College rivalry

Pairs of schools, colleges and universities, especially when they are close to each other either geographically or in their areas of specialization, often establish a college rivalry with each other over the years. This rivalry can extend to both academics and athletics, the latter being typically more well-known to the general public. These schools place an added emphasis on emerging victorious in any event that includes their rival. This may include the creation of a special trophy or other commemoration of the event. While many of these rivalries have arisen spontaneously, some have been created by college officials in efforts to sell more tickets and support their programs.

Canada

University of Western Ontario and University of Waterloo
Dalhousie University and St.Mary's University
McGill University and Queen's University
Simon Fraser University and the University of British Columbia (Football, Shrum Bowl, Basketball, Buchanan Cup)
University of Toronto and York University
University of New Brunswick and Saint Thomas University
Trinity College, Toronto and University College, Victoria College, St. Michael's College, Innis College, Woodsworth College, and New College This is largely played out by warranted contempt by Trinity students, and a lengthy period of vicious taunting, often involving the parentage of other students, at the SAC parade.
Carleton University and University of Ottawa
University College of the Fraser Valley and Trinity Western University

China

Peking University and Tsinghua University

France

Lycée Louis-le-Grand and Lycée Henri IV in Paris

Ireland

An Historic rivalry between University of Dublin, Trinity College and University College Dublin.

Philippines

Ateneo de Manila University and De La Salle University-Manila— The Ateneo-La Salle rivalry (UAAP Basketball, previously NCAA Basketball)
Ateneo de Manila University and San Beda College—NCAA Basketball
Ateneo de Manila University and University of the Philippines, Diliman—The Battle of Katipunan (UAAP Basketball), The "Old" Battle of Intramuros (NCAA Basketball)
Colegio de San Juan de Letran and De La Salle College—NCAA Basketball
Colegio de San Juan de Letran and Mapua Institute of Technology—The "New" Battle of Intramuros (NCAA Basketball), NCAA Cheerdance)
Colegio de San Juan de Letran and San Sebastian College—The Letran-Baste rivalry (NCAA Basketball)
College of St. Benilde and San Beda College—NCAA Soccer
Far Eastern University and University of the East—The Battle of the East (UAAP Basketball)
Mapua Institute of Technology and San Beda College— 3-decades of juniors Red Robins-Red Cubs basketball rivalry (NCAA Jrs. Basketball)
University of the Philippines, Diliman and University of Santo Tomas—UAAP Cheerdance

United Kingdom

Cambridge and Oxford, dating back to the 13th century; see Oxbridge rivalry, the Boat Race, and The Varsity Match
- Colleges within each University are also known to nurture keen rivalries, such as that between Exeter College, Oxford and Jesus College, Oxford, both being directly opposite each other on Turl Street, or that between Brasenose College, Oxford and Lincoln College, Oxford, the only "semi-detached" colleges in Oxbridge. In Cambridge, rivalries exist between Trinity College, Cambridge and St Johns College, Cambridge, being the richest colleges of the university (Trinity the richer, with an endowment of about £700 million, more than 3 times that of St Johns).
Eton College and Harrow School, an annual cricket match held at Lord's Cricket Ground
York and Lancaster, the Roses Tournament
Cardiff University and Swansea University, the Welsh Varsity
King's College London and University College London

United States

School rivalries are important in the United States, especially in intercollegiate sports. See Also List of trophies awarded in U.S. college football.

