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Arkansas fans have no respect for their supposed rivalry with Missouri.
Even though the Tigers have bested Arkansas on the gridiron twice in three conference matchups, Razorbacks fanatics don’t look at Missouri as a football rival. They feel that it is a forced rivalry, since Missouri has become Arkansas’ every-year SEC East opponent.
It’s similar to how LSU fans look at the “Battle for the Golden Boot.” Tigers fans weren’t happy when the trophy was made and they were suddenly rivals with the new kid on the block.
Arkansas takes the LSU game very seriously, while the Tigers are not as enthused about beating the Razorbacks.
Arkansas better find some motivation when it takes on Missouri on Friday, though, or the Razorbacks will lose to the Tigers in conference play again.
Here are 10 rivalries that mean more to Arkansas fans than the “Battle Line Rivalry.”
10. Ross vs. Monica on Friends
Ross and Monica were always bickering about something on one of America’s favorite sitcoms. Like most siblings — real or fake — the two were always competing against each other. The gridiron brought the worst out in Monica, as she broke Ross’s nose when they were younger during a family football game known as the “Geller Bowl.”
9. Allen Iverson vs. practice
One of the greatest press conference rants of all time occurred a little more than 15 years ago. NBA Hall of Famer Allen Iverson went on a tangent that almost every athlete has heard. This speech came about a week after his coach questioned his work ethic, and the Philadelphia 76ers were bounced during the first round of the playoffs.
Many don’t know that Rashaan Langford, one of Iverson’s best buds, was also murdered less than a week before. Iverson has mentioned in several appearances that the loss of his friend contributed to the outburst. Amazingly, he used the word practice 22 times in roughly 90 seconds.
8. Joey Chestnut vs. Takeru Kobayashi
The annual 4th of July contest provides spectators with an atmosphere unlike any other. The annual Nathan’s Hot Dog Eating Contest is must-see TV. Joey Chesnut and Takeru Kobayashi had some heated battles before Kobayashi had some contract disputes with Major League Eating and was arrested for trespassing in 2010. Chestnut polished off 72 hot dogs in 2017 and won the competition for a 10th time.
Most patriotic sports events in USA history. Rocky Balboa's win vs Drago & Joey Chestnut's upset of Kobayashi pic.twitter.com/uMuvvXnJ3G
— James Light (@JamesALight) July 4, 2016
7. New York-style vs. Chicago-style pizza
The phrase about pizza goes “even when it’s bad, it’s still pretty good.” New York and Chicago have some of the best pizza that you can find throughout the United States. Residents from both cities love to trash each others’ pizza. It’s a sense of pride to have the best pizza in the country, and both cities believe they do.
6. Gus Malzhan vs. Ihop
Malzhan and his wife Kristi celebrate at Waffle House after every home win. I’m sure if the Tigers beat Alabama on Saturday, other patrons will be happy to let Gus and Kristi scoot to the front of the line. Coach Malzahn prefers a steak omelet while his wife fancies a two-egg breakfast with crispy bacon. The tradition started back when Malzahn was an Arkansas high school coach.
Gus Malzahn says hello to Blake Sims. Sims says "I've gotta eat Waffle House with you one of these days" #SeniorBowl pic.twitter.com/cmJHqBSCBd
— Sanjay Kirpalani (@SanjayKirpalani) January 22, 2015
5. Uber vs. Lyft
Which should we use is a question many ask during short trips or vacations. Some friends enjoy one service while family members like another. Either way, it’s better than taking an overpriced taxi.
4. Nick Saban vs. worn-out jeans
During a press conference prior to Week 12, Nick Saban made his opinion known about the new worn-out jeans trend. He was ashamed as a kid to wear them, because that was all his family had back then. Now, the look is seen as popular and cool.
What is the point of buying jeans with holes in them? Different generations have contrasting styles, but this never made sense. Maybe to troll the media, Saban will walk into a press conference one day wearing worn-out jeans.
So this is how Nick Saban opened his news conference. pic.twitter.com/GSJt0dBYzi
— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) November 16, 2017
3. Harlem Globetrotters vs. Washington Generals
In over 16,000 games, the Washington Generals only beat the Harlem Globetrotters one time. The refs were on the side of the Globetrotters, making it virtually impossible for the Generals to win. Unfortunately after many years, this rivalry is dead.
2. Baker Mayfield vs. UAPD
Baker Mayfield has been all over the headlines lately, with “Johnny Footballish” antics. This summer, Mayfield was charged with public intoxication, disorderly conduct and fleeing from officers in Fayetteville, Ark. In the video below, you see Mayfield trying to escape, but was trucked by a couple of officers.
1. Ryan Mallett vs. buying his own scantrons
This is a story that has been told by thousands of University of Arkansas students. One a test day back when Ryan Mallett was in college, he barged in late without his materials needed to take the test. He loudly asked his fellow students in third person, “Anybody got a scantron for Ryan Mallett?”
The legend of Ryan Mallett grew after it spread. Students constantly bring up the story on test days and when the now Baltimore Raven is spotted in Fayetteville.
https://twitter.com/mjawandz11/status/659133065562730496
Tye is a contributing writer for Saturday Down South. He works on-air for ESPN Arkansas in Fort Smith. You can follow him on twitter @TyeSportsRadio.
