1) Notre Dame vs. Southern Cal. Twenty-nine times both teams were ranked when they played. ND holds a 16-11-2 advantage in those games. The Irish have met the Trojans more than any other opponent other than Navy.

2) ND has Charlie Weis. USC does not have Norm Chow. It's in South Bend. Flip a coin.

3) Notre Dame vs. Miami. Eight times (7th in ND history) these two teams have met when both are ranked. ND holds a 5-3 advantage in those matchups. Twice the game determined the national champion.

4) Florida vs. Georgia. 46-35-2 in favor of the Bulldogs. World's Largest Outdoor Cocktail Party.

5) Will have to get back to you on this one.
Mike | Email | Homepage | 07.27.05 - 3:41 pm | #

Come on now. Victor Laszlo can hardly be deemed a rival of "Reeck." Indeed, as passionate and noble as Laszlo was in heroic resistance, he was just as hapless in love. Had Rick merely uttered the world, Ilsa would have broken with Laszlo with no compunction.

No, Rick Blaine is a man without peer. In my estimation, the coolest man ever.
Shane McGowan's Teeth | Email | Homepage | 07.27.05 - 3:45 pm | #

1. Who are your rival(s)? I smell a conspiracy. I think this line of questioning is just an excuse for hundreds of BGS readers to write “BC is not our rival!” My response: “doth protest too much.” BC-ND doesn’t have the long-running history of other rivals, but it does have many important elements: student bodies and alumni networks that are very similar and have overlap outside of the schools, a unique feature (the last two Catholic schools playing IA football), a few memorable moments and most importantly bad blood. I’ve already given my perspective on the past, present and future of this rivalry, but thought I would expound on one aspect that the guys at BGS asked about -- pranks. Since there is little to do in South Bend on a Friday night, Notre Dame still holds good, old-fashioned pep rallies. In the fall of 1997, my drunken roommate stumbled upon the rally and did what until then was unthinkable -- he heckled the fans and speakers. He was shouted out and didn’t think much of it until it made the papers, was mentioned as a motivating factor by the players and Bob Davie and generally pissed off Irish fans. This was the start of a mini-tradition of BC players and fans being generally rude and obnoxious on any trip to South Bend. They can look down on us and demand to take us off their schedule, but with every little piece of turf we take and with every BC win, the rivalry becomes more heated.



2. Size up your chances in your rival games this year. Ugh. We’re in a new conference and not playing Notre Dame. Can someone talk Holy Cross into returning to Division IA?


3. If you could start up a new rivalry with another team, who would it be? BC fans are going to hate me for this, but I honestly think we should play UConn every year. Their litigious ways and slanderous comments during the Big East split makes it unlikely we will ever play them again, but I think it would make a good rivalry based on location and the fact that BC fans, in general, hate Uconn fans. Never has a nice run in chick hoops generated so much arrogance in a school and its fanbase. Talk to a UConn fan and you would think that their school is better than Harvard and has the athletic potential, success and history of Notre Dame, Alabama, UCLA, Michigan, Tennessee and Kansas combined. To sum it up, I would enjoy kicking their teeth in every year.


4. Overall, what do you think the best rivalry in college football is? No game consistently combines the history, passion and relevance to the national scene like Michigan-Ohio State. Plus you know it was Jim Tressel who trashed Michigan in The Sporting News preview.


5. Lastly, game trophies. What are the best and worst rivalry trophies out there? I love Paul Bunyan's Axe. It’s always funny to see uninsured, unpaid young athletes run around like crazy with sharp things. Worst rivalry trophy: the Maloof Trophy (New Mexico-New Mexico State). The trophy is not that embarrassing, but if you are going to win something from the Maloofs, wouldn’t you rather have courtside seats for the Kings, or a night in the Real World Suite at the Palms? A trophy? Couldn’t they at least arrange for Trishelle or Peja Stojakovic to hand over the trophy at the post game ceremony? No Maloof-related celebs…that’s gotta be a letdown for the players.

http://atleagle.blogspot.com/200...table-no- 4.html
ATL_eagle | Email | Homepage | 07.27.05 - 4:25 pm | #

1) For my Vols: Alabama (more later), Florida (a little different without Spurrier), Georgia. (We're rivals to Kentucky and Vandy but it's one way.

Alabama has gotten stickier in the past few years because Alabama cheated (bought players out of Memphis), got caught, and blames Philip Fulmer because he gave testimony to the NCAA about it. For the most part, it's a great rivalry on the field - sadly that has evolved into some bad feelings off the field.

Auburn used to be bigger - our mascot pooped on the Auburn sideline one time and their coach cut the cheerleader's microphone cord - but we only play every few years now.

For non-conference, we've played Notre Dame the most (9 times since the late 70's) and there's been some great games including our largest comeback in history in the early 90's when we trailed 31-7 before halftime at South Bend and won when we blocked a field goal as time ran out 35-34.

2) @ UF - coin toss (we've won the last 2 in Gainesville), @ Bama - we should win but not by much; UGA in Knoxville - should win but again not by much.

3) New Rival - Texas (our orange is so much nicer) (plus I live in Dallas and have to hear all of the "how great Texas is" crap).

4) Auburn/Alabama. UGA/UF is great but I think the fans are just as interested in the party as they are the game. AU/UA fans live/die by this one. OU/Texas is up there along with UM/OSU. I'd say USC/ND but I hate ND.

5) I like the big Axe (I think it's Minnesota and Iowa or something).

6) Hottest cheerleaders - Southern California - love those white sweaters that show a little of the mid-drift. USC cheerleaders "shook their boogie" while the rest of the country were stuck in "H-O-L-D Hold That Line" mode.
TennVolChamp | Email | Homepage | 07.27.05 - 4:34 pm | #

BC blogger,

“This was the start of a mini-tradition of BC players and fans being generally rude and obnoxious on any trip to South Bend”

Thank you for confirming that while the football "rivalry" between BC and ND is no doubt arguable, BC will NEVER rival ND in class.
Leo | Email | Homepage | 07.27.05 - 4:48 pm | #

Notre vs. USC a coin flip? Maybe in 2007.

