Longest Played College Football Rivary in Arkansas

[Mulerider]

It’s not just another game — it’s the 100th Battle of the Timberlands!

Rivalry. Tradition. Pride.

The longest-played college football rivalry in the state of Arkansas takes place Saturday, November 15, at 2:00 PM

[BisonBones]

I'll be interested in this. SAU wants to finish on a high note after a disappointing second half of the season. And Montecello wants to send their coach off into retirement with a win. I'm thinking it'll be more competitive than in the past few years.

[OldBison]

Woah! Didn’t realize this rivalry was older than BOTR. Mid season when UAM started their slide I didn’t think this game would be much but SAU needing to finish the season on a positive note and Boll Weevils wanting to give Coach HUD a good send off this could be a good game. I am going to be busy watching the Bisons take care of business against what I expect to be an inspired Wonder Boys team.

[OBUGrad]

Woah! Didn’t realize this rivalry was older than BOTR. Mid season when UAM started their slide I didn’t think this game would be much but SAU needing to finish the season on a positive note and Boll Weevils wanting to give Coach HUD a good send off this could be a good game. I am going to be busy watching the Bisons take care of business against what I expect to be an inspired Wonder Boys team.

It’s not. Battle of the Ravine was first played 1885. Battle had to take time off in like 50s and 60s because it got too intense. That’s why SAU and UAM have played 2 more games.

[OldBison]

It’s not. Battle of the Ravine was first played 1885. Battle had to take time off in like 50s and 60s because it got too intense. That’s why SAU and UAM have played 2 more games.

Ah. That’s why the TOTT is the longest played but not the oldest. Got it.

[OBUGrad]

Ah. That’s why the TOTT is the longest played but not the oldest. Got it.

Yeah, it’s some fancy wordplay to make people think it’s the oldest.

SAU is going to smash UAM just like they do most years.

[Mulerider]

OBUGrad congrats on your next post being your thousandth.

[OBUGrad]

OBUGrad congrats on your next post being your thousandth.

Didn’t even notice. Thanks!

I’d like to thank all the other posters I argue the most with. (Mainly Harding fans and people from accross the street). This honor wouldn’t be possible without all your bad takes all year long!

Here’s to another 1,000!

[Bisons10]

I’m impressed! Longest played rivalry game in Arkansas!

[Mulerider]

I’m impressed! Longest played rivalry game in Arkansas!

Many have asked me what's additionally comparable in Arkansas. Harding is out outlier I think with no true rival. Arkansas Tech and UCA probably were rivals back in the day when they both were in D2.

[ReddieMade]

Not the longest played rivalry.

Battle of the Timberlands started in 1913. Battle of the Ravine started in 1895.

Interruptions due to escalating pranks in the 1950s and HSU jumping to NCAA DII in the 1990s are the only reason BOTR hasn't been played 115+ times.

[OldBison]

Many have asked me what's additionally comparable in Arkansas. Harding is out outlier I think with no true rival. Arkansas Tech and UCA probably were rivals back in the day when they both were in D2.

When I played for Harding (1969-1972) the HU-UCA (State Teachers College) was approaching rival status. It had been played since Harding restarted football in 1959 and due to the two schools being only 45 minutes apart was always the last and biggest game of the season.

When Arkansas Tech started to dominate the NAIA and old AIC in the mid-70s and 80s, the Harding-Tech became a thing.

[FoothillBison]

The Tech rivalry has been forced by propaganda from both schools. In reality, OBU is Harding’s biggest rival. Of course HSU is OBU’s biggest rival…

[Searcy>Arkadelphia]

When I was at HU, Henderson was the biggest rival in hoops, basically because Rand Chappell was a douchecanoe