Bama fans I have a question about who is your biggest rival

[BhamToTexas]

I would disagree slightly here.

For Georgia

1) Florida
2) Florida
3) nothing much mattering other than Florida losing

next varies a little based on year(s).

Georgia really does not spend much time thinking about GA tech, where I feel all GA tech does is think about their hatred for UGA.

Auburn/TN: Georgia fans as a whole do not like these two teams.

South Carolina was a big rival when Spurrier was the coach, not so much anymore

Many Georgia fans would put Bama near the top of the list these days, but simply because Bama has had Georgia's number and obviously Bama is a standard that Georgia wants to be.

Me, I have respect for Bama as I feel the rivals are similar (Auburn and TN near top of list) and both teams are currently operating at a higher caliber of recruitment and season winnings.

I hear you. But some of that thinking is recent bias.

I definitely put Florida first. Clearly it is. And your feeling toward GT is similar to Alabama’s toward Auburn. But it is definitely the next historical rival.

Just like some here mentioning LSU or Georgia for Alabama. That is ridiculous. It is Tennessee and Auburn in whatever order you like and that is it.

 

[selmaborntidefan]

I would disagree slightly here.

For Georgia

1) Florida
2) Florida
3) nothing much mattering other than Florida losing

next varies a little based on year(s).

Georgia really does not spend much time thinking about GA tech, where I feel all GA tech does is think about their hatred for UGA.

Auburn/TN: Georgia fans as a whole do not like these two teams.

South Carolina was a big rival when Spurrier was the coach, not so much anymore

Many Georgia fans would put Bama near the top of the list these days, but simply because Bama has had Georgia's number and obviously Bama is a standard that Georgia wants to be.

Me, I have respect for Bama as I feel the rivals are similar (Auburn and TN near top of list) and both teams are currently operating at a higher caliber of recruitment and season winnings.

Not arguing at all. Just sharing a 1990 column by Bulldog Lewis Grizzard about life in real time.

 

[Slowpoke Catracho]

1. Tennessee
2. LSU
3. Auburn
4. UGA only because for years the East was really bad.

 

[BamaMoon]

Those ‘Fear the Thumb’ years were courtesy of Tenn and Fulmer.

At least that’s how I viewed it.

AU fans are relentlessly annoying though so I get that part of it.

I understand how UT was behind it. It know it was their attempt to take us down and it worked, to a degree.

However, when I think about "rivals" I don't think about the officials/coaches/staff at schools, I think about "fans" that I might have to be neighbors with, work with, deal with, etc.

That's why the barn is the most difficult "rival" for me!

 

[GboyBama]

Out of the worst, most unlikely beats for Bama that I've ever experienced in person, five out of the top five were probably against Auburn, so it's them tigers for me.

 

[stlimprov]

What is more interesting to me is trying to list the top two rivals for each school and then see how many times a team shows up. (I bet you know where this is going)

SEC Rivals

Alabama - Tennessee, Auburn
Arkansas - LSU, Alabama
Auburn - Alabama, Georgia
Florida - Georgia, FSU
Georgia - Florida, Ga Tech
Kentucky - Louisville, Tennessee?
LSU - Alabama, Mississippi
Mississippi - Miss State, Alabama
Miss State - Mississippi, Alabama
Missouri - Oklahoma, Texas A&M?
Oklahoma - Texas, Ok State
South Carolina - Clemson, Georgia
Tennessee - Alabama, Vandy?
Texas - Oklahoma, Texas A&M
Texas A&M - Texas, Alabama
Vanderbilt - Tennessee, Alabama?

From personal experience living in pre-SEC Arkansas, I can assure you that their traditional rivalry was, far and away, Texas. Maybe Alabama has taken that place (for pretty much the same reasons). I would expect Texas to reemerge as the hogs top rival.

 

[TraskiTideFan]

It's Tennessee and not because of the 90's Phil garbage. The Third Saturday in October always seemed to mean a little more to Coach Bryant and I think that was a carryover from his playing days and his days at Kentucky. Some of the player interviews from his days there always hinted that he might have overworked the team in the run-up to playing against the General in those years. And that carried over to his years at the Capstone. If you think letting an Auburn streak get out of hand will get you canned, let a losing streak against the Vols go too long and see how secure your job really is at T-Town. We practically rocked Legion Field for a stealing a tie out of the jaws of defeat in '93 like we had just won a National Title for crying out loud.

 

[mdb-tpet]

So true! Why get excited when player you cheer for this year may be playing against you on another team next year.

The old Bum Phillips quote, "Bryant can take his'n and beat your'n, and then he can turn around and take your'n and beat his'n." today is almost a real thing.

I just can't wait to see how bad we beat Tennessee with all of their players that we bought in the portal.

