entered undefeated nine times and won all but once.

7. USC vs. Notre Dame

The rivalry between the Trojans and Irish is unique in that the teams don't share a city, state, border or even a time zone. USC and Notre Dame are as far apart as you can get and still call yourself rivals. When these two hook up, regional pride is on the line.

The two programs have more achievements than any other rivalry. Each team has won the national championship 11 times, and each has won the Heisman trophy seven times. More college football Hall of Famers, all-Americans and future NFL Hall of Famers have played in this game than any other rivalry.

The game began in what is now known as a "conversation between wives." As legend goes, USC athletic director Gwynn Wilson and his wife traveled to Lincoln, Nebraska to watch a game between the Irish and the Huskers. Wilson's wife and ND coach Knute Rockne's wife took a liking to each other, and USC invited Notre Dame to play annually. While Rockne initially had concerns over playing USC, Rockne's wife convinced her husband to take a trip out to Southern California once every two years. (This remains the popular, folkloric story of how the rivalry began. There are new rumors that the rivalry began with a more-detailed, less-interesting series of moves revolving around money.)

They played their first game in 1926, a 13-12 win for the Irish. The next year, ND edged USC again 7-6 in front of a purported 120,000 at Chicago's Soldier Field. It remains one of the most attended games in NCAA history.

Notre Dame leads the series 43-34-5, but the rivalry features long winning streaks from both teams. ND's longest win streak was 10, from 1983-1993, while USC enjoyed their longest streak most recently, from 2002-2009. Only once has the series' winner alternated four years in a row, 1961-1964. This feat could be matched next year should ND win in the Coliseum.

The two play for the jeweled shillelagh. Introduced in 1952, the club is donned with a shamrock or Trojan helmet jewel every year to commemorate a win for the Irish or Trojans.

6. Alabama vs. Auburn

These two have met since 1892, and the disagreements go back just as far. The first game was a 32-22 victory by Auburn, and Auburn considers it the first game of the 1893 season, while Alabama considers it the last game of the 1892 season. When you can't even get two schools to agree on what year it is, you know you have a rivalry!

The two stopped playing in the early 20th century over disagreements. They could not agree on how much money was to be paid out, where to obtain officials from and disagreed upon style of play. Auburn coach Mike Donahue did not like the way Alabama used shifting, thinking it was dirty and illegal.

In the late 1940s, the Alabama house of representatives passed a resolution, forcing the two to play. Neither wanted to very much, but did so once funding cuts were threatened. Thus, the rivalry was renewed. Just like when your mother makes you play with the kid down the street.

Games would be played at a neutral site, Birmingham's Legion Field, up until 1989 (and then still a few times after that; it wasn't played in Tuscaloosa until 2000).

Alabama leads all time, 43-34-1. The teams are responsible for the last two national championships.

5. Army vs. Navy

No one cares about the records or star power when these two square off. Big-time bowl games are no longer a factor when these two square off, and the participants won't be playing on Sundays in the future. They'll be doing something much more important, and that is what makes the game so great.

The game is traditionally played in Philadelphia, as the city is about equidistant from the two campuses, but it has been played at Soldier Field, the Polo Grounds, the Rose Bowl and Yankee Stadium, among other venues. The 1926 game at Soldier Field served as the stadium's dedication to servicemen lost in World War I, and it was attended by over 100,000 people.

At the end of the game, the fight songs of both teams are played. The winning team stands alongside the losing team and faces the losing academy students; then the losing team accompanies the winning team, facing their students. The camaraderie and respect between the two is unparalleled in college sports.

The teams have played since 1890 and Navy holds a 55-49-7 edge. They play annually for the Thompson Cup and perhaps the Commander-in-Chief trophy (with Air Force).

While national championships were on the line in decades past, the two have met with winning records only twice in the past 48 years. It never matters. What matters is the love of the game these two teams have. For many, it is the last football game they ever play.

