I contend that the great rivalry between the Oklahoma Sooners and the Nebraska Cornhuskers is the greatest in all of college football and one of the greatest in all of sports.
The great rivalry began Nov. 23, 1912. Saturday marks the 84th meeting of the teams in a series that OU leads, 43-37-3. However, the series has seen long streaks of dominance from both teams.
From the first in 1912 to 1942, Nebraska won or tied all but three games. From 1943 to 1958, the Sooners (under Bud Wilkinson) responded by winning every game. From 1971 to 1976, both teams were ranked in the top 10 before the matchup, and seven times during the 1980s the Big Eight Conference title was decided by the OU-Nebraska game.
Finally, from 1991-2000 (right before, during, and right after the formation of the Big 12 and the discontinuance of the annual series), Nebraska won seven straight meetings, capped by spectacular wins in 1996 (73-21) and 1997 (69-7).
The rivalry was a big part of my life, growing up. My mom grew up in Nebraska and attended the University of Nebraska. My dad grew up in Oklahoma and went to OU for med school.
I remember watching bits and pieces of OU-Nebraska games as a child and wondering why sometimes Daddy was happy and Mommy was sad, and other times Mommy was happy and Daddy was sad.
In school, most of my friends were OU fans (but I love you, too, O-State fans) and I was one of a small handful of Husker fans in the state. When it came time to choosing colleges, I passed over OU and applied to OSU and Nebraska. I went with my heart and chose Nebraska. I'll probably end up going to OU for grad school, if I choose to do so, because its journalism building is like a goddess of beauty.
Those OU-Nebraska games' memories from my childhood never left. I understand the importance of a healthy rivalry and am amazed at the amount of respect both sides' fans hold for each other. When the teams would play, it was almost like a friendly (but warring) family reunion for the fans.
It is that lack of burning hatred for the other side that makes this rivalry different.
I respect Oklahoma fans, and I know they respect me. I respect the Sooners, and they respect my Huskers. I don't have a desire to run over Sooner fans with my car like some Wolverines wish they could run over Buckeyes. And, even though I understand Nebraska is likely to be murdered Saturday, I'm still looking forward to going because I love Norman and I love seeing the Sooners succeed (yes, even sometimes at the expense of my Huskers).
I present to you some of the top games from this series and a few that are personal favorites of mine.
OCT. 31, 1959: No. 19 Oklahoma at Nebraska
With just one win all season in 1957 and only three more in 1958, the Huskers (who started 2-4 in '59) seemed unlikely to defeat Wilkinson’s Sooners, who were going into the game with a 74-game conference winning streak.
Not surprisingly, OU took an early, 7-0 lead. Early in the second quarter, the Huskers scored on a fourth-down fake play and missed the extra point, drawing to within one. The Huskers scored again on a blocked field goal recovery to lead, 12-7. The Sooners responded to take a halftime lead of 14-12.
Nebraska quarterback Harry Tolly led the Huskers on a 13-7 run in the second half as the Huskers held off the powerhouse Sooners, 25-21.
Winner: Nebraska
"The Game of the Century"—NOV. 25, 1971: No. 1 Nebraska at No. 2 Oklahoma
On Thanksgiving Day, Johnny Rogers struck first on a 72-yard punt return to put the Huskers ahead early, 7-0. For most of the game, the teams scored back and forth. The Sooners scored midway through the fourth quarter to go up, 31-28.
An impressive five-and-a-half-minute, 74-yard drive by Nebraska to respond was capped off by the fourth rushing touchdown of the day for Huskers running back Jeff Kinney. Nebraska's "Blackshirts" defense went on to hold the Sooners and win, 35-31, taking the Big Eight title and the Huskers' 21st consecutive victory (30 without a loss) for Bob Devaney’s dynasty. Nebraska went on to win the national championship.
Dave Kindred of The Louisville Courier-Journal wrote of the epic tilt, "They can quit playing now—they have played the perfect game."
