There are college football games, and then there are college football rivalry games.
These rivalries unite, divide and keep us coming back for more year after year. Allegiances are forged across generations, and the outcome of a single contest can alter the mood of an entire state.
Considering the importance of these matchups, it’s crucial that you don’t miss them when they go down. Here’s a list of the top 20 biggest college football rivalries that includes all the information you need to watch the games live in the 2025 CFB season.
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College Football Rivalries 2025 Game Schedule
Iowa vs. Iowa State Rivalry (Iowa Corn Cy-Hawk Series)
How to Watch: Stream Iowa at Iowa State on September 6, 2025 on FOX
2025 Results: Iowa State (16) vs. Iowa (13)
All-Time Record: 47-25, Iowa leads
This intrastate battle between Iowa and Iowa State is a fixture of Midwestern football pride. First played in 1894 and now played annually, the rivalry embodies the cultural heartbeat of the state, pitting families, friends and coworkers against one another for bragging rights.
Washington vs. Washington State Rivalry (Apple Cup)
How to Watch: Stream Washington at Washington State on September 20, 2025 on CBS
2025 Results: Washington (59) vs. Washington State (24)
All-Time Record: 74-33-6, Washington leads
The Apple Cup between Washington and Washington State brings the Evergreen State to a standstill every November. Launched in 1900, the rivalry is traditionally played on Thanksgiving weekend, making it an annual tradition not to be missed.
Oregon vs. Oregon State Rivalry (formerly known as the Civil War Rivalry)
How to Watch: Stream Oregon State at Oregon on September 20, 2025 on Big Ten Network
2025 Results: Oregon (41) vs. Oregon State (7)
All-Time Record: 69-49-10, Oregon leads
Once called the “Civil War,” the Oregon-Oregon State rivalry contest now stands as the state’s definitive sporting tradition, uniting and dividing Oregonians every fall.
Texas vs. Oklahoma Rivalry (Red River Rivalry)
How to Watch: Stream Texas vs. Oklahoma on October 11, 2025 on TBD
All-Time Record: 64-51-5, Texas leads
This rivalry is a treasure chest of memorable encounters, such as the 1971 “Game of the Century” where Texas edged out Oklahoma 15-14 in an iconic battle. And since both Texas and Oklahoma traded their Big 12 allegiance for the SEC in 2024, the Red River Rivalry lives on.
Related: Texas vs. Oklahoma Rivalry History
Utah vs. BYU Rivalry (The Holy War)
How to Watch: Stream Utah at BYU on October 18, 2025 on TBD
All-Time Record: 62-35-4, Utah leads (according to Utah); 59-33-4, Utah leads (according to BYU)
The Holy War between Utah and BYU is as fierce as it sounds. Born in 1922, the annual meeting decides state bragging rights, and no matter the records (because the schools disagree on that), it’s the emotion and intensity that make it a true spectacle.
Notre Dame vs. USC Rivalry
How to Watch: Stream Notre Dame vs. USC on October 18, 2025 at 7:30 p.m. ET on NBC & Peacock
All-Time Record: 50-37-5, Notre Dame leads
The Notre Dame-USC football saga, a distinct and enduring chapter in the annals of college football, defies the conventional bounds of geographical proximity. The game’s moniker, “The Jeweled Shillelagh,” is a nod to the legacies of the respective institutions. The shillelagh, an emblem of Irish tradition and of Notre Dame’s strong heritage, intertwines with the “jeweled” spirit of USC’s Trojans.
Florida vs. Georgia Rivalry (The World’s Largest Outdoor Cocktail Party)
How to Watch: Stream Florida vs. Georgia on November 1, 2025 at 3:30 p.m. ET on ABC
All-Time Record: 57-44-2, Georgia leads
Georgia-Florida isn’t merely a football game — it’s a regional rite of passage. Played on neutral ground in Jacksonville, Florida, the stadium’s 68,000-seat capacity pales in comparison to the throngs that descend upon the city, transforming it into a tailgating extravaganza, aptly called “The World’s Largest Outdoor Cocktail Party.”
Ohio State vs. Penn State Rivalry
How to Watch: Stream Ohio State vs. Penn State on November 1, 2025 on TBD
All-Time Record: 25-14, Ohio State leads
Ohio State and Penn State may not share the century-old tradition of some Big Ten rivalries, but since Penn State joined the conference in 1993, their annual matchup has become one of the league’s marquee games, with the outcome often shaping the College Football Playoff picture.
Ole Miss vs. Mississippi State Rivalry (Egg Bowl)
How to Watch: Stream Ole Miss at Mississippi State on November 28, 2025 at 12 p.m. ET on TBD
All-Time Record: 66–46–6, Ole Miss leads
The Egg Bowl between Ole Miss and Mississippi State is the South’s Thanksgiving tradition with an edge. First played in 1901, the rivalry has produced unforgettable moments — including improbable comebacks, dramatic finishes and even infamous celebrations — making it one of the SEC’s most colorful annual showdowns.
Georgia Tech vs. Georgia Rivalry (Clean, Old-Fashioned Hate)
How to Watch: Stream Georgia Tech vs. Georgia on November 28, 2025 at 7:30 p.m. ET on ABC
All-Time Record: 72-41-5, Georgia leads
“Clean, Old-Fashioned Hate” perfectly captures the spirit of Georgia Tech vs. Georgia. Dating back to 1893, the rivalry mixes Atlanta’s city energy with Athens’ classic college town vibe. While Georgia has historically dominated the series, the Yellow Jackets relish every opportunity to spoil their neighbor’s season.
