🔥JUST NOW: “Michigan-Ohio State Football Is the Greatest Rivalry” — Top College Football Analyst Sparks Frenzy As He Lists Wolverines vs. Buckeyes As No. 1 Rivalry in CFB… But Fans Call It a LIE Due To

🔥JUST NOW: “Michigan-Ohio State Football Is the Greatest Rivalry” — Top College Football Analyst Sparks Frenzy As He Lists Wolverines vs. Buckeyes As No. 1 Rivalry in CFB… But Fans Call It a LIE Due To…

 

In a bold and controversial claim that has reignited tensions across the college football landscape, a leading college football analyst has declared that the Michigan–Ohio State rivalry is the greatest rivalry in all of college football — sparking massive backlash from fans of other powerhouse programs who believe the title is undeserved and historically skewed.

 

During a heated segment on ESPN’s “College Football Final,” analyst Trevor Dawson called the Wolverines–Buckeyes clash “the heartbeat of college football” and ranked it #1 on his Top 10 College Football Rivalries of All Time.

 

> “There’s passion, there’s hatred, there’s legacy, and there are national titles on the line. No other rivalry in college football defines a season the way Michigan–Ohio State does. It’s simply the greatest,” Dawson claimed live on-air.

 

 

 

While some fans from Ann Arbor and Columbus celebrated the shout-out, others across the nation weren’t having it — and tensions flared instantly on social media, forums, and sports talk shows, as fans called the ranking a lie due to several reasons they claim invalidate its supremacy.

 

 

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🧨The College Football World Reacts — “This Is Just SEC Disrespect!”

 

The moment the ranking went viral, fans from SEC powerhouses like Alabama, Auburn, Georgia, and LSU exploded with criticism, accusing ESPN and Dawson of Big Ten bias and overlooking the ferocity, championships, and cultural dominance of southern football rivalries.

 

A Crimson Tide fan on Twitter wrote:

 

> “Michigan–Ohio State is great, but it’s not even CLOSE to the Iron Bowl. Try having your entire state burn down after a single football game.”

 

 

 

An LSU supporter added:

 

> “That rivalry is one game a year. Come to Death Valley on a Saturday night, and then tell me what real hate feels like.”

 

 

 

Many called the analyst’s take “lazy,” “historically biased,” and “a media-driven narrative to inflate northern football.”

 

 

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🧠Why the Analyst Said Michigan–Ohio State Is No. 1

 

Despite the backlash, Dawson doubled down on his ranking, citing several historic and cultural reasons for putting “The Game” at the top:

 

1. Legacy & History

 

First played in 1897, the rivalry has spanned well over a century.

 

It has produced over 120 games, dozens of NFL legends, and multiple Heisman winners.

 

 

 

2. Championship Implications

 

Since the formation of the Big Ten East, the game has often decided the conference title and even playoff spots.

 

 

 

3. Cultural Impact

 

The rivalry doesn’t just divide states — it divides households, marriages, and even political allegiances.

 

 

 

4. National Viewership

 

It remains one of the most-watched games in college football annually, often outperforming conference title games.

 

 

 

 

> “When Michigan and Ohio State meet, the whole nation watches. That’s what makes it different. That’s why it’s the greatest,” Dawson argued.

 

 

 

 

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📉But Fans Say “It’s a Lie” — Here’s Why

 

Critics across fanbases fired back with their own reasons why the Michigan–Ohio State rivalry shouldn’t be ranked No. 1:

 

1. Lack of Competitive Balance Until Recently

 

For nearly two decades, Ohio State dominated Michigan, winning 15 of 16 matchups between 2004 and 2019. Critics argue that this period of one-sided dominance diminished the rivalry’s intensity.

 

> “How can it be the greatest rivalry if it wasn’t even competitive for 20 years?” one Florida State fan posted.

 

 

 

2. No SEC-Level Chaos or Violence

 

While intense, fans argue that the Michigan–Ohio State rivalry lacks the off-the-field chaos that makes Southern rivalries so brutal—think tree poisonings (Iron Bowl), mascot fights (Florida–Georgia), and literal fistfights between marching bands.

 

> “Until someone poisons a tree or punches a grandma, it’s not the greatest rivalry,” joked an Auburn meme account.

 

 

 

3. Playoff Struggles

 

Fans point out that neither Michigan nor Ohio State has dominated in the College Football Playoff era the way programs like Alabama, Georgia, or Clemson have. So how can their rivalry be “the best,” if they’re not consistently the best teams?

 

4. Media Bias

 

Some fans believe the ESPN narrative is driven by historical loyalty to Big Ten schools and older-generation nostalgia.

 

> “ESPN’s obsession with this game is like your dad’s obsession with cassette tapes. It’s outdated,” wrote one Texas fan.

 

 

 

 

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🔥Top 5 College Football Rivalries (According to Dawson’s Ranking)

 

1. Michigan vs. Ohio State

 

 

2. Alabama vs. Auburn (Iron Bowl)

 

 

3. Florida vs. Georgia (World’s Largest Outdoor Cocktail Party)

 

 

4. Army vs. Navy

 

 

5. Texas vs. Oklahoma (Red River Rivalry)

 

 

 

Notably, Notre Dame vs. USC, LSU vs. Alabama, and Miami vs. Florida State were ranked outside the top five—prompting even more rage from those fanbases.

 

 

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💬College Football Insiders Weigh In

 

Former Michigan player and current analyst Desmond Howard praised the ranking:

 

> “The Game is more than a game. It’s a religion. If you’ve never experienced it, you won’t understand. That’s why it’ll always be No. 1.”

 

 

 

But former Georgia linebacker David Pollack pushed back:

 

> “It’s cute and historic, but the Iron Bowl? LSU-Bama? Those are battles. Michigan–Ohio State is just a fancy tea party by comparison.”

 

 

 

 

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🏟️What Makes This Rivalry Still Special?

 

Despite the criticism, few can deny the gravitational pull of Michigan–Ohio State. The traditions, the stakes, and the sheer hatred shared between these two blue-blood programs still make it one of the most anticipated games on the calendar.

 

The last three editions of The Game have become instant classics, with playoff implications, Heisman campaigns, and even coaching legacies hanging in the balance. With both programs now consistently ranked in the top 5, the rivalry seems more alive than ever.

 

 

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🎯Final Verdict?

 

Is Michigan–Ohio State truly the greatest rivalry in college football?

The answer, like every rivalry, depends on who you ask.

 

To fans in the South, it’s media propaganda.

To Big Ten loyalists, it’s the gospel truth.

To neutral observers, it’s definitely one of the greatest — even if others bring more chaos, blood, and madness.

 

But one thing’s for sure — when the Wolverines and Buckeyes face off this fall, the entire na

tion will stop and watch.

 

As fans call the ranking a LIE due to perceived bias, playoff history, and SEC disrespect — the flames of rivalry just keep getting hotter.