Top 10 Big 12 College Football Rivalries

Iowa State football, Cyclones

1. Kansas vs Kansas State (Sunflower Showdown)

Sunflower Showdown is contested each season between the Kansas Jayhawks and the Kansas State Wildcats. The game is one of the most anticipated of the season with the winner taking home state supremacy and the Governor’s Cup. One of the contentious points in the rivalry occurred in 1980 when the Jayhawks forfeited the 1980 meeting due to an ineligible player. To this day the Jayhawks count it as a win whereas the Wildcats count it as a loss. If you want to go the biggest Jayhawks game of the year, then book your ticket to the Sunflower Showdown.


2. Texas vs Texas Tech (Chancellor’s Spurs)

The winner of the annual Texas Tech – Texas game receives the Chancellor’s Spurs. The rivalry between these schools dates back to 1928 when the Longhorns shutout the Tech 12-0. One of the Raiders most famous victories came against Texas in 2008 when the #7 Red Raiders knocked off the #1 Longhorns 39-33. If you want to come to one of the best games of the year, then make sure to get tickets to a game against Texas.


3. Baylor vs TCU (The Revivalry)

TCU: By far their biggest & oldest rival, TCU and Baylor have battled over 110 times since 1899, and once shared the city of Waco Texas, until TCU’s main building burned down in a fire. They are now just 90 miles away, but the competition has never been fiercer. The epic battle in 2014, a 61-59 win by Baylor, will go down as one of the most exhilarating and exciting games ever, and we’re sure that the next few years will deliver some great ones as well!


4. Oklahoma vs Oklahoma State (Bedlam)

The intra-state/conference rivalry between Oklahoma and Oklahoma State offers a great tailgating experience for fans. It is the biggest home game of the year and a fan favorite tailgating experience to be a part of. OU and OSU have been competing on the gridiron since 1904 and although OU holds a substantial lead in the all-time series the rivalry is still strong between these two schools.


5. Texas vs Oklahoma (Red River Rivalry)

The Texas/OU Sooners rivalry is one of the biggest in all of college sports. The name comes from the river that forms part of the boundary between Texas and Oklahoma. Red River Shootout trophies are given out at the game, most notably the Golden Hat which is a gold ten-gallon hat that the athletic department of the winning school holds onto until the next showdown. Even the governor’s of Oklahoma and Texas get involved: the losing Governor has to present a side of beef to the winning governor who is then given to charity. This rivalry game makes for a great tailgating experience.


6. Iowa State vs Kansas State (Farmageddon)

The Iowa State – Kansas State rivalry dates back to 1917 and is the eighth longest continuous series in college football. Dubbed “Farmageddon” as a reference to the agricultural roots of each university, the game is one of the best to attend outside of the Iowa – Iowa State game. Join in on cheering the Cyclones against one of the biggest rivals by attending Farmageddon.


7. Iowa State vs Kansas State (Farmageddon)

The Iowa State – Kansas State rivalry dates back to 1917 and is the eighth longest continuous series in college football. Dubbed “Farmageddon” as a reference to the agricultural roots of each university, the game is one of the best to attend outside of the Iowa – Iowa State game. Join in on cheering the Cyclones against one of the biggest rivals by attending Farmageddon.


8. Texas vs Texas A&M (Hex Rally)

Every year before the Texas A&M game, UT fans gather for the Hex Rally. Dating back to 1941, the tradition started when a group of students went to a clairvoyant to figure out how to beat an undefeated Texas A&M, in which they were told to burn red candles en masse since they represented challenge and opposition. They did as they were told and ended up upsetting the Aggies to a 23-0 victory. Since then, the tradition has stuck and is now attended by players and coaches and is a great start to one of the largest weekends in Texas football.


9. Baylor vs Texas Tech

Baylor and Texas Tech have been meeting on the gridiron since 1926 when the Bears beat the Red Raiders 34-0. The rivalry is one of the most closely contested of all time with the series tied at 37-37-1. If you’re looking to make a trip to Waco, then the rivalry game against Texas Tech is as good of a time to come as any.


10. Texas Tech vs TCU

The Red Raider’s rivalry with the Horned Frogs dates back to 1926 when TCU took down Tech 28-16. The rivalry was dormant for a few years after the Southwest Conference broke up in 1995, however, with TCU joining the Big 12 in 2012 the rivalry has picked up right where it left off.