3 college football rivalries that must return permanently
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The college football season is only two weeks away from kicking off. Soon, the bands will strike up, the stands will fill up, and a new quest for the College Football Playoff will begin.
One of the greatest aspects of the college football season is the multitude of rivalries. The NFL may have some notable rivalries, but many college football rivalries have deeper roots. They also create some of the most memorable moments in sports.
When a long-standing rivalry disappears, it feels like a little piece of the game has died. That said, rivalries can always return. Several discontinued series have already seen small revivals, proving that the history between two programs can still matter.
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Here are three college football rivalries that should be brought back permanently.
Nebraska-Oklahoma
Few rivalries have carried as much national significance as Nebraska-Oklahoma. The two programs played annually for decades, including 71 consecutive seasons from 1927 through 1997. Many of those games had conference and national championship implications, including the legendary 1971 “Game of the Century.” Oklahoma currently leads the all-time series 47–38–3.
Conference realignment eventually separated the programs, but they have made efforts to revive the rivalry. They met again in 2021 and 2022 and are scheduled for another home-and-home series in 2029 and 2030.
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The problem is that waiting years between games does not allow the rivalry to regain its former identity. Nebraska and Oklahoma should find a way to make this matchup a regular part of their schedules, regardless of conference affiliation.
Pitt-West Virginia
Pitt Vs West Virginia Backyard Brawl Credit: USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect (Reuters)
The Backyard Brawl is another rivalry that never should have disappeared. Pitt and West Virginia first met in 1895 and played 104 times before the series went on a decade-long hiatus following the 2011 season. Pitt currently leads the series 63–42–3.
Fortunately, the rivalry has already experienced a revival. The teams returned to the field in 2022, and the renewed series immediately delivered memorable games. Pitt won the first three meetings of the revival before West Virginia earned a victory in 2023. Pitt won again in 2025.
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The Backyard Brawl should become a permanent rivalry-weekend staple. Conference affiliations should not matter. These schools are separated by roughly 75 miles, and the history, passion and proximity make this exactly the type of rivalry college football should protect.
Notre Dame-Michigan
Notre Dame and Michigan have played some of the most recognizable games in college football history, but the rivalry has been missing since 2019. Michigan leads the all-time series 25–17–1, and the programs have already agreed to renew the rivalry with games in 2033 and 2034.
That is far too long to wait.
Notre Dame and Michigan are two of college football’s most recognizable brands, and their games routinely carry national significance. While both programs have plenty of other major opponents, there is no reason this series should disappear for more than a decade.
College football needs to preserve its history, and these rivalries are part of that history. Bringing them back permanently would give fans more of the games that make the sport special.
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