The Most Underrated Rivalries in College Football

Michael Carroll@mjcarroll531X.com LogoFeatured ColumnistMarch 1, 2015

The Most Underrated Rivalries in College Football

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    The rivalry between Georgia and South Carolina is one of the most underrated in the nation.
    The rivalry between Georgia and South Carolina is one of the most underrated in the nation.Rainier Ehrhardt/Associated Press

    Every college football program has at least one rival: a team it hates every day of the year and regardless of the differences in quality of the two. Rivalries are the heart of college football, and they're something the college game does better than the pro game.

    Some rivalries are well-known across the country; Ohio State-Michigan, Texas-Oklahoma and Alabama-Auburn are three of the biggest. There are rivalries that much of the college football world doesn't talk about, too, and these are the focus of this slideshow.

    The following rivalries don't get enough press. Today, I'm going to discuss why they don't and why they should get more. 

    All the rivalries listed are still active. I've defined "active" as rivalries still being played without interruption, or briefly interrupted rivalries that are scheduled to return by 2016. They're also rivalries between two FBS schools.

    For the most part, rivalries are known regionally as opposed to nationally. In the comments section below, please add whichever such rivalries you feel should get more recognition across the country.

    With that, here's the list, in no particular order.

Georgia-South Carolina

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    USA TODAY Sports

    Georgia and South Carolina have played 67 times since 1894, but the rivalry has gotten more intense over the past decade.

    Why It's Big

    When Steve Spurrier arrived as head coach of South Carolina prior to the 2005 season, the Bulldogs and Gamecocks became stronger adversaries. Spurrier has been an enemy of Georgia since 1964, when he played his first game with the Florida Gators.

    Besides the Spurrier-Georgia connection, the two schools are close geographically, so they're always fighting for recruits. They're also more competitive with each other on the field. Georgia has dominated the series overall, but it's been a 5-5 tie since Spurrier's first contest in 2005.

    Why It's Overlooked

    This rivalry isn't among the most played between SEC schools. For comparison, Georgia has played Auburn 118 times.

    Georgia has dominated this rivalry overall, with a 47-18-2 record.

    South Carolina didn't join the SEC until 1992.

    What's Next?

    Georgia cannot overlook South Carolina anymore. The Gamecocks haven't had a losing record in any season under Spurrier. Though the Bulldogs are among the top 10 teams in the nation, where they end up in the postseason will hinge on their game against the team located a little over a three-hour drive to the east.

    Next Game: Sept. 19, 2015 at Georgia

SMU-TCU

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    LM Otero/Associated Press

    SMU and TCU have faced off 94 times since 1914. Despite conference realignments and a recent lopsided history in favor of TCU, these two Christian universities from Texas are still at it; they've only not played six years between 1914 and now.

    Why It's Big

    SMU and TCU battle for an iron skillet. Games with trophies involved are always important.

    These schools also have Christian affiliations, and they're located about an hour's drive away from each other in Texas.

    Not only are they close in proximity, but the series is close overall. TCU only has a 47-40-7 advantage.

    Why It's Overlooked

    There are a lot of college football programs in Texas, and these two aren't necessarily among the first to come to mind.

    TCU has dominated this rivalry recently. SMU has only won four times since 1996. The Mustangs haven't been ranked in the AP poll at any time since 1986, either. TCU, meanwhile, is arguably the top team in the nation.

    TCU plays in the Big 12, while SMU plays in the American. Nonconference rivalries usually aren't viewed as important as conference series.

    What's Next?

    The fact that SMU and TCU are still playing each other speaks to the importance of this rivalry.

    Next Game: Sept. 19, 2015 at TCU

Oregon-Washington

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    Steve Dykes/Getty Images

    Oregon and Washington have played 107 times since 1900, and their rivalry is one of the best in the West that isn't heavily discussed.

    Why It's Big

    This rivalry has all the good ingredients: close proximity between the schools (about 300 miles apart), close on-field history (Washington leads 58-44-5) and implications on the conference and the nation.

    Why It's Overlooked

    Both schools have other rivalries that are more recognized across the country. Oregon and Oregon State battle in the Civil War, while Washington and Washington State compete for the Apple Cup.

    Oregon has dominated the rivalry lately. Washington hasn't won since 2003. For what it's worth, the Ducks have dominated college football lately, not just the Huskies.

    What's Next?