Big Ten Rivalries

Universities in the Big Ten Conference in the Midwest have nearly as many rivalries as schools in the Southeast. In football, these rivalries are usually marked by traveling trophies, which are indicated in the list below:

University of Illinois and Northwestern University—Sweet Sioux Tomahawk
University of Illinois and The Ohio State University—The Illibuck (a statue of a turtle)
University of Illinois and Purdue University—The Purdue Cannon
Indiana University and Purdue University—The Old Oaken Bucket
Indiana University and Michigan State University—The Old Brass Spittoon
University of Iowa and University of Minnesota—Floyd of Rosedale (a bronze statue of a pig)
University of Iowa and University of Wisconsin—Heartland Trophy (a bronze statue of a bull)
University of Michigan and Michigan State University—Paul Bunyan Trophy
University of Michigan and The Ohio State University —ESPN called the Michigan-Ohio State rivalry the greatest sports rivalry of all time.^*
University of Michigan and University of Minnesota—The Little Brown Jug
Michigan State University and Pennsylvania State University—The Land Grant Trophy
University of Minnesota and Pennsylvania State University—Governor's Victory Bell
University of Minnesota and University of Wisconsin—Paul Bunyan's Axe

Big 12 Rivalries

University of Kansas and University of Missouri—The Border Showdown (formerly "Border War") includes all athletic events between the two schools. The rivalry ostensibly traces its roots to the 1850s, when skirmishes – widely known as "border wars" – between the two states marked the beginning of the Civil War.
University of Oklahoma and Oklahoma State University—The Bedlam Series encompasses all athletic contests between the two schools.
University of Texas and Texas A&M University—College football's Lonestar Showdown.
University of Texas and University of Oklahoma—College football's Red River Shootout.
University of Nebraska and University of Oklahoma— In the old Big Eight conference, the game between the Huskers and Sooners usually decided the conference championship. The Big 12's two-year scheduling intervals have lessened the rivalry between the two schools, but it is still one of the most storied rivalries in the history of college football, highlighted by the 1971 "Game of the Century" between #1 Nebraska and #2 Oklahoma.^*
Kansas State University and University of Kansas—The Sunflower Showdown includes all athletic events between the two schools. The Governor's Cup is awarded to the victor of the football game. Beginning in 1993-1994 the rivalry lost some of its luster as Kansas State won 11 straight games in football and Kansas won 31 straight games in men's basketball. However, in October 2004, KU beat KSU 31-28 in football and in January 2006, KSU beat KU 59-55 in men's basketball. These games have brought renewed energy and attention to the in-state rivalry.
Baylor University and Texas A&M University—College football's Battle on the Brazos.
University of Colorado and University of Nebraska—This rivaly has grown in standing since the formation of the Big 12. The rivalry was created when then-Colorado head coach Bill McCartney decided Nebraska was Colorado's rival. It has only been in recent years that Nebraska has acknolwledged Colorado is a rival.

Northeast/Ivy League and Service Academy Rivalries

Cornell University and Harvard University, primarily an ice hockey rivalry
Harvard University and Yale University have the oldest U.S. rivalry, going back to the early 18th century; the season-ending football contest is simply called The Game
Princeton University and Rutgers University, the second-oldest intercollegiate sports rivalry, after Harvard-Yale.
University of Pennsylvania and Princeton University— (basketball, football). Though this contest is usually one-sided, it seems to be growing from year to year.
United States Merchant Marine Academy and United States Coast Guard Academy— (football) in the Secretary's Cup.
United States Military Academy and United States Naval Academy— (football) in the Army-Navy Game (itself part of the Commander in Chief's Trophy competition with the United States Air Force Academy)
MIT and Caltech, in strictly nonathletic fields (pranks, academics).

Notre Dame Rivalries

The University of Notre Dame has numerous football rivals, the most notable of which include:

University of Southern California for the Jeweled Shillelagh -- a game between the two teams with the most Heisman Trophies as well as national championships.
University of Michigan -- a game between the two winningest college football programs of all time. This rivalry started when Michigan came to South Bend en route to Chicago and showed Notre Dame students how to play football. Michigan won the impromptu contest 8-0. This incident is considered the first football game for Notre Dame.