The best trophy has to be Floyd of Rosedale, the beautiful bronze pig that Iowa and Minnesota tussle for.
Corey | Email | Homepage | 07.27.05 - 5:12 pm | #

Here are my basic answers. Visit my blog to see the full discussion and leave your reactions.

1. Wisconsin's rivals are Minnesota, Michigan, and tOSU.

2. Wisconsin probably won't beat Minnesota or Michigan, and they don't play tOSU.

3. I'd love to see Wisconsin against Notre Dame or against any of the three service academies.

4. Army-Navy.

5. Cool: Paul Bunyan's Axe. Not Cool: The Goat Trophy.
Bruce Ciskie | Email | Homepage | 07.27.05 - 5:14 pm | #

1. Who are your rival(s)? Two big rivals, much of it depends on age. Old School - Alabama; New School - Florida

2. Size up your chances in your rival games this year. Alabama - better than 75% chance, but always a good game. Florida - 60% chance. Its in the swamp but UF will still be learning a new offense.

3. If you could start up a new rivalry with another team, who would it be? Auburn - Granted, we still play them, but they are no longer on the schedule every year since the SEC went to two divisions. There were many great Tennessee/Auburn Games in the 80's and early 90's

4. Overall, what do you think the best rivalry in college football is?
I am a vet and a little biased, but I would have to say Army/Navy. It doesn't matter what kind of record each team has....this IS the season for teams. I have been to a couple Army/Navy games and you can't beat the Cadets/Midshipmen marching onto the field, the fly-overs, and the game ball getting parachuted onto the 50 yard line.

5. Lastly, game trophies. What are the best and worst rivalry trophies out there? Best Tennessee/Kentucky (not used since 98 due to political correctness) the Beer Barrel. How can you not love playing for a Keg? Worst...take your pick
Voluminous | Email | Homepage | 07.27.05 - 5:23 pm | #

My answers:
http://straightbangin.blogspot.c...ickering- 4.html
Joey | Email | Homepage | 07.27.05 - 5:53 pm | #

Hey Straight Banger,

How the hell has Michigan contributed to the demise of Notre Dame? Michigan is the only Top 10 caliber team that ND has had much success with in the last 10 years. You guys come to South Bend and shit your pants every other year.

And when I say "Top 10 caliber team," I mean "Top 10 caliber team guaranteed to lose 3 games every year."
Shane McGowan's Teeth | Email | Homepage | 07.27.05 - 5:59 pm | #

A Domer talking about another team shitting their pants. That's, well, gold.
Bruce Ciskie | Email | Homepage | 07.27.05 - 6:01 pm | #

I'm not hiding the fact that we've sucked this decade. But the Meat Chicken's are supposed to be good, and they bat about .500 against us.

Now go pop a chub over the Badgers' prospects of finishing fourth in the conference.
Shane McGowan's Teeth | Email | Homepage | 07.27.05 - 6:04 pm | #

But Shane, you have to give Straight Bangin' credit for one of the better captions I've seen in a while.
Pat | Email | Homepage | 07.27.05 - 6:05 pm | #

At least the Badgers don't have a problem getting a bowl invitation. When was the last time we saw Notre Dame win a bowl game?
Bruce Ciskie | Email | Homepage | 07.27.05 - 6:06 pm | #

That's right. It's called the "We Get Our Asses Kicked Every Year by UGA" Bowl.
Shane McGowan's Teeth | Email | Homepage | 07.27.05 - 6:09 pm | #

As opposed to getting your ass kicked by Oregon State.
Bruce Ciskie | Email | Homepage | 07.27.05 - 6:12 pm | #

You know what I like best about you, Bruce. You're a wit.
Shane McGowan's Teeth | Email | Homepage | 07.27.05 - 6:14 pm | #

Did anyone else read the BC comment and think of the Notre Dame Rogues Gallery post?

ATL_Eagle: "I smell a conspiracy. I think this line of questioning is just an excuse for hundreds of BGS readers to write “BC is not our rival!” My response: “doth protest too much.”"

My response:"I can handle things! I'm smart! Not like everybody says...like dumb...I'm smart and I want respect!" - Fredo Corleone
tedwick | Email | Homepage | 07.27.05 - 6:31 pm | #

http://boifromtroy.com/archives/...ives/ 004323.php

Boifromtroy's submissions, even if they are predictable.

And I think the coin flip was supposed to be whether Notre Dame would beat the 31 point spread!
boifromtroy | Email | Homepage | 07.27.05 - 6:58 pm | #

Shane, a very angry Irishman.
Joey | Email | Homepage | 07.27.05 - 6:59 pm | #

Shane's just pissed because he was in diapers the last time Notre Dame won a bowl game.

If that were me, I'd be pissed, too.
Bruce Ciskie | Email | Homepage | 07.27.05 - 7:27 pm | #

Answers here:
http://sectionsix.blogspot.com/2...ndtable- iv.html

Summary:

1) UNC, Maryland
2) I'm optimistic.
3) Syracuse
4) Auburn/Alabama
5) Best: Paul Bunyan's Axe
Worst: The Telephone Trophy (I posted a picture; many thanks to the link BGS provided)
Steven | Email | Homepage | 07.27.05 - 7:45 pm | #

1. USC and Michigan. USC is the best (only?) cross-national rivalry of it's kind. Michigan, while played less often, brings out the bad blood, and until ND's recent policy of hiring braindead coaches, ND and UM were neck and neck for both most wins and best winning percentage for a program.

2. Not good, but better than the past. ND would beat UM if it was at ND--Carr apparently can't think under the effects of the ethanol plant. However, it's at UM, so I think it will be a closer game than some think, but too early in the season for our team to have really figured out the offense, and UM will win in a close one. USC--um, well, at least we get to look at their Song Girls...it won't be by 31, but the Condoms will beat us by 10 to 17 or so. I think we'll get back to parity with Troy in a few years, but right now, all the playcalling and scheming Weis & Co. can muster won't stop Leinart & Bush, and that damn horse will gallop all day.

3. Miami, Oklahoma, or Texas--Miami based on historical reasons, OU and Tex because they're good teams that give us exposure in Tex recruiting, and there's some history there too (ND stopping OU's winning streak in the 50's, UT and ND battles in the Cotton Bowl in the 70's).