    This rivalry really isn't trending up or down. Washington was 5-1 heading into its matchup with Oregon last season, but the Ducks still won 45-20. Chris Petersen's arrival to the series could make things more interesting, as he was the Ducks wide receivers coach from 1995 to 2000 and brought Boise State into the national conversation.

    Even so, it's a better on-field product than many of the better-known rivalries in the Pac-12.

    Next Game: Oct. 17, 2015 at Washington

Alabama-Tennessee

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    Wade Payne/Associated Press

    Alabama and Tennessee have played 96 times since 1901, traditionally on the third Saturday in October. At one time, it was one of the anticipated games of the SEC schedule. Though it hasn't been as big lately, it's still a rivalry worth following.

    Why It's Big

    Alabama and Tennessee are close in proximity (a little over 300 miles separates them), and the series has been competitive overall (Alabama leads 51-38-7).

    One of these teams is usually ranked high at the time of the game. Sometimes, both teams are ranked. Therefore, the outcome of the game often matters nationally, not just in the SEC.

    Why It's Overlooked

    Alabama is in the SEC West, while Tennessee is in the SEC East. Though it's a conference rivalry, it's not a divisional one.

    People don't think of Tennessee right away as a rival of Alabama. Auburn and more recently LSU are bigger rivals of the Crimson Tide. Tennessee hasn't won since 2006, so that hasn't helped the cause.

    Over the past half-decade, Alabama and Tennessee have gone in different directions. The Crimson Tide have been ranked No. 1 in the AP poll at some point every season since 2008 (including three national championships), while the Volunteers have been ranked in the AP poll only one week since 2009.

    What's Next?

    This rivalry should gain some steam, possibly beginning with this season. Butch Jones has some of the best young talent in the nation, as he's brought in top-five classes each of the past two cycles. Alabama's classes were the best in the nation for those two cycles, of course, but the Volunteers could be a threat to the Crimson Tide's dominance soon.

    Next Game: Oct. 24, 2015 at Alabama

BYU-Utah

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    George Frey/Getty Images

    The Holy War rivalry between BYU and Utah has a long history.

    The game was first played in the 19th century, depending on who you ask, but it was regularly contested between 1922 and 2013. After a break, it will return in 2016.

    Why It's Big

    Geography? Check. Competitiveness? Yep. Deep-rooted history? Definitely.

    These schools are close together (an hour drive), and though both have a significant Mormon population, Utah is public while BYU is private, leading to some friction.

    On the field, these teams have been streaky. Though it's not ideal for a rivalry to have opponents constantly beating each other, it's the best alternative.

    Why It's Overlooked

    BYU and Utah are underrated programs. Not many people pay attention to them, but they've been fairly relevant to the national conversation for a while.

    As I mentioned, BYU and Utah mostly haven't both been really good at the same time. When the Cougars were winning lots of games under LaVell Edwards, the Utes weren't great. BYU only beat Utah twice between 1922 and 1964.

    The schools aren't in the same conference, either. BYU is an Independent, while Utah is in the Pac-12.

    What's Next?

    The Holy War continues in 2016 after not happening in 2014 or 2015.

    Next Game: Sept. 10, 2016 at Utah

Miami-Virginia Tech

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    Steve Helber/Associated Press

    Miami and Virginia Tech have played some important games over the course of their widely overlooked rivalry. In fact, Alex Koma of Bleacher Report called their rivalry the most underrated in the ACC.

    Why It's Big

    Miami and Virginia Tech have been conference rivals for 20 years, and they've played every year since 1992. The Hurricanes and the Hokies left the Big East for the ACC in 2004, too.

    Miami and Virginia Tech have played each other twice in a bowl game. They've also played 11 times when they were both ranked, and four of these games were between Top 10 teams.

    Virginia Tech has closed the gap on Miami recently. Since Virginia Tech's first victory in 1995, the Hokies have led the series by nearly a 2-1 margin.

    Why It's Overlooked

    As Koma mentions, the ACC doesn't have rivalries that are as well-known nationally. Many of the top rivalries in the ACC are with SEC schools (like Florida-Florida State and Georgia-Georgia Tech, for example).

    Miami isn't the program it was over a decade ago. Since the Hurricanes aren't as important to the national scene anymore, the rivalry as a whole has lessened. Virginia Tech has played better football before too.

    What's Next?

    This outcome of this game in 2015 could spin the coaching carousel in the ACC. Coaches Hot Seat thinks Al Golden has the fourth-hottest seat in the country, and Frank Beamer isn't getting any younger.

