Depending on where you were raised and what your rooting interests were or are, there’s a good chance your opinion of the best rivalry in any sport differs. After all, when you’re in the rain, you’re going to get wet, right? I’ve been lucky enough to be a part of the Ohio State vs. Michigan football rivalry growing up in Columbus, and the North Carolina vs. Duke basketball rivalry after having serious ties to the Triangle Region of North Carolina.
I count myself blessed.
But that’s me. Others who have been in and around the state of Alabama will die on the hill that the Iron Bowl is the best rivalry in college football. Likewise, for those who have a vested interest in Army vs. Navy, or Oklahoma vs. Texas will also defend their corner of the world.
“The Athletic” took its own stab at ranking the best college football rivalries and, yeah, it had Ohio State vs. Michigan high atop its list. In fact, it had “The Game” as the No. 1 rivalry in all of college football. Of course, we agree, and most unbiased national folks also land on the same thing. There are some that believe seeing the colors of Scarlet and Gray and Maize and Blue on a beautiful sports palette is the best rivalry in all of sports. But again, you can find those who believe otherwise.
Beyond Ohio State vs. Michigan, the Athletic rounded out its top ten college football rivalries with Alabama vs. Auburn (No. 2), Oklahoma vs. Texas (No. 3), Army vs. Navy (No. 4), USC vs. Notre Dame (No. 5), Nebraska vs. Oklahoma (No. 6), Miami (FL) vs. Florida State (No. 7), Ohio State vs. Penn State (No. 8), Florida vs. Florida State (No. 9), and Minnesota vs. Wisconsin (No. 10).
And while I agree with the top three, things get a little questionable beyond that, especially as you get down the list. I mean, there’s no way Ohio State vs. Penn State is better than Florida vs. Florida State, for instance.
Again, a lot of this is opinion, but you’ll never, ever convince me that anything goes above and beyond Ohio State vs. Michigan. The only thing that comes close is Alabama vs. Auburn, and I’ll entertain Army vs. Navy because of what it means. Beyond that, it can be a bit of a crap shoot.
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