Last week, we had another of Mike Chamernik’s “Question of the Week” series, the response was great, and Mike is back again with his next question.
It’s all about rivalries!
Question of the Week
by Mike Chamernik
One of college football’s most storied rivalries was taken to another level Saturday, when Michigan not only upset No. 2 Ohio State in Columbus, but also rubbed it in by planting the M flag at midfield after the game. Naturally, this started a huge brawl.
An on-field view of the Michigan flag plant and the altercation with Ohio State that followed ⬇️ pic.twitter.com/If9Ng7ecW0
— FOX College Football (@CFBONFOX) November 30, 2024
For you as either a fan, alumnus, student or player of a college or high school team, what was the best win, or worst loss, against a hated rival? Was there anything theatrical about it — such as a flag planting, court storming, field goal teardown, or anything else — that made it sting even better (or worse)?
Thanks, Mike — great question again.
Unfortunately (or fortunately) in my case, while my High School had a very good and always-competitive team, none of my college almae matres (all small schools, one of which had dropped football before I attended) really had any big rivalries, certainly none that involved any theatrics following a win or loss over a rival (at least none that I can think of, anyway). But I’m sure some of our readers have some stories to tell…
Can’t wait to hear the readers’ responses! OK guys…fire away!
I’m a Giants fan who grew up in the Philly suburbs. So even though it’s before my time, there’s nothing that stings quite as bad as the Miracle at the Meadowlands. Just something about the insane ineptitude of it, and seeing it EVERYWHERE kills me. I just thank my lucky stars I’m old enough to remember the 2007 Super Bowl.
Sorry in advance Jamie!
Arsenal have a number of memorable victories over our North London rivals, Tottenham Hotspur. Most people will think of when we won the league at their stadium in 2004. For me, the 5-2 home victory in 2012 is the one that stands out the most, especially since the first two goals were scored by Spurs.
I think the game that best answers the question would be the 2-0 victory in the 2014 FA Cup, thanks to Theo Walcott’s gesture to the fans while being stretchered off the pitch: link
However, as someone who was born in the 90s, Manchester United have always felt like our biggest rivals. Both clubs had their most successful periods during my childhood, and unfortunately, United tended to have the edge – both in overall trophies, and in most individual matchups. The worst one that comes to mind is the 8-2 drubbing at Old Trafford in 2011, which people still talk about to this day. The one positive about our lack of success against them is that the rare victories were even sweeter! And of course, Arsenal have generally been better than United for a good few years now.
In 1994, Florida State came back from being down 31-3 late in the 3rd quarter to 31-31 tie (I know, not a win but…) the Florida Gators. Still referred to as the “Choke at Doak”. There was a re-match in the Sugar Bowl which FSU won in a game that was not as dramatic or exciting, so think of it as winning an 8 quarter game!
It pains me to bring another tie up, but in 1968 Harvard used a back-up quarterback to score 16 points in the final 42 seconds to tie Yale 29-29. The Harvard Crimson printed the headline “Harvard beats Yale 29-29′ (note, I have family ties to Yale)
My father was an old Blue and he went to The Game that year, declining to sell his ticket to the New Haven fire chief for something like $150. I heard about it an awful lot.
I miss ties. Especially in hockey
link rate the logos
Any logo with a moose is a winner in my book. Bonus points for RCMP hat.
1998 – UVA over Va Tech, 36-32, in Blacksburg, after being down 29-7 at half. Last time they won in Blacksburg. Amazing comeback led by Aaron Brooks!
I may be a bit younger than you… I would say 2019 UVA over VT football for worst loss (the only one I can really remember). Best wins over UVA would be 2018 football (pulled out of our behind), 2021 (same), and upsetting them in hoops at the JPJ in 2018 when they were ranked #2.
It’s not one of the above, but when VT football won at UVA’s place last year, the team gathered on the field for a post-game picture and UVA turned on the sprinklers.
Ha! Yes, the sprinklers. I am a UVA alum (class of 2000). I was in school on T-giving break during that 1998 game. You guys own us – I will say you’re home game experience is top notch. Was there for VT-Nebraska in 2007 (I believe). Might have been the only one there in a green shirt, as I had no real rooting interest lol!
