It’s a debate that won’t ever be settled because it really comes down to your allegiance or what you’ve been exposed to. Whenever the question arises about which college football rivalry is king, there are two (sometimes three) that continually come up.
More often than not the Iron Bowl between Alabama and Auburn is spoken in the same breath as The Game between Ohio State and Michigan. As you travel this great country of ours, and as you examine the various polls and opinion pieces, Ohio State vs. Michigan seems to get the edge more often than not, but don’t tell that to everyone. Especially those that have sweet tea and grits in their blood.
Michigan The Big Ten Favorite To Dethrone Ohio State In 2020https://t.co/zv6HmckPlw
— 97.1 The Ticket: (@971theticketxyt) March 30, 2020
On occasion, you’ll hear the traditional types and those that like pageantry, spectacle, meaning, and patriotism also mention Army vs. Navy. And there’s definitely something to that.
We’ve seen so many different lists come out during sports being shelved during the COVID-19 health crisis that we can probably make a top ten list of lists. However, we ran across one published in August of last year by Sports Illustrated, ranking the best historical college football rivalries.
And instead of going with The Game, the popular sports magazine went all-in on the Iron Bowl as No. 1, ahead of No. 2 Ohio State and Michigan. After OSU smoked the Wolverines this past season as well, there’s no doubt nothing has changed here.
Here’s what Ross Dellenger says about both rivalries.
2. Ohio State–Michigan
This one’s been lopsided for a while—a long while (the Buckeyes have won 14 of 15), in fact, but it’s still an annual hate-filled fest.
1. Alabama–Auburn
The Iron Bowl takes the top spot because of both its pedigree of powerhouse programs and its pure in-state hatred.
Of course this is all subjective but you have to wonder how hatred within a state is used as the rationale here. I’m not saying Alabama – Auburn isn’t of national interest, but that’s the reason used?
Anyway, you have to believe the dominance Ohio State has had over Michigan in the last couple of decades have knocked the perception and gravity of The Game down a bit.
Still, we might be biased, but most people you talk to in the football world still see Ohio State – Michigan as tops in not only college football, but perhaps all of American sport. So, there’s at least that.