4. Auburn/Alabama. No one rivalry so epitomizes absolute hatred, and divides a state quite like that one.

5. Best: The Bronze Boot--Colorado St. vs. Wyoming--if I remember the story correctly, the ROTC detachment at CSU came up with this trophy in 1968. The Boot is an actual Vietnam combat boot (worn in combat by a CSU grad). Nothing is cooler than that.

http:// wyomingathletics.colleges...bronzeboot.html

Worst: Anything with just a "normal" trophy. Give me axes, Bronze pigs, pieces of the Blarney Stone (isn't that what the Ireland Trophy--ND/BC--is?), megaphones, shillelaghs, war clubs, and little brown jugs. A simple trophy is Boooooring.

Though the best trophy would be the USC Song Girls. I say if we beat USC, we should get to keep them for the year.
Nate | Email | Homepage | 07.27.05 - 7:48 pm | #

1. Who are your rival(s)?
Alabama – Alabama leads 43-37-7. The Third Saturday in October. For many, many, many years, this contest was the thing by which Tennessee teams, players, and coaches were measured. Win this one, and nothing else mattered. It has been a rivalry of streaks, with Bama winning from the early 70’s into the 80’s, Tennessee taking four straight from ’82-’85, and Bama winning each contest from that point until tying the Vols 17-all in ’93. That game was probably the low point for Vol fans as Bama scored on a long drive and got a two-pointer to tie with seconds remaining. I remember wanting to throw up after that one. After another Crimson Tide win in ’94, Tennessee erased painful memories in Birmingham in ’95 when Manning hit Kent for an 80-yard score on the first play. A 21-0 first quarter lead turned into a 41-14 rout and was the first of seven straight Big Orange victories. The series has heated up again in the past few years with the Fulmer/Bama NCAA violation thing. The hatred has returned.
Florida – Tennessee leads 19-15. During the decade of the 90’s, this series heated up into one of the must-see games of the year on the national stage. In 10 of the 14 years that the SEC has played in divisions, the winner of this one has represented the SEC East in the championship game. This game has almost always been played early in the season, causing the loser to scoreboard-watch the rest of the year, hoping the other would lose twice. The one exception to these early-season tilts was 2001, when the game was postponed after 9/11. Although the 1998 game was memorable in so many ways (an overtime thriller that led to torn-apart goalposts and a national championship), the 2001 game sticks out in my mind as the most memorable. The Vols came into the Swamp as a 17.5 point underdog and emerged 34-32 winners with the SEC East on the line, resulting in Visor-Boy’s bolt to D.C. Travis Stephens ran wild on the Gators that December 1st, and even though the Vols lost one week later to LSU and lost a chance at a national championship, I wouldn’t trade that game for the world. (And it also gave us a chance to embarrass Michigan in the Citrus.) Painful loss? 2000. Perfect day. Perfect game plan. The Vols were overmatched, but completely outplayed the Gators. Travis Henry ran over linebackers and DB’s all day. It ended with Gaffney’s catch/drop with just a few seconds left. I do know that Florida would have had one more play had the ref called the Gaffney play incomplete, so I don’t know how the game would have ended had that play been ruled differently. What I do know is this: after that happened, nobody moved. Nobody left their seat. We just kept waiting for the refs to come back and change the call and take the points off the scoreboard. Tennessee was supposed to win that game. They didn’t come back. That one stung, especially after watching the kicker do the Gator Chomp at us as he ran off the field. The kicker.
Also, if Peyton had beaten the Gators once or twice, he might have gotten the Heisman. I’m convinced of that. They were his downfall.
Georgia – Some might call this one a rival. However, anyone against whom you have a losing streak is going to become a rival. It’s an intense game. The Vols beat the Dawgs each year from ’92 through ’99, and then lost the next four straight before triumphing in Athens last year. Here’s hoping that a new streak has started.
Vanderbilt – Can a one-sided series be considered a rivalry? They hate us, we laugh at them.
Kentucky – Again, the one-sided thing. Some games are close, but we’ve won them all for two decades and counting.
The two teams used to play for the "Beer Barrel". Due to the unfortunate alcohol-related accident that resulted in the death of a Kentucky player in 1998, the two teams stopped playing for this trophy.
Pranks: I know that UK students once stole the plush Smokey uniform. They didn’t keep it long, as I remember.


2. Size up your chances in your rival games this year.
Florida – unknown – If the Zooker were still coaching, this would probably be a win. However, I don’t think Fulmer will be able to catch up to Urban, not because of Urban’s supposed brilliance about which HP loves to drone on and on, but because of Phil’s poor record against head coaches in their first year on the job. Night game at the Swamp. Not gonna be easy, but it’s not out of the question, either.
Georgia – They’re gonna be pissed from last year, but last year’s win in Athens seems to have gotten the team and the fans over the four-year mental block against the Dawgs. Who knows how Shockley will be running the offense at this point. However, if the Tee Martin Hypothesis holds true, the Vols could be in some trouble. See UT @ UGA, 1998.
Alabama – This game is going to be tough in Tuscaloosa, especially if Bama’s defense is as tough as they should be and Brodie Croyle stays healthy. The Tide fans will be chomping at the bit, ready to take a bite out of Phil like he takes a bite (or ten) out of some Ho-Ho’s. (Yeah, we know he’s fat, and we don’t care.)
Vanderbilt – Please.
Kentucky – Pretty please.

3. If you could start up a new rivalry with another team, who would it be?
My criterium for this question is that the team has to be a program that we don’t currently play (at least during the regular season), and one that could have both regional and possible national interest.
1. Virginia Tech (and we’ll play it at Bristol Motor Speedway in front of 150,000 fans)
2. Clemson (so much orange)
3. Texas (would be a great game, UT vs. UT, but harder to travel to every other year)

4. Overall, what do you think the best rivalry in college football is?
Army-Navy. It’s their whole season. 1-10 would be a beautiful record to these two, as long as that one win was against the other. That’s a rivalry. I’d love to see it. And I think my neck just spilled over my collar and onto the floor.
For an alternative answer, I’m going with Clemson/South Carolina. My sister is a Clemson grad, and these people hate each other. See 2004 fight for example of hatred.