I may have misinterpreted your comment… I’m a VT alum, ha
1980 Clemson vs South Carolina. SC was 8-2, heavily favored, and had soon-to-be Heisman Trophy winner Goerge Rogers. Clemson was 5-5 and there were rumors head coach Danny Ford would be fired after the game. But, coach Ford had a trick up his sleeve…orange game pants. After warming up in thier normal home uniforms (orange jerseys and white pants), the team returned to the locker room to find orange pants in their lockers. When the team exited the buses at the top of the hill and gathered at Howard’s Rock, the stadium went nuts. This was a time when teams mostly had two jerseys and one set of pants, and the teams that had two sets of pants didn’t mix and match, so the see a team clad in orange from head-to-toe was quite jolting. Seven year old me, who was just beginning a lifetime journey of uniform obsession, was ecstatic. Clemson went on the win the game 27-6, and used the win as a springboard into the 1981 season, where they would go 12-0 and win the school’s first national championship.
While I wasn’t there, the time the University of Iowa fans tore down the goal posts at the University of Minnesota will always be a fond memory.
link
I was there … and it was a terrible experience as a Gopher fan. The metronome was the worst, for all sports, and not only losing the game, but losing the goalposts was an embarrassment.
As someone not from Minnesota, it took me a while to warm up to Minnesota sports teams as a grad student at the U. I did love the Gophers hockey, wrestling, b-ball, and sometimes football. The traditions there were great, but the rivalries with Iowa and Wisconsin, for a non-Minnestoan, felt like much ado about nothing.
The 1996 ASU team (legendary for having Pat Tillman, but also shutting out #1 Nebraska 19-0)… that year ASU went down to Tucson to play in the Territorial Cup/Dual in the Desert rivalry game. I went with my family as my older sister was a student at UofA (I was an ASU fan and later went to school there). ASU demolished UofA and there were so many frenzied ASU fans they ended up rushing UofA’s field and tried to tear down the goal posts. I distinctly remember there was one guy high up on the upright yanking and swaying. Although the posts never actually came down (must have been really strongly installed back then, or not quite enough man power), it was wild seeing ASU fans rush UofA’s field.
Last year, I went to the Washington vs. Oregon game in Seattle. Ruckus crowd, game was up and down. That missed field goal by Camden Lewis was so amazing to watch and see people storm the field. Then beating the Ducks in Vegas for the PAC-12 Championship was the cherry on top for a great season.
Best win against a rival was definitely the Lakers finally beating the Celtics in the 1985 finals, after again losing to them in 1984. Beating them again in 1987 was also sweet.
The worse loss against a rival would be the 1969 finals, that an old Celtics beat the favored Lakers, after the Lakers had acquired Wilt Chamberlain to go along with Jerry West and Elgin Baylor. The Celtics were only the 4th seed coming out of the East, and they beat the Lakers in game 7 at the Forum.
1969 was the famous “balloons in the rafters” game. And when Wilt asked out after getting hurt
I’m a Nittany Lion, so the best wins were against teams that don’t consider us their primary rival. Still, wins in 1997, 2001, 2005 and 2016 against Ohio State were pretty great.
Thr program has branded itself as UNRIVALED and it works because the team they regularly play and have met the most frequently is Michigan State. Party isn’t even on the schedule this year.
On thr pro side, the Capitals eliminating the penguins in 2018 was quite good, but I was happier about the Caps a really advancing more than eliminating the flightless birds.
The other DC teams don’t really have “as long as you beat that team, it’s a good year” rivalry. Yes, I’m including the NFL now. Washington vs. Dallas is only periodically a genuinely big deal any more. Yes, fans get worked up about it, but not like 30-40 years ago.
Now, if somehow we ever got a Nats vs. Baltimore World Series I’d probably go full red ass because I really hate that cowardly, vindictive franchise that we’ve been subsidizing for decades.
OK I’m confused — who’s subsidizing whom?
The Nats are subsidizing the Orioles through broadcast rights forever.
Mmm yes that’s right. I remember that being a sticking point during the proposed Nats sale a few years back
Alabama’s 2012 last minute comeback against LSU in Tiger Stadium. I remember there being less than a minute left after LSU went ahead and they too easily scored to send it to and win it in overtime. Worse because I was in the midst of celebrating with a lot of LSU fans at a bar when they came back. From then on, I’ve never celebrated a close win until all the time was off the clock.
Oh, and the 2019 season just felt like a redemption tour against all the rivals we lost to the previous year.
This is so easy for me. 13-9. If you know, you know.
I almost picked that, but for me the heartache for Jerry West losing to Russell and the Celtics again for the sixth time was slightly worse. West played his heart out, being the only player on a losing team to win the Finals MVP.
That’s a good one
1996
Father Judge v. Abraham Lincoln Turkey Bowl, Phila., PA – 1989.
The Crusaders traditionally get the best of the Railsplitters (great nickname!) on Thanksgiving…not that year.