Southeastern Rivalries

Universities in the Southeastern U.S., including those in the Atlantic Coast Conference and in the Southeastern Conference, have perhaps the most complex jumble of rivalries, almost all associated with annual football games, and often with colorful nicknames:

University of Alabama and Auburn University—the "Iron Bowl", formerly played in Birmingham, Alabama, but now played alternately in Tuscaloosa and Auburn
University of Alabama and University of Tennessee--the Third Week of October game
Alabama State University and Alabama A&M University -- "The Magic City Classic", played annually in Birmingham. ASU also has a long running rivalry with nearby Tuskegee University, "The Turkey Bowl" played each Thanksgiving Day.
University of Arkansas and Louisiana State University--the "Golden Boot" game
Auburn University and University of Georgia--"The Deep South's Oldest Rivalry"
Belmont University and Lipscomb University-- two colleges in Nashville, Tennessee separated by 3 miles (5 km) of the same road; their basketball rivalry is known as the Battle of the Boulevard
The Citadel and Virginia Military Institute— (football) in the battle for the Silver Shako.

Clemson University and University of South Carolina
Duke University and University of North Carolina, the two schools are only 8 miles apart; the football teams play for the Victory Bell, which the winning team paints in their school's shade of blue. The basketball rivalry garners national attention. (see Duke-UNC rivalry)
Duke University and University of Maryland, College Park, a rivalry mostly played out between the schools' men's basketball programs, although the schools met for the 2006 Division I Women's title.
Florida State University and University of Florida
Florida State University and University of Miami
Grambling State University and Southern University -- The Bayou Classic is the most famous HBCU rivalry
North Carolina State University and University of North Carolina
University of Florida and University of Georgia--"The World's Largest Outdoor Cocktail Party" in Jacksonville, Florida
University of Florida and University of Miami--Formerly played for The Seminole War Canoe Trophy
University of Florida and University of Tennessee--the Third Week of September game
University of Georgia and Georgia Institute of Technology (Georgia Tech)-- Described as "Clean, Old-Fashioned Hate" by author Bill Cromartie.
University of Kentucky and University of Louisville--the "Governor's Cup (Battle for the Bluegrass)" game in football, but even more significant as a basketball rivalry known as the Battle for the Bluegrass ^*
University of Kentucky and Indiana University, locally significant in football and nationally important in basketball
University of Kentucky and University of Tennessee-- Largely a non competitive border war, UT dominates in football and UK in basketball. In addition to the important ball games, blood banks in the home cities of each university (Lexington, Kentucky and Knoxville, Tennessee) compete to see who can raise the most units of blood. This is known informally as the Blue-Orange Crush.
Louisiana State University (LSU) and University of Mississippi ("Ole Miss")
Louisiana State University (LSU) and Tulane University--the "Battle for the Rag"
Louisiana State University (LSU) and '''University of Tennessee
University of Maryland, College Park and University of North Carolina
University of Mississippi ("Ole Miss") and Mississippi State University--the "Egg Bowl"
University of North Carolina and University of Virginia--"The South's Oldest Rivalry"
University of Tennessee and University of Connecticut (UConn)—a nationally important rivalry in women's basketball (see UConn-Tennessee rivalry)
University of Tennessee and Vanderbilt University
University of Virginia and Virginia Tech-- they play for the Commonwealth Cup
University of Virginia and University of Maryland, College Park
Virginia Polytechnic Institute & State University (Virginia Tech) and West Virginia University—College football game played annually for the Black Diamond Trophy. Due to Virgina Tech's move to the ACC, this rivalry may lie dormant for the time being.

Western Rivalries

Arizona State University and University of Arizona— (football) for the Territorial Cup in the Duel in the Desert or to a lesser extent The Big Game. This is the rivalry with the oldest prize given as a reward to the victor of the game.
Boise State University and University of Idaho— (all sports)
University of California, Davis and California State University, Sacramento in the Causeway Classic (football) for the Causeway Carriage
University of California, Berkeley and Stanford University— in the Big Game (football) for The Stanford Axe
University of Colorado and Colorado State University—College football's Rocky Mountain Showdown
University of Denver and Colorado College— (Ice Hockey) for the Gold Pan
University of Nevada, Las Vegas and University of Nevada, Reno—in the Battle for Nevada (football) for the Fremont Cannon
University of Oregon and Oregon State University— (football) in the Civil War
University of Oregon and University of Washington— (football)
University of Southern California (USC) and University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) (football) The Crosstown Showdown for the Victory Bell
University of Utah and Brigham Young University— (all sports: see Utah-BYU rivalry). The "Holy War" (football) for the Beehive Boot.
University of Washington and Washington State University— (football) for the Apple Cup
University of Wyoming and Colorado State University— (football) the Border War for the Bronze Boot

