How I ranked college football's top 100 rivalries: who got left out and who's next

New York Times

13 hours ago

Editor's note: All week, The Athletic is writing about college football rivalries at a moment of change in the sport. Read our ranking of the top 100 rivalries here and also vote for your favorites.
Evaluating and ranking college football's greatest rivalries from one to 100 requires more than just a working knowledge of the sport's history and a spreadsheet. But both come in handy when evaluating rivalries from college football's primitive past to its sprawling future.
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When this process began in March, approximately 150 rivalries were considered from all levels of college football. After research and multiple conversations, a preliminary list of 100 came together. Each rivalry was judged independently by applying 11 core criteria. The rivalries then were re-ranked after delving into each one's history. Only 13 rivalries stayed in their original slot, with some (USC-Stanford) moving up significantly, while others (Utah-BYU) fell a few slots.
Here is a look at the 11 principles and questions asked within those categories to gauge these rivalries:
Even after answering those questions, many of the final rankings come by feel. Minnesota-Wisconsin, for instance, doesn't consistently determine championships, but its longevity, co-dependency and series record (63-63-8) vaults it past similar rivalries.
Michigan-Ohio State was an easy No. 1. It meets every principle and tops the charts in meaningful games historically. Oklahoma-Texas and Auburn-Alabama were nearly even, but the iconic Iron Bowls over the past 15 years nudged into No. 2. In another decade, it might flip now that all four are in the SEC. Ranking Army-Navy is about ambiance and tradition rather than the games, but no rivalry is more revered or embedded in the fabric of the sport.
As a transcontinental, nonconference series, USC-Notre Dame is unique among great rivalries. It features the third-most ranked matchups (35) and is tied for second with 18 top-10 clashes. In the 1980s, Nebraska-Oklahoma could have ranked No. 1. Although it's dormant, it still rates as historic, and the numbers back it up. Miami-Florida State and Florida State-Florida had direct national title implications for decades.
Ohio State-Penn State in the top 10 may be a surprise, but the numbers don't lie. Of their 39 meetings since the AP poll began in 1936, both teams were ranked in 25 games, and 12 were top-10 matchups. By percentages, it's hard to beat.
Among the top 35 rivalries, 31 consisted of in-state or border series. Some, like Auburn-Alabama and Miami-Florida State, often are as relevant nationally as locally. But how do you separate the Backyard Brawl from the Holy War from Cy-Hawk from Clean, Old-Fashioned Hate? What about the Apple Cup, Civil War, Bedlam and the Egg Bowl?
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Statistical comparisons like matchups, total ranked meetings, top-10 competitions and win-loss disparity were critical in separating the rivalries. All figures are considered guidelines, not an automatic determination.
Oklahoma-Oklahoma State was the most difficult to slot. Bedlam boasts 19 ranked matchups, including three in the top 10. Based on those numbers, it's a top-15 rivalry. However, Bedlam has the second-widest win-loss disparity in FBS history with a 71-victory difference in favor of the Sooners. That made it difficult to measure alongside Kansas-Missouri (one win) or Minnesota-Wisconsin (tied). Also, Bedlam is now dormant without any scheduled games on the horizon.
In similar fashion, Iowa-Iowa State fell lower than initial expectations, with just one matchup of ranked teams in the history of the rivalry. BYU-Utah (three) and Stanford-Cal (four) also fell with a low number of ranked matchups. They struggled to measure up against Michigan-Michigan State (19 ranked matchups), for instance.
On the flip side, Washington-Oregon and Iowa-Wisconsin each finished higher than initially expected. Washington-Oregon has featured 10 ranked matchups and 53 games with at least one team ranked, which was more than Oregon-Oregon State (6, 31) or Washington-Washington State (8, 34). Washington-Oregon also has a robust trajectory as protected Big Ten foes.
Only two wins separate Wisconsin from Iowa (49-47-2), with nine ranked matchups between them, and they combined for seven of the 10 Big Ten West titles. Their proximity (175 miles) is similar to an in-state battle, and their series is protected by the Big Ten.
What non-FBS rivalries lack in prominence, they make up for in tradition. Harvard-Yale, Lehigh-Lafayette, Williams-Amherst and Richmond-William & Mary all trace their roots to the sport's infancy. Southern and Grambling are not only HBCU historical powers, but the game sometimes becomes a footnote at 'The Bayou Classic' to all the pageantry that surrounds it, first and foremost the marching bands.
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North Dakota State-South Dakota State is the preeminent FCS rivalry, while the Montana-Montana State 'Brawl of the Wild' is the best FCS in-state feud. Either of those games can hold its own against some of the top FBS contests. Wisconsin-Whitewater and Mount Union have played only 12 times, but nine times they met for the Division III national title over 10 years.
The second-most difficult task (after separating the in-state rivalries) was deciding which rivalries to leave out. Here are 10 that were strongly considered but didn't make the list:
Ohio State-Michigan State: This clearly was No. 101. From 2011-16, the teams split their matchups 3-3, and three games directly impacted the Big Ten championship. Ohio State leads 38-15 overall, but over the past 50 years, it's 31-7, and the Buckeyes average 21 points per victory. Ohio State has won nine straight, and the last eight have come by 34.1 points per game.
Florida-Auburn: The Gators and Tigers played annually from 1944-2002, and it was a protected series when the SEC first split into divisions. They have played 84 times (Auburn leads 43-39-2), including 18 ranked battles, but have had just four meetings since 2002. It's just too irregular to make the top 100.
