College Football: 25 most underappreciated team rivalries of all time

8. Mississippi State Bulldogs vs. Ole Miss Rebels

The Egg Bowl and the Golden Egg Trophy most certainly seem like an odd nickname and totem for a college football rivalry, particularly one between the Mississippi State Bulldogs and the Ole Miss Rebels. However, the reason that it has that moniker speaks to the greatness of the rivalry and the history behind it.

While the two teams first went head-to-head back in 1901, things came to a head in the 1926 meeting between the two teams, the Aggies (Bulldogs) and Red and Blue (Rebels) at the time.

After Mississippi State dominated the rivalry early on in their history, Ole Miss was able to get just their sixth victory in 24 games. As a result, the fans went wild and tried to tear down the goalposts. Things then escalated quickly.

Mississippi State fans defended their home field in an absolute mêlée, using chairs as weapons to try to take on the raucous Ole Miss fans. Thus, a trophy in the shape of a 1920s football (which resembles an egg more than football) was created to give something for fans to celebrate in hopes of not having another incident like the one in 1926 break out.

Overall, Ole Miss has a 62-45-6 advantage in the rivalry (though two of their more recent wins were vacated due to NCAA violations). Even without those victories, the Rebels still lead the way.

This game makes the list of underappreciated rivalries, though, because it’s not been often that the two teams have been great at the same time, especially in recent memory. Even still, the passion that fuels the Egg Bowl is undeniable.