"Rivalry Games" The Public Doesn't Care About

[Probius]

They got most of those right. But who cares about Lafeyette-Lehigh, or Southern-Grambling, or even Army-Navy?

There are a lot of things to love about the Army-Navy rivalry, except the actual game. Those are two bad teams that play a boring brand of football. Everyone seems obligated to call this a great rivalry because it's our military and they sacrifice so much. Ok well I have a lot of respect for those guys. But during the game the commentators always talk about the players and how they will be going to war after the game. But the one thing they don't spend too much time talking about is the actual game. Like it or not, it's just bad football.

 

[theBIGyowski]

Until we beat Auburn our rivalry with them will mean less and less. This game used to demand the attention of the nation whereas now it's just a game between 2 schools that can't stand one another. We must bring balance back to the rivalry and make it an important game again. As much as Auburn likes beating us...they know (been told by my AU friends) that it won't mean much until we start winning every now and then.

All I know is the Iron Bowl meant a lot more when I was growing up in the 80s and 90s. Everything revolved around that game and who won it last. I can't wait for it to get back to that again...starting next weekend.

 

[RedStar]

If pagentry and passion do not mean anything to you and "quality of play" is your only concern then why bother with college football at all?
I mean the NFL has the ultimate in "quality football" right?
I also suspect you skipped the iron bowl for quite a few years as well because we have put quite a few less than stellar teams out there during our down years.
As far as taking up airtime on whatever channel you are wanting to watch, the game is played on championship weekend and there are very few other games to televise anyway, It is unfortunate that our servicemen proclude you from watching another infomercial or rebroadcast of "The Good, The Bad and The Ugly" . But hey ,,,that's why there are 200 channels avail. or better yet pop in a dvd .

gmart74 is dead on with his analogy. It's a boring game to watch, and that isn't disrespectful to the servicemen at all. Just because they play football means it's supposed to be entertaining? I don't understand why you are taking such offense to the statement that most of us find this game boring.

I've got many friends and family members who are in different branches of the military and I'm amazed at the courage they displayed simply by joining one of those branches, it's something I don't think I could ever do. But just because they joined one of those branches doesn't mean the football is fun to watch.

If they both started playing June Jones football my opinion might change, but until then, it's beyond boring. I just don't see how me saying it's not fun to watch them play football is being disprespectful.

 

[GrayTide]

Until we beat Auburn our rivalry with them will mean less and less. This game used to demand the attention of the nation whereas now it's just a game between 2 schools that can't stand one another. We must bring balance back to the rivalry and make it an important game again. As much as Auburn likes beating us...they know (been told by my AU friends) that it won't mean much until we start winning every now and then.

All I know is the Iron Bowl meant a lot more when I was growing up in the 80s and 90s. Everything revolved around that game and who won it last. I can't wait for it to get back to that again...starting next weekend.

Good point. Outside of Alabama and possibly a few surrounding states the Alabama vs Auburn game has lost most of its appeal.

 

[Johnwants#15]

gmart74 is dead on with his analogy. It's a boring game to watch, and that isn't disrespectful to the servicemen at all. Just because they play football means it's supposed to be entertaining? I don't understand why you are taking such offense to the statement that most of us find this game boring.

I've got many friends and family members who are in different branches of the military and I'm amazed at the courage they displayed simply by joining one of those branches, it's something I don't think I could ever do. But just because they joined one of those branches doesn't mean the football is fun to watch.

If they both started playing June Jones football my opinion might change, but until then, it's beyond boring. I just don't see how me saying it's not fun to watch them play football is being disprespectful.

Evidently you did not read the original post before chiming in.
He said it was "the most pathetic watse of time in college footbal" that this game was televised. I think service men and women around the country would disagree and if you think calling this games telecast a "pathetic waste of time" is not disrespectful then you I feel for your judgement.
I could not care less who enjoys the broadcast or level of football played, if you do not enjoy it do not watch, many others do like it and I can assure you it brings in the ratings or ABC and CBS would not compete for it every time the contract renews.
As for the football, I find it interesting that Bama fans of all people would diparage the type of football they play, as it is a run dominated style of football and Navy's style very much resembles Bama football of the 70's and normally theb game is very competitive as JDA's statistics showed, and isn't that what makes a good football game?