Air Force-Army/Navy: Games among the service academies are worth acknowledging, but Army-Navy overshadows Air Force in the Commander-in-Chief's Trophy series. Air Force leads Army (38-20-1) and Navy (34-23) and boasts 21 CIC trophies, while Navy has 17 and Army 10 (and five ties) since it was instituted in 1972. But in games involving Air Force, there were none with two ranked teams.
St. John's-St. Thomas: The battle for the 'Holy Grail' set a Division III record with 37,355 fans at the Twins' Target Field in 2017. Two years later, schools in the Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference — but not St. John's — voted to evict St. Thomas after it had become too dominant. St. Thomas left Division III for FCS, and the football rivalry is history. St. John's owns a 53-35-1 record.
Tuskegee-Morehouse: Known as 'The Granddaddy of All Classics,' the Tuskegee-Morehouse series began in 1902, but the teams have competed at neutral sites (mostly Columbus, Ga.) since 1936. The nation's oldest and most-played rivalry among HBCU schools, Tuskegee leads 75-31-7. This fall, the Division II classic shifts to Montgomery, Ala.
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Cincinnati-Louisville: Only 100 miles separate the campuses, and they play for the 'Keg of Nails.' Cincinnati leads the series 30-23-1, although they never had a ranked matchup. But when Louisville moved to the ACC in 2014, the schools never scheduled a home-and-home. If it wasn't important enough for a bus trip, it's not a top-100 rivalry.
Northwest Missouri State-Pittsburg State: Since 1989, these teams have dominated the MIAA. Northwest has won or shared 19 league titles while Pitt State has claimed 14. Northwest has Division II records in national titles (six) and appearances (10), while the Gorillas have two and five, respectively. From 2002-13, they met at Arrowhead Stadium. The Bearcats lead, 29-28.
Utah-Utah State: The schools played annually from 1919-2009, and they join BYU in competition for the Beehive Boot. Individually, this series is called 'Battle of the Brothers.' But Utah outgrew this series when it joined the Pac-12 (which Utah State will join in its diminished form in 2026) and then the Big 12. The Utes have won 80 of their 113 meetings, and they've played just twice since 2013.
Boston College-Holy Cross: From 1919-86, the teams played every season but two — 1943 (World War II) and 1969 (hepatitis outbreak at Holy Cross, 75 players infected). After NCAA football split into FBS and FCS in 1978, the programs grew on different trajectories. They've played just twice since 1986 (2018, 2023). BC leads 50-31-3, though Holy Cross notably trounced No. 1 Boston College 55-12 in a stunning 1942 upset.
Duke-Georgia Tech: From their first meeting in 1933, these teams played every fall, a 90-year streak that began 20 years before the ACC was formed and 30 years before Georgia Tech left the SEC. That string was snapped in 2023 when the ACC eliminated divisional play. Beginning in 2024, they're scheduled to play four times over seven years. The Yellowjackets lead 55-35-1.
Ten others considered: Colorado-Utah, Illinois-Purdue, Iowa-Northwestern, Miami-Virginia Tech, Missouri-Nebraska, Nevada-UNLV, Notre Dame-Pittsburgh, Penn State-Syracuse, Sam Houston-Texas State, UTEP-New Mexico State.
With realignment still swirling, new series pop up every year. Sure, Ohio State-Oregon, Alabama-Texas and USC-Michigan can become must-see events in the SEC and Big Ten. But what about series that can turn into legitimate annual rivalries? Here's a look at six that have that potential.
Washington State-Boise State: The new-look Pac-12 Conference features plenty of intriguing matchups, but neighbors Boise State and Washington State have the most upside. They've played only seven times (Wazzu leads 5-2), but the Cougars could give Boise State its first true FBS enemy, and the Broncos could fill Washington State's rivalry void.
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West Virginia-Cincinnati: These teams competed for seven years together in the Big East. But back then, the Mountaineers had plenty of established rivals in the Big East. Now, they're in their third year together in the Big 12, and they're alone in their geographic footprint. West Virginia leads 18-3-1 overall.
TCU-Houston: These former Southwest Conference and Conference USA foes have played only 27 times, but Houston joined the Southwest in 1976, and it lasted just 20 more seasons. Now, as Big 12 anchors in Houston and the Metroplex, there's a chance to elevate this series for both programs. After last year's 30-19 upset, Houston ended a nine-game losing streak and now leads 14-13.
Arkansas-Oklahoma: Only 230 miles separate these border programs, but they've played just 14 times overall and only three times since 1926. All three meetings were in New Year's Day bowl games (1977, 1986, 2001). This would have made for a great Big Eight or Big 12 rivalry, but now, as SEC partners, Oklahoma-Arkansas seems natural as they navigate through a 16-team conference.
Rutgers-Maryland: Maryland had long-standing rivalries from the ACC, while Rutgers did not have a previously dedicated foe when they joined the Big Ten together in 2014. The league stapled them as annual opponents, and it has developed into a nice series. Less than 200 miles separate their campuses, and they are now cemented as permanent Big Ten rivals.
Notre Dame-Clemson: The schools have agreed to a 12-year home-and-home series that not only pits two of the top football brands against one another, but it also raises eyebrows. For the Irish, it gives them a dedicated annual opponent should the USC rivalry fade away. For Clemson, this contract runs through 2038, which is beyond the ACC's current grant of rights. Although they've played only eight times — the Tigers lead 5-3 — this has the makings of a marquee national rivalry.
(Illustration: Will Tullos / The Athletic; photos: Brian Bahr, Erica Denhoff, John Cordes / Getty Images)