College football’s got tradition, passion, and rivalries so old they feel practically mythic. But honestly, not every storied matchup lives up to its reputation anymore.
Some of the most famous games in history now feel a bit overrated. Lopsided results, boring performances, or just too much hype—these things can drain the excitement right out of a rivalry.
Let’s talk about three of these so-called legendary matchups. The Third Saturday in October, Army vs. Navy, and Bedlam all have history and plenty of bad blood, but lately? They just haven’t delivered the drama fans hope for.
The Third Saturday in October: Alabama vs. Tennessee
The Alabama vs. Tennessee rivalry—yeah, the Third Saturday in October—has been around forever. Still, in the last decade or so, it’s lost its competitive spark.
From 2007 to 2021, Alabama won 15 straight games. Some of these were so lopsided, you almost felt bad for Tennessee’s starters still being out there.
The Lopsided Nature of the Rivalry
Alabama’s dominance during that stretch was hard to ignore. Most games turned into blowouts, and honestly, it was tough for fans to get hyped about the matchup.
Then came 2022. Tennessee finally pulled off a wild 52-49 win, and fans went absolutely nuts—rushing the field, tearing down goal posts, the whole deal. It was clear how desperate they were for any kind of victory.
Restoring Competitiveness
Sure, the last couple meetings have been more exciting. But let’s be real—it’ll take more than that to erase years of Alabama treating this rivalry like a routine conference game.
Unpredictability is what makes a rivalry great, and for too long, this one just hasn’t had it. Without that, the Third Saturday in October struggles to feel special.
Army vs. Navy: Tradition vs. Entertainment
Army vs. Navy—there’s nothing else quite like it in college football. The tradition, the respect, the pageantry before kickoff—it’s all fantastic.
But when it comes to the actual game? Well, it’s usually not that thrilling to watch.
Low-Scoring Affairs
One big problem: these games are almost always low-scoring. Over the last ten years, the average total points is just 28.7.
And the average margin? More than 12 points. That means plenty of these matchups haven’t even been close. Navy even rattled off 14 straight wins from 2002 to 2015—yikes.
The Tradition Deserves Its Stage
Every now and then, like last season’s 17-16 finish, you get a nail-biter. But honestly, those are rare.
The tradition deserves the spotlight, no question. Still, the game itself often makes you wish there was something else to flip to on TV. All the history and ceremony in the world can’t always make up for a dull contest.
Bedlam: Oklahoma vs. Oklahoma State
Now, Bedlam—that’s Oklahoma vs. Oklahoma State—gets hyped as unpredictable chaos. But in reality, it’s usually anything but.
Oklahoma leads the series 91-21-7. That’s not just lopsided; it’s almost comical.
A Historical Edge
Oklahoma’s dominance isn’t just ancient history, either. Even recently, they’ve kept winning—10 of the final 15 meetings before leaving the Big 12.
Sure, sometimes the games are wild and go down to the wire. But the overall pattern is clear: Oklahoma almost always comes out on top.
Memorable Games Amidst Dominance
There have been some memorable moments. Oklahoma State’s 2023 win stands out, for sure.
But those upsets are rare. Oklahoma’s won more than three out of every four meetings, and at one point, they rattled off a 19-game win streak. That kind of dominance makes it tough to call Bedlam a true rivalry these days.
Regional Rivalries Matter
Bedlam ought to make a comeback. Regional games are honestly one of the best things about college football.
But let’s be real: this one’s a rivalry mostly in name, with a few unforgettable moments and, well, a lopsided record favoring Oklahoma. That imbalance has always made it tough for Bedlam to match the hype of the nation’s fiercest matchups.
If you’re curious about other rivalries that might not live up to their reputations, check out the full article on Yardbarker.
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