Over the past 10 years, there have been some intriguing rivalries that have caught some attention. Let’s break them down.
Over the past 10 seasons, there have been college football rivalries that have lived up to the hype. These matchups are more balanced in terms of wins and losses and not on the overall notoriety of the rival. In other words, rivalries in college football are better on paper as opposed to the actual reputation and prestige of the rivalry between the two programs.
From 2010-19, we will look at the most intense, competitive and best college football rivalries over the past 10 seasons.
We will look at the overall 10-year record and more when analyzing the best college football rivalries over the past decade. Here is the breakdown that each rivalry will be looked at.
Explanation of Rivalry Breakdown
The 10-year record of the rivalry for each school: For example, Oregon is 9-1, and Oregon State is 1-9 over the span of the last 10 seasons of the Pac-12 interstate rivalry.
The five-year record of the rivalry for each school: An example is, USC is 4-1, and UCLA is 1-4 over the span of the last five seasons of the intense rivalry between the two California schools.
The biggest margin of victory for each school during the 10-year span of the rivalry: For example, Washington’s 35-point victory in 2015 and Washington State’s three-point win in 2012.
The number of games between the two schools of the rivalry that went into overtime and or was determined by four or fewer points: An example is, in 2018 Arizona State defeated Arizona by one point by a final score of 41-40. Also, in 2010 Arizona State beat Arizona by a single point with the score being 30-29, and in 2009, Arizona defeated Arizona State by a field goal with the score end up being 20-17. In total, three games in the rivalry between the two in-state Pac-12 teams were determined by four or fewer points with none of the games going into overtime during the decade span.
The number of times both teams were ranked in the top 25 when they faced off against one another during the last 10 years: For example, Texas Tech and TCU have faced each other when each school was ranked in the top 25 over the past 10 seasons when they faced one another: In 2012 Texas Tech was ranked No. 17 and TCU No. 23. There were times when one of the teams was ranked No. 25 but not the other.
Point System
- Over the 10-season span, 10 points for the rivalry being evenly split at five wins each. Over the 10-season span, eight points for two win-loss difference (6-4/4-6), six points for four win-loss difference (7-3/3-7) and four points for a six win-loss (2-8/8-2).
- Over the five-season span, five points for the rivalry having only one win-loss difference (3-2/2-3) and three points for a two win-loss difference (4-1/1-4).
- Four points for each game during the 10-season span was decided four points or less and three points for each game that went into overtime during that span of time.
- Eight points for each time both teams were ranked in the top 10 when they faced each other over the past 10 seasons. Five points for each time both teams were ranked in the top 25 when they faced off against one another.
Criteria for being included in the ranking of college football rivalries
- During the span of the rivalry, the difference in wins and losses can not exceed two losses — meaning the rivalry has to be 6-4/4-6 over the past 10 years. The only exception being is if the rivalry between the schools is 7-3/3-7, over the span of the past five years it must be 3-2/2-3.
- The two teams have had to play one another at least 80 times over the course of the rivalry between the two schools.
- The two teams have had to play each other during each of the past 10 years.
There are many reasons why college football rivalries are so great and meaningful to the fanbases of the teams. When they are competitive and intense, the rest of college football watches in large numbers.
Let’s begin to look at the best college football rivalries of the past 10 seasons based on the above criteria.
5. USC vs. UCLA
- 2010 season: USC 28, UCLA 14
- 2011: USC 50, UCLA 0
- 2012: No. 17 UCLA 38, USC 28
- 2013: No. 22 UCLA 35, USC 14
- 2014: No. 11 UCLA 38, USC 20
- 2015: USC 40, UCLA 21
- 2016: No. 13 USC 36, UCLA 14
- 2017: No. 11 USC 28, UCLA 23
- 2018: UCLA 34, USC 27
- 2019: No. 23 USC 52, UCLA 35
The 10-year record:
- USC: 6-4
- UCLA: 4-6
The five-year record:
- USC: 4-1
- UCLA: 1-4
The biggest margin of victory for each school:
- USC: 50 points (2011)
- UCLA: 21 points (2013)
The number of games between the two schools of the rivalry that went into overtime and/or was determined by four or fewer points: 0
The number of times both teams were ranked in the top 25 when they faced off against one another: 3 times (2012, 2013, 2014)
Rivalry Nickname: “The Battle for Victory Bell”
Best game of the rivalry: 2017
Notable coaches: Clay Helton and Chip Kelly
More information about the USC and UCLA rivalry: Interesting and historical facts can be found here.