    This, along with the always-looming ACC Coastal Division implications, makes the game worth following.

    Next Game: Oct. 17, 2015 at Miami

Indiana-Purdue

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    John Sommers/Associated Press

    Indiana and Purdue play for the Old Oaken Bucket. They've met 117 times since 1891. Even though neither team makes any noise in the Big Ten, the Hoosiers and Boilermakers are true rivals.

    Why It's Big

    Indiana and Purdue play each other at the end of the season, every season. That's what the truest rivals do. They only have to drive two hours to do it, too.

    The Big Ten cares about preserving this rivalry. Though Indiana and Purdue play in different divisions within the conference, theirs is the only protected intraconference game. Michigan and Minnesota weren't given this luxury.

    Why It's Overlooked

    Like I mentioned, Indiana and Purdue aren't that relevant in the Big Ten, let alone the nation. Aside from those affiliated with the two schools, nobody really cares about them.

    Purdue has a decent lead in the series at 72-39-6. Indiana has won the last two games, but Purdue has had the longer (and more frequent) winning streaks.

    What's Next?

    The fact that the Big Ten has preserved this rivalry says something about its importance. These two schools can continue hating each other as long as they're both in the conference.

    Next Game: Nov. 28, 2015 at Purdue

Bowling Green-Toledo

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    AARON CARPENTER/Associated Press

    Bowling Green and Toledo first met in 1919, and they've played continuously since 1948. Not many people know that outside of the two northwestern Ohio schools, but it's a really big deal.

    Why It's Big

    The Battle of I-75, as they call it, has all the elements.

    Bowling Green and Toledo are a little over a 30-minute drive apart along, you guessed it, I-75. They're both members of the MAC and among the historically strong MAC teams, although Bowling Green is in the East division and Toledo is in the West. The series is competitive, as Bowling Green has a 39-36-4 lead.

    Most importantly, these folks hate each other.

    Why It's Overlooked

    They're in the MAC. Neither team has won a MAC title in over 10 years. The nation only pays attention to MAC schools when one is highly ranked and playing in a major bowl game, like Northern Illinois recently.

    Unlike Indiana-Purdue in the Big Ten, this rivalry isn't protected in the MAC schedule.

    What's Next?

    This rivalry isn't going to get any more or less popular, but it's not going to get any less intense, and ultimately that's what matters with these kinds of games.

    Next Game: Nov. 17, 2015 at Bowling Green

California-Stanford

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    Ben Margot/Associated Press

    Everybody knows about Cal-Stanford. Not as many people care about Cal-Stanford, and though that's a shame, that's what makes it underrated.

    Why It's Big

    Cal and Stanford have played 117 times since 1892. It's called The Big Game. No more explanation is necessary.

    Why It's Overlooked

    When people think Cal-Stanford, they think 1982. Though this game was one of the most famous in college football history, for one play no less, an overwhelming focus on this chapter takes away from the whole.

    Stanford has dominated this series recently. Cal hasn't won since 2009. During that time, the Cardinal have turned into one of the top programs in the country. Meanwhile, the Bears haven't won a bowl game since then, and they've only been to two.

    The on-field rivalry between Stanford and Oregon has taken precedence over this one...and most of the Pac-12 rivalries at that.

    What's Next?

    Cal could have a bounce-back season in 2015. Via SB Nation's Leland Wong, ESPN believes the Bears will be the 36th-best team in the nation (Stanford has the No. 17 ranking). In other words, Cal is closing in on the Cardinal again.

    Next Game: Nov. 21, 2015 at Stanford

Is Army-Navy Underrated?

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    Army-Navy isn't underrated, though many believe it is.
    Army-Navy isn't underrated, though many believe it is.Patrick Semansky/Associated Press

    I wanted to use this space to explain why I don't think Army-Navy is an underrated rivalry.

    I anticipated getting a lot of heat for not including this game, because it's featured on so many of these lists across the Internet. I really can't figure out why it is, though.

    People who don't follow sports have heard of Army-Navy. It's the biggest rivalry in college football, so how can it be underrated?

    CBS broadcasts the game every year. It's the last game of the regular season across the country. It's one of the most culturally significant individual sporting events in the country.

    I welcome the comments of those who disagree with me, because I'm interested to hear from people who believe it's underrated.

    Thank you for hearing me out on this. Also, thank you for reading, as always. Check me out on Twitter (@mjcarroll531).

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