The 5 'little brother' rivalries in college football

"Lil' bro stay doing lil bro things," former Michigan tight end Colston Loveland said when both teams fought following a 24-17 Michigan State loss in 2024.

Texas Longhorns vs. Texas A&M Aggies | Record: Texas, 78-37-5

Texas A&M calls UT (not to be confused with Tennessee) TU and includes the lyrics, "saw varsity's horns off" in its fight song, "Aggie War Hymn." Talk about living in one's head rent-free.

Texas has usually said "Goodbye to A&M." Since 1996, the Longhorns have gone 13-5 in the Lone Star Showdown. The rivalry paused from 2012-23 after the Aggies moved from the Big 12 to the SEC. Since joining the SEC in 2024, the Longhorns have won two straight against Texas A&M. They'll aim for a third consecutive victory when they head to College Station on Nov. 27.

Texas edge-rusher Colin Simmons said in June that "Texas A&M is more of a rivalry than Oklahoma." That could be recency bias. Historically, the Sooners (seven national titles) are the biggest rival of the Longhorns (four national titles). Texas A&M — which hasn't won a national championship since 1939 — has to settle for being No. 2.

Oklahoma Sooners vs. Oklahoma State Cowboys | Record: Oklahoma, 91-20-7 

Speaking of the Sooners, they also have a secondary rival. The Pokes play a similar role to the Aggies in the Bedlam Series. 

"They'll get their a— beat again just like every other time," former Oklahoma HC Barry Switzer, who went 15-1 against Oklahoma State, told The Dallas Morning News in August 2017.

Switzer's prediction was correct. That season, former Sooners QB Baker Mayfield threw for a program-record 598 yards and five TDs in a 62-52 victory. Some years it wasn't that close. In 1904, the Sooners dismantled the Cowboys 75-0 in the rivalry's biggest blowout.

At least Oklahoma State can say it beat Oklahoma 27-24 when those schools last played in 2023, before OU flocked to the SEC. With no plans to renew the rivalry, the Cowboys can enjoy that one for a while. 

USC Trojans vs. UCLA Bruins | Record: USC, 52-34-7

Now, in men's basketball, the roles are flipped. The Bruins have won 11 national titles on the hardwood, while the Trojans have none. But we're talking about football. 

The Trojans boast nine national titles and eight Heisman winners, including QB Caleb Williams (now with the Chicago Bears). UCLA, meanwhile, has won one championship and has one Heisman winner (QB Gary Beban, 1967). No wonder the Notre Dame Fighting Irish (13 national titles and seven Heisman winners) are considered USC's biggest rival on the gridiron. 

USC has underwhelmed under fifth-year head coach Lincoln Riley, who has yet to lead the program to the College Football Playoff. However, it has continued to dominate the Bruins, winning three of the last four meetings. Perhaps UCLA's luck will change when it hosts the Trojans on Nov. 28. The Bruins (8-0) are currently No. 8 in the CFP rankings in their first season under new HC Bob Chesney. 

Tennessee Volunteers vs. Vanderbilt Commodores | Record: Tennessee, 79-34-5 

Yes, Vanderbilt beat Tennessee 45-24 last season, but the Volunteers run this rivalry. It's not even their biggest one. Beating the Alabama Crimson Tide — who hold a 60-41-7 lead over the Volunteers — is a higher priority for the SEC school. 

Tennessee is a football factory that has produced Pro Football Hall of Famers such as Reggie White and Peyton Manning. Vanderbilt's notable alums include QB Diego Pavia, who remains a free agent. 

After going 10-3 last season, Vanderbilt (3-5) has regressed this season. Don't be surprised if Tennessee reminds the Volunteer State why it's the "older brother" when it heads to Nashville on Nov. 28.