 

[UAH]

It's Tennessee and not because of the 90's Phil garbage. The Third Saturday in October always seemed to mean a little more to Coach Bryant and I think that was a carryover from his playing days and his days at Kentucky. Some of the player interviews from his days there always hinted that he might have overworked the team in the run-up to playing against the General in those years. And that carried over to his years at the Capstone. If you think letting an Auburn streak get out of hand will get you canned, let a losing streak against the Vols go too long and see how secure your job really is at T-Town. We practically rocked Legion Field for a stealing a tie out of the jaws of defeat in '93 like we had just won a National Title for crying out loud.

It's Tennessee and not because of the 90's Phil garbage. The Third Saturday in October always seemed to mean a little more to Coach Bryant and I think that was a carryover from his playing days and his days at Kentucky. Some of the player interviews from his days there always hinted that he might have overworked the team in the run-up to playing against the General in those years. And that carried over to his years at the Capstone. If you think letting an Auburn streak get out of hand will get you canned, let a losing streak against the Vols go too long and see how secure your job really is at T-Town. We practically rocked Legion Field for a stealing a tie out of the jaws of defeat in '93 like we had just won a National Title for crying out loud.

For those of us who remember 65 at Legion Field, 66 in the rain at Knoxville and the beat down by Tennessee back in Birmingham in 67 there is little doubt about Tennessee being the number 1 game in those days. If I could identify a time when that shifted to Auburn I would say that Doug Dickey leaving for Florida and Bill Battle taking over at Tennessee was a time that Coach Bryant began to dominate Tennessee. I lived in Knoxville at the time and Tennessee fans began to believe that the Vols would never have success as long as Coach Bryant was at Bama.

When Pat Dye came along followed in time by Gus, Auburn became a bitter rival to Bama fans. Regardless of CNS's protestations to the contrary, Bama fans hate to be beaten by the (Cow College.)

 

[CaliforniaTide]

I think it depends on when you enter the University, or when you became a fan.

Auburn is the bigger rival to me than Tennessee. I became fan in 2006, when I entered the University of Alabama. From 2007-2022, Alabama won every game against Tennessee, and more so in convincing fashion than not. Even with multiple close games against LSU, I still consider Auburn the bigger rival because Auburn being another school in Alabama. Alabama and Tennessee is a rivalry, for sure, but it seems to be a bigger rivalry among the older fans, or if there's any family connections b/w the 2 schools.

 

[DawgAlum2054]

Not arguing at all. Just sharing a 1990 column by Bulldog Lewis Grizzard about life in real time.

View attachment 50882

Thank you for that, love LG

 

[selmaborntidefan]

Thank you for that, love LG

By the way, that version is edited. I found one after I posted that that includes the line that I assumed was in there - “but we’ve beaten Florida so much!”

Back when we had newspapers, this is how I used to read them:

1) look at the front page. If a war has not been declared or a surgeon general study telling me.” fat and carbs will help you look good and lose weight”, l go to….

2) the Sports page
3) Grizzard
4) go to the front and work my way through to the back

 

[crimsonaudio]

Tennessee is the only team I really consider a rival - if the barn wasn't in the state of Alabama they'd just be another 8-4 team Bama plays.

To be fair, I only lived in AL while attending UA so I don't have the lifetime of 'living alongside the barners' perspective many Bama fans do...

 

[81usaf92]

What is more interesting to me is trying to list the top two rivals for each school and then see how many times a team shows up. (I bet you know where this is going)

SEC Rivals

Alabama - Tennessee, Auburn
Arkansas - LSU, Alabama
Auburn - Alabama, Georgia
Florida - Georgia, FSU
Georgia - Florida, Ga Tech
Kentucky - Louisville, Tennessee?
LSU - Alabama, Mississippi
Mississippi - Miss State, Alabama
Miss State - Mississippi, Alabama
Missouri - Oklahoma, Texas A&M?
Oklahoma - Texas, Ok State
South Carolina - Clemson, Georgia
Tennessee - Alabama, Vandy?
Texas - Oklahoma, Texas A&M
Texas A&M - Texas, Alabama
Vanderbilt - Tennessee, Alabama?

Mizzou’s rivals are Kansas and Nebraska. Mizzou vs Kansas maybe the most outright hatred I’ve experienced between two fan bases next to Michigan vs Ohio State. Yeah you are probably laughing at that, but the hatred between the two states is insane and it dates back to the Civil War. They literally still argue over Bleeding Kansas and John Brown as if they are still currently happening now. The fact they aren’t forced to play each other in all sports is criminal.

Nebraska is because Mizzou fans hate Nebraska fans and their arrogance. The 1997 game still lives in Mizzou’s fans heads because of the refs. But Mizzou loves beating Nebraska more than eating because it’s fun for them to bark at them at work afterwards. Nebraska basically looks at Mizzou like Texas looks at Nebraska.

