Rivalries are one of the many things that make sports great. We can sit here and talk about sportsmanship, athleticism, the unyielding human spirit to win, but what really gets your blood pumping is when you look at the schedule and see your rival's name staring at you. It's an instant shot of adrenaline. It makes you want to down a glass of bourbon and start lifting weights. I love the buildup, especially when ESPN shows clips ad nauseum of past games. Alright, let's list the best sports rivalries in the South by state.
ALABAMA: BAMA vs Auburn - Roll Damn Tide! War Damn Eagle! I remember talking to a guy who went to Cumberland School of Law in Birmingham. He said the first day on campus a classmate came up to him and asked him where he was from. He said, "North Carolina," and the classmate then yelled, "AUBURN OR ALABAMA PICK A SIDE!" This rivalry is arguably one of the best in the world. The Iron Bowl last year only added to the drama. With Auburn on the upswing and Sweater Vest Gus at the helm, and BAMA worshiping at the Church of Saban, this rivalry isn't going anywhere anytime soon. You're welcome PAWWWL! BTW Chi O Loves the Tide!
ARKANSAS: Arkansas vs LSU - This is a newly created rivalry, historically speaking, but don't think the Bayou Bengals take the Razorbacks lightly, especially after trying to steal their coach. Ask a Tigers fan about Houston Dale Nutt. Hell, ask an Arkansas fan about Houston Dale Nutt; they both hate him. Life starts and ends with the Razorbacks in the Natural State. But don't you dare mention John L. Smith to those people.
DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA: Redskins vs. Cowboys - I know it's not technically a state, but you can't mention rivalries in the South without mentioning the Redskins and Cowboys. Their mascots get in fights. RGIII and Tony Romo, you could fill up a year of sports talk radio debating whether or not these guys can win a Superbowl. It's probably never going to happen, but could you imagine the hype if these guys ever reach the NFC Championship game against each other?
GEORGIA: Atlanta Braves vs. Every Other NL Team - The Georgia Bulldogs have a huge fan base in The Peach State, but nothing comes close to paralleling the love for the Braves. When you've made the playoffs as much as the Braves have, you just look at the rest of the NL (except for the Cardinals) with the disdain that someone who wears Allen Edmonds does when you bring them a pair of Cole Haan's. This? This is what you want me to put on my feet?
FLORIDA: Florida vs. FSU - Sorry Miami, but this ain't 1990. It's Gators vs. Seminoles these days. Spurrier vs. Bowden was superb, with Free Shoes University chants echoing in The Swamp. The acquisition of Jameis "Deadliest Catch" Winston has only made it even bigger. Even with the down year the Gators had, 2014 should be interesting if the Fighting Muschamps can knock the FSU closer off his lofty perch. P.S. Red Lightning needs a job in the NFL!
KENTUCKY: Kentucky vs. Louisville - Welcome to a state where no one cares about football. I know Bobby P is back in the Bluegrass state, but honestly, ask a UK fan whether they'd rather meet Mark Stoops or Coach Cal. Just make sure if you ask a Louisville fan the same thing she's not a blonde volleyball player or enjoys Italian food in the wee hours of the morning. This rivalry is great, I hope it continues for a long time.
LOUISIANA: LSU vs. BAMA - This one was close. People in Louisiana adore their Saints, but if you asked most people whether they'd rather go to a Saints-Falcons game in the Dome or go to a Tigers-Tide game on Saturday night in Death Valley, you know which one they'll choose. LSU and BAMA have built up their rivalry as of late, with the Mad Hatter vs. The Nicktator growing every year these teams play. I can remember sitting at the top of Tiger Stadium in 2011 listening to people chant..."WE WANT BAMA" in the 2nd Quarter of the Auburn game. I just hope it doesn't come down to clock management.
MARYLAND: Ravens vs. Steelers - The Ravens and the Steelers hate each other! Can you imagine Steve Smith going across the middle and Troy "Head and Shoulders" Polamalu comes across and lays a huge hit on him? Joe Flacco vs. Big Ben! The Steel Curtain vs. The Edgar Allan Poes! Get out of the way when these two teams play.