5. Lastly, game trophies. What are the best and worst rivalry trophies out there?
I’m going with a theme here. The Iowa Hawkeyes play for the best and worst (and more).
Best – Floyd of Rosedale. Initially, an actual pig, then it became a bronze trophy for the winner of the annual Iowa/Minnesota tilt. It’s a pig. (Floyd, not Phil)
Worst – the Cy-Hawk Trophy – Iowa/Iowa State. A poorly-named, poorly-designed trophy. It’s got both mascots and the game scores on it.
Honorable mention worst – Iowa and Wisconsin created the Heartland Trophy last year. It is a statue of a bull. Why try to manufacture tradition in 2004? Pretty soon every Big Ten game will have a trophy at stake.
volpundit | Email | Homepage | 07.27.05 - 9:27 pm | #

1. Who are your rival(s)?
For USC, it is Notre Dame and UCLA - although Cal is creeping up recently. Notre Dame is a matter of respect, with probably the biggest game being Anthony Davis and the 55-24 comeback. Man, I bet you guys were glad to see him graduate. UCLA is more like fighting with your brother - you have to live with the result for the next year, as someone in the office will have graduated from their. The biggest game against UCLA had to be the Beban/Simpson showdown for the national title and the Heisman. As for Cal, I don't think they qualify as a rival yet, but the dirty hippies are working on it :P

2. Size up your chances in your rival games this year. Pretty straightforward. Try to be objective.

UCLA should be a win. Dorrell... has not proven himself yet. ND should be a win as well, mainly because its Weis' first year, and I don't think the offense or defense will be fully clicking - it took about 1 1/2 years for USC's to click under Carroll/Chow. As for Cal.... that's the game that worries me the most, up in Berkely, and let's leave it at that.

3. If you could start up a new rivalry with another team, who would it be?

If I was to start a new rivalry with any team on the planet, it would have to be Miami. California vs Florida, speed vs speed, private school vs private school - USC East vs Miami West. It's the game the America has wanted to see for the last couple years, and I think it could turn into a nasty rivalry if the chance ever arose.

4. Overall, what do you think the best rivalry in college football is?

Well, I would say USC/Notre Dame, due to the national scale and importance of the game, but since we can't pick a rivalry involving our own team, I'll go with Army/Navy. It shows everything that is good about CFB - the pageantry, the history, the emotions, and the people who are playing.

5. Lastly, game trophies. What are the best and worst rivalry trophies out there?

Best: Floyd and Paul Bunyan's Axe

Worst: Anything with a corporate name in it's name
James | Email | Homepage | 07.27.05 - 10:09 pm | #

1. Tennessee v. Florida.
2. At Florida, even odds.
3. New rivalry: Virginia Tech.
4. Miami - Florida State.
5. Best - Victory Cigars (UT-UA); Weakest - The Governor's Cup (UK-UL)

For more: http://checkerboard.blogspot.com
Colby | Email | Homepage | 07.27.05 - 10:44 pm | #

1) The issue of "rivals" is an interesting one with Texas Tech because no other school considers Tech a "rival". Tech, however always measures itself against the other two state schools in just about everything, so I guess the two games against Texas and Texas A&M are the closest thing we have to a "rivalry game"

I recall three interesting games with Texas A&M. In 1999, Spike Dykes' last season, Texas Tech barely held off a Top-10 ranked A&M team in Lubbock 21-19. The students ran onto the field, tore down the goal post and paraded it down University Avenue. (I still have a piece of the goal post.)

Two years later, Tech upset A&M in Lubbock again, and again the fans in tore down the goal post. Unfortunately, the fans decided to deposit it in the visiting fans section of Jones Stadium and a riot ensued in between the A&M fans and Tech fans. Among the spectators for A&M was the chief of staff for then-Lieutenant Governor Rick Perry, who got punched in the melee and blamed it on a Lubbock resident. Later it was discovered on videotape that Perry's chief of staff got hit by a fellow Aggie.

(Perry made good later by speaking at Tech's graduation and carried just about every county in West Texas in the gubenatorial election)

I can't remember if it was 2 or 3 years ago, but the The Texas A&M Media guide wrote that Tech fans were "classless clowns" and that Texas Tech deserved to have Bobby Knight. A&M lost to Texas Tech on the football field and went 0-2 against Tech in basketball that year.

Incidentally, there's a statue of Will Rogers on a horse on the Tech campus (Rogers was a big donor to the Goin' Band from Raiderland). The horse is facing west and to the north in such a way that the butt end of the horse points toward College Station.

My best memory of a Texas Tech-Texas game was Kliff Kingsbury's senior year where Kingsbury threw 3 touchdown passes to beat the Longhorns and "Chrissy" Simms.

2)Texas A&M, well, the game is in Lubbock this year, and the Aggies always have always had trouble at Jones SBC Stadium. Thing is, this is probably the best team A&M has had in a while and Texas Tech's defense, while a year better, is unproven. The Texas game is a loss because the Red Raiders can't contain Vince Young's running.

3)I don't know, Tech has tried to schedule New Mexico, TCU, and SMU in order to further regional rivalries, but Texas Tech always ends up blowing them out, so while there's a lot of bad blood there, all of the ADs at those schools hate Tech and don't want to schedule the Raiders.

4)Best rivalry? It's like picking between my future children. But if you were to interrogate me James Bond Villain-style, I'd probably say Michigan-Ohio State since it always seems to have some bearing on the national picture.

