I Love College Football Rivalries

By Coach Hayes

When you think of College football, the first thought that comes to mind is: Epic Rivalries. 

It may be the campus culture, or just the passionate nature of college football; but when two rivals face off, win-loss records go out the window. The only thing that matters is what happens on the field that day. Both teams can be undefeated or winless, but either way, it's either team's biggest game outside of the Conference Championship, a Bowl Game, or the National Championship. The winner will own the bragging rights over their opponent for an entire year. The loser will have to sit and wait for their revenge. 

When talking about college football rivalries, certain match-ups stand out; Ohio State/Michigan, Auburn/Alabama, Notre Dame/USC, or Texas/Texas A&M. However, there is one defunct rivalry making a comeback: West Virginia/Virginia Tech. Mind you, this won't occur until 2021... but hey, its coming back! These teams have been playing since 1912, and 33 consecutive years from 1973-2005; with the Mountaineers holding a narrow series lead at 28-22-1. The last time that these coal belt rivals met, Virginia Tech took home the victory and the Black Diamond Trophy. Back then both teams were in the Big East Conference until The Hokies spread their wings and took off for the ACC. 

The Black Diamond Trophy, as it currently sits in its Blacksburg home.

Last season, West Virginia jumped ship and left the slumping Big East (now the American Athletic Conference), moving south to the SEC. There is still eight years before this rivalry will be reborn, but these campuses are already buzzing with anticipation for the next game. .