My 10 Favorite Rivalries +1

10. SMU/TCU

Ok so maybe this won't make too many top rivalry lists but it is close to my heart has I experienced this one personally. These 2 schools are so close in location and culture, it is difficult to tell them apart. The trophy is the "Iron Skillet" and its origins are unknown although lore dictates the following: "No one knows the original names to the story of the Iron Skillet, but it has been rumored that TCU and SMU fans originated this tradition back in the 1950s. During a pre game festivity a SMU fan was frying up some frog legs as a joke before the game. A TCU fan, seeing this desecration of the "frog", went over and told him that eating the frog legs was going well beyond the rivalry and that they should let the game decide who would get the skillet and the frog legs. TCU ended up winning the game and the skillet and the frog legs went to TCU. The tradition eventually spilled over into the actual game and the Iron Skillet is now passed to the winner between TCU and SMU." - Wikipedia

TCU currently leads the all-time series, 41-39-7... grrrr.

9. MacGyver/Murdoc

Sure laugh if you want but if you didn't like Macgyver when you were a kid, then you are probably communist. These two masterminds battled it out week in and week out. It was great that it wasn't just a physical battle, they day had to be won by the mind. And with Penny Parker (Teri Hatcher) on the line, battle they did! Many a modern day nerd owes his confidence to this brillian rivalry.

8. Liono/Mum-Ra

If you have no idea who these two characters are, then I am not going to explain it to you. Needless to say, you are missing out on the greatest cartoon in the world.

7. USA / USSR

Awesome. Not only did we win, so many great machines and movies were made without a single shot fired. One word... WOLVERINES!!!!

6. Robin Hood /Prince John

I am talking about the Disney cartoon made in the 70's. ONe of my tob 5 favorite movies of all time. I can hear it in my head now, "Robin Hood and Little John go walking through the forest..."

5. Maverick /Iceman

Forget the 5"2 Maverick and the bird-chested Iceman squaring off in the locker room in towels.. and forget the fact that a young, hot fighter pilot is chasing a quasi-cougar that is twice his age and looks it... no really, forget it. The magic was in the skies over southern California where they were taught, and I quote: "ACM, air combat maneuvering" (Thanks Jester). Just remember, the trophy for 2nd place is in the ladies room.

4. Barry Sanders / The Lions' offensive line

My favorite player of all time spent as much time dodging his supposed blockers as he did defenders. If only he had played for another team, he would hold every record in the book.

3. Me / The screaming lady from "So You Think You Can Dance"

She doesn't know it yet, but I am her biggest rival. She literally causes me to make faces like I am in pain when she screams,,, it's involuntary I swear! I would like to put her on a hot tamale train into the side of a building. And yes I do watch that show,,, shut up.

2. Swiss Family Robinson / The Pirates

Oh Pirates why are you so stupid, everyone knows you don't attack up a steep hill. Especially when there are Swiss folks up there. Switzerland is practically Germany and you know how clever they are. Oh and while I am giving war advice, you should never go in against a Sicilian, WHEN DEATH IS ON THE LINE! HAHAHAHAHA!! (which leads me to #1)

1. Inigo Montoya / Count Rugen

Here's the deal Count, his name is Inigo Montoya, you killed his father, prepare to die. really a short lived rivalry for the Count as he didn't really know that Montoya was looking for him until the last 20 minutes of his life. But those were the most rivalrous 20 minutes of all times.

Runner up:

Oklahoma State / Texas A&M

Both Aggie schools, both in the Big XXII both second best football teams in their states,, always. So there is some disdain, a healthy amount anyway. But that disdain took a small break this weekend when 2 people put their school pride aside and decided to get married. Congrats Julie and Kyle. All the best.

Laters,

jth

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