Winner: Nebraska
NOV. 11, 1978: No. 1 Oklahoma at No. 4 Nebraska
Nebraska scored on two Oklahoma fumbles, capped off by Billy Todd’s 34-yard field goal to close the game, 17-14, giving Tom Osborne his first victory over the Sooners as head coach. The Sooners fumbled nine times on the day and lost six, the last coming on the Nebraska 3-yard line at the very end of the game.
The Sooners went on to beat Nebraska, 31-10, in the rematch in the ’79 Orange Bowl that same season.
Winner: Nebraska
"The Game of the Century II"—NOV. 21, 1987: No. 1 Nebraska at No. 2 Oklahoma
The first OU-Nebraska contest in my lifetime (I was a day short of six months old) did not bode well for my Huskers. In Norman, the Sooners allowed Nebraska to cross midfield only three times during the game. OU’s tough defense held the nation’s leading scoring offense to only 235 total yards, very shy of Nebraska’s 524 average. OU won, 17-7.
Winner: Oklahoma
OCT. 28, 2000: No. 1 Nebraska at No. 2 Oklahoma
Nebraska was rolling and seemed unbeatable, led by future Heisman Trophy-winner Eric Crouch. Fans around the country were anticipating another classic No. 1 vs. No. 2 matchup from the greatest rivalry in college football.
The Huskers traveled to Norman and scored on their first two possessions, causing many to think the game would be a runaway victory for the top-ranked Cornhuskers.
However, the Huskers did not score again as an impressive Sooner team, led by Heisman-should-have-been Josh Heupel, rolled to a 31-14 decisive victory that led to the Sooners' first national championship in 15 years.
Winner: Oklahoma
OCT. 27, 2001: No. 2 Oklahoma at No. 3 Nebraska
Nebraska was out for revenge for the loss in Norman the year before. The Sooners were seeking to repeat as national champions, but Nebraska was hoping to get there instead.
Nebraska head coach Frank Solich was looking to prove himself after taking control when coaching great Tom Osborne retired. The game proved to be a classic—and my personal favorite.
The Huskers defeated the Sooners at home, 20-10, capped by a trick pass from Mike Stuntz to Heisman-winner Eric Crouch for a touchdown—the same play OU had tried and failed with Nate Hybl.
Winner: Nebraska
OCT. 29, 2005: Oklahoma at Nebraska
My first experience in person with the OU-Nebraska rivalry was unfortunately the first time the Sooners won in Lincoln since the year I was born. It was also the first time in decades neither team was ranked.
Adrian Peterson carried the Sooners to a 24-3 lead, seemingly putting the game away. The Huskers responded by scoring three of the game's next four touchdowns, pulling to within one score at 31-24, but they could not overcome the superior Sooners team. My first time in historic Memorial Stadium, the Huskers fell by the 31-24 margin.
Winner: Oklahoma
Big 12 Championship—DEC. 2, 2006: No. 8 Oklahoma vs. No. 19 Nebraska
At the beginning of 2006, each team was favored to win its respective division and meet in the conference championship. Throughout the season, however, both teams seemed to falter, and it appeared neither would be going to Kansas City.
But, through a series of crazy events, both teams backed in to the game to meet in Arrowhead Stadium. Zac Taylor, Big 12 Offensive Player of the Year, played very poorly and Oklahoma's defense played solid all game, picking off Taylor three different times—two of which led to Oklahoma scores.
Oklahoma also forced Nebraska to fumble the ball twice, setting up the last Sooner touchdown to seal a 21-7 victory. Oklahoma wide receiver Malcolm Kelly had 10 snags for 142 yards and two touchdowns.
Winner: Oklahoma
This Saturday's matchup is most likely not going to become one of the great OU-Nebraska games. The No. 4 Sooners host the unranked Huskers and, short of a miracle in which Nebraska's defense keeps Sam Bradford from ever throwing, will likely roll to a resounding victory.
But I'll still be at the game with my Nebraska-fan mom and Sooner-fan dad, cheering on my Huskers because there is no rivalry in college football like Oklahoma-Nebraska.
I invite comments from Huskers, Sooners, Michigan-Ohio State enthusiasts and anyone else that might think I'm dead wrong. I value your opinions!
