UNDERRATED: 10 RIVALRIES YOU SHOULD BE WATCHING!

Rick Figurin
pigskinpress.com

College football is loaded with fantastic rivalries. Who doesn't get excited for the Iron Bowl, or Michigan vs. Ohio State? For as many famous rivalries as there are, there are a few that are undeservedly flying under the average fan's radar. Your friends here at pigskinpress have compiled a list of 10 heated rivalries that deserve a little more love than they're getting and in some cases need to be renewed. We've included a hate factor based on how heated the rivalry is among the fans, and a broadcast-ability showing just how interesting that game would be (or in some cases is) on the tube!

10. Temple vs. Villanova-We know the Wildcats are FCS…for now, but this game is starting to be quite the nail biter. Last year, Temple won by a TD, but the Wildcats won the prior three. It’s hard to televise this game, but ‘Nova is a quality program and this always makes for fun football in Philly!

Hate Factor:6
Broadcast-ability:7

9. Ohio vs. Marshall-Not only are their colors similar, but the scores are close as well. These two have lined up 54 times, and the fact is it’s always a close game. In recent years this game lost some of its steam, but as Marshall has now come to realize how good they really are, this game is gaining momentum again. This year’s game is in Athens, and an OHIO win could go a long way in deepening the hatred between these two.

Hate Factor:6.5
Broadcast-ability:7

8. Houston vs. Rice- This is not a game you would expect on this list, but this showdown is usually pretty wild. Houston receives most of the press between these two teams, but this game has big-time comebacks, major gaffes, and close finishes. With both teams seemingly on the rise, it’s only gonna get better.

Hate Factor:6.5
Broadcast-ability:7.5

7. Boston College vs. Notre Dame-With all the other rivalries the Irish have, this one often gets lost in the mix. I say we make this an every year occurance and call it the Communion Cup. Let’s schedule it late in November, and have an early morning hockey game, followed by football, and men/women’s basketball. Unfortunately for Irish fans, the Eagles have started to take the upper hand in this series winning 3 of the last 4

Hate Factor:6
Broadcast-ability:8

6. UTEP vs. New Mexico State-This rivalry has lost some steam in recent years due to the general crappiness of each team, but the fans love it, and it’s good for both programs. The Aggies won this series in 2007 and 2008, and the road back to respectability begins with a win over the Miners. This game is usually a shootout, and can get crazy late in the game. The fans can also get a little too “peppermint” for most peoples’ tastes; that’s why we like it!

Hate Factor:7.5
Broadcast-ability:7.5

5. TCU/Boise-It looks like this rivalry is ending before it even begins, but the three bowl games (and only games)  between these two teams have been really well played. The 2008 Poinsettia Bowl was won by TCU by one point, while Boise got their revenge one year later with a seven point victory in the Fiesta bowl. While this year will mark the only conference matchup between these two teams, it could have major BCS implications. “Gone too soon. You’re my boy, Blue!”

Hate Factor:5
Broadcast-ability:10

4. Rocky Mountain Showdown-Colorado-Colorado State-While Colorado usually wins this game, the improvement by the Rams in recent years has turned it from a gimme’ for the Buffs to a game they have to take seriously. These two teams have met 84 times with Colorado winning a good chunk of those games, but thanks to the fiery words and actions of CSU QB Bradlee Van Pelt a few years back, and the trash talking by CU fans and players, this game is a must see!

Hate factor: 8
Broadcast-ability: 8.5

3. Western Michigan/Central Michigan-These two teams flat out hate each other! It’s not professional, or politically correct to encourage the overindulgence of alcohol, but for years that kind of debauchery has made this game even more exciting. If you’ve watched this game recently you know how wacky the endings can be, and how dirty the players can get (when nobody is looking of course). If I’m MAC commissioner John Steinbrecher, the national broadcasting of this game (every year) is a must in any future TV deal.

Hate Factor:9
Broadcast-ability:8

2. UCF vs. USF- It’s funny how a team’s fans get too big for their britches just because they go from being a big fish in a small pond (independence) to being a small fish in a bigger pond (Big East). That’s right, USF, we’re looking at you! This was a great rivalry, that was traditionally competitive (sans 2007) until USF essentially said they had no interest in making it a yearly thing. The truth is, UCF is a good team as well, and scheduling this game late in the year could be a top 25 matchup for both teams.

Hate Factor: 9
Broadcast-ability: 8.5

1. Holy War-BYU/Utah-This game is always buried on the high numbered cable channels when it should be front and center. With new conference affiliations (or independence) and TV contracts for each school, this underrated hate-fest will finally start to see the light of day for the masses! The last two meetings have been decided by a combined 4 points, and thanks to a blocked field goal as time expired, the Utes won last year’s battle. If either University had major drinking problems among the student body, there would literally be bloodshed and carnage on the respective campuses. Now that’s theatre!

Hate Factor: 10+
Broadcast-ability: 9.5