For instance, the Army-Navy rivalry has been played since 1890, making it the oldest and most storied “rivalry game” in college football history. These two military academies are steeped in tradition and history. Every year, they face each other on the gridiron to fight for the Commander-in-Chief’s trophy, a prestigious award that is only issued to one of the academies each year. The game itself is considered one of the biggest in college football, regardless of which teams are playing for the championship. The Ohio State vs Michigan rivalry is another one that is steeped in tradition. The rivalry began in 1897 and is considered the biggest and most heated rivalry in college football. Every year, millions of fans tune in to watch this game, which has been waged on their campuses, their stadiums, and even a neutral field. What makes this rivalry so special is the deep-seated animosity and the fact that the winner usually advances to the Big Ten Championship game.
The match-up between The Ohio State Buckeyes and the Michigan Wolverines is not only a game between two schools but also a clash between two states and two football powerhouses. Other rivalries have been born from sheer proximity. Take the Iron Bowl between Auburn University and the University of Alabama. Both colleges are in Alabama, and their rivalry is arguably one of the most intense in college football. The two teams have played each other every year since 1948, and the winner takes home bragging rights for the entire state. But rivalries are not just about pride and passion they can also offer a path to the championship game. Every year, the College Football Playoff selection committee chooses the top four teams in the country to compete for the national championship. Despite the fierce battles between top teams more college football info during the regular season, the real battles often play out in the conference championship games. This year, the SEC Championship game between number one Alabama Crimson Tide and number seven Florida Gators was no different.
The game was essentially a play-in game for the College Football Playoff, with the winner advancing to play for the national championship. Alabama won the game convincingly, taking home their third SEC Championship in a row and joining the pantheon of college football’s elite teams. In , college football rivalries bring excitement, passion, and tradition to the sport. They are not just about the game itself, but they represent something much bigger, including the pride and passion of entire regions and states. These rivalries fuel the intensity that characterizes every college football game, from regular season games to the championship game. The college football experience is unlike any other. Between the roar of the crowds and the camaraderie built with teammates, it’s easy to see why so many players describe the sport as their passion. But there’s more to the game than what happens on the field, as the book “The Heart of the Game Stories from College Football Players” proves.