 

[GeorgiaTider]

The Army - Navy game is outstanding and is a contest of amateur athletics in it's purest form.
Seeing the fierce competition and pagentry yet knowing that 6 months later these guys may be covering each others back in a fire fight and would gladly sacrifice themselves for each other.
That makes it great in my book and it should never be desparaged by anyone!
Just because you can not see past the fact that these men are Academic scholars and soldiers who happen to enjoy playing football AS A PASTIME , and not as their life, should not take away from the validity of their rivalry or dimish the quality of the contest. Watch it for what it is and what it means and put aside your pitiful preconceived notions that Wins and losses and BCS rankings are what dictates the quality of the contest.

GO NAVY !!!! BEAT ARMY!!!!!

I agree with everything in this post EXCEPT the last statement.

Go ARMY! Beat Navy!

 

[GreatDanish]

I have a brother in the Navy, I live in Baltimore (where the game was just played) and I still could care less about that game. I completely separate football from service. How about an analogy:

I appreciate the skill and dedication surgeons have and that my life depends on their abilities, yet i don't go watch them play basketball against each other. In the same fashion I respect and care about what happens to our military people but they play some very crappy football. Also pageantry only matters when you are at the game, otherwise it is just filler on tv.

I will say that one major difference in the two scenarios is that if those surgeons were to play, it is very likely that none of them knew each other, and after the game, they would drive back to their homes in their Acuras, pop some popcorn, and watch a movie.

In the Army/Navy game, you will see an intense crowd, and two teams that have full respect of each other. They want to beat the other team senseless, but at the end of the game, they unite in their common goal, and stand as the other team plays its alma mater. During war, instead of driving home to watch a movie, many of the seniors will be preparing for deployment (not necessarily that day or anything, but at least in the coming year). It is very emotional.

This is a tough argument. I think most of us can agree on two things:
1. We have full respect of those playing the game.
2. Strictly in terms of the quality of football played, the game is not that exciting.

Then, how is "rivalry" graded?
1. Is it based on the excitement of the game?
2. Is it based on the history of the teams?
3. Is it based on the devotion of each team's fans to that game? (Example, is the AU/UA rivalry based on the 365 days of discussion about the Iron Bowl?)

So, I guess my point is this: I don't like the quality of football, but it is hard for me not to appreciate the rivalry represented in that game.

 

[bamachile]

Everyone has a right to their own opinion, of course.

Here's mine (only one rivalry per team)--

1. Alabama / Auburn
2. Army / Navy
3. Michigan / Ohio State
4. Texas / Oklahoma
5. USC / Notre Dame
6. Georgia / Georgia Tech
7. Florida / Florida State
8. LSU / Ole Miss (this one is rising again)

I realize that I only listed eight. After that, I kept wanting to list rivalries involving teams already listed (Bama/UT and Texas/TAMU, for example). I know that some of these teams haven't played in a championship game for ages, etc., ad nauseum. These are just my personal favorites.

Roll Tide!!!

-and-

Go Navy! Beat Army!

Your comments, whether insightful or asinine, are welcome.

 

[CrimsonManiac2]

The Navy-Army game is a great rivalry. I'll bet that there are more players than you think who could go to other schools and perform at higher levels. Because of the time spent in academics and millitary training they don't have as much time for film study or extra workouts etc. These guys chose country over $$$$$ and play for the pure love of the sport of football. That's to me is just a part of what makes this such a great rivalry. I love BAMA and the rivalries we have but as far as pure rivalry it has to be NAVY-ARMY in my opinion.

 

[CrimsonManiac2]

By the way


GO NAVY
Beat
ARMY

 

[DiamondDust]

Another thing to look at in a rivalry game is if it's a game contained within one state (Alabama/Auburn, for instance) or one that pits two states against each other (Michigan/Ohio State, for instance).

I believe that plays a big role in things, and honestly, there needs to be two sets of "top rivalries" generated. An in-state rivalry game carries a far different dynamic than a state vs. state one.