5)I think the best trophy, because of it's uniqueness, has to be the Iron Skillet, which goes to the TCU-SMU winner. (Runner-up: Floyd of Rosedale for the sheer irony of playing "pigskin" for a pig) The worst trophy is any kind of bell, cup or plain trophy. It shows that the two schools really haven't put much thought into the award.
R.D. Baker | Email | Homepage | 07.27.05 - 11:25 pm | #

Fredo,
We have played Carnegie Mellon more times than we have played BC. Beyond that, the fact that your school's fans/team instigate and are deserving of hatred does not make you a rival of my fine alma mater. It just means that I hate you.
See you in 2007 when the cosmic imbalance is corrected.
Mike Steedle | Email | Homepage | 07.27.05 - 11:42 pm | #

The expurgated version:

1. Toledo and Miami(OH)
2. Very good
3. The Ohio State University
4. Army-Navy
5. Good: Illibuck. Bad: The Steel Tire

Longer form versions and a whole bunch of anti-Toledo smack is available at the homepage link.
djl | Email | Homepage | 07.28.05 - 2:16 am | #

Summary (the rest is up at my site):

1. A&M's rival is texas although texas tech is always a tough game

2. Win

3. LSU

4. Iron Bowl

5. Interestingly, there are very few in Texas. I'll go with "The Peace Pipe" (Bowling Green v. Toledo)
AgRyan04 | Email | Homepage | 07.28.05 - 2:16 am | #

1. Who are your rival(s)? OU/Texas! Simply one of the best rivalry games in all of college football. Played on a neutral site at the Cotton Bowl the crowd is split down the 50 yard line. One side is Crimson the other side is Orange. OU has won five games in a row over Texas and is going for six this year. With that success comes great recruiting. One of the main reasons Adrian Peterson, a Texas product, is at OU is because of the Sooners success against the Longhorns. As a senior in high school Peterson was at the game as a Texas recruit and saw the Sooners pound Texas 65-13. The next week he commited to OU.
Last season ESPN did a story on the mascots comparing OU's Sooner Schooner to Texas' Bevo. The Schooner, a mini coverd wagon pulled by ponies, comes on the field after an OU score and at the end of the game to celebrate an OU victory. When they asked the Texas guy how Bevo, a longhorn cow, celebrates a OU/Texas victory his reply was, "I don't know. I'm a senior and we have never beaten OU."
2. Size up your chances in your rival games this year. All the talent seems to be on the side of Texas this season. They have more returning starters and a legitimate Heisman candidate in QB Vince Young. This won't be the first time Texas has had a talent edge though. A major coaching edge goes to Bob Stoops who seems to know how to make Mac Brown stutter, stumble and look like he doesn't have a clue what is going on. Until Brown shows that he can coach against Stoops the same way he coaches against evey other team in America, the edge has got to go to the Sooners.

3. If you could start up a new rivalry with another team, who would it be? OU/Miami - There is a lot of bad blood between the teams that has carried over from their games in the 80's. The Canes also though they should have played OU, and no doubt think they would have beat the Sooners, in the 2000 Orange Bowl. A home and home series for OU & Miami is in the works right now.
4. Overall, what do you think the best rivalry in college football is? Try to pick one that doesn't involve your own team. What makes that rivalry so much better than all the others? Army/Navy - Neither team will ever contend for the BCS, but the game is always a sell-out and nationally televised. The patriotism that goes along with the game just can't be beat.

5. Lastly, game trophies. What are the best and worst rivalry trophies out there? I don't think it matters what the trophy is or how dumb it looks. When a team wins a rivalry game they are proud of the trophy and often run off the field with it held high over their heads.
Matt | Email | Homepage | 07.28.05 - 2:24 am | #

Since I want to be just like djl, here's my crib notes:

1) same as djl
2) same as djl
3) same as djl, yet more practical and seeking home games
4) same as djl
5) IT'S A FREAKING WOODEN TURTLE!

full list in homepage link (just like djl)
tony | Email | Homepage | 07.28.05 - 4:26 am | #

There is only one ND rival and that is USC.

USC should win by at least 10, but has lost a lot of good people. I'm hoping for mental, if not physical, exhaustion to give a supremely motivated ND squad a chance.

I would like to see Texas become a fixture on the schedule. We need a presence in that bastion of HS football and UT is the best program historically.

Nothing has deeper meaning on more sociological levels than UA/AU. At least one man was shot dead b/c of it. But for me, it's Army/Navy. I've attended both and the "chill" factor gives it to the Cadets and Middies.

Floyd of Rosedale is my favorite trophy. My least favorite is the Governor's Cup for MSU/PSU. Since it is the designated Big Ten rivalry, they had to manufacture something. The programs have definitely managed to live down to this political reward.
Ed | Email | Homepage | 07.28.05 - 4:33 am | #

We went a bit overboard, but they were great questions. Here's our answers.
Orson Swindle | Email | Homepage | 07.28.05 - 7:59 am | #

Not sure how to set up a trackback, but you will really need to go to our site to get a full flavor of our answers. And here are our answers. Enjoy!
Nestor16 | Email | Homepage | 07.28.05 - 9:12 am | #

1. Being from South Bend, its no doubt Michigan. Being so close to the border intensifies this rivalry. By the way, Michigan drivers are the worst.

2. ND wins by 3. Coach for Mich. can't beat ND. "Big House" means nothing!

3. Not a new rivalry, but the best ever. ND vs. Miami. Can't beat catholics vs. convicts. Fights in the tunnel, Miami players getting pegged with orange slices by ND students...priceless!

4. I like Miami/Fl. St. All those wide right/wide left memories makes this the best rivalry in my opinion. Plus its in state. The intensity at the games is insane. People are literally about to kill each other. Its personal!

by the way, great blog.
sblxdoc | Email | Homepage | 07.28.05 - 9:41 am | #

We like reading any comment that comes from a guy named "Shane McGowan's Teeth."
Orson Swindle | Email | Homepage | 07.28.05 - 9:54 am | #

1) For Alabama, the obvious answer is Auburn. There's a definite hatred there, but it's more of a benign hatred really. I can be friends with AU fans, I can watch them on TV and have no problem rooting for them if they play someone I dislike or their winning will help The Tide, but when it comes time to play them I want them beaten, and beaten badly. Tennessee is a different story. I hate Tennessee with every fiber of my being. The recent sanctions and Fulmer's Henry Hydeesque participation with the NCAA has only furthered that hatred. The sight of their particular brand of orange is like putting a red flag in front of a bull for an Alabama fan. So that's probably the most hated of rival, though I'd still say Auburn is enemy #1.

