This is probably my favorite Saturday during the college football season…. Rivalry Saturday. It’s a Saturday where passion is unparalleled, history rich, story lines emotional and outcomes unpredictable.
We all know the stats, the players, the predictions… but I thought I would take a different twist to Rivalry Saturday and take a look at the teams’ social media presence and how they match up. Below are some of the biggest rivalries today and how they stack up next to each other in the social space:
Florida vs. Florida State
This series was first played in 1958. Both schools are the oldest public universities in the state of Florida.
Facebook Fans
1.2M vs. 328,779
Percent of FB Audience Engaged
4.2% vs. 11%
Engage on Facebook
NO vs. NO
Twitter Followers
98,992 vs. 28,115
Engage on Twitter
YES vs. NO
Ohio State vs. Michigan Football (The Game)
The annual matchup between these two teams has been held at the end of the regular season since 1935, with a few exceptions. Since 1918 The Game’s site has alternated between Columbus, Ohio and Ann Arbor, Michigan.
Facebook Fans
1.4M vs. 1.2M
Percent of FB Audience Engaged
11% vs. 13%
Engage on Facebook
NO vs. NO
Twitter Followers
25,119 vs. 178,912
Engage on Twitter
NO vs. VERY LITTLE
Clemson vs. South Carolina (The Palmetto Bowl)
Just 132 miles separate these two teams. South Carolina and Clemson have been heated rivals since the 1880’s and the passion continues today.
Facebook Fans
109,268 vs. 401,913
Percent of FB Audience Engaged
8.1% vs. 10.1%
Engage on Facebook
NO vs. YES
Twitter Followers
44,009 vs. 59,371
Engage on Twitter
NO vs. YES
Baylor vs. TCU
First contested in 1899, this rivalry is one of the oldest and most contested series in college football.
Facebook Fans
60,833 vs. 34,487
Percent of FB Audience Engaged
27% vs. 1.2%
Engage on Facebook
NO vs. YES
Twitter Followers
23,878 vs. 20,204
Engage on Twitter
NO vs. YES
Alabama vs. Auburn (Iron Bowl)
These two teams first met in 1893. A interesting tidbit… the teams did not meet for 41 years because the rivalry was so heated.
Facebook Fans
829,692 vs. 304,667
Percent of FB Audience Engaged
7.6% vs. 34%
Engage on Facebook
NO vs. YES
Twitter Followers
92,630 VS. 50,481
Engage on Twitter
NO vs. VERY LITTLE
Arizona vs. Arizona State (Duel in the Desert)
The two schools first played in 1899. The winner receives the Territorial Cup, which is the oldest trophy in college football.
Facebook Fans
52,234 vs.188,406
Percent of FB Audience Engaged
65% vs. 27%
Engage on Facebook
NO vs. NO
Twitter Followers
24,794 vs. 28,319
Engage on Twitter
VERY LITTLE vs. NO
Georgia vs. Georgia Tech (Clean, Ole-Fashioned Hate)
In-state rivals UGA and Georgia Tech first met in 1893. Just 70 miles separate the two schools.
Facebook Fans
604,936 vs. 33,959
Percent of FB Audience Engaged
8.7% vs. 20%
Engage on Facebook
NO vs. NO
Twitter Followers
107,179 vs. 26,469
Engage on Twitter
VERY LITTLE vs. NO
