College football kicked off in 1869, sparking intense team rivalries. These matchups mean a ton for bragging rights and attracting talented players.
Rivalries boil down to where teams are located, their traditions, and past successes, but they can shift due to new coaches or if a team starts dominating.
They’re a massive deal in college football, shaping the game’s atmosphere and how teams view each other. These rivalries are like the heart of the sport, bringing that extra excitement and passion to every game.
They’ve been around since the beginning and continue to define the spirit of college football today.
Yale – Princeton
The Yale-Princeton football rivalry is the oldest in college football, dating back to 1873. These Ivy League rivals have clashed 145 times, with Yale leading the series 80–55–10.
This win extended Yale’s current streak to two games in the series. The rivalry is known for its intensity and close games, with 10 of the last 12 matchups decided by a single touchdown or less.
Yale’s largest victory came in 1931 and was echoed in 2019 with a resounding 51-14 scoreline. The Bulldogs also hold the longest win streak of 14 consecutive victories from 1967 to 1980, underscoring their historical prowess in this enduring rivalry.
Yale – Harvard
The Harvard and Yale football rivalry began way back on November 13, 1875. Their latest clash on November 18, 2023, saw the Yale Bulldogs triumph over the Harvard Crimson with a score of 23–18, marking their second consecutive win.
Overall, Yale leads the series, boasting a record of 70 wins against Harvard’s 61, with 8 games resulting in ties. One of Yale’s most remarkable victories was in 1957 when they dominated with a 54–0 win.
However, Harvard held the longest winning streak of nine consecutive victories from 2007 to 2015. Currently, Yale holds a two-game winning streak since 2022.
Harvard – Princeton
The Harvard-Princeton football has been rival since April 28, 1877, with Harvard clinching the first meeting with a 1–0 victory.
In their recent clash on October 21, 2023, the Princeton Tigers secured a 21–14 win, extending their current winning streak to six games, and maintaining their lead in the series at 60–48–7.
Harvard’s largest triumph was a commanding 49–7 victory in 2014, while they also held the longest winning streak, dominating for nine consecutive games from 1996 to 2004.
However, Princeton’s recent stronghold since 2017 has been notable. The rivalry persists as a testament to the enduring competitiveness and historical significance of collegiate football.
Dartmouth – Harvard
Since their first clash on November 9, 1882, Harvard took the lead with a whopping 53–0 victory. In their recent match on October 28, 2023, Harvard secured a 17–9 win against Dartmouth,
They have extended their current winning streak to two games and maintain their overall dominance with a series lead of 73–48–5.
Harvard’s longest winning streak of 18 games from 1882 to 1902 underscores their historical prowess. As they brace for their upcoming showdown on November 2, 2024.
The rivalry persists with Harvard’s consistent stronghold, showcasing a rich history of competitive football battles between these two prestigious institutions.
Lafayette – Lehigh
The Lafayette Leopards and Lehigh Mountain Hawks boast one of college football’s oldest and most storied rivalries, with their inaugural clash dating back to October 25, 1884.
Lafayette dominated their first meeting with an impressive 56–0 victory. Across 159 intense matchups, they’ve forged a competitive history, holding a narrow lead in the series at 82–72–5.
Lehigh’s largest victory was a commanding 78–0 win in 1917, but Lafayette boasted a decade-long winning streak from 1919 to 1928.
In their latest battle on November 18, 2023, Lafayette showcased their prowess once again, winning 49–21 over Lehigh, continuing their current streak of two consecutive wins since 2022.
Princeton – Penn
The Penn-Princeton football rivalry traces its roots back to November 11, 1876, with Princeton clinching the first encounter with a 6-0 victory. Across 114 meetings, Princeton leads the series at 69-44-1.
Their largest victory was an astounding 95–0 win in 1887, showcasing their dominance. Princeton also holds the record for the longest winning streak, claiming victory in 28 consecutive games from 1876 to 1891.
In their latest clash on November 18, 2023, Princeton secured a hard-fought win of 31–24 over Penn State, maintaining their current winning streak since that encounter.
Cornell – Columbia
The Cornell-Columbia football rivalry ignited on November 26, 1889, with Cornell dominating the inaugural matchup with a 20–0 victory. Across 110 meetings, Cornell leads the series at 66–41–3.
Their largest victory was an impressive 56–0 win in 1922, showcasing their dominance in that game. Cornell also held the longest winning streak, securing victory in 12 consecutive games from 1977 to 1988.
However, Columbia has been on a recent surge, currently holding a three-game winning streak since 2021. In their latest clash on November 18, 2023, Columbia continued their streak, triumphing over Cornell with a score of 29–14.