2. With a healthy Croyle and Darby and some production by the receiving corp I'd say our chances are pretty good. The biggest issue is playing both at the end of the schedule when, historically, injuries are playing a large part in Bama's offense. I'm predicting a showing in the conference championship game (against Florida, most likely), but there's a lot of shameless homerism in that.

3. The Oklahoma Home-Home series a few years ago produced two heart breaking losses for us, and I'd like to see that series become a regular thing. The Sooners will be down this year (and maybe next), but Stoops still knows what he's doing and will keep them up for the some time. I'd also like to see some games with ND. You guys spoiled two outright national titles for Bryant in the 70s and both of our programs are in the unenviable positions of former greatness trying to return to their national prominence. That should produce a few memorable match ups. Also, the Bama/Ga. Tech rivalry used to be a pretty important one (they're in our fight song, for pete's sake) and it would be a fun series to rekindle for the easy win, if nothing else.

4. That's a hard one since I can't really get up for a game that doesn't involve Bama or UAB. UAB doesn't really have a huge rival, though their continual domination of Memphis is a fun series to laugh about. I'd maybe say Texas/Texas A&M since the Aggies once held a sort of sentimental place for Bama fans. Bryant and Stallings were Aggie coaches so I usually leaned their way in that rivalry, but now that Fran's their I kind of hate them now. Maybe that would be another good rivalry to start up.

5. I don't know if this one counts or not, but doesn't ownership of the Red River belong to whoever wins the Texas/Oklahoma game? I'd say a whole river is a pretty damn impressive trophy.
Todd | Email | Homepage | 07.28.05 - 10:26 am | #

All right, I'll say it: I do not get the Army-Navy thing. For the last 30 years the teams have been bad. I mean, it's nice, don't get me wrong, but who gets fired up to watch a 1-10 team take on a 4-7 team?

(blah blah blah support the troops I don't hate America.)
Brian | Email | Homepage | 07.28.05 - 11:14 am | #

--"I don't know if this one counts or not, but doesn't ownership of the Red River belong to whoever wins the Texas/Oklahoma game? I'd say a whole river is a pretty damn impressive trophy."

Not only that, but I'll bet no kicker could ever pick up the river and hold it over his head.

Brian--

Way to be the bad guy. Someone had to do it.
Bruce Ciskie | Email | Homepage | 07.28.05 - 11:20 am | #

who gets fired up to watch a 1-10 team take on a 4-7 team?

A whole bunch of people in the San Francisco Bay area, apparently.

At least, before Cal went out and brought in Jeff Tedford.
djl | Email | Homepage | 07.28.05 - 1:10 pm | #

1) Who is our rival? Humboldt State.
2) Chances? Considering Chico State gave up football in the early ninties, none.
3) New rivalry? Cal - Michigan. Two schools with proud, rich athletic programs. Same academic reputation. Same colors. Same old, large stadiums. They would play for the "Maize and Blue hammer and sickle"
4) Best rivary? Michigan/Ohio State. Army/Navy. Alabama/Auburn.
5) Trophy? Chico and Humboldt either played for an Axe or the Golden Bong
Ray F Chico State 1985 | Email | Homepage | 07.28.05 - 2:25 pm | #

Who are your rival(s)?

Tulane has clear rival in LSU- which obviously leads the series (62-23-7). It used to be one of the most intense in the country- but Tulane choose to de-emphasize athletics in the 1960’s- and the football program never recovered- except for an unbelievable meteoric season in 1998 (12-0, #7 AP).

It isn’t an intense rivalry- as one side clearly dominates and they currently don’t play every year. Like a lot of football factories, LSU began demanding multiple home games in return for each visit to New Orleans. Frankly, Tulane wasn’t all that sad to lose a repeated bad beating year after year. There were plenty of other SEC teams willing to schedule the trip to New Orleans- and bring the same big traveling crowds with them. Auburn plays a home-and-home shortly. Mississippi just finished one. And MSU comes to New Orleans this year.

But the Tigers have seen the light- and have agreed to a ten year home-and-home starting shortly. LSU just doesn’t travel much out of league; they need the home games to pay for their bloated program. With the expanded schedule, the Tigers were looking at three/four out of conference home games against utter unattractive patsies year after year. Tulane is going through a bit of resurgence. The Wave ain’t good- but they simply aren’t awful anymore and play an entertaining style. With a little competitiveness restored, adding Tulane to the Death Valley schedule is more attractive than Louisiana-Monroe, so the Tigers took the five visits to New Orleans.

But this rivalry isn’t frankly a good one- until Tulane can get a win. Then, I think it’ll get some luster. It has the key ingredient for success- the two schools don’t like each other one bit.


- If you could start up a new rivalry with another team, who would it be? Is there a team out there that you think would make a perfect rival for your team?

Tulane and USM have played some entertaining games with mid-major conference significance- and the Wave can beat them more than occassionally. USM is the class of our league: they win, graduate players, and have classy program that can play the big boys.

Tulane doesn’t exactly aspire to their academics- but it would love to have that program on the football field. Win 8-9 consistently, draw 35,000 and play good games every year against elite teams. They are the best measuring stick for the Wave, bring a good crowd with them to New Orleans, and the Tulane community has a lot of respect for their product. When we beat them, it feels like we are making progress.
Frank | Email | Homepage | 07.28.05 - 2:36 pm | #

1. Michigan & Ohio State. They are obviously in the elite of the Big Ten and wins over either team have a lot of meaning. It's difficult to win a Big Ten Title without beating one or both of them.

2. I really believe this team has the chance to go 1-1 in these rivalries. I do. I swear. Dadgum it, they ought to win one of them. Will we? Aye--there's the rub.

3. NOTRE DAME. Period. Given their indepent status, it could happen. Adding a team like Nebraska or Alabama annually would be fun, but won't happen given the conference situations. For those that were thinking of a Pennsylvania school other than Temple--sorry. I'm in the camp that has no interest in renewing that "old" rivalry.

4. Historically, I think you have to go with Army-Navy. For entertainment purposes (ie a great game to watch) I would have a hard time choosing between Oklahoma-Texas and Miami-Florida State. I still like to bring up those Wide Right kicks now and then.

