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LSU vs Alabama might be one of the oldest rivalries in College football, being played for the first time in 1895 with 74 games between them, but it’s nowhere near the oldest or most played in College Football. The South, or Deep South, is nowhere near the Big Ten when it comes to antiquity of the rivalry games.

* These are the oldest rivalries in Division I, also known as the Football Bowl Subdivision. The Rivalry, between Lafayette College and Lehigh Univesity has been played 146 times since 1884 and annually since 1896.

Harvard and Yale have been playing each other since 1875, meeting 127 times.

South’s Oldest Rivalry, North Carolina vs Virgina

The oldest ACC rivalry and the most played game in the Southeastern United States, the North Carolina Tar Heels and the Virginia Cavaliers began playing this series in 1892. After 116 meetings between the schools, UNC lead with 58 wins to Virginia’s 54, with four games tied. The game wasn’t played five times. Due to the two programs’ standings in the ACC and College Football as a whole, the rivalry has lost some of it’s heat and flair in recent years.

Missouri – Nebraska Rivalry

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After 104 meetings between the Tigers and Corhuskers, the series won’t be played this year for the first time since 1921. Nebraska moved to the Big Ten, therefore ending the annual meeting with Mizzou, now only available for continuation through non-conference play. The two schools began their rivalry in 1892, and was a rather competitive until the late 70’s. The Huskers began a 24 game win streak, usually coming in ranked as one of the top 5 schools in the nation, while Missouri where hardly in the Top 25.

Nebraska lead the all time Series 65-36-3.

Big Game, Stanford vs California

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Played 113 times over the years, this is the oldest West Coast rivalry, which since 1933 hands the victor the Stanford Axe. Played since 1892, Stanford lead the series 56-46-11. The rivalry also has one of the most famous moments college football histroy, mostly known as ‘The Play‘.

Battle of the Brothers, Utah vs Utah State

A non-conference meeting since 1961, the Utes and Aggies have met 109 times although this rivalries star power has faded in recent year, not even played in 2010 and 2011. Utah now regards BYU as their biggest rivals.

Deep South’s Olderst Rivalry, Auburn vs Georgia

Things are a little more serious in the SEC, with more conference titles and national titles being in contest. These two schools first met in 1892 and have played almost every single year since 1898, with two World Wars disrupting the streak. Played 114 times through 2010, Auburn lead this very tight series 54-52-8 although Georgia have won four of the last five meetings.

Border War, Kansas vs Missouri

Big 12 only, although who knows what will be left of the Big 12 in two years. It was first played in 1891 and has been contested 119 times, the second most played game in College Football history. There’s a dispute whether it’s 56-54-9 for Mizzou or 55-55-9, with the 1960 game going down in the books as a Tiger win after Bert Coan, a Kansas player, was voted ineligible AFTER the 1960 season.

Iowa vs Minnesota

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This rivalry began in 1891, being player 105 times, with the Golden Gophers leading 61-42-2. It has been played for the Floyd of Rosedale, a Bronze Pig Trophy, since 1935, with Minnesota winning the last two games.

Minnesota vs Wisconsin

The Gophers maybe negligeble when it comes to title chances and even bowl games, but their deep in football history. The most played game in the history of College Football is the Badgers against the Golden Gophers, getting the 120th version in 2010. Currently playing for Paul Bunyan’s Axe, Minnesota lead the series 59-53-8, although Wisconsin have won the last seven meetings.

Army-Navy Game

The Army Black Knights and the Navy Midshipmen, played since 1890 for 111 times, with Navy leading the series 55-49-7. A game that screams tradition and patriotism with every down and every pre-game ceremony, with the halo of Playing for the Love of the Game always around it.

Battle for the Bell, Miami (Ohio) vs Cincinnati

The oldest non-conference rivalry in College Football, it has been played 116 times since 1888, with the Bearcats winning the last six meetings between them.

Michigan vs Notre Dame Rivalry

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The two schools have seen better days in the rankings, but both schools have 11 national titles each and are ranked among the top 3 all time in wins and winning percentage. The game was first played in 1887 but there have been several hiatuses, with 2001 being the last time the two haven’t met. Notre Dame being independent has something to do with it I guess. The Wolverines lead the all time series 23-15-1.