Now that my ACC Mascot Rankings are over, it’s time for a new column. Sticking with the rankings theme, I had to come up with another fun subject to research. The idea came to me when playing NCAA Football 2007. I was scrolling through the options of game modes, and after laughing about “mascot games,” I came upon “rivalry games.” I read some of the names of the games, and saw some were…well, cooler than others. Then it hit me: Rank the game names! Or, if a game doesn’t have a specific name, consider the trophy they play for.
These rankings will be purely subjective. That’s right, it’s all up to me…even though I have been consulting my friend and rivalry name guru, Michael Garson (a Northwestern Wildcat, who wanted the Sweet Sioux Tomahawk on this list), throughout the ranking process. I will rank the game/trophy names from fifteen to one, give information about the two schools involved in the game, and a little history about the rivalry. But, again, the rankings aren’t about the GAMES, they are about the NAMES of the games, or trophies that the games are played for. Certain games have amazing trophy names, but no official title.
the rankings aren’t about the GAMES, they are about the NAMES of the games, or trophies that the games are played for. Certain games have amazing trophy names, but no official title. 
You’ll see what I mean soon enough. Another thing you should consider: I am including Division 1-AA, Division II, and Division III rivalries in these rankings as well.
I know some of you will disagree with my rankings, and for this reason I encourage you to use The Fanatic’s message boards once they become available (this should be some time in the next few weeks). Until then, please continue to comment about the rankings on our blog. The link appears in the left column on this site. I want you to get involved in the discussions on the message boards and tell me why I’m wrong or stupid, or perhaps dead-on accurate (but probably just wrong or stupid).
This week is just the introduction column, so I am not posting one of the 15 rankings. However, I will give you an idea of what’s to come. Here is some info about three games that DIDN’T make the list.
First is “The South’s Oldest Rivalry,” played between the UNC Tar Heels and our own Virginia Cavaliers. The first game was played in 1892, in which Virginia won at home, 30-18. North Carolina leads the rivalry with a 57-50-4 record all-time against the Cavaliers. This past season, UVA blanked the Tar Heels 23-0 in Charlottesville, on a Thursday night game televised on ESPN (I actually wrote an article based on this game – check it out here). Interestingly, some of the games during this series were played in Richmond, Norfolk, Atlanta, Roanoke, Washington DC, and even Charleston (WV). The name itself evokes tradition, which is representative of both schools, as UVA and UNC are among the most established schools in the south, and are known for their keeping of traditions (such as dressing up for football games). Despite this, the name just doesn’t have enough flavor to surpass some of the other names on this list.
Next is “The Duel in the Desert,” which has featured the Arizona Wildcats and the Arizona State Sun Devils since 1899. The winner takes home the Territorial Cup trophy, which has stayed in Tucson more than Tempe, as Arizona holds the all-time lead with a 44-35-1 record against their in-state foes. Some interesting facts: The Sun Devils’ school has had many names over the span of this rivalry: Arizona Territorial Normal School, Tempe Normal School, Arizona State Teachers College, Arizona State College, and finally Arizona State University (when the school received full accreditation in 1958)…Arizona won all 11 games between 1932 and 1948; the game wasn’t played between 1943-1945 but has been played every year since 1946. However, this name doesn’t push the game up the rankings. Remember, the best is yet to come!
Finally, “The Civil War” began in 1894 with Oregon Agricultural College defeating the University of Oregon by a score of 16-0. OAC? In 1926 it became Oregon State University, home of the Beavers. But Oregon has the all-time edge, with the Ducks going 55-45-10 since “The Civil War” began. Now for some interesting facts about the rivalry…Oregon swept OAC in a home-and-home series in 1896, the only year the teams played each other twice in the same season…Oregon won 12-0 over OAC in 1910, but riots at that game (played in Corvallis, the home of Oregon State) caused the cancellation of the 1911 game and resulted in the 1912 and 1913 games being played at a neutral location (Albany, OR)…Since 1997, the home team has won every game, including Oregon State’s 30-28 win this past season.
I am confident you will like reading about the rest of the rankings. Don’t freak out on me just yet about “The South’s Oldest Rivalry” and “The Civil War” not being in the Top 15, because there are plenty of game or trophy names which have to be considered. Get ready for next week, when the rankings begin.
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