Note: The history portion is touched-up from an article I wrote my freshman year of college as a preview for the Big 12 Championship matchup.
comments (73) write a comment »
write a new comment
2 months ago
SportMonk,
A very good article about a somewhat forgotten rivalry. I'm old enough to remember the 80s games in particular, and I think that something was lost when the Big XII was formed with the two divisions. In fact, I'm against the 12-team conferences and divisions in general; each team should play every other team in its conference; that's my definition of what a conference should be. Most of them fall short by that standard.
Unfortunately, until the conferences shrink (I advocate an NCAA-enforced cap at 10); or until there is a requirement that teams play complete conference schedules (with 12-team conferences, this would leave only one "non-con" game, so not very likely); or unless the Big XII allows a cross-division rivalry to be played annually again, the Nebraska-Oklahoma rivalry will not regain its importance.
Great job with the article, look forward to more like this!
from 2 months ago
Yah, it's a shame that it's largely forgotten. I heard someone suggest that even the addition of just one more game, a North-South rivalry game, would fix the Big 12 somewhat. People have suggested an annual OU-Nebraska game, Missouri-Texas game, OSU-Kansas game, etc. I think that's a great idea, personally.
Thanks for reading!
Oo, South Park's on.
2 months ago
it looks like you are using pics from BT's library. but a good read. shame they don't play every year.
from 2 months ago
Hey !
from 2 months ago
no i meant that in a good way, you seem to have a pipeline to old rare photos of coll fb yesteryears. i like it.
from 2 months ago
It was Sports Illustrated's cover for the '71 game. Thanks for the read!
2 months ago
SM, this is an great article - thanks for reminding us of such a great rivalry. I contend that it depends on where you live and who your team is in regards to who you will consider the best rivalry. That's why I wrote my article on Georgia-Florida - to me nothing comes close, but not everyone will feel that way.
You did an outstanding job on presenting the history that many people are unaware of. *****POTD
from 2 months ago
Thanks for all your support, Gray! Maybe one day I'll get to see a Georgia-Florida game and I'll be able to make a better-educated claim. But your article made it sound untouchable!
2 months ago
Great article! Thanks for giving some insight into a rivalry that I wasn't so familiar with. I really enjoyed it.
from 2 months ago
Hey, thanks, man. I know, it's kinda slipping away in the college football world because OU has kinda moved on to the stupid Texas rivalry thing and Nebraska really doesn't have a new rival. The good ol' days were where it was at.
I still wanna visit the 'Shoe when Michigan's in town someday.
2 months ago
Monk. Great picture.
I've always thought Oklahoma-Nebraska was the greatest national rivalry in the country behind Army-Navy and Notere Dame-Southern California. You have to put Florida-Georgia, Alabama-Tennessee, and Michigan & Ohio State up there also.
When you are talking about Clemson-South Carolina, Duke-NC, Alabama-Auburn, Texas-Texas A&M, you're talking about intrastate bitterness. They don't have to be good each year, they just don't like each other, so they don't care if anyone else watches them or not.
from 2 months ago
Haha, thanks.
I agree with you--those classic interstate rivalries seem to have a little more depth than the in-state ones. You didn't mention Oklahoma-Oklahoma State (which might actually be a very crucial game this year), but where I grew up that was the big deal for everyone--not because they thought anyone else cared, but because OSU could lose every game but still beat OU and count the season a success. The tides are changing, though... Oklahoma State has made a name for itself. This rivalry might actually grow a bit.
But they should SOMEHOW restore the Nebraska-Oklahoma game annually. It's killing me to wait two out of four years for some Sooner-Husker play.
2 months ago
I'd say the Oregon Ducks and Washington Huskies.Once when the Huskies played at Autzen Stadium and won they danced on the O in the middle of the field and the Huskies let every team practice at Husky Stadium for free but were gonna charge the ducks.They do stuff like that all the time.
from 2 months ago
Wow, I didn't even know that. About all we hear about the Pac-10 in Big 12 country is that Oregon has those uniforms that people either REALLY HATE or REALLY LOVE. I happen to think they're the coolest-looking in college football, personally.
But thanks for the heads up on that rivalry!
