Rivalry games, in any sport, are the most entertaining parts of a season.
There’s typically a game or two on each schedule that the players, coaches and fans look forward to most. Nothing compares to the highly-anticipated matchup between two sides that despise each other due to a storied history. When passion and hatred runs that deep, it’s nearly impossible to predict the outcome.
That’s what makes it great.
Although the Big Ten and Pac-12 have postponed their college football seasons, the remaining three Power Five conferences provide plenty of exciting games on their respective schedules.
We’ve recently dissected the top games set to take place in the Big 12, but let’s switch lanes and take a look at the most exciting rivalry games that are scheduled to take place in college football this year.
Bleacher Report recently ranked the best rivalry games for this upcoming season. It’s important to note that these may not be the best games in terms of competition, as it’s rather focused on the rivalry, history, preseason expectations, etc.
The Red River Rivalry landed at the No. 4 spot. Whether it’s a meeting of two highly-ranked teams or if one side just hopes to be the spoiler, this particular rivalry never disappoints.
“If both programs open the season 3-0, the Red River Rivalry should join Auburn’s trip to Georgia as one of 2020’s earliest matchups between Top 10 teams.
Though a regular-season win doesn’t guarantee Texas dethrones Oklahoma—look at 2018, for example; the Sooners won the Big 12 anyway—it’s a valuable start.
And, once again, head-to-head tiebreakers are vital.
The Big 12 sends the best two conference records to the championship game, and it’s unlikely you’ll see a prediction without one of Texas or Oklahoma. Winning the Red River Rivalry will offer a significant early boost in the league race.”
What makes this game special is the fact that it takes place on a neutral field at Cotton Bowl Stadium in Dallas, Texas. Oklahoma has the edge in terms of recent meetings, defeating the Longhorns 34-27 in 2019.
However, the rivalry has a long and storied history. The first game of the series was played in 1900, when Oklahoma was still a territory and neither team had acquired their current nickname. Texas (known as ‘Varsity’ at the time) defeated Oklahoma 28-2 in the first meeting.
Texas currently leads the all-time series 62-48-5.
Take a look at the full list of the top 10 rivalry games for the 2020 college football season:
10. Army vs. Navy (Dec. 12)
9. Florida State at Miami (Sept. 26)
8. Oklahoma State at Oklahoma (Nov. 21)
7. LSU at Florida (Oct. 17)
6. Auburn at Alabama (Nov. 28)
5. Auburn at Georgia (Oct. 3)
4. Oklahoma vs. Texas (Oct. 10)
3. Florida vs. Georgia (Nov. 7)
2. Alabama at LSU (Nov. 14)
1. Georgia at Alabama (Oct. 17)