CBS Sports Ranks Top College Football Coaching Rivalries of 21st Century

College football has featured several intense coaching rivalries over the past 25 years, highlighted by notable matchups such as Bob Stoops vs. Mack Brown, Jim Harbaugh vs. Ryan Day, and Nick Saban vs. Kirby Smart. Stoops and Brown clashed 15 times, with Stoops winning nine games, including dominant blowouts that helped Oklahoma secure a national title in 2000, while Brown led Texas to a championship in 2005. The Michigan-Ohio State rivalry escalated under Harbaugh and Day, marked by heated exchanges and Michigan's three-game winning streak from 2021 to 2023, despite Ohio State winning the national title in 2024. Meanwhile, the Saban-Smart rivalry was characterized by high-stakes games with championship implications, though Saban holds the edge in victories; their relationship remained respectful given Smart's previous role as Saban's defensive coordinator. These coaching rivalries underscore the enduring passion and competitive spirit that define college football, often transcending mere team competition to include personal dynamics between coaches.