USC vs. UCLA point breakdown
- 8 points for 10-year record of the rivalry
- 3 points for five-year record of the rivalry
- 0 points for games being determined by four or fewer points
- 0 points for one game that went into overtime during that span
- 0 points for both teams being ranked in the top 10
- 15 points for both teams being ranked in the top 25
Total points: 26
4. Navy vs. Army
- 2010: Navy 31, Army 17
- 2011: Navy 27, Army 21
- 2012: Navy 17, Army 13
- 2013: Navy 34, Army 7
- 2014: Navy 17, Army 10
- 2015: No. 21 Navy 21, Army 17
- 2016: Army 21, Navy 17
- 2017: Army 14, Navy 13
- 2018: No. 22 Army 17, Navy 10
- 2019: No. 23 Navy 31, Army 7
The 10-year record:
- Navy: 7-3
- Army: 3-7
The five-year record:
- Navy: 2-3
- Army: 3-2
Biggest margin of victory for each school:
- Navy: 27 points (2013)
- Army: 7 points (2018)
The number of games between the two schools of the rivalry that went into overtime and/or was determined by four or fewer points: Games that were determined by four or fewer points occurred in 2012, 2015, 2016 and 2017. No games went into overtime.
The number of times both teams were ranked in the top 25 when they faced off against one another: 0
Rivalry nickname: “It’s more than the game”
Best game of the rivalry: 2017
Notable coaches: Ken Niumatalolo and Jeff Monken
More information about the Army and Navy rivalry: Interesting and historical facts can be found here
Navy vs. Army point breakdown
- 6 points for 10-year record of the rivalry
- 5 points for five-year record of the rivalry
- 16 points for three games being determined by four or fewer points
- 0 points for both teams being ranked in the top 10
- 0 points for both teams being ranked in the top 25
Total points: 27
3. Georgia vs. Florida
- 2010: Florida 34, Georgia 31 (OT)
- 2011: No. 22 Georgia 24, Florida 20
- 2012: No. 12 Georgia 17, Florida 9
- 2013: Georgia 23, Florida 20
- 2014: Florida 38, Georgia 20
- 2015: No. 11 Florida 27, Georgia 3
- 2016: No. 14 Florida 24, Georgia 10
- 2017: No. 3 Georgia 42, Florida 7
- 2018: No. 7 Georgia 36, Florida 17
- 2019: No. 8 Georgia 24, Florida 17
The 10-year record:
- Georgia: 6-4
- Florida: 4-6
The five-year record:
- Georgia: 3-2
- Florida: 2-3
The biggest margin of victory for each school:
- Georgia: 35 points (2017)
- Florida: 24 points (2015)
The number of games between the two schools of the rivalry that went into overtime and/or was determined by four or fewer points: Games that were determined by four or fewer points occurred in 2010, 2011 and 2013. The 2010 game was the only game that went into overtime.
The number of times both teams were ranked in the top 25 when they faced off against one another: Both ranked in the top 10 two times in 2018 and 2019. Both ranked outside the top 10 but ranked in the top 25 one time in 2012.
