The Athletic has a story headlined Which college football rivalry has the best name? Ranking Bedlam, the Iron Bowl and more that ranks what the author considers the top 25 football rivalry names. This one may bring a smile (LINK):
22. Granite Bowl — New Hampshire vs. Dartmouth
Another state-specific bowl, but being known for a rock formed from volcanic magma is pretty cool.
But before you get too big a head about the nickname for a rivalry game that unfortunately is no longer on the schedule every year, here are a couple of others that might make an appearance on the list a little less meaningful:
14. Seafaring Scuffle — U.S. Merchant Marine vs. SUNY Maritime
Two New York schools that specialize in maritime studies AND alliteration? Yes, please. We need to figure out how to use “seafaring” more in daily conversation. Also, points for something that isn’t “bowl” or “showdown.”
13. Coal Bowl — Indiana (Pa.) vs. California (Pa.)
This is a matchup between “Indiana” and “California” universities located in Pennsylvania. It’s confusing, but the name is fantastic: a local emphasis that rhymes. It’s also better than the “Friends of Coal Bowl” for West Virginia and Marshall.
And while The Game did not make the cut, another contest between elite schools did:
9. The Biggest Little Game in America — Amherst vs. Williams
The most self-aware and humble rivalry name there is. Division III’s most-played rivalry dates back to 1884 and even hosted ESPN’s “College GameDay” in 2007.
Here’s the top five from the article. I’m OK with these, with one exception:
5. The Iron Bowl (Alabama-Auburn)
4. The Holy War (BYU-Utah)
3. The Battle for the Bones (UAB-Memphis)
2. Bedlam (Oklahoma-Oklahoma State)
1. Brawl of the Wild (Montana-Montana State)
The exception? I absolutely would have replaced No. 3 “The Battle of the Bones” (which I’d never heard of) with The World's Largest Outdoor Cocktail Party (Florida-Georgia) or The Civil War (Oregon-Oregon State). And because it’s the most played game of all, The Rivalry (Lehigh-Lafayette) could hold down that spot.
I have to say, though, the Brawl of the Wild is a deserving number one choice.
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I don’t know much about the fellow is who is doing these videos from around the FCS, but here’s another of local interest:
Dartmouth WR Daniel Haughton (@Danielhaughton_) returns as the top perimeter threat for the Big Green in 2025.
— Bryan (@BGauvin23) July 7, 2025
Haughton hauled in 27 receptions for 428 yards and 3 TDs last season.
With an expanded role on tap, Haughton is poised for a breakout year and should firmly be in the… pic.twitter.com/SQj3sBPMqJ
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EXTRA POINT
I’ve been reading a new novel from a popular writer of outdoor fiction and one grammatical construction he uses time and again makes me want to scream at his editor.
He repeatedly uses the word “and” where he should be using the word “to.” He’ll write: “The hunter had to try and find his way back over the mountain,” when what he means is, “The hunter had to try to find his way back over the mountain.”
It’s OK if the author uses it in dialogue, because a lot of people use that construction when they speak. But when an accomplished and successful author continually uses that construction in his narrative it’s like fingernails on a chalkboard for me.