2 months ago
I Would like to see more of Alabama USC rivalry reborn. The old wishbone games were something to watch for sure. Neb. OU is a great rival with plenty of history but depending on the part of the country you live in some may be more important to you.
from 2 months ago
That's a very good point. I guess, after all the feedback I've received, I would say there are regional greatest rivalries--like you said, depending on the part of the country you live in.
Personally it's really cool to see The Tide so tremendously good this year. A lot of people have tried to discredit 'Bama, but I think you're legit. I think if Alabama played USC on Saturday, it would be no contest--the Tide would roll.
2 months ago
How can you forget the impact of Keith Jackson in the 1980s??
Two iconic plays in OU football history: The Catch and The Reverse.
from 2 months ago
Haha, good point... But from the Nebraska perspective I tend to remember things (and try to forget other things) in terms of Nebraska, but you make a good point. A lot of Oklahoma and Nebraska history, the biggest plays or the greatest moments, came in this rivalry.
But when I think of "The Catch," I think of Matt Davison's miracle catch for Nebraska against Missouri in 1997, giving us to the chance to win the national championship.
Or "The Run" by Tommy Frazier in the '96 Fiesta Bowl.
from 2 months ago
I really remember "Roll Left." James Brown to Derek Lewis.
from 2 months ago
Oh that's not even close to being funny, haha. I was SO PISSED.
2 months ago
I don't see Texas Tech vs. Texas A&M. This is another great rivalry that not a lot of people know about.
from 2 months ago
Another good one I accidentally left out. It's always a classic. I've got friends on both sides of the rivalry, but I've always wanted to visit Kyle Field when Tech was in town. It always seems to be a great one.
2 months ago
Great read SM--thanks for sharing :) It is a great rivalry--always can count on an exciting game!
from 2 months ago
Hey, thanks for the read, Kristin! I hope it's exciting, but I don't know if it will be. Oklahoma's just SLIGHTLY better than Nebraska this year. ;)
2 months ago
Monk,
I have a great friend who is a big Husker fan and we always go at it about the 1997 National Championship sharing deal. We always debate over who would've won, Michigan or Nebraska in the current format. I wish it would've happen but since it didn't, we are reserved to playing them out on EA Sports NCAA...haha.
At any rate, good article and I think that this is one of the storied rivalries, however I believe that the Michigan-Ohio State, Auburn-Alabama, Florida-Florida State, Florida-Georgia, and Texas-Oklahoma games rate just a little higher. Not sure this is due to anything but media hype, but I will say that I honestly feel there isn't a bigger rivalry than the Michigan-Ohio State one.
No other rivalry goes as deep and I'm not aware of another rivalry where a coach's success is determined on the rivalry record and not the overall record. But that is the case with that one. Also, it's viewed as a good year if you win that game, despite what your overall record is.
For those reasons, I'd say it takes the cake but for sure, others are just as important.
from 2 months ago
Scott, those are some very valid points. I would say that Nebraska-Oklahoma is going to disappear in importance after time, when people old enough to remember these great games start to move on, but I sure know it won't disappear as long as I'm alive. I wish they would reformat stuff so OU and Nebraska could play every year again. ... That would make it bigger than Texas-OU for sure.
I have a great respect for the Michigan-Ohio State rivalry because those two teams have incredible individual histories outside of the rivalry. But the rivalry itself is ripe with stories, so I think you raise a good point.
To be honest, I know OU-Nebraska is the greatest rivalry in MY mind, but I think Michigan-Ohio State is really untouchable. I titled my article in a way to draw more readers in, haha.
from 2 months ago
"No other rivalry goes as deep and I'm not aware of another rivalry where a coach's success is determined on the rivalry record and not the overall record. But that is the case with that one. Also, it's viewed as a good year if you win that game, despite what your overall record is."
I would say that is true of other rivalries as well.
from 2 months ago
The Auburn Alabama game is another that determines the outcome of a coaches carrer. Some great coaches have been fired for losing to auburn despite there overall records. The great BEAR was even threatened to be fired if he did not beat Auburn. Gene Stallings wins a N.C. then loses to Auburn a few years later and he "re-signs" b4 he was fired.
from 2 months ago
Good points Sebastian and Adam, I stand corrected. I wasn't aware of the Gene Stallings deal. As I did say in my comment, that I believe the Ohio St.-Michigan is the biggest while allowing that the others are just as important. Of course, these sorts of things are very subjective, with the fan base of the involved schools believing that theirs is the best. They can't fathom anything bigger because, to them, it's the most important game in the world.
