Rivalries are the lifeblood of the college football game. Rich traditions are what make the rivalries “the games that matter.” We took an analytical approach to the traditions of the college game to determine what we felt would represent the best of the best. We reviewed the pre-game, during the game, and after the game traditions. We looked at the teams, the stadiums, the tailgating, the bands, the mascots, and the fight songs among other aspects of the total experience of a college football game. Because many of the major programs have several traditions we tried to include them in the list under the one heading of the school name. Following is the list that we hope you will appreciate! If you have any comments or different feelings please leave a comment…

1. The Ohio State University Band: The Ramp Entrance and the incomparable “Script Ohio” performed since 1936 by “The Best Damn Band in the Land” (TBDBITL).

2. Clemson: The BIG Entrance, Rubbin “Howard’s Rock” and then “Running down the Hill.”

3. Cadet March: The drilling of the U.S. Military Academy cadets and the U.S. Naval midshipmen from Annapolis entering a stadium before a game.

4. Texas A & M: 12^th Man (1922) and “Yell” Practice! Kissing your date after a touchdown score is another great tradition at Texas A & M.

5. Penn State: “White-Out” and that Roaring Nittany Lion.

6. Florida State: “Planting the Spear” by Chief Osceola and the “Tomahawk Chomp”; Florida is just behind with its “Gator Chump.”

7. Living Mascots: USC Trojan’s White Stallion “Traveler”; Colorado’s Buffalo “Ralphie”; Texas’s Longhorn “Bevo”; Georgia’s Bulldog UGA; and LSU’s Tiger “Mike” are all four legged mascots, the Best Mascot is the Golden Eagle “Nova” the “War Eagle VII” from Auburn University.

8. Tunnel Walk: Nebraska, Michigan and Ohio State all have a “Tunnel Walk” entrance into their stadium. All are just about equal!

9. Tennessee: Running the “T.” A great stadium entrance and the singing of “Rocky Top” sets the stage for a tough game ahead for the visitors.

10. Ole Miss: Tailgating in the 10 acre Grove. It sets the standard for tailgating and no one else even comes close. White table cloths, coats and ties, fine china, cocktails and women in dresses.

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1. University of Michigan (Wolverines) Maize and Blue

The famous winged helmet of the maize and blue is the most recognized logo in all of college football. Maybe this is why they don’t have a mascot. Note, the University of Delaware also has the same winged helmet!

2. Notre Dame (Fighting Irish) Blue and Gold

The “gold helmet” to match the Gold Dome is very symbolic of the school. The helmets look great when they wear the “Green” jersey with historical significance. The U.S. Naval Academy also has the same gold helmet!

3. Oregon (Ducks) Green and Yellow

Oregon has set the new standard for uniform development and makes for a lot of fun for the fans at each and every game.

4. Ohio State (Buckeyes) Scarlet and Gray

Ohio State is the only school with Scarlet and Gray color uniforms. They are classics and with a “Silver” helmet covered with buckeye leaf decals…it just doesn’t get any better.

5. Texas (Longhorns) Burnt Orange and White

The all white uniforms (with player’s names on the back) of Texas look far better than the all white uniforms (without names) of Penn State. Texas also has a nice Longhorn logo on their helmet.

6. University of Hawaii (Rainbows) Green and Black

WOW! What a great job in the re-design done by Under Armour in 2008. They are unique and will change the face of uniforms for years to come.

7. University of Southern California - USC (Trojans) Cardinal and Gold

Their retro uniforms have set a new standard for “going back” and winning ball games. Watch for their continued success in the coming years.

8. Louisiana State University - LSU (Tigers) Purple and Gold

The Tigers have one of the most distinctive uniforms in all of college football.

9. Alabama (Crimson Tide) Crimson and Cream

The Bear Bryant designed helmet still stands out among the SEC teams and still warrants the respect of the “Bear.”

10. Univ. of California at Los Angeles -UCLA (Bruins) Powder Blue and Gold

They just fit with the Hollywood crowd!

11. Boise State (Broncos) Orange and Blue & Touch of Gray

NEW design for 2009 and will get a lot of conversation, good and bad!