Rivalry nickname: “World’s Largest Outdoor Cocktail Party”
Best game of the rivalry: 2010
Notable coaches: Kirby Smart and Jim McElwain
More information about the Georgia and Florida rivalry: Interesting and historical facts can be found here
Georgia vs. Florida point breakdown
- 8 points for 10-year record of the rivalry
- 5 points for five-year record of the rivalry
- 12 points for three games being determined by four or fewer points
- 3 points for one game that went into overtime during that span
- 16 points for both teams being ranked in the top 10
- 5 points for both teams being ranked in the top 25
Total points: 49
2. Michigan State vs. Michigan
- 2010: No. 17 Michigan State 34, Michigan 17
- 2011: No. 23 Michigan State 28, Michigan 14
- 2012: No. 23 Michigan 12, Michigan State 10
- 2013: No. 22 Michigan State 29, Michigan 6
- 2014: No. 8 Michigan State 35, Michigan 11
- 2015: No. 7 Michigan State 27, Michigan 23
- 2016: No. 2 Michigan 32, Michigan State 23
- 2017: Michigan State 14, Michigan 10
- 2018: No. 6 Michigan 21, Michigan State 7
- 2019: No. 15 Michigan 44, Michigan State 10
The 10-year record:
- Michigan State: 6-4
- Michigan: 4-6
The five-year record:
- Michigan State: 2-3
- Michigan: 3-2
The biggest margin of victory for each school:
- Michigan State: 24 points (2014)
- Michigan: 34 points (2019)
The number of games between the two schools of the rivalry that went into overtime and/or was determined by four or fewer points: Games that were determined by four or fewer points occurred in 2010, 2015 and 2017. No games went into overtime.
The number of times both teams were ranked in the top 25 when they faced off against one another: Both ranked outside the top 10 but both ranked in the top 25 five times in 2010, 2011, 2013, 2015 and 2018.
Rivalry nickname: “The Battle for Paul Bunyan”
Best game of the rivalry: 2015
Notable coaches: Mark Dantonio and Jim Harbaugh
More information about the Michigan State and Michigan rivalry: Interesting and historical facts can be found here
Michigan State vs. Michigan point breakdown
- 8 points for 10-year record of the rivalry
- 5 points for five-year record of the rivalry
- 12 points for three games being determined by four or fewer points
- 0 points for both teams being ranked in the top 10
- 25 points for both teams being ranked in the top 25
Total points: 50
1. Alabama vs. Auburn
- 2010: No. 2 Auburn 28, Alabama 27
- 2011: No. 2 Alabama 42, Auburn 14
- 2012: No. 2 Alabama 49, Auburn 0
- 2013: No. 4 Auburn 34, Alabama 28
- 2014: No. 2 Alabama 55, Auburn 44
- 2015: No. 2 Alabama 29, Auburn 13
- 2016: No. 1 Alabama 30, Auburn 12
- 2017: No. 6 Auburn 26, Alabama 14
- 2018: No. 1 Alabama 52, Auburn 21
- 2019: No. 16 Auburn 48, Alabama 45
The 10-year record:
- Alabama: 6-4
- Auburn: 4-6
The five-year record:
- Alabama: 3-2
- Auburn: 2-3
The biggest margin of victory for each school:
- Alabama: 49 points (2012)
- Auburn: 12 points (2017)
The number of games between the two schools of the rivalry that went into overtime and/or was determined by three or fewer points: Games that were determined by four or fewer points occurred in 2010 and 2019. No games went into overtime.
The number of times both teams were ranked in the top 25 when they faced off against one another: Both ranked in the top 10 three times in 2010, 2013 and 2017. Both ranked outside the top 10 but both in the top 25 four times in 2011, 2014, 2016 and 2019.
Rivalry nickname: “The Iron Bowl”
Best game of the rivalry: 2013
Notable coaches: Nick Saban and Gus Malzahn
More information about the Alabama and Auburn rivalry: Interesting and historical facts can be found here
Alabama vs. Auburn point breakdown
- 8 points for 10-year record
- 5 points for five-year record
- 8 points for two games being determined by four or fewer points
- 24 points for both teams being ranked in the top 10
- 20 points for both teams being ranked in the top 25
Total points: 65