I'm just basing my opinion on my experience and what you see with the teams each year. Ohio State is a perennial power, as is Michigan, and while Michigan is having a down year, if they find a way to beat OSU, we'll lose our minds.
Lloyd Carr was awesome but was only so-so against OSU, John Cooper lost his job because of the rivalry, etc.
I'll be watching ALL of the big rivalry games this weekend and hope to see some great football.
from 2 months ago
There were some EXCELLENT points made, which goes to support my overall theory that there can't be one single "greatest" college football rivalry because every rivalry has a cult following and most of them have a very rich tradition and story and unique culture.
This was a pretty fun article to write, but the comments I've received from people really opened my eyes to a lot of other rivalries I hadn't thought about.
Thanks for the comments, guys.
2 months ago
nebraska-OU greatest rivalry of all-time???i've never once heard of this rivalry on any poll or anything of the osrt.I would say OU-Texas is better and besides that OSU-UM,Army-Navy,UM-ND, ND-USC all seem to be bigger rivalries.Don't get me wrong though this seems like a great rivalry but the discontinueance killed it and just the lack of national attention.#1 Nebraska vs #2 OU"Game of the Century"....as it would stand till 2006. Good read though.
from 2 months ago
Hey, man, I appreciate your comments.
I fully understood that not many people would agree with me, but I wanted to put my opinion out there because that's what b/r is all about.
OU-Texas is a wash, nothing more than ESPN's marketing wet dream. Army-Navy hasn't meant anything for decades because neither team has been good.
I agree that OU-Nebraska's untimely end has brought the rivalry somewhat to a close, but I still think it has a fresher history than any other rivalry.
And what do you mean, until 2006? First of all, 1971 and 2006 are in different centuries... Secondly, I'd like to know what you would consider the game of THIS century?
It's funny getting comments from some people that have never poked their head out of the Big 10/11. There's a whole world out there.
from 2 months ago
Give me Notre Dame - USC 2005 as game of the century.
from 2 months ago
haha my bad sportsMonk i'm an idiot and wans't thinking lol.2006 is a different century sorry, but the game of this century was #1 OSU vs #2 Mich.My bad man.As for Army-Navy u are right both teams aren't very good but it still gets a lot of national attention cause it holds so much tradition and pagentry,maybe more than any other rivalry.Trust me dude i know some football outside the Big 11 conference i'm a CFB fan not a big 11 fan.
from 2 months ago
Haha, OK, I trust you. I just wonder if sometimes Ohio State-Michigan is the "traditional" favorite rivalry of college football and there are others just as good (and forgive me, but if not better) than it. Just a thought. It is a rivalry RIPE with tradition and a rich history, so I'm not discounting it's impact on college football at all.
As for the game of THIS century? You know, that might warrant some research and I might write an article about that one. I think USC-Notre Dame in '05 certainly warrants some consideration--I loved that game. And I know the OSU-Mich game was a 1,2 matchup, but it seemed a little bland to me? Maybe the build-up was too massive... I know it was an important game, but one could argue the Boise State-OU or Appalatian State-Michigan games were much more exciting and better-played than the OSU-Mich game.
Look for my "Game of This Century?" write-up next week. Or we could get a group of writers together and collaborate on it.
from 2 months ago
Monk, i'm just saying that the OSU-UM 06 game was labeled as The Game of the Century.It did have maybe the most hype of any regular season game in a long time...maybe almost ever.It met the hype to.Two top ranked defenses(prior to kickoff) giving up all those points...that's a rivalry.Not only that but it was a day after a CFB legend died in Bo Schembechler(RIP).The respect these two teams have for one another is only matched by their hate.It's not just the teams i mean it had the 10 year war and all the upsets and spoiled NC hopes.It's hard to find a rivalry like it.Even if i were not a UM fan i would have to still say it is #1.USC-Texas could also make a case along with the USC-ND game and Boise st-OU.The 04 Rose bowl with UM vs texas was pretty damn good too.But i still gotta put my money were they hype is with OSU-UM.I've never experienced such anticipation in my life(granted this is coming from a UM fan so of coarse).That hype built for 3-4 weeks it was crazy yet unbearable.Almost like christmas...
from 2 months ago
It was a great game. The hype was pretty great also. Nebraska and Oklahoma have met three times during the rivalry as No. 1 and No. 2, so I understand what you mean.
