3 college football rivalries that will be reignited this season
By Austin Lloyd
2. Auburn at Vanderbilt (Nov. 4)
And just like that, we have another questionable selection.
Surprisingly, Auburn and Vanderbilt are in very similar boats as they get their 2023 slates started, with both of them aiming to follow up their unflattering 5-7 displays from last year. But while that may not sound overly enticing to anyone less than a college football diehard, the backstory of their series, like that of Duke and NC State’s, brings more appeal to the table than some might think.
Of Vanderbilt’s 13 SEC opponents, they are losing to 12 of them all-time. The odd bunch out? The Auburn Tigers, who the Commodores are tied with 21-21-1.
With a back-and-forth that tight, one might imagine fans of the Southeastern enemies sitting on the edges of their seats every time they cross paths (and those that don’t obviously should). That combination of unpredictability and suspense always makes for some great college football, but that’s precisely where the sadness kicks in.
Simply put, anyone new to the realm of CFB would have no way of knowing just how good the Auburn-Vanderbilt showdown can be, as its latest installment was back in 2016. If they were unfortunate enough to miss that one, the second-latest was four years before that.
It may seem insignificant when remembering the parties’ recent struggles (and it definitely does when held next to the SEC’s overall image), but the lowered standards could make the rivalry win itself more brag-worthy once the season is all said and done, which counts for something.
And with both teams just barely missing the postseason in 2022, this game making as crucial of an impact as granting a bowl berth to one of them feels well within the realm of possibility. In my opinion, that makes it far from the worst game to circle on the calendar.
Lastly, to those who remain unconvinced, please understand that there has still been no consistency applied to this matchup’s future installments as of today. So, until further notice, I’d highly recommend being grateful for the opportunities you’re given to witness it.