Northeastern Rivalries

See also Big East Conference#Rivalries
Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute ("RPI") and Union College — (football) for the Dutchman's Shoes — the oldest college football rivalry in New York state
St. Lawrence University and Clarkson University (ice hockey)
University at Albany (SUNY Albany) and Siena College (basketball)
Bloomsburg University and East Stroudsburg University—Division 2 football
Lehigh University and Lafayette College most played rivalry in college football: as of 2005, 141 matchups
Amherst College and Williams College known as "The Little Big Game"
Colby College, Bates College and Bowdoin College one of New England's oldest rivalries, dating to 1889.
SUNY Cortland and Ithaca College (football) for the Cortaca Jug
University of New Hampshire and University of Maine two of the leading NCAA ice hockey powerhouses
Boston University and Boston College (primarily ice hockey but other sports and competitions now included) At one time known as the Green Line Rivalry, also known as the Battle of the Commonwealth and Battle of Commonwealth Avenue
Syracuse University and Georgetown University traditional basketball rivals, dating to pre-Big East
The Beanpot— a college ice hockey tournament involving four Boston-area schools:
- Boston College
- Boston University
- Harvard University
- Northeastern University
Philadelphia Big 5—annual basketball series involving Philadelphia area teams:
- La Salle University
- University of Pennsylvania
- Saint Joseph's University
- Temple University
- Villanova University
'''Buffalo Big 4 Basketball
- University at Buffalo
- Canisius College
- Niagara University
- St. Bonaventure University

Midwest Rivalries

See also Big East Conference#Rivalries
Michigan
- Western Michigan University and Central Michigan University
- Eastern Michigan University, Central Michigan University, and Western Michigan University — Intrastate rivaly. Winner of head-to-head round-robin receives the Michigan MAC Trophy for football and men's basketball
- Calvin College and Hope College — Notable Division III basketball rivalry
- Hope College and Kalamazoo College — The Wooden Shoe Rivalry
Ohio
- Miami University and University of Cincinnati — Football rivalry; oldest west of the Allegheny Mountains, since 1888
- Miami University and Ohio University — "Battle of the Bricks" all-sports rivalry
- University of Toledo and Bowling Green State University — Known as the "Battle of I-75"; winner gets the Peace Pipe
- Kent State University and University of Akron — Battle for the Wagon Wheel
- University of Cincinnati and Xavier University — Vicious basketball rivalry known as the Crosstown Shootout
- Wright State University and University of Dayton
- Wright State University and Butler University
- Cleveland State University and Case Western Reserve University
- Central State University and Wilberforce University
Pennsylvania
- University of Pittsburgh and Pennsylvania State University — Traditional football rivals, but the teams have not played each other in a few years and are not currently scheduled to play each other in the future
- University of Pittsburgh and West Virginia University — College football's Backyard Brawl
- Indiana University of Pennsylvania and Slippery Rock University
Rice University and University of Houston — Compete for the Bayou Bucket in both football and basketball
Iowa State University Cyclones and University of Iowa Hawkeyes — This bitter intrastate rivalry is played out in nearly every sport. In football the two teams compete annually for the Cy-Hawk Trophy.
University of Illinois and University of Missouri — College basketball's "Braggin' Rights" game
Texas Christian University and Southern Methodist University — College football's Battle for the Iron Skillet
University of Connecticut and ''' Villanova

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