Top 25 CFB Rivalries (entering 2026)

Feb 25, 2008
30,947
29,110
113
I had no idea that we would have two of these in the top 25.

It seems the Iowa-Nebraska rivalry is maybe a bit underrated, and the Iowa State maybe overrated, because while everybody inside the state of Iowa cares about it, does ANYBODY outside the state of Iowa have a dog in the fight?
Does anyone outside the state of Alabama honestly have a dog in the Alabama-Auburn fight?..................just sayin.
 

eyesofhawk

All-Conference
Apr 17, 2011
2,204
2,487
113
The Iowa-Nebraska rivalry is far ahead of ISU. It is the rivalry clown fans wish they could have had with UN back in the Big 8/12, but it was never to be.
How?

Nebraska doesn't ever win.

And other than being a conference foe, Nebraska doesn't mean as much as ISU does, to Iowa's people or team
 

LaQuintaHawk

All-Conference
Jun 29, 2025
1,867
3,809
113
I’d rank our game with Wisconsin than Nebraska. Top 3 tough to argue. If talking all time I know it’s on hiatus but bedlam between OU and OSU along with no cal Stanford on the list.
I agree that one of this two should at least replace L’ville vs Kentucky. To me, that rivalry is about equal to Purdue vs Indiana and they’re not on the list.

You can replace #25. As well, let’s keep it to FBS/CFP teams only.
 

rchawk

All-American
Oct 27, 2001
74,127
8,533
113
The Iowa-Nebraska rivalry is far ahead of ISU. It is the rivalry clown fans wish they could have had with UN back in the Big 8/12, but it was never to be.
Just to repeat, the clowns always wanted to be Nebraska's rival. Never came close, and here are the Hawkeyes playing the Huskers the day after Thanksgiving with rabid fan bases.

Good things just don't happen to clowns. Not since 1912.
 

KuwaitHawk

All-American
Apr 18, 2004
7,420
7,882
113
Scratch #4 on that list (USC/ND) since it no longer happening.
Iowa/Minnesota belongs on the list considering what the history is of the games (not to mention the BEST trophy).
#6 on the list is a 3-way series which is different.
#5 is too low on the list.
What other series are in the “receiving votes” category?
 

BunchofAholes

All-Conference
Jul 9, 2025
2,175
4,118
113
Does anyone outside the state of Alabama honestly have a dog in the Alabama-Auburn fight?..................just sayin.
Nobody outside of the two schools or states in any of these rivalries does. That's the nature of a rivalry. It's about two specific groups of people, states, or teams who have some kind of history or connection.

I have no favorite in tOSU/Michigan but I recognize that it's a great college football rivalry.
 
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