Texas A&M vs. Texas Rivalry (Lone Star Showdown)
How to Watch: Stream Texas A&M at Texas on November 28, 2025 on ABC
All-Time Record: 77-37-5, Texas leads
The Lone Star Showdown between Texas and Texas A&M embodies Texas football pride in its purest form. First played in 1894, the rivalry is set to renew in 2025 with A&M’s return to the SEC schedule.
Related: Texas A&M vs. Texas Rivalry History
Ohio State vs. Michigan Rivalry (The Game)
How to Watch: Stream Ohio State at Michigan on November 29, 2025 at 12 p.m. ET on FOX
All-Time Record: 62–51–6, Michigan leads
The annual showdown between the Wolverines and the Buckeyes is the biggest rivalry in the Midwest, a Big Ten finale played out on the Saturday after Thanksgiving. Throughout the decades, “The Game” has delivered countless memorable moments, including “Ten-Year War” between coaching legends, the legendary “Snow Bowl” game of 1950 and the unforgettable “Game of the Century” in 2006.
Alabama vs. Auburn Rivalry (Iron Bowl)
How to Watch: Stream Alabama at Auburn on November 29, 2025 on TBD
All-Time Record: 51–37–1, Alabama leads
The Iron Bowl has seen its share of memorable games, with the 2013 matchup standing out as one of the most unforgettable. In that game, Auburn’s Chris Davis returned a missed field goal the entire length of the field, dodging throngs of players from both sides, for a game-winning touchdown as time expired. In more recent years, the Crimson Tide dominated the Tigers en route to winning three national championships since 2015.
USC vs. UCLA Rivalry (Crosstown Rivalry)
How to Watch: Stream UCLA at USC on November 29, 2025 on TBD
All-Time Record: 53-34-7, USC leads
USC and UCLA’s Crosstown Rivalry is unique in college football: two powerhouse programs sharing the same city, just 10 miles apart. First meeting in 1929, the winner takes home the Victory Bell, but the impact of the game often stretches to Rose Bowl and national championship implications.
Florida State vs. Florida Rivalry (Sunshine Showdown)
How to Watch: Stream Florida State at Florida on November 29, 2025 on TBD
All-Time Record: 38–28–2, Florida leads
The Sunshine Showdown between Florida State and Florida highlights the state’s fierce football culture. Born in 1958, the rivalry matchups frequently impact the national title race.
Clemson vs. South Carolina Rivalry (Palmetto Bowl)
How to Watch: Stream Clemson at South Carolina on November 29, 2025 at 12 p.m. ET on TBD
All-Time Record: 73–44–4, Clemson leads
Clemson and South Carolina’s Palmetto Bowl is more than just a football game: It’s a battle for statewide supremacy that splits South Carolinians every November. With Clemson’s rise to national prominence in recent decades, the stakes have only grown, but the Gamecocks never shy away from playing spoiler.
Virginia Tech vs. Virginia Rivalry (Commonwealth Clash)
How to Watch: Stream Virginia Tech at Virginia on November 29, 2025 on TBD
All-Time Record: 62-38-5, Virginia Tech leads
The Commonwealth Clash between Virginia Tech and Virginia is the Old Dominion’s most important football rivalry. Since 1895, the game has determined not just bragging rights but often bowl positioning, with the Hokies enjoying long stretches of dominance. Played on Thanksgiving weekend, it unites the state in passion while dividing it down the middle.
Kentucky vs. Louisville Rivalry (Governor’s Cup)
How to Watch: Stream Kentucky at Louisville on November 29, 2025 on TBD
All-Time Record: 19-16, Kentucky leads
The Governor’s Cup between Kentucky and Louisville may be a newer rivalry, but it has quickly become one of the fiercest in the Bluegrass State. The annual battle pairs SEC against ACC, with both programs eager to claim supremacy in a state where basketball usually steals the spotlight.
Notre Dame vs. Stanford Rivalry
How to Watch: Stream Notre Dame at Stanford on November 29, 2025 on TBD
All-Time Record: 23-14, Notre Dame leads
Notre Dame and Stanford’s rivalry has an intellectual edge, pairing two of the nation’s premier academic institutions. The “Legends Trophy,” a Dublin Irish Waterford crystal bowl resting on a California redwood base, symbolizes the schools’ unique cultural ties, and their contests frequently serve as a late-season test for Notre Dame’s playoff hopes.
Army vs. Navy Rivalry
How to Watch: Stream Army vs. Navy on December 13, 2025 at 3 p.m. ET on CBS
All-Time Record: 63-55-7, Navy leads
The Army-Navy football clash, an annual December tradition, stands as one of America’s most iconic sporting events. It serves as the crescendo of the season for both teams, who players are primed for military service, not NFL stardom. Whether watching from the bleachers or on TV, this game is both a grand spectacle and a salute to American patriotism and military service.
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Frequently Asked Questions
When is the Michigan vs. Ohio State college football game in 2025?
"The Game" AKA the rivalry matchup between Michigan and Ohio State is taking place on Saturday, November 29 at 12 p.m. ET. Fans can watch The Game on Fox.
When is the Alabama vs. Auburn college football game in 2025?
The 2025 CFB matchup between Alabama and Auburn, known as The Iron Bowl, takes place on Saturday, November 29. The time and channel of the game are TBA.
When is the Oklahoma vs. Texas college football game in 2025?
The 2025 "Red River Showdown" between Oklahoma and Texas is happening on Saturday, October 11. The time and channel of the game are TBA.
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