College Football: 20 best rivalry games to watch in 2018

SOUTH BEND, IN - OCTOBER 21: The USC Trojans face off at the line of scrimmage against the Notre Dame Fighting Irish during a game at Notre Dame Stadium on October 21, 2017 in South Bend, Indiana. Notre Dame won 49-14. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** /

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AUBURN, AL – NOVEMBER 25: Alabama Crimson Tide running back Josh Jacobs (8) is tackled by Auburn Tigers defensive back Daniel Thomas (24) during a football game between the Auburn Tigers and the Alabama Crimson Tide on Saturday, November 25, 2017 at Jordan-Hare Stadium in Auburn, Ala. (Photo by Chip Dillard/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images /

1. Auburn vs. Alabama

Back when Bill Curry was coaching at Alabama, he went to a Birmingham elementary school one day to speak with children. When he entered the classroom, he saw a boy standing in the corner, crying. Curry wondered what was going on, and a student told him, “Jason is an Auburn fan, and we took care of him.” Curry brought the boy out of the corner and told him it was all right to root for the Tigers, which no doubt angered the young Crimson Tide fans in the room. In this state, you choose between two sides: Crimson or orange and blue.

If you live in the state of Alabama, you either yell “Roll Tide” or “War Eagle.” Even when the team’s stopped playing for 41 years, the rivalry continued. You either root for the big-brother that has dominated the college football world, or the little brother who always seems to be in the way. In a state with no NFL team, Auburn/Alabama football is the main attraction.

Fans of both teams crave for victory each year. If your Tide win, you claim bragging rights over that Auburn alumnus you see at work every day for 364 days and vice versa. A loss means a full year of misery and torture for some.

From “Bo Over the Top” to the “Kick Six”, this rivalry has provided Alabama fans, Auburn fans, and even the casual football fan with just about everything.

Last year No. 6 Auburn upset No. 1 Alabama 26-14, earning a spot in the SEC Championship Game. The team fell to Georgia and, despite defeating them in the Iron Bowl, the Tide reached the College Football Playoff yet again and won another title. Even straight up beating them was not enough to keep the Tide from winning a championship. This only adds fuel to the fire for 2018.