South Dakota Coyotes – Dakota State Jackrabbits
The gridiron clash between the South Dakota Coyotes and South Dakota State Jackrabbits commenced in 1889, resulting in a 6–6 tie. Over 118 meetings, the rivalry remains fiercely contested, with SDSU holding a slight edge at 57–54–7.
South Dakota claimed their largest victory in 1912 with an impressive 73–6 win, showcasing their prowess in that matchup. However, South Dakota State held the reins for a decade, boasting a formidable ten-game winning streak from 2001 to 2018.
In their recent encounter on October 28, 2023, SDSU maintained their current momentum, securing a decisive 37–3 victory over USD, extending their current winning streak to two games since 2022.
Cornell – Penn
In their recent faceoff on November 4, 2023, Penn continued their winning streak against Cornell, securing a 23–8 victory. This win marked Penn’s second consecutive triumph, adding to their historical dominance in the series.
Across 129 meetings, Penn leads at 77–47–5, demonstrating a consistent edge over the years. Their largest victory was an impressive 59–6 win in 1945, showcasing their strength in that game.
Penn also boasts the longest winning streak, clinching victory in eight consecutive games from 1893 to 1900 and then again from 1940 to 1947.
North Dakota – North Dakota St.
The football rivalry between the North Dakota Fighting Hawks and North Dakota State Bison started back on November 3, 1894, with North Dakota securing a 20–4 win in their first encounter.
Across 116 meetings, North Dakota holds the series lead at 63–50–3. The largest victory belonged to North Dakota State, dominating with a 64–14 win in 1969. Notably, both teams had impressive 12-game winning streaks: North Dakota from 1953 to 1964 and North Dakota State from 1981 to 1992, showcasing their historical dominance.
In their latest clash on October 14, 2023, North Dakota emerged victorious with a commanding 49–24 win, continuing their current winning streak.
Maine – New Hampshire
In the battle for the Brice-Cowell Musket, the Maine Black Bears and New Hampshire Wildcats have clashed since September 26, 1903, when Maine claimed a 10–0 victory. Over 113 meetings, New Hampshire holds the overall lead at 59–46–8, showcasing their competitive history.
The Brice-Cowell Musket has been predominantly held by New Hampshire at 43–28–4 since 1948. In their latest showdown on November 18, 2023, New Hampshire secured a convincing 44-25 win, continuing their current two-game winning streak.
Both teams have had their moments of dominance, with Maine boasting an eight-game winning streak from 1903 to 1911, while New Hampshire mirrored this feat from 2011 to 2017.
Montana – Montana St.
The Montana Grizzlies and Montana State Bobcats have battled on the football field since 1897, with 122 meetings showcasing their intense rivalry. Montana holds the lead at 74–42–5, highlighting their historical progress.
The symbol of their rivalry has been closely contested, with Montana leading at 11–10. Their largest victory was a commanding 79–0 win by Montana in 1904, showcasing their strength in that game.
Montana also boasts the longest winning streak of 16 games from 1986 to 2001. In their latest clash on November 18, 2023, Montana asserted their dominance with a convincing 37–7 victory, continuing their current winning streak.
Richmond – William & Mary
The Richmond Spiders and William & Mary Tribe commenced their gridiron rivalry on November 19, 1898, with Richmond securing a 15–0 victory. Across 134 meetings, the competition remains fiercely close, with Richmond holding a slight edge at 65–64–5.
Notably, Richmond dominated with their largest victories of 48–0 in both 1907 and 1916. However, William & Mary once boasted a 15-game winning streak from 1939 to 1954, showcasing their historical capability.
In their latest battle on November 18, 2023, Richmond claimed a thrilling 27–26 victory, continuing their current winning streak. The coveted Capital Cup stands as their current trophy.
Cornell – Dartmouth
The rivalry between the Cornell Big Red and Dartmouth Big Green in football has been started on October 27, 1900, when Cornell claimed a 23–6 victory in their first encounter. Across 106 matchups, Dartmouth leads the series at 63–42–1.
Notably, Cornell’s largest victory was an impressive 59–7 win in 1921. However, Dartmouth showcased dominance with an 11-game winning streak from 1968 to 1978, illustrating their historical prowess.
In their most recent clash on November 11, 2023, Dartmouth emerged triumphant with a 30–14 win, extending their current winning streak.
Illinois St. – Eastern Ill
In their recent faceoff on September 16, 2023, Eastern Illinois secured a close 14–13 victory over Illinois State in the Mid-America Classic. Across their 111 meetings, Illinois State holds the series lead at 59–43–9.
The Redbirds showcased their dominance with their largest victory of 48–7 in 1992. However, Eastern Illinois enjoyed an impressive eight-game winning streak from 1924 to 1931.
The Mid-America Classic rivalry between these two teams began in 1901 and has been continued till today.