The 2010 college football season is just around the corner. They are a ton of great games this year. You always get the intense conference and in-state mathcups. This year there are slew of strong non-conference games. There are number of rivalries though that I still wish they played every year.
Clemson Tigers and Georgia Bulldogs
Georgia Leads series 41-17-4, First Met 1897 Last met 2003
Growing up in Georgia during the 1980s, this game wasn't just big it was huge. They were two perennial top 10 teams that had recently won national titles. Georgina winning one in 1980 and Clemson winning one in 1981. They had legendary coaches as well UGA's Vince Dooley and Clemson's Danny Ford walking the sidelines.
While neither school is quite at the same level it was the 80s, this is a game I wish was played more often. The schools are separated by less than 70 miles, they often battle for recruits, and of course there's the great history. I went to the last UGA\Clemson in 2003 in Death Valley and it was one of the best atmospheres I've ever seen there.
Pittsburgh Panthers and Penn State Nittany Lions
Penn State leads series 50-42-4, First Met 1893 Last Met 2000
That they don't play this game every year is still something that doesn't make a lot of sense to me. It isn't like Florida, California, or Texas where there are several possibilities for intra-state rivalries. In Pennsylvania this was the biggest game of the year.
The early 1980s featured the some of the best teams and players of the decade. Pitt's QB Dan Marino vs Penn St.'s QB Todd Blackledge was a matchup of future NFL quarterbacks. This rivalry is so fierce the schools can't even agree on a scenario that renews the series.
Oklahoma Sooners and Nebraska Cornhuskers
Oklahoma leads series 44-38-3, First Met 1912 Last Met 2009
Sadly with the Nebraska Cornhuskers choosing to leave the Big 12 the rivalry probably has the least chance of ever becoming of yearly event. Earlier this year, before Nebraska's decision I even thought this series could again be one of the biggest of the next decade. With the recent resurgence of the Cornhuskers, I felt there'd be some opportunities to meet in the Big 12 Championship game.
The 80s matchups between Nebraska's Tom Osborne and Oklahoma's Barry Switzer were like throwback games to an earlier time. The way these teams ran the option was something to see back then.
The move to Big 12 short circuited the rivalry of these traditional powerhouses in the mid 90s and Nebraska's move may have officially killed it.
Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets and Auburn Tigers
Auburn leads series 47-41-4, First Met 1892 Last Met 2005
This was one of the South's biggest rivalries for decades, especially during the early part of the last century, when Georgia Tech was a Southeastern conference member before they left in 1963. Separated by only 110 miles, this is a natural rivalry with a long and storied tradition.
In 1896 Auburn students greased the railroad tracks of an arriving train carrying Georgia Tech's football. The train went 5 miles past its destination forcing the Jacket players to walk the 5 miles back to Auburn. The Jackets lost 45-0. Now that's a rivalry! In 2005 The Jackets ended Auburn’s 15 game winning streak by winning at Auburn 23-14. Too bad there won't be more of this series.
Miami Hurricanes and Florida Gators
Miami leads series 28-26, First Met 1938 Last Met 2008
This just seems like a game they should play every year, but with all the conference games, and scheduling conflicts it probably won't again be an annual series. Since the series ended in 1987 we largely missed what would have been some great games between Steve Spurrier's Gators and those top 10 Miami teams of the late 80s and early 90s.
Florida is a hotbed of recruiting and these teams are often going after the same players. Miami appears to be on the upswing and Florida under Urben Meyer is going to be a top 10 fixture. An annual Miami\Florida game would have the potential to create tremendous national attention. We get teased with a matchup of the two in 2013.