4. Texas vs. Oklahoma

"I don't know how a true Texan can go to school in Oklahoma."

The quote pretty much sums it up. Texas and Oklahoma have met since 1900, and since 1932, their games have been held in the Cotton Bowl during the Texas State Fair. The atmosphere is unique, half of the stadium crimson, half burnt orange, a bowl-game atmosphere in the middle of October.

The first game was a blowout by Texas, 28-2...but could you blame Oklahoma? They weren't even a state yet! The Sooners (who weren't yet the Sooners) fielded their college football team while Oklahoma was still a U.S. territory (they would become a state in 1907).

Oklahoma has picked up the slack recently. Since World War II, Texas holds a slim edge, 33-31-3.

The two often square off with the game having national implications. While they face each other early, one of the two typically wins the Big 12 conference (they weren't in the same conference until the late 1980s).

Eight times between 1969 and 1981 did the two square off both holding a Top 10 ranking. Oklahoma was dominant in the early '70s, but the Horns were able to flip the script later in the decade.

Perhaps the most heated and most meaningful games have taken place most recently. One of the teams went on to play in the national championship six times since 2000, with OU winning in 2000, UT winning in 2005. Ironically, Texas would beat OU in 2008 but be passed over in the BCS's infinite wisdom of choosing the top two teams to play in the national title.

The two play for what any Texan or Oklahoman would want—a gold 10-gallon hat.

3. South Carolina vs. Clemson

Perhaps this isn't the first rivalry that jumps to mind when considering college football rivalries, but you'll soon see why it makes this list. The two schools are separated just 132 miles from each other and have a long and storied history that extends well beyond the football teams.

South Carolina and Clemson were founded a whopping 88 years apart; South Carolina in 1801, Clemson in 1889. South Carolina was used for political means throughout the 19th century. It was shut down during the Civil War, re-opened and de-segregated, then shut down again in protest. Citizens called for a school focusing in agriculture, so South Carolina was reopened as "South Carolina College of Agriculture and Mechanic Arts." Since this title didn't exactly roll off the tongue, it was later re-named South Carolina College, which angered those who felt it once again ignored the importance of agriculture.

In the late 19th century, Benjamin Tillman emerged as a leader of the agrarian movement. He demanded that the college spend more time in the teaching of agriculture. Why was there all this fuss? Many felt that there was a cultural divide in South Carolina and that the university showed bias towards the poor farmers. When Tillman's demands were not met, he, along with Thomas Green Clemson, decided to build their own school.

The drama still wasn't over yet. Tillman asked for funds from the state (which was run by the conservatives, the same people in power at South Carolina College) and they instead gave them to South Carolina. Ninety days later, Clemson passed away and Tillman inherited the money he was promised. He went to propose plans for the university, and the state blocked his proposal. Following that, Tillman went on a year-long campaign to make the university a reality.

He would eventually receive the funds and was able to build the college. In 1890, Tillman would win the governor's seat and take out his frustration. He publicly criticized those in the state Senate who previously blocked him, and he denied Senator Wade Hampton III, a South Carolina graduate, renomination. Tillman also threatened to close down South Carolina several times but never did.

Which brings us to football. How could these two not hate each other? They have played every year since 1906, the second-longest uninterrupted streak in the nation, and Clemson holds an all-time edge, 65-40-4.

The rivalry has gained fervor once again in recent years, as both teams have seen a resurgence in talent. It was marred by an ugly brawl in 2004, and has been in the news the past week with the words of Clemson head coach Dabo Swinney.

Responding to words that were reportedly from Steve Spurrier (but weren't), Swinney went on a long rant pointing out the historical success that Clemson has had, and the ineptitude of South Carolina. Among the great one-liners, Swinney states that South Carolina isn't well known and that is why "Carolina is in Chapel Hill and USC is in California." He would add that "The university in this state, always has been, always will be—Clemson. It's right here in Clemson, South Carolina. Print that. Tweet that. Whatever."