As for Mizzou’s SEC…. Arkansas is probably the biggest now, but historically Oklahoma or aTm for different reasons. Oklahoma because Mizzou always was that team that would occasionally love to play spoiler to an Oklahoma run and aTm because they were Mizzou’s dance partner in the SEC.

 

[selmaborntidefan]

Mizzou’s rivals are Kansas and Nebraska. Mizzou vs Kansas maybe the most outright hatred I’ve experienced between two fan bases next to Michigan vs Ohio State. Yeah you are probably laughing at that, but the hatred between the two states is insane and it dates back to the Civil War. They literally still argue over Bleeding Kansas and John Brown as if they are still currently happening now. The fact they aren’t forced to play each other in all sports is criminal.

Nebraska is because Mizzou fans hate Nebraska fans and their arrogance. The 1997 game still lives in Mizzou’s fans heads because of the refs. But Mizzou loves beating Nebraska more than eating because it’s fun for them to bark at them at work afterwards. Nebraska basically looks at Mizzou like Texas looks at Nebraska.

As for Mizzou’s SEC…. Arkansas is probably the biggest now, but historically Oklahoma or aTm for different reasons. Oklahoma because Mizzou always was that team that would occasionally love to play spoiler to an Oklahoma run and aTm because they were Mizzou’s dance partner in the SEC.

Missouri lost the 1960 national championship when Kansas beat them, 23-7, while they were #1. The poll vote awarded the title to Minnesota (8-1) on November 29. Ten days later, the Big Eight ruled Bert Coan was ineligible to play for KU and mandated two KU games be forfeited.

KU mad because they thought it was over the top and they won on the field.
Mizzou mad because it cost them a national championship.

In their entire history, Mizzou has had 3 top five finishes: 1960, 2007, and 2013.
The ineligible player undoubtedly cost them a national title.

 

[81usaf92]

Missouri lost the 1960 national championship when Kansas beat them, 23-7, while they were #1. The poll vote awarded the title to Minnesota (8-1) on November 29. Ten days later, the Big Eight ruled Bert Coan was ineligible to play for KU and mandated two KU games be forfeited.

KU mad because they thought it was over the top and they won on the field.
Mizzou mad because it cost them a national championship.

In their entire history, Mizzou has had 3 top five finishes: 1960, 2007, and 2013.
The ineligible player undoubtedly cost them a national title.

When I lived in Nebraska, I constantly went to Kansas City because many of my military friends where from the area. I never really understood how deep the hatred between Kansas and Missouri was until I started hanging with them. I’m actually surprised that since Texas came to the SEC there really hasn’t been momentum trying to get the game back on. Because many of the Big XII and Big 8 rivalries that were put on hiatus due to realignment were being blocked by Texas.

But it’s one of the weirdest and most petty rivalries I’ve ever witnessed.

 

[BigAlinKnoxville]

1. Tennessee
2. Tennessee
3. Tennessee
4. Auburn
5. Georgia
6. LSU

 

[selmaborntidefan]

But it’s one of the weirdest and most petty rivalries I’ve ever witnessed.

When I first became a college football fan (1978), Mizzou was one of those teams like Auburn - and I'm serious when I say that. A reliable 7-4 every year team that would put up fights against powerhouses and then lose to teams they should demolish.


1975 - clobbered #2 Alabama in Bham, nearly knocked off #1 national champ OU (lost by 1)...and got killed by Kansas in Lawrence.

1976 - 6-5 but shocked #2 USC in the Coliseum by 46-25, #2 Ohio State in the Shoe by one, and #3 Nebraska in Lincoln by 10. Then they got killed by Kansas at home, 41-14.

1977 - went 4-7 but stunned eventual #18 Arizona State, 15-0, in Tempe.

1978 - stunned #5 Notre Dame in South Bend, 3-0; the next week gave us all we could handle for 3 quarters in a home game (who hated Mizzou enough to schedule N Dame and Alabama back to back in 1978?

1978 (part 2) - STUNS #2 Nebraska, 35-31, in Lincoln.

This same team LOST to 3-8 Oklahoma State and 6-5 Colorado, whose wins were against wimps...and Mizzou.

Like I said, Auburn.

1979 - 7-5, but nearly upset BOTH #7 Oklahoma (2 points) and #2 Nebraska (3) in three weekends.

1980 - 8-4, played Penn State to within one score at home

1981 - 8-4, knocked off #9 Miss State in Jackson easier than Alabama did at home, beat #15 OU, and lost 6-0 in Lincoln to a Nebraska team that played Clemson in a de jure national title Orange Bowl.

They regressed to 5-4-2 in 1982 but....

1983 - 7-5 - and beat B1G champ Illinois, then #11 OU (10-0), and lost the Holiday Bowl to BYU by 4.

Missouri then imploded and had a series of losing seasons from 1984-96. Then came 1997.

