|
|
|
College Football's Best In-State Rivalries
More often than not it is the in-state rivalries that most college football fans care about. These are the games that involve most college football fans' schools. Not every team can go to a bowl game every year, but every team can have its rivalry game against a hated opponent. For many college football teams, the game against their cross state rival is their bowl game. Here are the best in-state college football rivalry games.
The Big Game - Arizona vs. Arizona State
The Arizona Wildcats and Arizona State Sun Devils play annually for The Territorial Championship Cup. The Territorial Championship Cup is very prestigious as it has been certified by the NCAA as the oldest prize awarded in a college rivalry game.
Florida vs. Miami
The annual game between the Florida Gators and the Miami Hurricanes used to be contested for the Seminole War Canoe Trophy. Political correctness has put an end to the award, but the game remains one of great ones played each year.
"Clean, Old-Fashioned Hate" - Georgia vs. Georgia Tech
Author Bill Cromartie coined the term "clean, old-fashioned hate" to describe the rivalry game between the Georgia Bulldogs and the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets.
The Holy War - BYU (Brigham Young) vs. Utah
The Holy War between the Brigham Young University Cougars and the Utah Utes is huge, but only in Utah. The schools play for The Beehive Boot, so named because Utah is the Beehive State.
Battle of the Palmetto State - Clemson vs. South Carolina
Each year the South Carolina Gamecocks and the Clemson Tigers engage in the Battle of the Palmetto State. The rivalry is fierce as one or both of the teams is usually on the cusp of becoming bowl eligible and desperately needs the victory.
The Rocky Mountain Showdown - Colorado vs. Colorado State
The Colorado Buffaloes and the Colorado State Rams play annually in the Rocky Mountain Showdown, named after the Colorado's most prominent geographical feature.
Florida vs. Florida State
The perennial Top 25 teams, Florida and Florida State, play an in-state rivalry game each year. At stake are both bragging rights and top 10 rankings.
Florida State vs. Miami
The Florida State Seminoles and Miami Hurricanes play some epic football games. Unfortunately for Florida State, these games usually have a bad outcome due to missed field goals. In fact, there have been so many missed field goals by Florida State kickers in the last few seconds, that this rivalry series is starting to be referred to as the Wide Right games. Ouch.
Indiana vs. Purdue
The Purdue Boilermakers and the Indiana Hoosiers play annually for The Old Oaken Bucket. The Old Oaken Bucket was first awarded to the winner of this rivalry game in 1925.
Iowa vs. Iowa State
The Iowa Hawkeyes and the Iowa State Cyclones have a bitter in-state rivalry. The winner of the game gets the Cy-Hawk Trophy.
Kansas vs. Kansas State
Kansas and Kansas State (K-State) play each year for The Governor's Cup.
Kentucky vs. Louisville
The Kentucky Wildcat's and Louisville Cardinal play an annual rivalry game for The Governor's Cup. Let's face it, college football rivalry games are great, but these are basketball schools.
Michigan vs. Michigan State
Michigan and Michigan State play an in-state rivalry game each year with the winner getting the Paul Bunyan Governor of Michigan Trophy, or Paul Bunyan Trophy as it commonly referred to.
The Egg Bowl - Mississippi State vs. Ole Miss
The Egg Bowl is the name given to the annual rivalry game between Ole Miss and Mississippi State. The teams play for The Golden Egg trophy. The game is also referred to as the Battle for the Golden Egg.
Notre Dame vs. Purdue
Purdue is Notre Dame's only in-state rival. The Purdue Boilermakers and Notre Dame Fighting Irish play for The Shillelagh Trophy.
The Bedlam Game - Oklahoma vs. Oklahoma State
The Bedlam Game between the Oklahoma Sooners and the Oklahoma State Cowboys is part of a larger Bedlam Series. The schools score points for victories in all intercollegiate sports events contested against each other and winner is crowned at the end of the school year.
The Civil War - Oregon vs. Oregon State
The Civil War, played annually between the Oregon Ducks and the Oregon State Beavers, is the oldest college football rivalry game on the West Coast and the 7th longest rivalry game in the nation.
Tennessee vs. Vanderbilt
The Tennessee-Vanderbilt rivalry series has been fairly one sided over the past many years as the might Vols have dominated the lackluster Commodores.
The Lone Star Showdown - Texas vs. Texas A & M
The Lone Star Showdown features the two largest schools in Texas, the Texas Longhorns and the Texas A & M Aggies. The rivalry has actually been setup as a series played among all of the sports programs played by the colleges. Points are accumulated for wins in all sports throughout the season and the winner is crowned at the end of the school year.
Virginia vs. Virginia Tech
The Virginia Cavaliers and the Virginia Tech Hokies play each year for The Commonwealth Cup. The game is traditionally played on the Saturday following Thanksgiving.
Washington vs. Washington State
Washington is known for its apples. Each year, the Washington Huskies and the Washington State Cougars play for The Apple Cup.
| Find Out About the Best College Football Rivalries |
College Football's Very Best Rivalries - Some college football rivalries stand above the rest. Our top rivalry games include a mix of in-state and interstate college football rivalries. Their common theme is that the teams and schools hate each other.
College Football's Next Best Rivalries - Some rivalries seem to always generate a great game and have lots of history, but lack the pure hatred of the opponent necessary to make the top of our rivalry list. These rivalries involve great teams and great schools.
College Football's Best In-State Rivalries - In-state college rivalry games sometimes involve a trophy, but always involve bragging rights. State rivalry games are wonderful in that they are both entertaining and important even if one team, or both teams, is having poor seasons. State rivalry games also have great names like the Apple Cup and Civil War.
College Football's Best Interstate Rivalries - Interstate rivalries are part of what makes college football such a great sport. Our great interstate college football rivalries include Notre Dame-USC and Boston College-Notre Dame.
Lesser Known College Football Rivalries - Every college football rivalry game has an interest to some fans, even if it is only to the fans of the school involved in the rivalry game. Just because a rivalry game does not capture national attention, doesn't mean that it can't be a great game.
|
|
|
| |
|
|
|
|
This site is protected under both U.S. copyright law and international
treaties. No part of this website,
including text, layout or images, may be reproduced or copied in any form or by any method.
Powered by @tomic Studio
|