5. The Land Grant Trophy? (For non-Big Ten fans, this is awarded post-humously to the winner of the Penn State-Michigan State game; a battle between two Land-Grant universities.) Give me a break. Still reeling from trying to figure out how to call a group of eleven teams the "Big Ten" the powers that be had to "create" a rivalry and trophy for Penn State. The rest is lame history.
idoc | Email | Homepage | 07.28.05 - 2:38 pm | #

We'll get your back, Brian. Army-Navy's not all that. No hate, just never got it, and don't ever watch it on tv, replay, or read books about it. We understand that it's much better in person-duh-but frankly, if it's that or the Fresno State-SDSU game, we're watching the WAC shootout. Still, it's on our list of games to see in person.
Orson Swindle | Email | Homepage | 07.28.05 - 2:38 pm | #

My blogpoll answers are up

http:// sportingfool.blogspot.com...ol_archive.html
Corey | Email | Homepage | 07.28.05 - 2:48 pm | #

sblxdoc, Michigan drivers are not the worst. It's the keep it under 80, no turn signal crowd that's the problem. If they just abided by our rules of the road, we wouldn't have to force them off of it.
Brent | Email | Homepage | 07.28.05 - 2:49 pm | #

good to see Brent around whenever we need some Wolverine head-thumping delivered. Seriously... if Michigan bloggers were a gang, he would be the big guy everyone's a little afraid of but glad to have on their side. (IBFC: little kid w/ glasses always coming up with ideas; Straight Bangin': mouthy funny kid who never shuts up.)
Brian | Email | Homepage | 07.28.05 - 3:21 pm | #

Thaks Brian, but ask Joey, I'm not big. But I do have a little bit of crazy, and that goes a long way.
Brent | Email | Homepage | 07.28.05 - 4:03 pm | #

The michigan blogsters, in full effect.
Jay | Email | Homepage | 07.28.05 - 4:10 pm | #

Brian is not alone in not "getting" the Army-Navy game. We don't get why this is such a big deal either. And, yes we support our troops (USA USA USA ... and all that good stuff), but just don't see how this amounts to being a big time college football tilt. No one except the friends and family of the kids who attend Westpoint and Annalpolis cares.
Nestor16 | Email | Homepage | 07.28.05 - 4:50 pm | #

I dont get Army-Navy either. And if we're going to be a posse, cartel, etc., I can live with the mouthy funny guy who runs his mouth. So long as there is actually something of substance underlying the verbosity. With that, I might struggle? I guess I'd be like my idol, Corey Feldman, in his memorable "Goonies" role as Mouth. I have yet to reach the emotional height achived by Feldman in that well scene when he decides he's taking back his wish and all the other ones. And I'm never kissing Martha Plimpton. Mark that down.

And while Brent is not, in fact, huge, his wit certainly is, and in a war of words, that counts.
Joey | Email | Homepage | 07.28.05 - 4:51 pm | #

We need our lone Academy blogpoller to defend the importance of Army-Navy. Where's KingMouse?
Jay | Email | Homepage | 07.28.05 - 5:22 pm | #

1. Well, the Big Ten and the media tells us (Penn State fans) that Minnesota and Michigan State are our rivals. I don't hate or dislike either school. Though I still hold a small amount of disdain for the '99 game. I hate Michigan. The rest of Big Ten schools I am indifferent on. As I see it, Pitt is Penn State's only real rival. Since the series has been discontinued (the last game was in 2000), Pitt and Penn State no longer play. Though the hate still runs strong, especially on the Pitt side. I would say Penn State has a minor rivalry with Notre Dame. Two of the most historical programs in college football will meet in 2006 and 2007.

2. Well Penn State should beat both of our "rivals". Minnesota should be an easy victory at home. The final game against Michigan State will be a bit of a challenge unless the Spartans crumble early on in the season. PSU seems to have some trouble in East Lansing but I don't see the Spartans living up to expectations.

3. I would like to see another long term Penn State-Alabama series. Unlike most rivals, Penn State and Alabama have a mutual respect for one another that is still present today. Bama fans are some of the best fans in college football. Tuscaloosa and State College are two of the nation's best college towns and the fans travel in droves. Right now, PSU and Bama are slated to play again in 2013 and 2014.

4. Ohio State-Michigan. Always something on the line and usually a well played a game.

5. Best: Golden Hat, Paul Bunyan's Axe, Black Diamond Trophy and the various drums and bells

Worst: The Land Grant Trophy. Too bad the only winning symbol from last season for Penn State was this ugly hunk of wood.
TNB | Email | Homepage | 07.28.05 - 7:18 pm | #

1. Who's Fresno State's rival?
Old School: Pacific
Regional: San Jose St & San Diego St
New School: Hawaii
2. How will the 'Dogs fare? Beat SJSU, heartbreak upset loss to Hawaii
3. New Rival? California. 200 miles apart and Tedford is a former Fresno State quarterback and assistant coach.
4. Best rivalry? USC-Notre Dame
5. Best and Worst? Best Paul Bunyon Axe and the worst the Little Bron Jug

more detail on my homepage: http://mdgcollegefootball.blogspot.com
MDG | Email | Homepage | 07.28.05 - 7:34 pm | #

Army-Navy can defend itself. Read the ten pages of capsules from Army's pdf file.
PMan | Email | Homepage | 07.28.05 - 9:35 pm | #

Fresno's rivals are Power Conference schools that the Bulldogs beat down.
Joey | Email | Homepage | 07.28.05 - 11:43 pm | #

That's right. Bama fans are some of the best fans in college football...at making death threats on Fulmer's cell phone.
volpundit | Email | Homepage | 07.29.05 - 8:41 am | #

My answers are up.
Peacedog | Email | Homepage | 07.29.05 - 10:06 am | #

I was just going to heckle you about no permalink. Damn.
Brian | Email | Homepage | 07.29.05 - 10:12 am | #

You're right, VolPundit. Bama fans are really good at death threats. It's an art form for them.
Orson Swindle | Email | Homepage | 07.29.05 - 10:27 am | #

1. Despite some people's opinion, USC and Michigan are our only rivals. (that means NOT Purdue and NOT BC)

2. @Michigan will be tough but it'll be closer than our last visit. That is to say we will find the endzone and not have to watch UM's wideouts dance all over the faces of our secodary. USC will be closer than the three previous 31 point drubbings also. We may win one of these games but I'm not holding my breath.

