Many collegiate football fans outside the state of Utah might not be aware of how intense the rivalry is between the Cougs and the team up north. Some may see it as church versus state. Former ESPN College Football Analyst Bill Curry sometime ago mentioned of our particular rivalry "I think people from the south and from the midwest ought to see this. This is big-time football rivalry". With the focus this week on perhaps the state's biggest game of the year with possible BCS implications it would be interesting to see where it stands among others found around the nation. Did a little bit of internet digging and found quite a few. As follows...
Florida/Georgia-Often referred to as the world's largest cocktail party (no I haven't "participated"). Apparently tailgating begins the week before and is held at a neutral location.
Ohio State/Michigan-Began way back in 1896. Between the two schools there are 18 national championships and 10 Heisman's. Most games have determined the Big 10 conference title. In fact many have influenced the outcome of the national championship game itself. Was ranked back in 2000 by ESPN as the greatest in American sports rivalry.
Oklahoma/Texas-Known as the Red River shootout. Played on a neutral field exactly halfway between the two. You know its big when even the two state's governers have bet on the game.
Alabama/Auburn-The "Iron Bowl" began in 1893 and wasn't played from 1907 through 1948 since they couldn't even decide which ref's to use.
Army/Navy-Simply known as the Commander In Chief Trophy. What a great rivalry where they don't play for a NFL contract but for country.
Lafayette/Lehigh-This one's so old it predates football trophies. The winning team gets the gameball painted with the score.
Minnesota/Wisconsin-Played for the instrument of forest destruction known as "Paul Bunyon's Axe". It is also the oldest rivalry in NCAA Div IA.
Harvard/Yale-The 3rd most played rivalry. It was also one of the 1st collegiate football matchups.
California/Stanford-This produced "the play" back in 1982 using 5 laterals and took out a completely stunned cardinal trombone player.
USC/Notre Dame-Played for "The Jeweled Shilelagh" a Gaelic warclub from Ireland made from oak. It has a ruby for USC or emerald for Notre Dame placed on it.
...unfortunately there have likely been countless numbers of rivalries that will have been left out. So where do you think this one stands? Would love to hear!
4 comments:
I am sure that there are many you left out, but one that I thought was impressive was the Missouri/Kansas Rivalry which is known as the (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Border_Showdown) Border War. The rivalry wasn't really relevant until last year which is when many people learned about it.
Fine, delete my comments if it makes you feel any better. Your blog still sucks. Who makes a BYU blog with at YELLOW background?!
CougarCrazies.com will ALWAYS be superior!
Wow! sounds like you two are playing on the opposite side of the field. The background looks like the color tan to me, but maybe Triz is just colorblind.I don't think that 4thand18 ever said that it wasn't. Obviously you must have great interest in 4th&18 or you wouldn't be wasting your time feeling like you have to smash down a THREAT?! 4th&18 is a passionate Y fan who enjoys blogging about them. Big "props 8" on you to post a comment such as that though.
Todd E Jones....the "Border Showdown" is definately a great one. I believe its the 2nd oldest rivalry. I like the Fresno State and Boise State battle for the milkcan as well. Back from glory days the FSU and Miami used to be huge. Although, its just not the same anymore.
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