College football has always been the heart of fall sports. On Saturdays, most people are either at a game or watching it on a quad box on Youtube TV. There are always great games on Saturday and sometimes even weeknights, but rivalries are what make college football so great. College football is one of the only instances where friends can turn into enemies in one night, but go back to best friends after they get over their team’s game.
The last week of the year is known as “Rivalry Week”, this is arguably the best football one can watch. Teams who have been terrible all season can still compete against the top teams in the country because it is a rivalry game. In these games it just means more to the teams and since it is so late in the season, there are a lot of implications for the postseason which makes these teams want to win even more.
The Egg Bowl
The game played between Ole Miss and Mississippi State has been one of the longest standing rivalries. The game gets its name from the trophy they play for, the golden egg trophy. The schools are just a short 75 miles away from each other. The game is usually played on Thanksgiving Day or the day after which makes it even more unique. Ole Miss leads the all time series 65-46-6 going back to 1901, but the teams have played every year since 1944. The best game as of recently was in 2019, when Ole Miss receiver scored a touchdown late in the game and proceeded to celebrate like a dog urinating in the endzone. This pushed the extra point back 15 yards, costing the kicker to miss and ultimately Ole Miss to end up losing 21-20. This game means so much to both teams because they are battling for the state of Mississippi and they are both usually good, though Mississippi State has been struggling recently.
The Iron Bowl
The game played between Alabama and Auburn, is a top rivalry played every year dating back to 1949. The rivalry gets its name from when it used to be played in Birmingham, the biggest industrial city in the south. The schools are only 154 miles apart, with one west of Birmingham and the other east of the city. Alabama leads the all time series 50-37-1 and has won the past four meetings. The rivalry is so great because both teams are always so elite. The teams have combined for 38 SEC titles and 20 National Championships.
I asked Alabama fan and Elder senior, Mason Schneider why this game means so much and he had this to say, “It means so much because it is almost an elimination game for the playoff implications. Also this game is a lot more than just Auburn vs. Alabama, it is for the fans and the history of the program.” This rivalry has produced some of the all time greatest college football memories. In 2013, probably the most famous play in college football history happened in this rivalry.
The number one team in the country and back to back national champions, Alabama was tied with Auburn 28-28 with one second left in the game. Alabama at the 40 yard line attempted to kick a 57 yard field goal. Chris Davis lined up in the endzone for Auburn such as he was about to return a kickoff. The kick went up and it was short landing right in Chris Davis’ hands, he would take it back 109 yards and win the football game for the Tigers. Auburn would end up losing a very close game in the national championship. Auburn has struggled as of recently, but they still compete with Alabama every year because this game is so important to them. Here are some pictures of the historic rivalry.
The Red River Rivalry
This rivalry played between Texas and Oklahoma is probably the most unique rivalry game of them all. The rivalry takes place during the State Fair of Texas at the Cotton Bowl. This year marks the 95th consecutive meeting for these teams at the neutral site. This rivalry means a lot more than just playing against each other. These teams are playing for their state and all those who support them in this rivalry.
These two teams have been powerhouses throughout the years of playing. Since 1936, Oklahoma or Texas has been ranked on 70 of the meetings. Texas leads the all time series 64-51-5. This rivalry continues to have a close and very entertaining game year after year. The best game as of recent is the teams’ meeting in 2021, where legends were born. Both teams were ranked heading into this matchup,
Oklahoma at 6 and Texas at 21. The Sooners of Oklahoma would go down 21 at the end of the first quarter, but a QB change after the quarter led the entire world to meet freshman star Caleb Williams. His first play in the game he ran for a 66 yard touchdown and changed the game. Texas receiver Xavier Worthy had a statement game, 9 receptions for 261 yards and a touchdown, but this and Bijan Robinson’s 137 rushing yards were not enough. A freshman who played for the first time at the end of the first quarter threw for 212 yards and two touchdowns, along with 88 yards rushing and another touchdown. Oklahoma would come back and win 55-48 in one of the best games in the history of this rivalry and all time. Oklahoma and Texas will always be a great matchup no matter how good the teams are. These teams are playing for more than just their schools. Here are more pictures of this historic rivalry.
The Game
Michigan and Ohio State are probably the most heated rivals in the country. This is Ohio against Michigan; both teams are waiting for the last week of the season to take a shot at their rivals. This rivalry has produced some all time memories for college football. Ohio State dominated for the whole 2010’s, but Michigan has won three straight. I asked Ohio State fan and senior Sam Made about the rivalry, “It is the best because every single Ohio state fans hate Michigan fans and all the players feel the same.” He also said, “It means so much to the team as we can see by the clock in the weight room that counts down to the next Michigan game every year.” This rivalry means so much to Ohio State’s players and fans, but Michigan currently leads the all time series 61-51-6. I asked Michigan fan and senior, Joey Thamann about the rivalry and he responded with “It’s the best cause the hatred is unmatched and is similar to the hatred Elder has for St. X.” I then asked what it means to him and he said, “All my friends are Ohio state fans and they say a lot of bad things and I can’t wait to do it back when Michigan beats them for the 4th year in a row.”
Ohio State, with one of their best rosters, looks to get back on track this year. The best recent game was 2016. This contest featured the number 3 Michigan Wolverines against the number 2 Ohio State Buckeyes, only the second time both teams were both ranked in the top three. Michigan led 10–7 at halftime and extended its lead to 17–7 early in the third quarter. An Ohio State touchdown cut the deficit to 17–14 heading to the fourth quarter. The Buckeyes kicked a field goal in the final seconds of regulation to tie the game and force overtime. This is the first time ever the game had gone to overtime. Ohio State beat Michigan for the fifth consecutive time, winning 30–27 in two overtimes. However, there was a significant controversy over a critical fourth down spot in double overtime. Ohio State quarterback J.T. Barrett kept
the ball on a 4th and 1 play. He was tackled almost exactly on the line to gain, and the ensuing spot gave Barrett a first down. Had he not been given the first down, the game would have ended and Michigan would have won. Whether or not Barrett reached the line is still a question from fans today. Ohio State and Michigan will always remain a great rivalry and will continue to produce the great memories of college football. Here are some more photos of this great heated rivalry.
