The most crucial week in a college football season comes around Thanksgiving – Rivalry week, with games steeped with hatred and history played side by side. From the Iron Bowl between Alabama and Auburn in the SEC to the Big Ten’s Michigan vs Ohio State, also known as The Game, here are the most played of these rivalries heading into the 2015 version of hate week.
Alabama vs Auburn (Iron Bowl) – 80th time
A rivalry that’s been around since 1893, but wasn’t played for 41 years, until they finally resumed it in 1948, after the Alabama State Legislature threatened to withhold state funding from the schools unless they did resume the rivalry. Alabama lead it 43-35-1, winning three of the last four, but not winning in Auburn since 2011.
BYU vs Utah State (Old Wagon Wheel) – 85th time
This rivalry has been played since 1922 and consecutively since 2008. BYU hold a 46-35-3 lead in the series, losing only twice since 1994.
UCLA vs USC (Victory Bell) – 85th time
The teams have met 84 times, but the record is 44-31-7 in favor of USC. Math problem? The two USC wins from 2004 and 2005 have been vacated. UCLA have won the series three years in a row, in a rivalry that’s not just about state pride, but is about city pride, with the campuses being only 13.6 miles apart.
Virginia Tech vs Virginia (Commonwealth Cup) – 93rd time
On since 1895 and played annually since 1970, the Hokies lead the series 54-37-5 mostly thanks to the dominance during the Frank Beamer era (which is coming to an end). They’ve won the last 11 games and 15 of the last 16 meetings. Virginia haven’t been victorious in this rivalry since 2003.
North Carolina vs North Carolina State – 105th time
Despite the Tar Heels heading in ranked to this year’s game, they’ve won just twice in the last eight meetings, losing five in a row from 2007 to 2011. Still, in this rivalry played since 1894, UNC lead 65-33-6.
Washington State vs Washington (Apple Cup) – 108th time
Played 107 times since 1900, it’s been for the Apple Cup since 1962, with the Huskies holding a 69-32-6 lead in the series. Washington have won the last two encounters and five of the last six. The Cougars haven’t won in Seattle since 2007. There was a two-year hiatus in the rivalry (1943, 1944), but they played twice in 1945.
Northwestern vs Illinois (Land of Lincoln Trophy) – 109th time
One of the teams is actually ranked for a change this year (Wildcats), in a rivalry that’s been around since 1892 but like a lot of the Big Ten clashes, doesn’t garner a lot of national attention anymore, and possibly never has. Illinois lead the series 55-48-5, winning the last time in Evanston, with the game being played in Chicago (Solider Field) for the first time since 2010.
Vanderbilt vs Tennessee – 110th time
A rivalry that dates back to 1892 and is might be one of the more one-sided there are on this list, with the Vols winning 74 of the games, losing 30 with 5 ties. Tennessee have won just one of the last three games, but seven of their last nine, at one time went undefeated from 1983 to 2004.
Oklahoma vs Oklahoma State (Bedlam) – 110th time
This rivalry has been played since 1904, when OSU were still Oklahoma A&M. It’s for the Big 12 title this year, with both teams ranked, which has happened quite often in recent years. State have won two of the last four, but Oklahoma won consecutively from 2003 to 2010, and overall lead the series 84-18-7.
Georgia vs Georgia Tech (Clean, Old-Fashioned Hate) – 110th time (or 108th time)
Georgia don’t count the 1943 and 1944 meetings, Georgia Tech do, winning them both, shutting the Bulldogs out. By Tech’s count, it’s 64-40-5 in Georgia’s favor, although the Yellow Jackets won in 2014 after five consecutive losses.
Baylor vs TCU (Revivalry) – 111th time
All of a sudden this rivalry has turned into maybe the biggest and most important in the Big 12, becoming the vanguard of football in Texas. The Bears have won three of the last four with TCU not winning at home in this one since 2010. Baylor lead this incredibly tight series 52-51-7.
Ole Miss vs Mississippi State (Egg Bowl) – 112th time
Ole Miss lead this series, the 10th longest uninterrupted one in the nation, 62-43-6 with two wins given to them after Mississippi State had to forfeit theirs from 1976 and 1977. It was first played in 1901, and since 1927 has been for the Egg Bowl. The Rebels have won two of the last three following three straight losses, but haven’t won in Starkville since 2003.
Ohio State vs Michigan (The Game) – 112th time
This rivalry has been around since 1897, with Michigan leading the series 58-46-6, with one Buckeyes win vacated (from the 2010 season). Both teams will be ranked this year, something that hasn’t happened since 2012, and only for the second time since 2007. Ohio State have won the last three and ten of the last 11, including the vacated win.
Kansas State vs Kansas (Governor’s Cup) – 113th time
This rivalry has been played since 1902, but it is hitting something of a low point in 2015, with Kansas coming in with 0 wins and the Wildcats with just 4. The Jayhawks lead the series 64-43-5, with a big dispute over the 1980 game because of Kerwin Bell. Kansas State have won the last six encounters, as Kansas are looking for their first win since 2008.
Clemson vs South Carolina (Palmetto Bowl) – 113th time
This rivalry has been around since 1896, not letting the different conferences get in the way. Clemson lead the all-time series 66-42-4. winning last season after five consecutive losses. They haven’t won in Columbia since 2007.
Indiana vs Purdue (Old Oaken Bucket) – 118th time
Purdue lead this series, which has been played annually since 1920. The Boilermakers lead it 72-39-6, although the Hoosiers have won the last two games, although haven’t won it in West Lafayette since 2010. These days, it’s between two of the consistently worst teams in the Big Ten.
Oregon State vs Oregon (Civil War) – 119th time
This game has been around since 1894, and the game was not contested in 1900, 1901, 1911, 1943, and 1944 and two games were played in 1896 and 1945. Oregon lead the series 62-46-10, and have won it the last seven times its been played. The Beavers won two in a row in 2006 and 2007.
Wisconsin vs Minnesota (Paul Bunyan’s Axe) – 125th time
The longest played rivalry in the FBS, it’s been going on almost uninterrupted since 1890, with 1906 being the one time they didn’t meet. Wisconsin have won 11 in a row, but Minnesota still lead the series 59-57-8. The Golden Gophers last won in 2003.