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October 15, 2009
We're three days away from the Big 12 South game of the year between Oklahoma and Texas. As usual, I'd like your opinion. Who will prevail at the Cotton Bowl?
For my analysis of the Red River rivalry, and the rest of my week 7 picks around the Big 12, check out the latest edition of ConferenceChatterTV:
I've always thought the "What's the greatest college football rivalry?" question was somewhat stupid.
Doesn't it all depend on where you grow up? Or who you follow, or what team you cheer for every week?
Michigan vs. Ohio State is widely considered the greatest college football rivalry. The Big Ten game has that national perception of the ultimate showdown. To which I say, so what?
I grew up in Texas and went to college at Kansas. To me, Oklahoma vs. Texas in Dallas will always be the biggest college football game of the year. The thought of watching any other big game over Red River, or over Nebraska-Oklahoma, or over Kansas-Missouri, makes me cringe.
But that's how I think of college football rivalries.
It works that way anywhere you go. Ask any football enthusiast in the state of Alabama his or her thought on the question. If they don't say Auburn-Alabama, I'd be shocked. It's SEC country.
Any fan or follower of the Big Ten will likely say Ohio State-Michigan, and rightfully so. Can you imagine telling someone at Army or Navy that their rivalry wasn't the most intense in the country? No thanks.
To the majority of our loyal readers and posters on KUSports.com, the Border Showdown (or Border War as it was called before 9/11) is the biggest game in the history of anything. I've witnessed the KU-MU rivalry a few times to know. My point is, I wouldn't expect KU fans to say anything else.
Anyone who's read a fair amount of my blogs knows I love lists. The best receivers in the Big 12; the best football conference in the country; the leading contenders for the Heisman trophy. I've never been fond, however, of the lists that rank the greatest college football rivalries.
Texas 24, Oklahoma 21.
That should be all for now, friends. As always, discuss.
Comments
LindseySlater (Lindsey Slater) says...
Tino -- What about Northwestern/Illinois? How could you forget the Wildcats and Fighting Illini battling for the (formerly known as) Sweet Sioux Trophy? Haha. Kidding.
October 15, 2009 at 1:30 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
suttonku (anonymous) says...
Bradford is a great QB when he is protected and Mccoy might be the most overrated QB in the history of the big 12.
With Bradford having played a game after his injury I look for him to be very comfortable in this game...I think Broyles will play and I like OU's chances in this game...Their defense has to play very well and they have to get hits on Mccoy but if they do I could see OU winning this game.
NU defense is playing well but their secondary is just average, if TTU can get protection for their QB then he may be able to pick nebraska apart...KU will show up on the road this weekend, look for another big performance from Mr. Reesing.
October 15, 2009 at 2:02 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Torisen (anonymous) says...
I was only aware of two college football rivalries growing up:
Pitt/Penn State
Army/Navy
October 15, 2009 at 2:20 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
plasticJHawk (anonymous) says...
Why do some rivalry games have such stupid trophies? Like Louisville and Cincinatti playing for the Keg of Nails. I'd like to know people's thoughts on the most ridiculous rivalry game trophies.
October 15, 2009 at 3:10 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
txrockchalk (anonymous) says...
plasticJHawk ~
Feast your eyes on this - - too many ridiculous ones to mention :^)
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_...
October 15, 2009 at 3:36 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
plasticJHawk (anonymous) says...
Perfect.
October 15, 2009 at 3:48 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
OUfaninKUterritory (anonymous) says...
I think you're right about the rivalries, it all depends on where you grow up/live. Growing up in Big 10 country, near Ann Arbor, there were three rivalries for the Wolverines: UMich/Ohio State, UMich/Minnesota (Little Brown Jug rivalry) and, of course, UMich/Mich St.
But I think the rivalries are much bigger here in Big 12 country. I agree with you that OU/Texas is the biggest rivalry in the Big 12 but I also think the rivalry depends on the season. I think KU/Neb is going to be huge this year because the standing of both teams in the Big 12 North. I've heard Neb fans mellowed out while the team wasn't playing as well but they might be back with a vengeance now that they're so close performance wise.
October 15, 2009 at 4:10 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
njjayhawk (anonymous) says...
Baker U vs. St. Mary's of the Plains....bigger than Michigan-Ohio State, bigger than OU-Texas.
October 15, 2009 at 6:05 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Muckfuzzo (anonymous) says...
Come on anyone who is a fan of the big 12 knows that ku-mizzu is the biggest game of the year. Hope our d shows up this weekend we need a strong game before ou comes to town.
October 15, 2009 at 7:49 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
milwaukeeJAYHAWK (anonymous) says...
When I think of rivalries, I always think of those "House Divided....ku/ksu, ku/mu, ou/ut" tags and flags. Those are so lame, but whatever.
I've always wanted to make one with two completely unrelated teams as a joke......"House Divided: Delaware/San Diego St." People would probably look at it, and be like whaaa?
October 15, 2009 at 10:50 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
LAJayhawk (anonymous) says...
Growing up in Big 10 land with parents from Michigan, I was very aware of that region's rivalries. And with that I'm actually quite shocked at that list you hyperlinked, Eric, and you as well OUfacinKUterritory, as neither listed the Michigan/Notre Dame rivalry (which is up there as one of the oldest). Granted the last couple of years both teams have basically stunk, but for decades that game was a HUGE start to the college football season. That game arguably gave Desmond Howard his Heisman with the game-winning diving catch in the back of the endzone on 4th down with the pump-fake pass from Elvis Grbac.
I gotta say, though, while Michigan/Ohio St may be the most recognized, KU/mizzou is clearly the most emotional. I mean, no one has THAT kind of history to their rivalry....
October 15, 2009 at 11:43 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
oregonjhawk (anonymous) says...
Some of the Pac-10 rivalries are more intense than I thought they were when I lived in KS. There's no love lost between Oregon and Washington and the Civil War and Apple Cup tend to be some of the best games of the year, no matter where the teams are ranked. None, however, hold up to the sheer hatred generated between KU and MU...
October 16, 2009 at 1:38 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
actorman (anonymous) says...
I like it, Milwaukee!!!
October 16, 2009 at 2:03 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )