We'll Give You the Team, You Tell Us Their Rival

By: Gavin Thagard
Image: shutterstock

About This Quiz

Rivalries seem to be the driving force behind sports. They give fans someone to root against, a villain in each team's story. What makes a good rivalry, though? Is it two teams from the same city, state or country? Is it winning, where both teams go back and forth year after year? What about storied moments? Does it make a rivalry when games are constantly won at the last minute, leaving fans on the edge of their seats at all times? 

The truth is that there's no one thing that makes up a great rivalry. After all, rivalries are shaped in so many different ways for so many different reasons. Some rivalries are built off teams playing each other for championships year after year. Other rivalries can be traced back to the beginning of their respective sports or to a single moment that defined the direction of two opposing franchises or programs. 

One thing is certain, however, and that's the fact that you know a rivalry is good when you see the two teams lined up across from one another, when you see the fire in their eyes and when you can feel the competitive spirit in the air. That's when you know you're in for a treat as a fan. 

How well do you know the best rivalries in sports? If we give you a team, can you tell us who their rival is? Get started with this quiz and find out!

Who's the rival to the University of Alabama?

The Iron Bowl has had some storied moments throughout its history. If you're an Auburn fan, the kick six return in 2013 with one second left on the clock will forever be sketched in your memory.

Which team is the Yankees' rival?

This rivalry was shaped around the trade of Babe Ruth from the Red Sox to the Yankees. The trade started the Curse of the Bambino, where the Red Sox didn't win a title for 86 years.

Which team is the rival of the Green Bay Packers?

The Green Bay Packers won the first Super Bowl in 1966. Since then, the team has won three more Super Bowls, while the Bears have only won a single Super Bowl in 1985.

Located on the opposite side of the United States, which team is the Celtics' rival?

The Lakers and Celtics rivalry was shaped in the '80s by the rivalry between Magic Johnson and Larry Bird. During the decade, both teams won a combined eight championships.

In college basketball, who's the rival of Duke?

The rivalry between Duke and North Carolina began as a product of location. They are located only 10 miles apart.

Which team is the rival of Real Madrid?

The rivalry between Real Madrid and Barcelona pits the two largest cities in Spain against one another. The matchup is known as El Clásico.

Who's the rival of Ohio State?

Ohio State and Michigan have been playing each other since 1897. They have met 114 times since then.

Which team is the Atlanta Braves' rival?

The Braves and the Mets first met in the playoffs during the 1969 NLCS. The Mets swept the Braves in the series before going on to win the World Series title.

Which team is the rival of the Dallas Cowboys?

The Cowboys came into the 2017 season with high expectations after making the playoffs the year before. However, it was the Eagles who would soar as they went on to win the Super Bowl against the New England Patriots. Wearing a Cowboys jersey to an Eagles home game can lead to unpleasantness.

Which team is the Bulls' rival in the NBA?

The Bulls and the Pistons rivalry was shaped by the hatred between Michael Jordan and Isiah Thomas. Thomas got the best of Jordan early on in the rivalry, but Jordan would prove he was the better player before all was said and done.

Who's the rival of USC?

The winner of the UCLA-USC game is awarded the Victory Bell. USC currently holds the nearly 300-pound, brass bell.

Who's the rival of the Texas Rangers?

One of the greatest pitchers of all time, Nolan Ryan, played for both the Rangers and the Astros. Both teams retired his number 34.

In the NHL, which team is the rival of the Penguins​?

The Penguins and Flyers rivalry pits two teams from Pennsylvania against one another in a matchup known as the Battle of Pennsylvania. The Flyers hold the all-time series record along with the longest winning streak at 11 games.

Which team is the rival of the University of Texas?

The Red River Rivalry has taken place since 1900. Texas defeated Oklahoma in their first meeting 28-2.

Who's the rival of the Steelers?

No team has more Super Bowl wins than the Pittsburgh Steelers. However, the Ravens have the most recent Super Bowl title, which they won in 2012.

Which team is Florida State's rival?

Florida State and Miami both rose to college football prominence in the 1980s and '90s. Both teams' success can be attributed to the talented players who went through the programs before going on to play in the NFL.

Who is the rival of the Chicago Cubs in MLB?

The rivalry between the Cardinals and the Cubs was intensified in 1998 when Mark McGwire and Sammy Sosa went back and forth trying to beat the single-season home run record. Both players beat the original record of 61, but Mark McGwire set the new record at 70.

In world soccer, who's the rival of the Celtics?

The Celtics hold the largest victory in this rivalry at 7-1. The win came during the Scottish League Cup in 1957.

Which NFL team is the Broncos' rival?

The Raiders dominated the late '70s and early '80s. Much of their success was attributed to their tough, dirty play on the field.

Which team is the rival of the Islanders in the NHL?

The Rangers and the Islanders have met several times in the playoffs. Their most recent playoff series was in 1994 when the Rangers swept the series 4-0.

Which team is the University of Georgia's rival?

The rivalry between Georgia and Florida is known as the "World's Largest Outdoor Cocktail Party." The name comes from the drinking that takes place among fans before the game.

Who is the rival of the Cincinnati Reds?

The Reds and the Indians play in two different leagues, but that doesn't make this rivalry any less intense. In fact, the winner of the game is awarded a trophy known as the Ohio Cup, which adds plenty of fuel when these teams get together.

In the NBA, which team is the Spurs' rival?

Since 1999, the Spurs have won five NBA championships. The Rockets, on the other hand, haven't been to the NBA Finals since 1995.

Which team is the Atlanta Falcons' rival?

The Saints and the Falcons have two of the top quarterbacks in the NFL. However, Drew Brees has won a Super Bowl with the Saints, while Matt Ryan lost in his only appearance.

In MLB, which team is the rival of the White Sox?

The Cubs are located in Chicago's North Side, while the White Sox are in the South Side. These locations are used when describing fans of each team as "North Siders" or "South Siders."

Which team is the rival of Notre Dame?

Despite only meeting 32 times, Notre Dame and Stanford have a fierce rivalry. Notre Dame leads the series 19-13.

Who's the biggest rival of Chivas De Guadalajara?

The rivalry between Chivas De Guadalajara and Club America is partially built around the type of players each team chooses to sign. Chivas chooses to sign only Mexican-born players to their roster, but Club America goes for big-name​ foreign stars.

Which Western Conference NBA team is the rival of the Lakers?

For much of the 2000s, the Spurs and the Lakers had two of the greatest players, Tim Duncan and Kobe Bryant, to ever play in the NBA. They won a combined 10 NBA titles for their respective teams.

Which team is the Bruins' rival in the NHL?

The Canadiens and the Bruins have a long history to their rivalry, which includes playing each other more times than any other two teams in the NHL. Nine of the times they've met were in Game 7s of the NHL playoffs.

Who's the rival of Clemson?

Under head coach Dabo Swinney, Clemson has become one of the most dominant teams in college football, even winning a National Championship. South Carolina seeks to have that same success under third-year head coach Will Muschamp.

Which NBA team has the Cavaliers created a rivalry with in the Finals over the past few years?

From 2015 until 2018, the Cavaliers and the Warriors met four straight times in the NBA Finals. The peak of the rivalry was in 2016, when the Cavaliers came back from a 3-1 deficit to defeat the Warriors in seven games.

Who's the rival of Manchester United?

Manchester United and Liverpool are two English teams that have had success both in their league and nationally. Both teams have been crowned European champions, with Liverpool winning five times and United winning three times.

Which team is the Pacers' rival in the NBA?

At one point, this rivalry pitted a player against a fan when Reggie Miller, who played for the Pacers, went at Knicks super fan Spike Lee. Lee was known for talking trash, and Miller wasn't afraid to answer back.

Which team is the biggest rival of Army in college football?

You know a rivalry is good when it ends the regular season for all teams in college football. That's exactly what the Army-Navy game does, as it's the last game before the bowl season starts.

Which NFL team is the rival of the Patriots?

The Patriots have dominated the AFC East since 2001, winning the division every year except two. The Jets have one division title during that span.

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