And those are some pretty strong games you mentioned. It's a little harder to declare a game of this century.
2 months ago
I remember that game and that SI cover. It was an amazing time for college fooball. At the end of the 1971 season the final UPI Coaches poll ad 13-0 Nebraska #1, Oklahoma with one loss #2 and probably the only time a #3 team had two losses Colorado had lost close games to NU and OU.
The 1972 match was about as epic as the year before. #5 NU osted #4 OU. It was back and forth the whole game. Only a moronicly bad call at the end of the game marred the result. The ref called Heisman winner Johnny 'the Jet' Rodgers ineligable on his 86 yard touchdown reception and run thrown by Jerry Tagge after Rodgers was pushed out of bounds by an OU defender. (If it had been a pro game it would have been a correct call.) NU was unable to move the ball down field for their final possession after having their miraculous play called taken from them.
FWIW The Outland trophy winner was NU's 5'10" Rich Glover, a rangey middle guard. The Heismann Tropy winner was the 5'10" ellusive Johnny "the Jet" Rodgers.
I was sitting in the South stands and had a great view of JR running North to score.
The later legendary coach, Tom Osborne, narrowly lost the opportunity to play for a national title in his first year as a head coach.
from 2 months ago
I loved growing up in Oklahoma, don't get me wrong--it's my home and when I graduate from UNL I'll move back to OKC. But when I go to games at Memorial Stadium and see the little kids going to games with their parents, I wish I'd had that.
I wish I could have been one of those kids that went to every home game before I started caring about football. I wish I could have been one of those kids that was always decked out in jerseys of players I didn't even know. I wish I could have been alive to see Johnny Rodgers play.
I envy people like you that were THERE during these historical moments. Hopefully someday Nebraska will be back to national prominence (maybe even next year) and I'll be able to be present when history is made.
I love your comments, Peter. Thanks for reading!
2 months ago
When I was growing up in Kansas in the 60's, 70's & 80's the game of the year was Oklahoma & Nebraska and which one was going to win the Big 8. That game usually decided the Big 8 Champion. I remember some great running from Johnny Rogers and some great defense from the Selmon brothers and Rich Glover.. & on & on.
In 1983 I moved to Alabama and learned a whole new meaning of college football. A little thing called the Iron Bowl. Wow from day one down here you had to decide who you was for, Alabama or Auburn. Even as a Kansas boy I admired Alabama from afar. There is no Pro team in this state and the fans here are as devoted as it gets for their team. The Iron Bowl is talked about 365 days a year down here. The folks eat, sleep & breath football and depending who your neighbors team is sometimes determines weather or not your are friends. This is the most hated rivilry I know of.
I know depending which part of the country you are in depends on your favorite rivilry is.. Ohio State - Michigan, USC - UCLA , Army - Navy, Texas - OU, Fla - Fla State.. There is so many great rivilries.
As for mine.. The Iron Bowl
from 2 months ago
Some good points. Interesting that you moved to SEC country the year Nebraska really broke out with (arguably) the most prolific offense of all time, next to maybe the '95 Huskers.
I've actually never been to Alabama, so I didn't know a whole lot about the extent of the rivalry until I started getting comments from 'Bama and Auburn fans on this write. I really need to look into it deeper, it appears.
Thanks for the read and the comment!
from 2 months ago
Also, a lot of people have made the point that Alabama has no pro teams, so that makes the rivalry deeper. Oklahoma and Nebraska don't have pro teams (well, OKC just got the Thunder in the NBA, but football is at the real heart of us Oklahomans), so college football is our reason for living. I think it's a valid point for why the rivalry is important in Alabama, but not a singular uniqueness to the rivalry.