2. Kansas vs. Missouri

Another rivalry that dates back to a time well before football.

In 1854, Kansas was set to enter the union. There was debate whether they would enter as a slave state or a free state, and as you could imagine, debate and contention began.

Missouri, being a border state of Kansas and also a slave state, sent border ruffians into Kansas to influence Kansas to enter the union as a slave state. Clear-minded people retaliated, most notably John Brown (pictured).

Brown came to Kansas and led an anti-slavery revolt against the border ruffians. Violence ensued in an episode of American history now known as "Bleeding Kansas." Not only did 56 people die during this period, but the whole incident was one of many causes for the eventual Civil War.

Kansas would eventually enter as a non-slave state. When war broke out, the two fought frequently. Villages and towns were burned, while Lawrence (home to KU) was raided by a gang of swashbucklers from Missouri. They killed nearly 200 people.

Thirty years later, the two first met on the football field. Perhaps not surprisingly, their matchup and rivalry would come to be known as the "border war."

The matchup is the second most played in FBS history. Soon enough, it will fall down those charts, as Missouri's departure from the Big 12 has put the series on an indefinite hold.

The two also play for some of the cooler trophies in the nation. And Indian War Drum was originally built by Osage Indians but was lost. A replacement was built by Tao Indians of New Mexico.

1. Michigan vs. Ohio State

The greatest rivalry in all of sports has produced the greatest tales of legends, battles and tradition. "Michigan and Ohio State" is college football.

The rivalry dates back to a feud between the two states in the 19th century. In what developed into the Toledo War, both states claimed ownership of a small piece of land in northern Ohio (where Toledo is). While dubbed a war, the conflict barely spilled any bloodshed (just a few deaths that were results of arguments and melee). Still, it formed the basis of the collegiate rivalry we know today.

The 1950 Snow Bowl between the two was played out in freezing temperatures and a torrential blizzard. OSU had the option of canceling the game, which would have given them a trip to the Rose Bowl, but like good sports, they refused. The teams combined for 44 punts, often times on first down in an attempt to gain an advantage. Michigan would go on to win 9-3 despite not picking up a first down the entire game. Following the game, OSU head coach Wes Fesler was fired and replaced with Woody Hayes.

OSU dominated early under Hayes, including a 1968 beatdown of Michigan 50-14. Hayes was asked why he went for two points late in the game while up 38, and he famously replied "because I couldn't go for three."

The rivalry of course picked up steam when Michigan introduced Bo Schembechler as coach. Then, the two squared off in a series of spirited contests, with the conference championship so often on the line over a stretch of years that it has come to be known as "the 10-year war."

Schembechler took over in 1969 and immediately reversed Michigan's fortunes against OSU. He had "50-14" inscribed on everything from lockers to benches, weights to urinals, a stern reminder of the lopsided game the year prior. Michigan would go on to upset the heavily-favored Buckeyes 24-12.

Four times between 1970 and 1975 the two met both ranked in the Top Five in the nation. Michigan entered the game undefeated every year during that stretch (and won only once).

Hayes was known for his hatred of Michigan. He refused to call the state by it's real name and instead referred to it as "the state up north." He is reported to have pushed his car across state lines in lieu of filling up for gas in Michigan, and he had the Buckeyes try to tear down Michigan's famous "M Club" banner in 1973.

The past two decades have seen two reigns of dominance. While Ohio State was perhaps the better team throughout the 1990s, their chances for a national championship were usually ruined by Michigan. OSU head coach John Cooper had a successful 13-year campaign at OSU, but he finished just 2-10-1 against the Wolverines. Under his replacement, Jim Tressell, the Buckeyes fared much better, going 7-1, including the 2006 matchup of No. 1 vs. No. 2.

Overall, the teams have combined for 76 Big Ten Championships, 10 Heisman trophies, 18 national championships, 34 Rose Bowls and 256 all-Americans.