Greatest Rivalry in College Football

[cotton]

I just looked at that poll (I assume you are talking about the bracket thing.) They also have Amherst/Williams in the top 16. I don't think that is a definitive source.

 

[volfan206]

I can't see how this would be the greatest rivalry in college football, when Alabama doesn't consider UT their biggest rival.

The bama auburn game is bigger because at the end of the year and, there is more on the line.

 

[CovVol]

mich-ohio state would not be abc primetime if both teams were 0-10

Just a touch of sarcasm on my part Bill... wasnt serious.

 

[StunnA N' Orange]

When was the last time the game was played with national implications? Conference implications? When both teams were ranked? When both teams were bowl eligible?

Army and Navy are Independents.

 

[tvolsfan]

The bama auburn game is bigger because at the end of the year and, there is more on the line.

What is your point?

 

[TennNC]

Then I'll respectfully disagree with the poll. How many servicemen do you think voted in it?

It is difficult for me to assign a lot of importance to a game that carries no importance to anyone who is not affiliated with either team. They play for braggin rights over each other, and nothing else.

I think our service academies are fine institutions and respect the men and women who dedicate their careers to the service of our country. But to put this game on par with Texas/Oklahoma, or USC/ND, or Miami/FSU, or Michigan/OSU, or about 10 SEC clashes, is to claim that the football played at these schools is something that it just is not. When was the last time the game was played with national implications? Conference implications? When both teams were ranked? When both teams were bowl eligible?

I respectfully disagree with your focus group of 1.

Again, nobody's debating the level of football in this game. We're not comparing the quality of football to UTexas-OU or TOSU-UM or UT-Bama or ECU-MTSU. We're debating the level of the rivalry. Name another rivalry where the teams could lose every other game, win this one, and be happy.

You might not care about the game, and that's fine. But there's a very strong argument that the rivalry between the two institutions, manifested in the game aired on national television every single year and broadcast all over the world, is the greatest.

 

[hatvol96]

Name another rivalry where the teams could lose every other game, win this one, and be happy.

That's simply a function of how wretched and irrelevant the programs are. They have to get their jollies beating each other because they can't beat anyone else.

 

[StunnA N' Orange]

That's simply a function of how wretched and irrelevant the programs are. They have to get their jollies beating each other because they can't beat anyone else.

If Navy couldn't beat anyone else, they wouldn't have been bowl eligible for the last four years.

 

[tvolsfan]

Their wins are far from impressive.

 

[hatvol96]

If Navy couldn't beat anyone else, they wouldn't have been bowl eligible for the last four years. Winning over an average eight and a half games each season.

Name all of their big victories. They beat the Dukes and Armys of the world and people mindlessly slobber over them. Nothing program. Overrated coach. Period. The fact they haven't beaten Notre Dame since the Kennedy Administration tells you all you need to know about that Mickey Mouse outfit.

 

[GAVol]

I disagree on all counts.

 

[hatvol96]

I disagree on all counts.

Name someone worth a damn they've beaten in the last decade.

 

[StunnA N' Orange]

I disagree on all counts.

As do the majority in this thread.

 

[hatvol96]

As do the majority in this thread.

Yet none of you can bring forth any evidence to support the proposition that Navy is remotely worthwhile as a football program.

 

[tvolsfan]

They don't attempt to. They just use tradition...

 

[StunnA N' Orange]

Yet none of you can bring forth any evidence to support the proposition that Navy is remotely worthwhile as a football program.

Winning almost 9 games a year under Paul Johnson says enough. They're a service academy. What the hell do you expect?

 

[tvolsfan]

Beating the only team with an actual program worth something they play every year at least once every 40 years...

 

[hatvol96]

Winning almost 9 games a year under Paul Johnson says enough. They're a service academy. What the hell do you expect?

Beat someone worth a damn? Don't beat the UCONNs and James Madisons of the world and act like you've accomplished something? When Air Force was beating Notre Dame and BYU with regularity in the 1980s, that was impressive. Loading up on the Dukes of the world? Not really.

 

[StunnA N' Orange]

Beating the only team with an actual program worth something they play every year at least once every 40 years...

That will likely change this season. Besides, I haven't seen anyone claim them to be a powerhouse by any means. But acting as if their football program doesn't even exist is fatuous.

 

[hatvol96]

Beating the only team with an actual program worth something they play every year at least once every 40 years...

That would be a start.

 

[GAVol]

Name someone worth a damn they've beaten in the last decade.

Saddam Hussein

 

[tvolsfan]

Saddam Hussein

Listen, I love everything the armed forces have done for our country, but the Army-Navy game just doesn't have quality football.

 

[GAVol]

Listen, I love everything the armed forces have done for our country, but the Army-Navy game just doesn't have quality football.

I was kidding . . . but the point is that rivalry is in the eye of the beholder.

 

[tvolsfan]

I was kidding

Then I guess :birgits_giggle: was more appropriate.

 

[hatvol96]

I was kidding . . . but the point is that rivalry is in the eye of the beholder.

Not really. Every veteran I've ever talked to about the game readily admits it's bad football.