1997 - 7-5 (again!) - upset Okie State and SHOULD HAVE beaten Nebraska

1998 - 8-4

Four bad years....back to 8-5 in 2003.


This is basically who Missouri is, they take turns being Auburn and then turn into Mississippi State.

 

[DzynKingRTR]

When I first became a college football fan (1978), Mizzou was one of those teams like Auburn - and I'm serious when I say that. A reliable 7-4 every year team that would put up fights against powerhouses and then lose to teams they should demolish.


1975 - clobbered #2 Alabama in Bham, nearly knocked off #1 national champ OU (lost by 1)...and got killed by Kansas in Lawrence.

1976 - 6-5 but shocked #2 USC in the Coliseum by 46-25, #2 Ohio State in the Shoe by one, and #3 Nebraska in Lincoln by 10. Then they got killed by Kansas at home, 41-14.

1977 - went 4-7 but stunned eventual #18 Arizona State, 15-0, in Tempe.

1978 - stunned #5 Notre Dame in South Bend, 3-0; the next week gave us all we could handle for 3 quarters in a home game (who hated Mizzou enough to schedule N Dame and Alabama back to back in 1978?

1978 (part 2) - STUNS #2 Nebraska, 35-31, in Lincoln.

This same team LOST to 3-8 Oklahoma State and 6-5 Colorado, whose wins were against wimps...and Mizzou.

Like I said, Auburn.

1979 - 7-5, but nearly upset BOTH #7 Oklahoma (2 points) and #2 Nebraska (3) in three weekends.

1980 - 8-4, played Penn State to within one score at home

1981 - 8-4, knocked off #9 Miss State in Jackson easier than Alabama did at home, beat #15 OU, and lost 6-0 in Lincoln to a Nebraska team that played Clemson in a de jure national title Orange Bowl.

They regressed to 5-4-2 in 1982 but....

1983 - 7-5 - and beat B1G champ Illinois, then #11 OU (10-0), and lost the Holiday Bowl to BYU by 4.

Missouri then imploded and had a series of losing seasons from 1984-96. Then came 1997.

1997 - 7-5 (again!) - upset Okie State and SHOULD HAVE beaten Nebraska

1998 - 8-4

Four bad years....back to 8-5 in 2003.


This is basically who Missouri is, they take turns being Auburn and then turn into Mississippi State.

Wasn't Mizzu the team Colorado needed 5 downs to beat?

 

[81usaf92]

When I first became a college football fan (1978), Mizzou was one of those teams like Auburn - and I'm serious when I say that. A reliable 7-4 every year team that would put up fights against powerhouses and then lose to teams they should demolish.


1975 - clobbered #2 Alabama in Bham, nearly knocked off #1 national champ OU (lost by 1)...and got killed by Kansas in Lawrence.

1976 - 6-5 but shocked #2 USC in the Coliseum by 46-25, #2 Ohio State in the Shoe by one, and #3 Nebraska in Lincoln by 10. Then they got killed by Kansas at home, 41-14.

1977 - went 4-7 but stunned eventual #18 Arizona State, 15-0, in Tempe.

1978 - stunned #5 Notre Dame in South Bend, 3-0; the next week gave us all we could handle for 3 quarters in a home game (who hated Mizzou enough to schedule N Dame and Alabama back to back in 1978?

1978 (part 2) - STUNS #2 Nebraska, 35-31, in Lincoln.

This same team LOST to 3-8 Oklahoma State and 6-5 Colorado, whose wins were against wimps...and Mizzou.

Like I said, Auburn.

1979 - 7-5, but nearly upset BOTH #7 Oklahoma (2 points) and #2 Nebraska (3) in three weekends.

1980 - 8-4, played Penn State to within one score at home

1981 - 8-4, knocked off #9 Miss State in Jackson easier than Alabama did at home, beat #15 OU, and lost 6-0 in Lincoln to a Nebraska team that played Clemson in a de jure national title Orange Bowl.

They regressed to 5-4-2 in 1982 but....

1983 - 7-5 - and beat B1G champ Illinois, then #11 OU (10-0), and lost the Holiday Bowl to BYU by 4.

Missouri then imploded and had a series of losing seasons from 1984-96. Then came 1997.

1997 - 7-5 (again!) - upset Okie State and SHOULD HAVE beaten Nebraska

1998 - 8-4

Four bad years....back to 8-5 in 2003.


This is basically who Missouri is, they take turns being Auburn and then turn into Mississippi State.

Well Columbia, MO is very much like Auburn, Al mixed with Oxford, MS. It’s a small village a few miles off a major highway, with a bunch of antebellum like relics in the town, and have very cultish like fans. If it weren’t for the lacking athletic facilities and the black and gold you really couldn’t tell the difference between Auburn and Mizzou if you drive through it.

Now Lawerence and Manhattan Kansas…. Not so much to look at but it is Kansas.