With snow on the field and stands/SRO hill, Lincoln topped Judge – and only needed 1 TD to do it. Fights broke out between fans and (IIRC) players. Not a fine moment.
Subsequent games went on for decades, generally incident – free with Judge beating Lincoln every time, but in ‘24 the neighborhood rivalry was cancelled (citing safety concerns and playoff conflicts) and will no longer be on the schedule going forward.
So it goes.
I love ongoing Catholic-vs.-Public HS football and basketball feuds. Chicago has a bunch
1988 Wisconsin WISAA state private schools basketball championship at the MECCA.
Seems my school – Milwaukee Pius XI – always faced Appleton Xavier in the title game. I think it happened nine times in about a 15-year stretch.
Up by 2 with :05.6 left, the Xavier star missed the field goal. A Pius rebound, pass, and another pass to our star – who launched a 45′ shot for the 3-pointer, and made it for the win.
MECCA staff had roped off the Xavier stands, so we rushed the court in celebration.
Watch:
link
edit: missed the free throw…
Tremendous!
Best: Nov. 18, 2006, Ohio St. 42, Michigan 39. Both undefeated. OSU goes on to the national championship game (where they get punked by Florida).
Worst: Nov. 22, 1969, Michigan 24 Ohio St. 12. OSU was cruising toward a second straight national championship when they were upset by rookie coach Bo Schembechler. Still hurts.
Good stuff, everyone!
My college hoops team (DePaul) has won… zero big games since I chose to go to school there. I had already graduated, but my HS, Waukegan, did beat rival Warren in the 2009 IL state playoffs, with a crazy half-court shot from Jereme Richmond at the buzzer. It was in our home gym, too. link
For me being a lifelong Bills fan the one that comes to mind best is Sept 7, 1980, Dolphins at Bills. Side notes first, OJ name goes up on Wall of Fame and Bob Costas first football play by play with NBC. Bills enter game on 20 game losing streak to Miami aka 0 for the 70’s. Bills trailed in forth, got 2 late TD’s to end this unthinkable streak and finally beat the Dolphins. It would be the first time in stadium history fans would storm the field post game and tear down the goal posts after a win. The “original drought” was finally over. Of course “the drought” ended in 2017 when 17 year playoff drought ended.
Im a niners fan old enough to remember when they had a real rivalry with the cowboys, and when Terrell Owens scored then went out and stood on the star at midfield. It was epic. It wasn’t premeditated like being a flag or – in the case of Arizona State, a trident – and it wasn’t even much of anything in terms of a celebration. He merely raised his arms to the sky in triumph. But it was exactly as enraging as it needed to be. “No one disrespects THE STAR” but he did and pundits were talking about it for days. What constitutes an acceptable celebration, etc. It also started a tit for that that lasted a couple of seasons, if I recall correctly.
Worst loss is easy — Michigan 24, Ohio State 12, 1969. OSU was defending national champ, ranked #1, undefeated in 2 seasons, and Michigan was the last game of the year. The Big 10 had a no-repeat rule for the Rose Bowl so they weren’t going to a bowl game, so winning would pretty much clinch the 2nd straight national championship. And to top it off, OSU’s quarterback was from my small home town and had never lost a game at OSU.
I was 14 and it’s still among the worst sports days of my life. This year’s loss may have been an even bigger upset, but I no longer care about college football so it didn’t hit me like 24-12.
I’m an Ohio native and Ohio State alum. And I drive ten hours to be at The Game Saturday. So as you can imagine, the showcase example is undoubtedly it. Favored by 20 points and lost. Outcoached again. One thing Ohio State and Michigan can agree on is we’d both rather be 7-5 and beat the other rather than headed to the playoff after losing to them.
usa vs canada mens hockey in 2010 vancouver olympics. As a red wings fan seeing brian rafalski lose his man, for the golden goal. On ice medal ceremony, fans standing ovation. Neil Young closing ceremony song long may you run..sidney crosby.
Brewers vs Cubs, 2018 Game 163.
Mine isn’t from pro sports but from my softball team.
One of my teammates didn’t agree with something the person in charge of the team so he ditched us, brought a few of our players and made his own team up.
We all circled the date on the calendar for our game versus him and I got the winning RBI.
It was like we won the World Series. Woohoo
Blackhawks/Red Wings 2013.
A classic Norris Division rivalry getting one final moment before Detroit moved to the Eastern Conference. Detroit had the upper hand through the late 90’s and ‘00s while winning four cups.
This series went to Game 7 at United Center. A blown call took a game winning goal off the board in
…the final minutes, but Brent Seabrook scored the game and series winner in overtime.