There’s no need to debate the merits of England versus Australia in the Ashes, or the ‘Canes vs. ‘Noles’ in college basketball. Whether the game is played at home or on the road, there are plenty of rivalries to choose from. Here’s a look at some of the most famous and exciting ones.
‘Canes vs ‘Noles
The ‘Canes and ‘Noles have long had a fierce rivalry. This matchup has produced more future NFL players than any other in college football. The first matchup took place in 1980, when Miami’s Howard Schnellenberger led the Hurricanes to a 3-1 record against Florida State. In that game, Miami won its first national championship, but Florida State came back to win 38-3.
The two teams are far removed from their days as top programs, though both teams have had their share of impressive victories. The Hurricanes, for instance, haven’t won a national championship since 1985. The ‘Noles, on the other hand, have won the ACC three times since then. While this rivalry is a bit older, its level of rivalry is still high. Despite its relative youth, Florida State’s fans cringe whenever they hear the phrase “Wide Right” and Miami Hurricanes fans still wince every time they hear the term.
While the Miami Hurricanes aren’t in the AP Top 25, this game is crucial for both teams’ conference title hopes. The Hurricanes currently sit in third place in the ACC Coastal division, trailing Pitt and Virginia. In addition, they are a game behind No. 15 Florida State.
Duke vs North Carolina
When it comes to college basketball rivalries, Duke vs North Carolina is one of the best. These two teams have a rich history, including many championships and many ACC Tournaments. In fact, the rivalry has been so important to each team that teachers would wheel televisions into the classroom to provide background noise.
The rivalry between the two schools dates back to 1920. In the first game, the University of North Carolina defeated Duke 38-25. Despite the long-standing rivalry, both teams have struggled over the years. This has sparked strained feelings between the two schools.
The two teams came into this game with different expectations. The Blue Devils, which were ranked #1 in the AP polls, were playing on senior night, honoring two-time National Player of the Year JJ Redick and a two-time National Defensive Player in Shelden Williams. North Carolina, meanwhile, was missing a number of key players from its national championship team but still came into the game on a seven-game winning streak. Tyler Hansbrough, Danny Green, and David Noel led the Tar Heels. The game was broadcast live on ESPN as part of ESPN Full Circle coverage.
The Duke-UNC rivalry began in the 1920s and really exploded in 1961. The game’s first game was a controversial one – Art Heyman initially committed to the Tar Heels, but Duke’s head coach, Vic Bubas, had recruited him. After the game, Heyman reportedly received several slurs from North Carolina players. Ultimately, Heyman went on to become the first overall pick in the NBA draft and one of the greatest college basketball players in history.
Notre Dame vs USC
The rivalry between Notre Dame and USC dates back nearly a century. It has resulted in several glorious wins for one school over the other. For example, in 1966, Notre Dame beat USC 51-0. USC scored 55 unanswered points in 1974. USC went on to win the following five meetings.
The rivalry has become so great that it has transcended the era it’s held in its history. The first meeting between the Fighting Irish and the Trojans took place in Los Angeles’ Coliseum. In that game, Notre Dame clinched a 13-12 victory.
USC and Notre Dame have had their fair share of ups and downs in recent years, but their rivalry remains one of the greatest in college football. While USC is currently having a disappointing season, Notre Dame has a tradition of being a rivalry. The Fighting Irish are known for their tough defense and dominant ground game, while USC is known for its sexier skill position players.
The most recent Notre Dame vs USC matchup was a heated affair. In 2017, the Irish came back from a 24-6 deficit to win a thrilling game against the Trojans. After the halftime break, Notre Dame had logged 497 total yards and 377 rushing yards. The Irish had the highest scoring game against USC since the Green Jersey Game in 1977.
Arsenal vs Tottenham
Despite the fact that Arsenal have had a better run of recent years than Spurs, there have been moments in both teams’ matches in which they have come close to proving their worth. In 2017, for example, Tottenham topped the league table for the first time in 22 years, while Arsenal have gone 21 seasons without a league title.