12. (Tie) Oklahoma (Sooners) and Nebraska (Cornhuskers)

Oklahoma’s Crimson and Cream vs. Nebraska’s Scarlet and Cream colors are too close together for comfort. The helmets are also just as boring! Not the simple and stylist uniforms as some experts state!

The collection started with a commitment of a donation of 500 books on the subject of American Football. Book sources, such as the Library of Congress and leading bookstores confirm that there are over 8500 titles that have been published with the keyword "football" in the title. We believe at Rivalryfootball.com that there are also several hundred other books about football where the word is not mentioned in the title. The AFB has a master list of all-time football books that continues to grow month to month and then a collection of books they add to on a regular bases. All books on the subject of American Football will be targeted for the AFB collection.

At such time when the collection has grown to a substantial number, the AFB will accept applications to find a permanent library, preferably at a university or sports museum. The AFB wants the public, students, teachers, sportswriters, researches, football writers, historians and football coaches to have full access to the collection.

Vintage Years (pre-1950)

How to Start an Antiquarian Football Book Collection

2. Michigan Stadium - Michigan - 106,201 - Ann Arbor, MI

Stadium Nickname: The Big House

Team Nickname: Wolverines

Mascot: -

Conference: Big 10

Built: 1927

Team Colors: Maize & Blue

Michigan Stadium

3. Neyland Stadium - Tennessee - 104,079 - Knoxville, TN

Stadium Nickname: One-Cheek Stadium

Team Nickname: Volunteers

Mascot: Smokey

Conference: SEC-East

Built: 1921

Team Colors: Orange & White

Neyland Stadium

4. Ohio Stadium - Ohio State - 102,329 - Columbus, OH

Stadium Nickname: The Shoe

Team Nickname: Buckeyes

Mascot: Brutus

Conference: Big 10

Built: 1922

Team Colors: Scarlet & Gray

Ohio Stadium

5. Texas Memorial Stadium - Texas - 94,133 - Austin, TX

Stadium Nickname: -

Team Nickname: Longhorns

Mascot: Bevo (Hookem)

Conference: Big 12 - South

Built: 1924

Team Colors: Burnt Orange & White

Texas Memorial Stadium

6. LA Memorial Coliseum - USC - 93,607 - Los Angeles, CA

Stadium Nickname: The Grand Old Lady

Team Nickname: Trojans

Mascot: Traveler

Conference: Pac 10

Built: 1923

Team Colors: Cardinal & Gold

LA Memorial Coliseum

7. Sanford Stadium - Georgia - 92,746 - Athens, GA

Stadium Nickname: Between the Hedges

Team Nickname: Bulldogs

Mascot: UGA

Conference: SEC-East

Built: 1929

Team Colors: Red & Black

Sanford Stadium

8. Rose Bowl - UCLA - 92,542 - Pasedena, CA

Stadium Nickname: -

Team Nickname: Bruins

Mascot: Bruin

Conference: Pac 10

Built: 1922

Team Colors: Blue & Gold

Rose Bowl

9. Tiger Stadium - LSU - 92,400 - Baton Rouge, LA

Stadium Nickname: Death Valley

Team Nickname: Tigers

Mascot: Mike the Tiger

Conference: SEC-West

Built: 1924

Team Colors: Purple & Gold

Tiger Stadium

10. Bryant-Denny Stadium - Alabama - 92,138 - Tuscaloosa, AL

Stadium Nickname: -

Team Nickname: Crimson Tide

Mascot: Big Al

Conference: SEC-West

Built: 1929

Team Colors: Crimson & White

Bryant-Denny Stadium

11. Ben Hill Griffin Stadium - Florida - 88,548 - Gainesville, FL

Stadium Nickname: The Swamp

Team Nickname: Gators

Mascot: Albert E. Gator

Conference: SEC-East

Built: 1929

Team Colors: Orange & Blue

Ben Hill Griffin Stadium

12. Jordan-Hare Stadium - Auburn - 87,451 - Auburn, AL

Stadium Nickname: -

Team Nickname: Tigers

Mascot: Aubie (War Eagle VI)

