Ranking the Top 10 biggest rivalries currently for Alabama football
In a state where college football commands cultural destiny, the Alabama Crimson Tide’s rivalries are more than games—they’re generational legacies, statewide wars of pride, and chapters of gridiron folklore. These ten clashes define the soul of the Tide today:
Dating to 1893, this intrastate grudge match is college football’s ultimate family divisive moment—where Roll Tide and War Eagle become declarations of identity. Moments like the 2013 “Kick Six” still echo through bars and living rooms statewide.
And passion? Factor in Harvey Updyke’s tree‑poisoning saga—a chilling reminder that for some, this rivalry is all‑consuming.”)
Since 1901, this game has embodied tradition, with players—including Nick Saban himself—calling its atmosphere more electric than even the Iron Bowl, While Alabama has dominated recently (16–1 since 2007), the 2022 Vols win proved its doctrinal value
No rivalry has felt more destined for white-hot passion since SEC divisional play began. With 22 West titles between them, face‑offs routinely decide championships Though not a yearly affair until 1992, these games—especially in SEC title contexts—carry immense weight. Alabama leads 27–14, but the animus is as sharp as ever .
A tale stretching back to 1894, where the Tide have largely held sway (55–10–2). Still, every clash—especially in Oxford—echoes with deep-seated pride and SEC West stakes
Though lopsided (Bama leads ~88–17–3), proximity keeps this matchup emotionally charged. It’s the SEC West’s nearest neighbor showdown.
Not annual, but epic when it happens. Four College Football Playoff finals from 2016–19 has made this a modern must-watch rivalry. Clemson took the 2019 title, though Bama still leads the series 14–5 .
Emerging as Alabama’s new foil: multiple SEC titles and CFP showdowns in recent seasons, including rematches, have turned this into a heavyweight modern rivalry .
One of the few true East‑West classics. Though they haven’t met since 2011, campuses from 1959 on added prestige to this rare but respected clash .
Not daily rivals, but increasingly meaningful due to conference growth. Arkansas carries history, while Texas A&M, Oklahoma, and South Carolina stir fresh chapters in the SEC’s evolution .
These rivalries are more than football—they’re a cultural heartbeat: from Auburn’s Iron Bowl tribal intensity and occasional outrageous drama, to Tennessee’s tradition-soaked clash, LSU’s SEC title implications, and Clemson’s national championship theater. While historical pride fuels matchups like Ole Miss and Mississippi State, emergent fixtures like Georgia or Oklahoma reflect the Tide’s adaptive legacy in an ever-evolving collegiate landscape.
If you’d like feature stories or player interviews from a specific rivalry or game, I’d be happy to dig in!
