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College Football's Best Interstate Rivalries
It seems as though with some conferences almost every game is a rivalry game of some sort involving a barrel, or axe or key, or some other great symbol of pride between the schools. These games often occur earlier in the college football season than the usual rivalry games played between in-state rivals. Here are the best interstate college football rivalries.
The Third Saturday in October - Alabama vs. Tennessee
On the 3rd Saturday of every October two great teams meet for a little game of football. The teams are the Alabama Crimson Tide and the Tennessee Volunteers. They don't play for a trophy. No, they play for something even more meaningful - victory cigars.
Arkansas vs. LSU (Louisiana State)
The Arkansas Razorbacks and the LSU Tigers square off each year for The Golden Boot. The trophy is named the Golden Boot because it is in the shape of the states of Louisiana and Arkansas put together. This resembles a boot.
Boston College vs. Notre Dame
Boston College and Notre Dame are the only two Catholic Division I colleges in the country. Their rivalry is referred to as The Holy War. They play the game for The Ireland Trophy.
The Textile Bowl - Clemson vs. N.C. State
The Textile Bowl features Clemson vs. N.C. State in a battle of perennial decent, but unspectacular, teams.
The Third Week of September Game - Florida vs. Tennessee
The SEC match up between the Florida Gators and the Tennessee Volunteers is played on the 3rd Saturday in September. This game is developing into one of the better college rivalries.
Iowa vs. Minnesota
The Iowa Hawkeyes and the Minnesota Golden Gophers play to win Floyd of Rosedale, a bronze pig.
Michigan vs. Minnesota
The Michigan Wolverines and the Minnesota Golden Gophers play each fall for The Little Brown Jug. The manner in which college rivalries begin and flourish is always very charming and entertaining. The story of the how the Little Brown Jug came to be may be the best college football rivalry trophy story of all time. For a good read, check out the story at Wikipedia.
Michigan State vs. Notre Dame
Michigan State and Notre Dame have become regular opponents. They play annually for The Megaphone.
Michigan State vs. Penn State
The Michigan State Spartans and the Penn State Nittany Lions play each year for The Land Grant Trophy. This is one of the newer college football rivalries, having started in 1993 when Penn State joined the Big Ten Conference.
Minnesota vs. Wisconsin
The battle for Paul Bunyan's Axe, also known as the annual Minnesota Golden Gophers vs. Wisconsin Badgers game, is the longest running rivalry in Division I football. Prior to playing for Paul Bunyan's Axe, the teams played for The Slab of Bacon. The axe replaced the slab (actually a piece of wood with an M or W) in 1948 after the slab was lost.
Nebraska vs. Oklahoma
The Nebraska vs. Oklahoma rivalry has been one of the all-time great college series. The teams' records are near even and most of the games have been great between these two mighty college football teams.
The Backyard Brawl - Pittsburgh vs. West Virginia
The Pittsburgh Panthers and West Virginia Mountaineers play an annual rivalry game called the Backyard Brawl, so named because the two schools lie only 90 miles from each other - in each other's Backyard. The Backyard Brawl is the 14th oldest college rivalry.
Virginia Tech vs. West Virginia
The Virginia Tech Hokies and West Virginia Mountaineers battle each year for The Black Diamond Trophy. This has been a tremendous rivalry over the past few years and looks very promising in the future as well.
Wisconsin vs. Iowa
The Wisconsin Badgers and Iowa Hawkeyes play for the Heartland Trophy each year.
| 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.
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