Arsenal and Tottenham have had a long-standing rivalry. The two teams have been in the same league since 1950 and have regularly faced each other. The two teams have had many memorable matches together, including many cup finals. The rivalry is always a spectacle, and fans from both clubs gloat when their teams win.
The rivalry began in 1913, when Arsenal moved to the Highbury stadium in north London. After the club moved there, Tottenham were now within four miles of Arsenal’s home ground. In August of that year, the teams played their first game as north London rivals, and Arsenal won 5-1.
Despite their rivalry, both teams are in good form and have the potential to win the title. While the Gunners are the favorite to win, Spurs are not going to go down easily. I’d recommend backing the over 2.5 total goals and both teams to score.
Rangers vs Lions
The rivalry between the New York Rangers and the Detroit Lions was one of the most memorable in the history of the NHL. The two teams have been rivals since the days of the Original Six. While neither team has won the Stanley Cup, there is some historical significance to the rivalry. For example, the Rangers’ fans chanted “Potvin sucks” after the Islanders’ Denis Potvin retired.
This rivalry has been one of the best in sports for decades. It’s a game that features memorable dingers and walk-offs. The teams have also split the seasons, with the Rangers winning four of the last five. Despite the rivalry’s current status, the rivalry is likely to last for decades to come.
The Lions have the longest winning streak, with 11 straight games between the teams from 1949 to 1954. This rivalry has a history of dramatic upsets. The Lions once defeated the Rangers in Minnesota with a score of 37-13, but the Lions won the next game by a score of 58-34.
Another great rivalry is that between the Dallas Cowboys and the Green Bay Packers. The two teams have been rivals since 1933, and the league owners voted 10-1 to crown one of them the champion. The first meeting between the two teams occurred in 1930, when the Lions were the Portsmouth (OH) Spartans. Since then, they’ve played twice a year.
Pacquiao vs Marquez
Pacquiao vs Mariquez is arguably one of the greatest rivalries in boxing history. They were both renowned for their aggressive style, and both fought with a fearless attitude. Pacquiao, a southpaw, was a powerful offensive force with a deadly wide left hook. Marquez, meanwhile, was a fearless counterpuncher with a brutal body punch.
The first match between the two was a controversial draw. Marquez was knocked down three times in the first round by Pacquiao, who then recovered to draw the fight in the second round. Pacquiao’s desire to explode outweighed Marquez’s desire to contain. Nevertheless, the two boxers continued to compete in the ring.
Pacquiao dominated the early rounds, landing powerful rights and powerful jabs. But Marquez responded with his signature right hand counters and consistently dropped Pacquiao. As the fight moved into the middle rounds, Marquez began to edge the fight. In the ninth round, Marquez connected with a massive right on the button and then connected with a right cross.
The Pacquiao-Marquez matchup is sure to be a big moneymaker. The Philippines is one of the biggest boxing countries in the world, and Pacquiao is one of its biggest superstars. However, this fight may prove to be the last one in the series.
Texas vs Oklahoma
The rivalry between Texas and Oklahoma has a long history, stretching back to the 1950s. During this time, the Sooners were 52-2-1 overall and had beaten the Longhorns five out of six seasons. The game was a must-see event, as the Sooners were coming off a 34-28 upset of Alabama in Week 2. In the Cotton Bowl, there have been 74 sellouts, and 78 games have been played in this rivalry. The Sooners have won 39 times in the post-World War II era, while Texas has won 36 times.
The Red River Rivalry has been one of the greatest rivalries in college football history. The Longhorns won the Big 12 Championship Game for the first time in 2022, but they also won the Red River Showdown four years prior. While the Longhorns have won four out of five, they have not been able to topple the Sooners since then.
In the CFP, this matchup could decide which team makes the playoffs. A loss for Alabama against Georgia and an Oklahoma win over Ohio State could push the Sooners into the postseason. Texas, on the other hand, could end up in the Sugar Bowl, where they can play in the New Year’s Six for the first time since 2009.
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