3. My favorite ND game ever is the snowbowl vs. Penn State. Plus, they need a real rival since all the ones in the Big Ten are manufactured.

4. Since we can't use ND/USC, I'll go with OU/Texas

5. Not sure what the best is but the worst is the Old Oaken Bucket up for grabs when Indiana and Purdue go at it. Talk about two pitiful programs playing for a terrible trophy. Here's a new tradition for the rivalry. How about the winning team craps in the bucket and sends it back to the loser!
Kevin | Email | Homepage | 07.29.05 - 12:33 pm | #

I'd be careful calling a team that beat you 41-16 last year "pitiful."
Brian | Email | Homepage | 07.29.05 - 1:06 pm | #

1. USC is our rival. Michigan would be another one, but we simply have not played them enough.

2. ND-USC will be a close game this year. While USC certainly wins on talent alone, ND has enough talent to beat any team on any given day. See Michigan and Tenn last year. If USC comes in undefeated, the home field advantage (which will be HUGE if ND is doing well to that point in the season), the lack of Norm Chow, and the week off for Weis and Minter to do extra gameplanning gives ND the edge.

3. I'd say ND v. Texas. We don't play any games in the South West or in the Big XII on a regular basis, while we've got all the other major conferences covered.

4. TX/OU.

5. Best: Paul Bunyan's Axw. Worst: Ireland Trophy to the winner of the non-rivalry ND-BC game which isn't even being played for the next 2 years.
CMC Irish | Email | Homepage | 07.29.05 - 1:06 pm | #

Yo. I finally have one of my blog poll roundtables up in a quasi-timely fashion.

http://paulwesterdawg.blogspot.c...-gone- wild.html
paulwesterdawg | Email | Homepage | 07.29.05 - 1:24 pm | #

Did some Notre Dame hack call Purdue "pitiful"? Wow...that's almost as rich as a Notre Dame hack calling out Michigan for shitting their pants.
Bruce | Email | Homepage | 07.29.05 - 1:35 pm | #

You're not the sharpest wedge in the cheese, are you, Bruce? Tell me, when was the last time Michigan won in South Bend?

Why is it that mighty Michigan loses to pitiful, washed up ND 50% of the time? Because they shit their pants in out-of-conference away games.

Just because Wisconsin is Michigan's prison bitch doesn't mean you have to go to bat for them.
Shane MacGowan's Teeth | Email | Homepage | 07.29.05 - 2:23 pm | #

Brian,
No one would deny that Notre Dame was pitiful last year. It's hardly a feather in Purdue's cap that they soundly thrashed us. (The fact that the score is engraved on their bowl rings is mildly pathetic.)

Traditionally, Purdue has been a pretty weak program, although they've certainly improved with Tiller. Even so, Purdue was not that good last year. I mean, they lost to Wisconsin, for Christ's sake.
Shane MacGowan's Teeth | Email | Homepage | 07.29.05 - 2:28 pm | #

Wow. The Teeth sure are bitter.

Last ten years (you know, since the last time Nutter Dumb won a bowl game):

Wisconsin 79-44-2 (5-3 in bowls)
Nutter Dumb 73-47 (0-6 in bowls)

I'm not about to argue that Wisconsin is better year in and year out, but the last decade, they sure as hell haven't been worse.

Sounds like someone just can't accept that the mighty Golden Dome hovers over a somewhat above-average football program. The Irish have had non-winning seasons three times in four years and four times in six years, streaks that have never happened before in the history of the program.

But, yeah, Purdue has traditionally been weak. They've been right on a plane with Notre Dame the last five years.

(Let's look at the last five. Is 8-4, 6-6, 7-6, 9-4, and 7-5 (Purdue's last five seasons) better than 9-3, 5-6, 10-3, 5-7, and 6-6 (Notre Dame)? It's certainly not worse, but I wouldn't say it's considerable better.)
Bruce Ciskie | Email | Homepage | 07.29.05 - 4:35 pm | #

-->(The fact that the score is engraved on their bowl rings is mildly pathetic.)

Holy crap. I hadn't heard this before. I'd say this is more than "mildly pathetic".
Bruce Ciskie | Email | Homepage | 07.29.05 - 4:37 pm | #

Bruce, Notre Dame had a 5 year streak before where they did not have a winning season ('59,'60,'61,'62,'63). And that includes two seasons with only 2 wins, which is far worse than the low of 5 wins that ND hit recently. That was the worst stretch in ND history. ND football has a rather cyclical history if people take the time to look. Great, average, great, average, etc... All the signs thusfar are pointing towards another upswing.
Pat | Email | Homepage | 07.29.05 - 5:59 pm | #

For the record, I was refering to the overall success of a program that rivalries are traditionally built on. Maybe that doesn't register to Purdue and BC fans who think a good 5 year run against a team after 20-30 or sometimes 40 years of one sided domination equals a rivalry!!
Kevin | Email | Homepage | 07.29.05 - 6:31 pm | #

Hey, BGS people, I thought of a better answer to my #3 than what I posted earlier. Here goes:

I think Texas Tech should schedule the Air Force Academy on a regular basis because it would be the biggest contrast of styles and coaching personalities ever in college football

Texas Tech runs a wide-open passing spread offense. Air Force is one of the last holdouts of the ground-based option attack.

Not only that, you have Mike Leach, who always looks like he just stepped out of a frat-house kegger (and has the personality to match) vs. the straight-laced, God-fearing Fisher DeBerry.

Plus, there's a lot of Air Force bases in West Texas, and their personnel would love to make the drive to the game in the years it's in Lubbock.

True, it may not be a marquee matchup, but the contrast in styles would make it a great game every year.
R.D. Baker | Email | Homepage | 07.31.05 - 10:15 am | #

Better late than never, I was on vacation last week:

http://catholicpackerfan.blogspo...-iv-at- bgs.html
John B. | Email | Homepage | 08.01.05 - 12:13 pm | #