Conference: SEC-West

Built: 1939

Team Colors: Orange & Navy

Jordan-Hare Stadium

13. Memorial Stadium - Nebraska - 85,197 - Lincoln, NE

Stadium Nickname: Sea of Red

Team Nickname: Cornhuskers

Mascot: Herbie Husker

Conference: Big 12 - North

Built: 1942

Team Colors: Scarlet & Cream

Memorial Stadium

14. Kyle Field - Texas A & M - 83,002 - College Station, TX

Stadium Nickname: The 12th Man

Team Nickname: Aggies

Mascot: Reveille

Conference: Big 12 - South

Built: 1925

Team Colors: Maroon & White

Kyle Field

15. Doak Campbell Stadium - Florida State - 82,300 - Tallahassee, FL

Stadium Nickname: The Doak

Team Nickname: Seminoles

Mascot: Chief Osceola

Conference: ACC

Built: 1950

Team Colors: Garnet & Gold

Doak Campbell Stadium

16. Gaylord-Oklahoma Stadium - Oklahoma - 82,122 - Norman, OK

Stadium Nickname: -

Team Nickname: Sooners

Mascot: Sooner Schooner

Conference: Big 12 - South

Built: 1924

Team Colors: Crimson & Cream

Gaylord-Oklahoma Stadium

17. Notre Dame Stadium - Notre Dame - 80,795 - Notre Dame, IN

Stadium Nickname: The House Rockne Built

Team Nickname: Fighting Irish

Mascot: The Leprechaun

Conference: Independent

Built: 1930

Team Colors: Gold & Blue

Notre Dame Stadium

18. Camp Randall Stadium - Wisconsin - 80,321 - Madison, WI

Stadium Nickname: The Camp

Team Nickname: Badgers

Mascot: Bucky Badger

Conference: Big 10

Built: 1917

Team Colors: Cardinal & White

Camp Randall Stadium

19. Memorial Stadium - Clemson - 80,301 - Clemson, SC

Stadium Nickname: Death Valley

Team Nickname: Tigers

Mascot: Tiger

Conference: ACC

Built: 1942

Team Colors: Orange & Purple

Memorial Stadium

20. Williams-Brice Stadium - South Carolina - 80,250 - Columbia, SC

Stadium Nickname: -

Team Nickname: Gamecocks

Mascot: Cocky

Conference: SEC-East

Built: 1934

Team Colors: Garnet & Black

Williams-Brice Stadium

-Calendar Date-

-Teams- Rivalry Game/Trophy

• September 3
• • Oregon vs. Boise State
  • Utah State vs. Utah - Beehive Boot
• September 4
  • Tulsa vs. Tulane
• September 5
  • Alabama vs. Virginia Tech
  • BYU vs. Oklahoma
  • Missouri vs. Illinois
  • Kentucky vs. Miami (OH)
  • Nevada vs. Notre Dame
  • Georgia vs. Oklahoma State
  • Western Michigan vs. Michigan
  • Connecticut vs. Ohio University
• September 6
  • Colorado State vs. Colorado - Centennial Cup
  • Ole Miss vs. Memphis
• September 7
  • Miami (FL) vs. Florida State
  • Cincinnati vs. Rutgers
• September 12
  • USC vs. Ohio State
  • Michigan vs. Notre Dame
  • UCLA vs. Tennessee
  • East Carolina vs. West Virginia
  • Air Force vs. Minnesota
  • Bowling Green vs. Missouri
  • Iowa vs. Iowa State - Cy-Hawk Trophy
  • Kansas vs. UTEP
  • South Carolina vs. Georgia
  • Idaho vs. Washington
  • Troy vs. Florida
• September 17
  • Georgia Tech vs. Miami (FL)
• September 19
  • Utah vs. Oregon
  • West Virginia vs. Auburn
  • UTEP vs. New Mexico State - Silver Spade
  • Louisville vs. Kentucky - Governor’s Cup
  • Eastern Michigan vs. Michigan
  • Tennessee vs. Florida
  • Cincinnati vs. Oregon State
  • Florida State vs. BYU
  • UAB vs. Troy
  • Boston College vs. Clemson
  • East Carolina vs. North Carolina
  • Michigan State vs. Notre Dame Megaphone Trophy
  • Kansas State vs. UCLA
