15 Games To See Before I Die
There are plenty of great rivalries in sports and I haven't really been to any of them. I've been to plenty of big time sporting events, but not many simple regular-season rivalries. I feel like I've missed out and someday I need to be able to say I've been to them all. Here they are...
Virginia Tech vs. Miami @ Virginia Tech: I need to attend just one game at Virginia Tech so it may as well be Miami. Why do I want to go? Only at VTech do they walk out to THIS. If that video doesn't get your heart pumping, go get yourself fixed.
Clemson vs. South Carolina @ Clemson: The Battle Of The Palmetto State. This is a hard-hitting, trash-talking rivalry. You shouldn't miss it on television every year. The reason I want to see this is similar to the VTech game, though. There is a tradition at Clemson where they run down the grassy hill and touch "the rock." It's just one of those traditions everyone should see in person.
Texas vs. Texas A&M @ Texas A&M: The Lone Star Showdown. Texas teams battling it out is as classic as football itself. I'd like to see this at Texas A&M because of the 12th Man feature these fans feel obligated to present. They get into their games and don't let go until it's over.
Washington Redskins vs. Dallas Cowboys: One of the best current NFL rivalries. I grew up in the metropolitan Washington, D.C. area and have always known about this game, just never been. Good reason to revisit the old stomping grounds?
Miami vs Florida @ Miami: Finally, these two get back at it on the gridiron next year. I seriously CAN'T WAIT! I've been excited about games but never this much. September 6th, 2008. If my baseball team doesn't make the playoffs I will be in Gainesville quicker than a quickie. Although Florida will be unbelievably talented next year and Miami will be led by a freshman class, it will still make for a great rivalry renewed.
Florida vs. Florida State @ Florida: A storied rivalry to determine the best in the state. Texas used to be where all the football talent came from but Florida is starting to take over that crown as the hotbed for football talent. This game is always going to be there (hopefully) as long as these two teams exist. And if I go it needs to be at The Swamp. Just experiencing the #1 Toughest Place top Play in NCAA Football is something I want to behold for myself.
Lakers vs. Celtics: Historic basketball rivalry renewed by the Celtics rebirth and the Lakers always being at least legitimate challengers.
Auburn vs. Alabama @ Alabama: The Iron Bowl. I will cheer for Alabama because I'm not a big Tommy Tuberville fan. That's why I want to see this game in Alabama, but it's just one of those rivalries that makes all the top 10 lists and of course wouldn't miss mine for the world. These two teams just hate each other in all ways possible. That makes a good show.
Steelers vs. Browns @ Cleveland: Living in Ohio for so long, I realize now how much the fans of each team hate each other. It's an NFL version of OSU/Michigan. It really is. "House Divided" bumper stickers, fights outside the dorm rooms, it goes on and on. Being at Cleveland I would like to see the Dawg Pound live!
Texas vs. Oklahoma @ Texas: The Red River Shootout Rivalry. Some jackass decided to change the name because it isn't so much a shootout anymore. Come on now, that made the name unique and fun. Either way, this game is a treat to watch on television so being there must be even better. Since they usually play at a neutral site I won't be able to see this at Texas, but it should be an awesome game nevertheless. It always is.
Army vs. Navy: The Army-Navy Game. Funny the nickname for this game is so simple yet still evokes excitement in most any football fan. It's THE game. Although it doesn't muster up the level of talent it used to in 40s and 50s when both these teams were championship caliber it is still a national pastime.
Miami vs. Florida State @ Miami: OOOOOOOOHHHH OHH OHHHHHHHHHHH. OHHHHHHHHH OHH OHHHHHHHHH. Screw that. I love their chant, but when they are playing Miami I hate it. As a Miami Hurricanes sports fan, I've grown to loathe all things Florida State. Since they play at Miami next year I should be able to attend my first FSU/Miami game. Very excited.
Boston Red Sox vs. New York Yankees @ either field: Do I need to discuss this? The most historic rivalry in all of sports.
Ohio State vs. Michigan @ Ohio State: The biggest rivalry in all of college football. All I've heard about this game in my years living in Ohio and being friends with both OSU and Michigan fans, I need to be there. And although Michigan has a famous stadium, I'd much rather be at Ohio State. The people are much crazier there and it's just an aroma of psycho that fills the air there.
UNC vs. Duke @ Duke: The previous may be the most historic rivalry in sports, but this is the best in all of sports. Baseball rivalries are only great when they happen int he playoffs. The regular season is so long, the luster fades. But UNC and duke basketball play twice a year. And when they do, the clash! Hatred. Respect. Honor. The past. It all comes into play with this game. If I see this game it can only be at Coach K court. That's it. I need to see those Cameron Crazies jumping around like madmen before I die. I just have to.
Virginia Tech vs. Miami @ Virginia Tech: I need to attend just one game at Virginia Tech so it may as well be Miami. Why do I want to go? Only at VTech do they walk out to THIS. If that video doesn't get your heart pumping, go get yourself fixed.