2 months ago
No mention of USC/UCLA a much bigger game than Notre Dame.
Georgia vs Georgia Tech
Lafayette vs Lehigh
Harvard vs Yale
Princeton vs Yale
Virginia vs Virginia Tech
Arizona vs Arizona State to name a few
from 2 months ago
I would agree some of those are pretty mentionable rivalries... However, I think the issue of national prominence comes into the picture with a couple.
Princeton-Yale? Huge. ... Over a century ago. Same with Harvard-Yale.
Georgia-Georgia Tech has had a lot of flare the last several seasons, but I don't know much about the traditions of the rivalry (or if there are any other than they play every year).
I would venture to say that most in-state rivalries lack the depth an interstate rivalry has. I mean, look at the ones (save Auburn-Alabama) that received the most votes in my poll: Ohio State and Michigan, Texas and Oklahoma, Oklahoma and Nebraska, USC and Notre Dame, even Georgia and Florida. I wouldn't say Auburn-Alabama is the ONLY in-state rivalry that deserves talk in the great rivalries discussion, but it's certainly the most successful in-stater.
2 months ago
It used to be the greatest. Do you not think it has lost something in the last 10 years give or take?
I remember always looking forward to it every year. I wouldn't miss it.
Now it seems that I have to look it up in the paper the next day because something better was on TV.
What a shame that is. Maybe soon it will have some meaning to those outside Nebraska again.
from 2 months ago
Yah, I think you have a very good point. Honestly, the reason I titled my article how I did was to provoke comment and discussion about it. A more accurate title to my truest intentions would have been something like "The Greatest Rivalry Ever Forgotten" or "My Favorite College Football Rivalry." (Actually, I really wish I would have thought of that first one when I wrote this... I like it.)
I think it is largely dying off and taking a back seat to OU-Texas or any of the other great non-Big 12 rivalries that have been mentioned in discussion, but that's a real shame. I blame the formation of the stupid Big 12... Who needs the Texas teams? We were doing fine with the Big Eight.
I would say it kind of has a nostalgic feel to anyone who doesn't specifically remember great moments from the rivalry (or anyone who isn't a pre-2000 Sooner fan or Nebraska fan) and less of an importance because since the Big 12 formed (with maybe the exception of the Big 12 Championship in 2006 or the 2000, 2001 matchups) Nebraska hasn't had the national prowess it used to so the games don't count as much.
Mark my words, if Nebraska is somehow ranked in the top-10 (or even top-20) next year when the Sooners come to town, everyone will remember the rivalry and wonder why they even forgot it.
from 2 months ago
Nebraska, and Alabama have been to some degree forgotten programs in the recent past.
Alabama is back. With the right coach Nebraska will be back soon.
Hard times do not last for history's great college football programs. The creme always rises to the top.
Go Big Red!
from 2 months ago
I think Bo's the right coach for Nebraska. Give him a couple more years and Nebraska will be back in full swing.
And Alabama's now No. 1. Crazy.
2 months ago
It has lost some luster, but this is a great one no doubt. Bo Pelini will make it a great game again.
from 2 months ago
Kudos.
2 months ago
No rivalry beats the Iron Bowl. Alabama vs. Auburn. A state divided by two types of people: Those who wear Crimson and White and those who wear Blue and Orange. Regardless of records, everything comes down to that last game in November.
from 2 months ago
I would agree it certainly deserves to be mentioned in the top, but the same could be said for the Bedlam Game, OU-OK State. I grew up there and the state is pretty much evenly divided between Orange/Black and Crimson/Cream. And there I was wearing Scarlet/Cream, all out of place but in the unique position to cheer for both schools, haha.
But I don't think you, or the others who have made that argument, can argue the Iron Bowl is the greatest because of the way it divides the state because that certainly happens elsewhere. I would argue Auburn-Alabama is great for MANY other reasons that are more unique to its history.
from 2 months ago
UF vs. UGA
2 months ago
I'm a 7th generation Nebraskan....that is DEFINETELY a rivalry
from 2 months ago
Wow, nice. I think Nebraska only goes back four generations in my family? I'll certainly be sustaining the small minority of Nebraska fans deep in Sooner country, though.
