This Season's Must-See Rivalry Football Games

By Camden Joiner on September 30, 2014

One of the biggest factors that sets apart college football and professional football is school rivalries.

Sure the NFL has the 49ers-Seahawks and Steelers-Ravens, but it’s nothing close to the most heated rivalries in college sports.

School pride and the pure will to win shines brightly from the players on the field to the fans at the tailgate. These annual rivalry showdowns can make-or-break seasons and give the victor a full year of bragging rights. But what makes these match-ups so special is the passion and intensity shown on the field from the first whistle to the final second.

This season will be no different as many teams already have heated match-ups circled on their calender. Many games won’t be as high stakes per usual and others will mean a lot more than fans are used to.

But regardless of the teams playing, these games will surely be the most important and exciting rivalry games of the year.

Image via indystar.com

Notre Dame vs Stanford, Week 6

The Fighting Irish are still undefeated but their first real test comes this weekend against Stanford. Everett Golson is having another fine season and the Irish are steadily moving up the ranks.

Stanford struggled early and was defeated by USC in week 2, but head coach David Shaw will surely have the Cardinal team fired up for a chance to knock off Notre Dame.

The battle for the Legends Trophy is always a competitive game, but this year is a must win for both teams.

Oregon vs Stanford, Week 10

Marcus Mariota has famously never beat Stanford as a stater. This rivalry game will certainly be Oregon’s biggest obstacle in their road to the playoffs. The past two seasons Oregon seemed on the path before getting knocked off by the Cardinals.

The Ducks have their best team in recent memory this season, however, and should coast to a win if they can keep Stanford out of their heads. Unfortunately for the Ducks, the Stanford game continues to be a struggle.

Image via baylorlariat.com

Baylor vs Oklahoma, Week 11

The Big 12 no longer has a conference championship game, but this one is close enough. Last season Bryce Petty and the Bears blew out Oklahoma 41-12 on their way to a Big 12 championship.

This year is shaping up to be a barn burner as both teams are making a run for the playoffs. The loser will surely be out of the running and the winner will be in great shape to secure a playoff berth. The stakes for this game have never been higher.

Auburn vs Georgia, Week 12

The Dawgs are in control of their own destiny in the SEC East after South Carolina’s loss to Missouri. Their schedule is pretty favorable until a week 12 game scheduled vs the Auburn Tigers.

“The Deep South’s Oldest Rivalry” came down to a tipped pass touchdown in favor of the Tigers last year and UGA is surely hungry for revenge. Neither team can afford losing this game if they hope to still be playing in January.

Here is the video to last season’s miracle catch.

USC vs UCLA, Week 13

The Battle for Los Angeles is famous for its historic games and classic moments. This year’s match-up will more than likely be a battle for the PAC-12 South.

Either team could earn a spot in the PAC-12 Championship and losing this rivalry showdown would likely knock either team out of contention. Besides the hatred between students and bragging rights over Hollywood, this game has much more on the line.

Image via oxfordcitizen.com

Mississippi State vs Ole Miss, Week 14

While usually a heated contest, “The Battle for the Golden Egg” is usually ignored by college football fans not in the state of Mississippi. But this year no egg will have been more sought after since Easter.

Perhaps surprisingly, both teams from Mississippi are undefeated and both are ranked in the AP Top 12. Each are contenders in the SEC West but in the toughest division in college football, one loss can nearly halt an entire season.

Dak Prescott and Bo Wallace are both exciting quarterbacks and this year fans across the country will surely take notice.

Auburn vs Alabama, Week 14

Last year’s Iron Bowl was an instant classic after Chris Davis returned Alabama’s kick to the house as the clock expired. Auburn went on to win the SEC Championship and play in the National Championship Game.

Alabama seemingly never recovered from the heartbreaking loss and was defeated again at the hands of Oklahoma in the Sugar Bowl. This year the stakes are equally as high as this game could decide the SEC West.

The SEC West champ will surely be a favorite in the SEC Championship Game and the winner of that game surely already has a spot locked up in the College Football Playoff.

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