Clemson vs. South Carolina @ Clemson: The Battle Of The Palmetto State. This is a hard-hitting, trash-talking rivalry. You shouldn't miss it on television every year. The reason I want to see this is similar to the VTech game, though. There is a tradition at Clemson where they run down the grassy hill and touch "the rock." It's just one of those traditions everyone should see in person.
Texas vs. Texas A&M @ Texas A&M: The Lone Star Showdown. Texas teams battling it out is as classic as football itself. I'd like to see this at Texas A&M because of the 12th Man feature these fans feel obligated to present. They get into their games and don't let go until it's over.
Washington Redskins vs. Dallas Cowboys: One of the best current NFL rivalries. I grew up in the metropolitan Washington, D.C. area and have always known about this game, just never been. Good reason to revisit the old stomping grounds?
Miami vs Florida @ Miami: Finally, these two get back at it on the gridiron next year. I seriously CAN'T WAIT! I've been excited about games but never this much. September 6th, 2008. If my baseball team doesn't make the playoffs I will be in Gainesville quicker than a quickie. Although Florida will be unbelievably talented next year and Miami will be led by a freshman class, it will still make for a great rivalry renewed.
Florida vs. Florida State @ Florida: A storied rivalry to determine the best in the state. Texas used to be where all the football talent came from but Florida is starting to take over that crown as the hotbed for football talent. This game is always going to be there (hopefully) as long as these two teams exist. And if I go it needs to be at The Swamp. Just experiencing the #1 Toughest Place top Play in NCAA Football is something I want to behold for myself.
Lakers vs. Celtics: Historic basketball rivalry renewed by the Celtics rebirth and the Lakers always being at least legitimate challengers.
Auburn vs. Alabama @ Alabama: The Iron Bowl. I will cheer for Alabama because I'm not a big Tommy Tuberville fan. That's why I want to see this game in Alabama, but it's just one of those rivalries that makes all the top 10 lists and of course wouldn't miss mine for the world. These two teams just hate each other in all ways possible. That makes a good show.
Steelers vs. Browns @ Cleveland: Living in Ohio for so long, I realize now how much the fans of each team hate each other. It's an NFL version of OSU/Michigan. It really is. "House Divided" bumper stickers, fights outside the dorm rooms, it goes on and on. Being at Cleveland I would like to see the Dawg Pound live!
Texas vs. Oklahoma @ Texas: The Red River Shootout Rivalry. Some jackass decided to change the name because it isn't so much a shootout anymore. Come on now, that made the name unique and fun. Either way, this game is a treat to watch on television so being there must be even better. Since they usually play at a neutral site I won't be able to see this at Texas, but it should be an awesome game nevertheless. It always is.
Army vs. Navy: The Army-Navy Game. Funny the nickname for this game is so simple yet still evokes excitement in most any football fan. It's THE game. Although it doesn't muster up the level of talent it used to in 40s and 50s when both these teams were championship caliber it is still a national pastime.
Miami vs. Florida State @ Miami: OOOOOOOOHHHH OHH OHHHHHHHHHHH. OHHHHHHHHH OHH OHHHHHHHHH. Screw that. I love their chant, but when they are playing Miami I hate it. As a Miami Hurricanes sports fan, I've grown to loathe all things Florida State. Since they play at Miami next year I should be able to attend my first FSU/Miami game. Very excited.
Boston Red Sox vs. New York Yankees @ either field: Do I need to discuss this? The most historic rivalry in all of sports.
Ohio State vs. Michigan @ Ohio State: The biggest rivalry in all of college football. All I've heard about this game in my years living in Ohio and being friends with both OSU and Michigan fans, I need to be there. And although Michigan has a famous stadium, I'd much rather be at Ohio State. The people are much crazier there and it's just an aroma of psycho that fills the air there.
UNC vs. Duke @ Duke: The previous may be the most historic rivalry in sports, but this is the best in all of sports. Baseball rivalries are only great when they happen int he playoffs. The regular season is so long, the luster fades. But UNC and duke basketball play twice a year. And when they do, the clash! Hatred. Respect. Honor. The past. It all comes into play with this game. If I see this game it can only be at Coach K court. That's it. I need to see those Cameron Crazies jumping around like madmen before I die. I just have to.
I have done quite a few on this list namely Duke Carolina in Cameron, OSU Mich at OSU and at Ann Arbor and South Carolina at Death Valley.
In terms of fun, hands down the trip to Death Valley was best.
But as far as being floored and coming away from it dazed, Duke Carolina. I was at the Capel game in 95, and saw Duke hold off Carolina back in 98.
btw, if you are gonna see Skins Cowboys, do it in Washington. there are like 80,000 at a skins game and the fans are ruthless. Big D is so corporate now the fans are disgusting. They really dont do much but sip lattes and talk about moving to LA.
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