College football’s greatest rivalries are vanishing. SEC expansion and realignment have killed off iconic matchups, leaving fans without the games that defined the sport for generations. Here’s why eight of these series must return—and what their loss means for the soul of the game.
When the SEC brought back Texas vs. Texas A&M, it felt like a rare victory for tradition. But for every rivalry resurrected, conference realignment has torn apart five more. The SEC’s elimination of divisions further fractured annual matchups, leaving gaps where iconic clashes once stood. Far from just nostalgia, these games once defined seasons, shaped legacies, and gave fans the kind of emotional investment that modern college football is losing.
On the latest episode of SEC Football Unfiltered, hosts Blake Toppmeyer and John Adams laid out eight rivalries that need to be saved or restored—not just for nostalgia’s sake, but because they represent the cultural and historical fabric of the sport. If college football wants to preserve its identity amid expanding leagues and shifting loyalties, these games aren’t just nice-to-haves. They’re essential.
The Eight Rivalries That Define College Football’s Soul
Nebraska vs. Oklahoma: The Game of the Century in 1971—1 vs. 2 under the lights—remains one of the most celebrated matches in history. Though both programs have fallen from their peaks, no rivalry better embodies college football’s golden age. This isn’t about rankings; it’s about lineage. As Adams said, “Anyone who respects college football’s tradition knows this game has a place on the annual calendar.” Playing it should be non-negotiable.
Nebraska vs. Colorado: After the Big 12’s formation in the ’90s, Thanksgiving became synonymous with Nebraska-Colorado. For fans who grew up in that era, this wasn’t just a game—it was a holiday ritual, complete with leftovers and emotional rollercoasters. Restoring it would honor a generation of fans who built their autumn traditions around this very matchup. And yes, it was definitely better than whichever Big Ten crossover we’re getting this year.
USC vs. Notre Dame: The “Bush Push” lives in infamy. The Trophy. The blazing blazers. This rivalry isn’t just historic—it’s cinematic. Yet thanks to scheduling whims, these titans won’t meet for at least the next few years. In 2026, Notre Dame plays SMU and USC faces Rutgers. Rutgers. That’s not just a shame—it’s a farce. “A rivalry that produced one of the most controversial plays in history should never be allowed to gather dust,” Adams rightly called out. “This is a failure of priorities.”
Michigan vs. Notre Dame: There was a time when the Irish faced USC, Michigan, Penn State, and Miami—all in the same season. Now? By 2027, they’re scheduled to play none of them. The Maize and Blue vs. the Golden Domes was peak autumn television. It wasn’t just about wins or losses—it was about two programs with outsized histories clashing in a way that demanded the nation’s attention. Bringing it back isn’t just smart; it’s a responsibility.
Alabama vs. LSU: This game decided the SEC West. It decided national titles. It birthed legendary spectacles. In fact, in some years, it decided the entire College Football Playoff landscape before the committee even met. Intense, physical, and dripping with mutual disdain, it’s one of the few games where every snap feels like a national championship audition. “No love lost”—that’s what fuels the fire. And fans everywhere are the ones left burning if this fades away.
Florida vs. Tennessee: At its peak in the ’90s and early 2000s, this matchup was appointment viewing. Steve Spurrier, a volatile genius who grew up in East Tennessee, made this more than a game—he made it commentary. Gators chanting “We own East Tennessee!” after wins. Vols leaning on Rocky Top as gospel. The rivalry has cooled, but that doesn’t mean it can’t reignite. After all, great stories have chapters, not endings.
Oklahoma vs. Oklahoma State — The Bedlam Series: The name alone is perfect. In-state. Intense. At times,іні surreal. Oklahoma leads the series, but Oklahoma State’s come breakthrough wins—including in 2023—prove that when it’s on, it’s extraordinary. This isn’t just about bragging rights; it’s about two programs battling for state supremacy and respect. It’s proof that geography still matters, even in an era of coast-to-coast expansion.
Kansas vs. Missouri — The Border War: The name says it all: “War.” That derives from real, historical violence between pro- and anti-slavery factions long before football existed. The series predates the sport itself. When Missouri left the Big 12, it stopped. They played again in 2023, but after 2026, another hiatus looms. “If the name is ‘War,’” says Toppmeyer, “it’s not optional.”
These rivalries aren’t just games. They’re living history lessons, family traditions, and the ultimate storytelling vehicles for a sport that’s losing its unique identity. Each one offers a way to pass down passion from one generation to the next. And each one fades at the cost of college football’s emotional soul.
Conference commissioners and athletic directors often talk about “growth” and “expansion.” But growth without tradition is a house without a foundation. If college football wants to retain its cultural weight—and its relevance amid the professionalization of the roster model—it must protect the stories that made it matter in the first place.
And yes, that means making sure Nebraska-Oklahoma, Kansas-Missouri, and USC-Notre Dame aren’t just footnotes in history books. They must be front-page headlines—every single year.
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