  • Georgia vs. Arkansas
  • Texas vs. Texas Tech
  • Bowling Green vs. Marshall
  • Boise State vs. Fresno State - Milk Can
  • Indiana vs. Akron
• September 26
  • North Carolina vs. Georgia Tech
  • Vanderbilt vs. Rice
  • Illinois vs. Ohio State - Illibuck
  • TCU vs. Clemson
  • South Florida vs. Florida State
  • Central Florida vs. East Carolina
  • Iowa vs. Penn State
  • New Mexico State vs. New Mexico - The Maloof Trophy
  • Arizona State vs. Georgia
  • Michigan State vs. Wisconsin
  • Indiana vs. Michigan
  • Texas Tech vs. Houston
  • California vs. Oregon
  • Troy vs. Arkansas State
  • Arkansas vs. Alabama
  • Miami (OH) vs. Kent State
  • Notre Dame vs. Purdue - Shillelagh Trophy
• September 30
  • Hawaii vs. Louisiana Tech
• October 2
  • Pittsburgh vs. Louisville
  • Utah State vs. BYU - Old Wagon Wheel
• October 3
  • USC vs. California
  • Alabama vs. Kentucky
  • Penn State vs. Illinois
  • Michigan vs. Michigan State - Paul Bunyan Trophy
  • NC State vs. Wake Forest
  • UNLV vs. Nevada - Fremont Cannon
  • Oregon State vs. Arizona State
  • Clemson vs. Maryland
  • South Florida vs. Syracuse
  • UCLA vs. Stanford
  • Western Michigan vs. Northern Illinois
  • Air Force vs. Navy
  • Cincinnati vs. Miami (OH) - Victory Bell
  • Central Michigan vs. Buffalo
  • SMU vs. TCU Iron Skillet
  • Wisconsin vs. Minnesota - Paul Bunyan’s Axe
• October 6
  • Middle Tennessee vs. Troy - Palladium Trophy
• October 8
  • Nebraska vs. Missouri - Victory Bell
• October 10
  • Florida vs. LSU
  • West Virginia vs. Syracuse - Schwartzwalder Trophy
  • Alabama vs. Ole Miss
  • Boston College vs. Virginia Tech
  • Wisconsin vs. Ohio State
  • Purdue vs. Minnesota
  • Oregon vs. UCLA
  • Georgia vs. Tennessee
  • Utah State vs. New Mexico State
  • Fresno State vs. Hawaii - Golden Screwdriver
• October 14
  • Boise State vs. Tulsa
• October 17
  • Texas vs. Oklahoma - "Red River Shootout"
  • Virginia Tech vs. Georgia Tech
  • Wake Forest vs. Clemson
  • USC vs. Notre Dame - Jeweled Shillelagh
  • Virginia vs. Maryland
  • Northwestern vs. Michigan State
  • Marshall vs. West Virginia - Governor’s Cup
  • Kansas vs. Colorado
  • Iowa vs. Wisconsin - Heartland Trophy
  • Miami (FL) vs. Central Florida
  • San Jose State vs. Fresno State
  • Navy vs. SMU
  • Miami (OH) vs. Ohio University
  • Minnesota vs. Penn State - Governor’s Victory Bell
• October 24
  • TCU vs. BYU
  • Illinois vs. Purdue - Purdue Cannon
  • Oklahoma vs. Kansas
  • Oregon State vs. USC
  • Louisville vs. Cincinnati - Keg of Nails
  • Arkansas vs. Ole Miss
  • Penn State vs. Michigan
  • Tennessee vs. Alabama
  • Buffalo vs. Western Michigan
  • Tulane vs. Southern Miss - The Bell
  • Boston College vs. Notre Dame - Leahy/Ireland Trophy
• October 30
  • West Virginia vs. South Florida
• October 31
  • Texas vs. Oklahoma State
  • USC vs. Oregon
  • Florida vs. Georgia - "Largest Outdoor Cocktail Party"
  • NC State vs. Florida State
  • Western Kentucky vs. North Texas
  • California vs. Arizona State
  • Tulane vs. LSU - Tiger Rag
  • Air Force vs. Colorado State - Ram-Falcon Trophy
  • Florida Atlantic vs. Middle Tennessee
• November 5
  • Virginia Tech vs. East Carolina
• November 6
  • Boise State vs. Louisiana Tech
