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Stephen A. Smith, Chris Russo spar over the best rivalries in college football
By Keith Farner
Published:
Stephen A. Smith and Chris Russo took in college football rivalries as the latest debate between the spirited personalities.
On ESPN’s “First Take” on Wednesday, Smith and Russo discussed all the merits of the top rivalries, from Michigan-Ohio State, to the Iron Bowl, and even Notre Dame-Southern Cal. Russo’s argument was that the road team needs to win more to establish a solid rivalry.
“Where is there a game in college football that you have to watch,” Russo said.
Smith, who appeared disgusted with Russo, explained it this way:
“I’ve got to reel you over here, because your standards are a bit awry,” he said. “It’s the theater, baby.”
Smith then nominated Alabama-Georgia and noted that each team won a game last season, and how Kirby Smart is a former assistant now competing against Nick Saban, and both are in the SEC, the top football conference in the nation.
“How about they’re 2 of the top 3 programs in the nation,” Smith said, then submitted Texas A&M-Alabama following the Aggies’ win last year.
Smith also suggested Brian Kelly chose to resurrect LSU and get the Tigers back to relevancy.
“If I’ve got an elite program, against another elite program, who don’t like each other, and are scheduled to compete against one another, we ain’t waiting 5 years for the matchup,” Smith said, and noted that it might not be an “old school” rivalry, but instead a modern reality.
A former newspaper veteran, Keith Farner is a news manager for Saturday Down South.
