Top 10 up-and-coming rivalries in college football

Nov 29, 2014; Boulder, CO, USA; Colorado Buffaloes wide receiver Shay Fields (5) carries the football as Utah Utes defensive back Brian Blechen (4) and defensive back Eric Rowe (18) defend in the first quarter at Folsom Field. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports

7. Colorado Buffaloes vs. Utah Utes

This is a rivalry that was meant to be. Two teams that are Mountain region teams and would fit better in the Mountain West Conference are in the Pac-12, and they are identical in terms of what their programs can become.

Add in the fact that they will play annually in the same division, and this rivalry is sure to explode.

The only problem now is that while the Utah Utes are back in business as a very good college football team, the Colorado Buffaloes are still desperately trying to crawl out of a hole they have been in for more than 10 years. Mike MacIntyre has done everything he possibly can to this point to get the Buffaloes out of it.

But it is an extremely hard job.

The fans of both schools and the players want this to be a rivalry, and we believe that Colorado will eventually get back to being a solid program, which will make this one. And if MacIntyre succeeds there, it will also be a clash of styles with Utah’s power offense and defensive focus against Colorado’s passing and high scoring focus.

Yes, this should have happened three years ago. But we still believe the rivalry will matter very soon.

Next: #6: Duke-Georgia Tech