• November 7
  • Ohio State vs. Penn State
  • Oklahoma vs. Nebraska
  • LSU vs. Alabama
  • Rice vs. SMU - Mayor’s Cup
  • Kent State vs. Akron - Wagon Wheel
  • Duke vs. North Carolina - Victory Bell
  • Kansas vs. Kansas State - Governor’s Cup
  • Connecticut vs. Cincinnati
• November 13
  • West Virginia vs. Cincinnati
• November 14
  • Iowa vs. Ohio State
  • Utah vs. TCU
  • Miami (FL) vs. North Carolina
  • Florida vs. South Carolina
  • UAB vs. Memphis - "The Bones"
  • Florida Atlantic vs. Arkansas State
  • Notre Dame vs. Pittsburgh
  • Clemson vs. NC State - "Tiger Bowl"
  • Auburn vs. Georgia
  • Wake Forest vs. Florida State
  • Texas vs. Baylor
  • Texas A & M vs. Oklahoma
  • Idaho vs. Boise State - Governor’s Cup
• November 18
  • Central Michigan vs. Ball State
• November 21
  • LSU vs. Ole Miss
  • Michigan vs. Ohio State - "The Game"
  • Kansas vs. Texas
  • Iowa State vs. Missouri - Telephone Trophy
  • Penn State vs. Michigan State - Land Grant Trophy
  • Purdue vs. Indiana - Old Oaken Bucket
  • Minnesota vs. Iowa - Floyd of Rosedale
  • LA-Monroe vs. LA- Lafayette
  • California vs. Stanford - The Stanford Axe
• November 26
  • Texas vs. Texas A & M - Lone Star Showdown
• November 27
  • Pittsburgh vs. West Virginia - "Backyard Bawl"
  • Alabama vs. Auburn - "Iron Bowl"
  • Nebraska vs. Colorado
  • Toledo vs. Bowling Green - Peace Pipe
  • Wyoming vs. Colorado State - Bronze Boot
• November 28
  • Oklahoma State vs. Oklahoma - Bedlam Bell
  • Utah vs. BYU - "Holy War"
  • Florida State vs. Florida - Governor’s Cup
  • Miami (FL) vs. South Florida
  • Washington State vs. Washington - Apple Cup
  • Georgia vs. Georgia Tech - Governor’s Cup
  • North Carolina vs. NC State
  • Kansas vs. Missouri - War Drum/Hunt Trophy
  • Arkansas vs. LSU - Golden Boot
  • Arizona vs. Arizona State - Territorial Cup
  • Tennessee vs. Kentucky
  • Southern Miss. vs. East Carolina
  • UCLA vs. USC - Victory Bell
  • Clemson vs. South Carolina - Battle of Palmetto State
  • Ole Miss vs. Mississippi State - Golden Egg Trophy
  • San Diego State vs. UNLV
  • Middle Tennessee vs. LA-Monroe
  • Rice vs. Houston - Bayou Bucket
  • Notre Dame vs. Stanford - Legends Trophy
  • Virginia Tech vs. Virginia - Commonwealth Cup
• December 3
  • Oregon State vs. Oregon - Platypus Trophy
• December 5
  • Arizona vs. USC
  • Florida Atlantic vs. Florida Intl’ - Don Shula Award
  • Cincinnati vs. Pittsburgh - Paddel wheel Trophy
• December 12
  • Army vs. Navy - Commander in Chief’s

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Top 10 Best Football Movies:

1. Brian’s Song (1971 version)

2. Remember the Titans (2000)

3. Rudy (1993)

4. The Longest Yard (1974 version)

5. We are Marshall (2006)

6. Invincible (2006)

7. Knute Rockne All American (1940)

8. Radio (2003)

9. Wildcats (1986)

10. Jim Thorpe - All American (1951)

1. Florida

2. Texas

3. LSU

4. Oklahoma

5. USC

6. Ohio State

7. Alabama

8. Virgina Tech

9. Boise State

10. California

11. Oklahoma State

12. Georgia Tech

13. Penn State

14. Oregon

15. Ole Miss

16. Iowa

17. Utah

18. Georgia

19. Florida State

20. Kansas

21. Texas Tech

22. Oregon State

23. Notre Dame

24. BYU

25. Michigan State