MISSISSIPPI: Ole Miss vs. Mississippi State - The Rebels and Bulldogs are not friendly rivals. The Billboard wars, the late night phone calls to recruits, HOTTY TODDY vs. HAIL STATE, The Flagship vs. The People's University...these two schools have very different visions. This is culture class at its best. If you're a kid growing up in the Magnolia State, you have a preference. The Egg Bowl every year is always classic football. Don't think this rivalry is big? I know State grads that would sooner burn their law degree, than tell people they went to law school at Ole Miss. See ya in Oxford this year!
MISSOURI: Mizzou vs. Kansas - This has been a border war since the 1840's when abolitionists and anti-abolitionists started running guns into the state like it was a National Rifle Association convention. Since Mizzou moved to the SEC it may have died down, but ask a Mizzou fan what they like about Kansas and they'll tell you the best thing to happen to Kansas was Host of Double Dare, Mark Summers.
NORTH CAROLINA: UNC vs. Duke - This is a Baby Blue state. Sorry Dookies, but it is. You can camp out in your makeshift $1800 tents and pretend like you're roughing it, but you're not fooling anyone. 85% of UNC's students are NC residents, and I'm willing to bet 85% of Duke students live 30 miles from NYC. The schools are 8 miles apart. Imagine if BAMA and Auburn were 8 miles apart. I know people who call in sick to work the day of and the day after the UNC-Duke game.
OKLAHOMA: Sooners vs. Cowboys - They call it Bedlam, because in a game played long ago they ended up playing in a ditch. I could go with "I'm a man, I'm 40!" But nothing beats an old man with a huge mascot head firing a gun into a crowd on a crispy Saturday morning! Not So Fast My Friend! GET OFF MY PORCH!
SOUTH CAROLINA: USC vs. Clemson - Dabo vs. The Head Ball Coach. These rips have been great. South Carolina was abysmal at football until Spurrier came to town, now everyone in Columbia is rocking the visor. Clemson has done great under Dabo, except for when it comes to playing against the Gamecocks. People wonder how South Carolina got Spurrier to coach there. Well, they gave him a membership to Augusta National. I know people that would coach the Taliban for a membership at Augusta National. I guarantee you this guy just sits in his office playing Phil Collins's "I Don't Care Anymore."
TENNESSEE: Vols vs. BAMA - Forget the UT-Vandy game or UT-Kentucky. Tennessee's rival is BAMA. The Alabama-Tennessee rivalry has seen peaks and valleys for both teams. Tennessee thinks they have found a new king with Butch Jones, but he's got a big hole to dig out of (though he's digging pretty quickly). As of right now though, they are throwing bait in the water hoping they've found the next Phil Fulmer.
TEXAS: Texas vs. Texas A&M - We'll all miss Johnny Football, and with A&M now in the SEC the Longhorns-Aggies rivalry isn't what it used to be. Still I think both schools are a lot happier and even if they don't meet every year, the rivalry still burns deep. I'll miss this, but I won't miss having to play against him.
VIRGINIA: UVA vs. VT - I know UVA doesn't get a lot of credit as of late, but I'll take Charlottesville over Blacksburg any day of the week. Beamer is on the decline and we'll see how well VT picks up the pieces. Mike London may be on a short leash, but he's overcome adversity before and promising a recruit an education from UVA is right up there with Stanford as an effective recruiting tool. Still he's got to deliver this year, or the Cavaliers will be looking elsewhere for a new coach.
WEST VIRGINIA: WVU vs. Marshall - The Mountaineers vs. The Herd. The Herd has picked up some steam as of late and many are predicting they are going to a big bowl this year. Meanwhile, WVU hasn't found the new Pat White/Geno Smith yet, and they aren't playing in the Big East anymore. Maybe WVU needs to not answer the door when recruits knock looking like this.
With College Baseball season gearing up for Regionals tomorrow, we should get to enjoy another month of college sports before football comes back in August.
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