 

[THE BAMA IRISHMAN]

 

[Paul Wesley]

Big 10 definitely leads the nation in goofy trophies (buckets, jugs, axes) that nobody else cares about.

Obviously, I'm biased, but if you're judging rivalries based on:
1 tradition (a century of games between teams with winning traditions).
2 strong mutual dislike
3 games that are nationally meaningful
...then Texas/OU has to be close to the top of the list. This year, for example, was #5 Texas vs. #1 OU. Not to mention the unique neutral site-- in Dallas at the State Fair.

Based on those criteria, Florida-Georgia, Ohio State-Michigan, and Texas-OU would definitely be in my top-5.

Would add in passing that the formation of the Big 12 strengthened the Texas-OU rivalry while weakening OU-Nebraska (they only play 2 of every 4 years) and Texas-Texas A&M.

I have mixed feelings on Army-Navy. I appreciate their sacrifice, I just find it hard to care about US servicemen vs. US servicemen. Maybe they could play a team from a communist country and then we'd all be glued to the TV.

Maybe someday I'll drive around and tailgate at all of them, including the Iron Bowl. Would be a lot of fun.

Good topic!

 

[NYBamaFan]

Good point. Outside of Alabama and possibly a few surrounding states the Alabama vs Auburn game has lost most of its appeal.

I've got news for you - outside of Alabama, it has NEVER had any appeal. It is a great rivalry, but it a local rivalry. There are millions of men all over the world pulling for Army or Navy during that game...

 

[NYBamaFan]

The Navy-Army game is a great rivalry. I'll bet that there are more players than you think who could go to other schools and perform at higher levels. Because of the time spent in academics and millitary training they don't have as much time for film study or extra workouts etc. These guys chose country over $$$$$ and play for the pure love of the sport of football. That's to me is just a part of what makes this such a great rivalry. I love BAMA and the rivalries we have but as far as pure rivalry it has to be NAVY-ARMY in my opinion.

I agree, but I can understand why those who have not served would see this game as simply that - a football game. It is so much more, but you have to feel it to understand it.

 

[Luvubama]

To answer your original question about "rivalry games the public doesn't care about" ... In South Carolina the Clemson-Carolina game is the biggest rivalry of the year but outside that state I'd say no one cares.

 

[p'colabamaman]

Another thing to look at in a rivalry game is if it's a game contained within one state (Alabama/Auburn, for instance) or one that pits two states against each other (Michigan/Ohio State, for instance).

I believe that plays a big role in things, and honestly, there needs to be two sets of "top rivalries" generated. An in-state rivalry game carries a far different dynamic than a state vs. state one.

I believe the fact that the Iron Bowl is between two teams within one state makes the rivalry all that much heated. Add to that the fact they are both traditionally close to the top of the SEC. I mean what other state has two traditional powerhouses within their boundaries? I think this rivalry spills over into other states and other parts of the country to make this the greatest rivalry in college football.

And if you think that because Auburn has won this game six times in a row makes it lesser of a rivalry, just watch the eyes of a Bama fan when a barner sticks six fingers in his face. You can almost see the fire flying. And back when we owned the barn for several years didn't make me enjoy beating them any less.

God bless the guys in our service academies, but there is no doubt that Alabama-Auburn is the #1 rivalry in this country. :BigA::BigA::BigA:

 

[bamaga]

UT/TAMU is the biggest rivalry in the world for the Aggies - for everyone else, its a mildly entertaining ball game. I prefer the Egg Bowl over this one.

Texas vs Texas Aggies was once a big rivalry, what happened? Bama vs the viles was once a huge rivalry nationally. now its a bitter rivalry.



GO NAVY, BEAT ARMY!!!!




ROLL TIDE

 

[bamaga]

I've got news for you - outside of Alabama, it has NEVER had any appeal. It is a great rivalry, but it a local rivalry. There are millions of men all over the world pulling for Army or Navy during that game...

Disagree about Alabama/ Auburn. it is a very compelling game, The mystque of the game wouldn't be where it is today if it was only interesting locally. the '72 game put the rivalry on the map! until then, it was Bama / UT as the Souths fiercest rivalry!

 

[Dixiedawg]

Amen and pass the ammunition! :BigA: