Top 10 up-and-coming rivalries in college football

Oct 11, 2014; Waco, TX, USA; TCU Horned Frogs running back Trevorris Johnson (24) scores a touchdown during the game against the Baylor Bears at McLane Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports

2. Baylor Bears vs. TCU Horned Frogs

Yes, yes, I know this is a long, historical rivalry already. But it was only restored three years ago, and for the first time in decades, this is now becoming a rivalry that actually has national implications.

The Baylor Bears and TCU Horned Frogs were the two teams left out of the College Football Playoff last year, as each had one loss, and they show no signs of loosening their grip on the Big 12 this year. Both programs have shown they can win without great recruiting classes but recruits that are the perfect fits for their systems, and both are entering this upcoming year with an extreme level of hype.

That will probably not be an isolated incident.

In the future, the fight for the Big 12 title is likely to be a four-way rivalry with Texas, Oklahoma, Baylor, and TCU.

Texas and Oklahoma are already arch-rivals. Baylor and TCU are on the way to reaching that same level. These are the two small, private, religious schools in Texas that are on the verge of becoming major college football powerhouse programs.

And the game could annually have national title implications from here on out, as it almost certainly will this upcoming year. Expect this to be a rivalry game that stops the college football world beginning this year.

It should have done that already last year. In many ways, this rivalry has already arrived.

Next: #1: Texas A&M-LSU-Arkansas