By: Ben Rosenzweig

It is arguably the best time of year for sports. The NFL playoffs are in full swing, the NBA and NHL seasons are underway, and the college football season has narrowed to its final two teams: Miami and Indiana. This year’s College Football Playoff delivered its fair share of upsets, dramatic storylines, and unforgettable moments, naturally reigniting a timeless debate: what is the greatest rivalry in college football?

To find out, we asked Syosset students to weigh in on their favorite college football rivalries. Students were given six iconic matchups to choose from: Ole Miss vs. Mississippi State (the Egg Bowl), Army vs. Navy, Michigan vs. Ohio State (“The Game”), Texas vs. Oklahoma (the Red River Rivalry), Alabama vs. Auburn (the Iron Bowl), and Notre Dame vs. USC. The results were decisive and a bit surprising.

Michigan vs. Ohio State dominated the poll, earning over 50% of the votes and emerging as Syosset’s clear favorite rivalry. Coming in second was Alabama vs. Auburn with 20% of the vote. Third place was split evenly between Texas vs. Oklahoma and Army vs. Navy, each receiving 13.3%. Notably, Ole Miss vs. Mississippi State and Notre Dame vs. USC received no votes.

Students were then asked which team they supported within the rivalry they selected. Since “The Game” garnered the most responses, it also saw the most balanced split, though Michigan held a slight edge with just over 60% of the support. The remaining rivalries showed far less division, with Texas, Alabama, and Army each receiving unanimous support in their respective matchups.

College football rivalries are what make the sport so compelling. They carry decades, sometimes centuries, of history, pride, heartbreak, and triumph, all coming to a head in a single game each season. As Syosset students look ahead to their own college futures, these rivalries reflect the traditions and passion that define college football at its best.