Dave Dameshek

but then they're the rivalries based on more than mere contemptuous familiarity sometimes it's about two teams peaking in different time zones but in the same window of time leading to showdowns that play as cultural reckonings and live on past just one generation among sports best non-regional rivalries lakers celtics is probably number one with the yankees v dodgers right behind but let's rank the top six in football

At number six, extreme lifestyle differences between the ancient rivals at sun-baked USC and dreary old Notre Dame.

And I don't just mean the Golden Domers' aversion to using Trojans.

I'll also throw Notre Dame v. the U in here, as redundant as the vibes are.

At number five, Tom Brady v. the Manning brothers.

Yeah, if Ole Miss BMOC Archie Manning had met his future wife Olivia in Oxford, with future considerations Peyton and Eli, Brady would probably have a dozen Lombardis.

Then there are the Dallas Cowboys, who have so many non-regional rivals where you can even leave out their three NFC East foes, all of whom reside 1,500 miles away from Texas.

At number four, there's Cowboys v. the Niners.

With Staubach's comeback in 72, and the catch in 81, and in three straight early 90s championship meetings, we knew the Survivor's reward was going to be the Lombardi Trophy.

At number three, Cowboys-Packers might be even bigger.

If Bob Lilly tackles Bart Starr on the QB sneak at the end of the ice bowl in 67, NFL champs wouldn't hoist the Lombardi Trophy, it'd be the Landry Trophy.

Bigger still, though, at number two, Cowboys v. Steelers.

Back in the 70s when pro football was still just rounding the corner on its way to passing baseball in popularity, Dallas and Pittsburgh were fraternal twin heavyweights, shiny stars v. Steely Braun.

Nine Super Bowl appearances between them in the decade, twice against each other, then again once in the mid-90s.

To this day, when Dallas or Pittsburgh plays on a road game, the stadium is half-filled with their supporters.

That's how deep the roots sank across football America.

That and all others go behind number one, though, Army v. Navy.

not many visuals better than the sea of cadets in gray and midshipmen in black preferably with a light snow falling all around in almost any rivalry the participants claim it's the only game on the schedule that matters but as far as i can tell the only head-to-head where that's actually the case is between these two anywho here comes another weekend of football let's get to this show so i can go sit on that couch behind me for the next 72 hours start the show

Yes, hi and hello, my fellow football Americans.

Welcome to episode number 17.