2 months ago
being from big 12 (formerly big 8) country, i can appreciate the OU- NU rivalry- BUT I have been to the army navy game ( luckily it was the 100th one); the pageantry and the rivalry are untouched- in what other game does 100% of both student bodies show up? it is truly a 365 day rivalry where the outcome is felt world wide by troops stationed everywhere
from 2 months ago
That's a valid point, d. I haven't had the opportunity to be at an Army-Navy game, but I have a friend at the Naval Academy and another friend at West Point and they're pretty intense about the rivalry. It's a great American tradition, to be sure. I just think the theatrics surrounding the game means more than the game itself ever has.
I would contend some of the other rivalries have deeper meaning because the teams' national successes depend heavily on the game. Army or Navy haven't been too resoundingly good for quite a while, so the game really only comes down to bragging rights for the year.
But again, valid point. Thanks for the read and comment! You're also my 100th comment, haha.
2 months ago
ok sportmonk with all due respect there bis no doubt that the greatest rivaltry in college sports maybe even all of sports is Ohio State and Michigan.
from 2 months ago
With all due respect, Andrew, I don't think you can make a claim like that with "no doubt." I would say it's got a lot of history, but there are ALWAYS arguments for and against. For instance, I disagree with you, Iron Bowl fans disagree with you, UGA-FL fans disagree with you... And I'm sure Yankees-BoSox fans would argue with the "all of sports" comment.
I wrote about my favorite rivalry and wanted people's input. Thanks for your comments! Maybe Michigan will be good again soon so the game will count for something.
2 months ago
I loved this. I disagree though...Army-Navy is tops.
The traditions they have after the game are second to none, and the empty chairs with shoulder pads and jerseys of their fallen comrades on the sidelines are such a great tribute.
Most will never play football again, and many won't ever come back alive from their missions overseas. They play for the love of the game. It doesn't get better than that.
But I did love this! POTD.
from 2 months ago
Good point, Lisa! I've got a friend at the Naval Academy and a friend at West Point and they would certainly agree with you. Thanks for the pick and for the comment!
2 months ago
There's no way in hell that this rivalry is better than the FSU vs. UF rivalry.
from 2 months ago
You're entitled to your own opinion, but the UF-FSU game hasn't counted for anything in nearly a decade. Besides, whoever won that rivalry in the 90s would just go on to lose to Nebraska in the national championship game anyway, haha.
Florida State is supposedly back this year, but I have yet to be convinced. If they played tomorrow, Florida wins by at least 4 TDs.
from 2 months ago
as if i'm gonna take seriously what you said with your university losing to OU and giving up 49 points or whatever ridiculous ammount it was at halftime. at least yall scored a couple more times so kudos for that.
from 2 months ago
Hey man, I'm very open about the fact that Nebraska is in a rebuilding year. Callahan destroyed everything that made Nebraska who they are and Pelini is having to fix that before he can begin to fix the teams themselves.
And Oklahoma is a top-5 team led by a Heisman trophy candidate QB. I have no problem with the fact that Oklahoma's offense put up points--it's the Big 12. Have you watched any college football this year? The Big 12 has the best offenses in the entire country. To say there's a defense that could PREVENT them from scoring is to say Washington still has a chance for the national championship.
I have no problem with the fact that we lost because I expected it. There are always years when a rivalry game means nothing. But it was just 8 years ago that OU and Nebraska met as No. 1 and No. 2 for the third time in the rivalry. So the pertinence of this rivalry is still very recent.
Unfortunately Florida State hasn't been the same since losing to OU in 2000. They're starting to prove themselves a little bit and could be back in the next couple of seasons, but not yet.
from 2 months ago
we'll go further this season than nebraska though so dont stomp on my opinion like its nothin. fsu-uf has always been one of the best and most popular rivalries in the south, yall haven't been publicized lately becuase nebraska hasn't done anything the past 2 years. back in the 80's rivalries were more emphasized because both teams that got a ton of publicity were good or had