We all know that rivalries are a big reason why college football is so popular. Some teams have a history that dates back several decades, making every game between them of the utmost importance, regardless of each team’s record. Of course, with so many amazing rivalries in the game, there are so many that get lost in the shuffle. Let’s try to make up for that sharing some of the great underrated rivalries in college football.
Minnesota vs Wisconsin
Any game in which the winner receives Paul Bunyan’s Axe is a rivalry worthy of national attention. Prior to that, Minnesota and Wisconsin met every year to fight over a trophy called the Slab of Bacon. In addition to the amazing trophies at stake, most people don’t realize that Minnesota and Wisconsin have the most played rivalry at the FBS level.
On top of that, it’s one of the most competitive rivalries in the country, historically. From 1995 to 2019, Wisconsin won 22 fo the 25 meetings against the Golden Gophers. However, that gave the Badgers a slim 61-60-8 edge in the all-time record. It’s been that close between these teams dating all the way back to 1890.
Auburn vs Georgia
We all know that Alabama-Auburn and Florida-Georgia are the main rivalry games for these two teams. But this is the Deep South’s Oldest Rivalry, dating back to 1892.
There are so many incredible rivalries in the SEC that this one too often gets lost in the shuffle. Fortunately, the SEC schedules the Bulldogs and Tigers to play every year so they can create more incredible memories, most recently, the “Prayer at Jordan-Hare” in 2013.
Oregon vs Washington
The Pac-12’s rivalries never get the credit they deserve. Most people recognize the league’s in-state rivalries, but the border war between Oregon and Washington is always overlooked.
Despite a lack of a trophy, things have always been intense between the Ducks and Huskies, especially lately. The two teams first met in 1900 and have played one another almost every year since then, amassing over 100 all-time meetings.
BYU vs Utah
They don’t call this the Holy War for nothing. Outside of the state of Utah, it’s hard to truly appreciate the rivalry between the Utes and Cougars. The two schools legitimately hate each other, in part because of the religious and cultural differences between them.
The Beehive Boot is awarded to the winner every year, although that’s not nearly as important as the bragging rights in one of the most intense college football rivalries, period.
Iowa vs Iowa State
This might be the most underrated in-state rivalry in college football. The Hawkeyes and Cyclones don’t play in the same conference, so this game is about nothing but bragging rights and the Cy-Hawk Trophy.
The Hawkeyes have a wide lead in the all-time record. However, over the past decade, nearly every game between Iowa and Iowa State has been decided by single digits, leading to a lot of fierce and competitive games that warrant more college football fans paying attention.