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Duke vs. UNC and the 10 Biggest Team Rivalries In Sports History

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By @BrianKalchik

Duke-UNC and the 10 Biggest Team Rivalries In Sports History

Mike Krzyzewski Duke
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On Wednesday, the Duke Blue Devils and North Carolina Tar Heels meet once again in this historic rivalry. So where does Duke vs. UNC rank among the greatest team rivalries in sports history? Find out as I countdown the Top-10.

10. Chicago Bears vs. Green Bay Packers

William Perry Bears
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10. Chicago Bears vs. Green Bay Packers

William Perry Bears
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The NFL's most historic rivalry is a Midwest showdown between the Chicago Bears and Green Bay Packers. The teams have played more than 150 games against each other, and these teams love to beat the crap out of each other. Green Bay has the upper-hand, however, winning four Super Bowls compared to Chicago's one.

9. Kentucky vs. Louisville

Rick Pitino Louisville
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9. Kentucky vs. Louisville

Rick Pitino Louisville
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The battle for supremacy in Kentucky comes down to one day a year when Kentucky faces Louisville in basketball. In recent years, both programs have won National Titles, and the rivalry has escalated because Rick Pitino has been on both sides. This rivalry is only going to heat up in the coming years.

8. New York Giants vs. Philadelphia Eagles

DeSean Jackson Eagles
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8. New York Giants vs. Philadelphia Eagles

DeSean Jackson Eagles
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New York and Philadelphia may not be the most historic rivalry, but it has produced many significant moments. The Philadelphia Eagles have produced many of the greatest moments, like the two Miracles at the Meadowlands, and Chuck Bednarik knocking out Frank Gifford, but the New York Giants have had the last laugh, winning four Super Bowls compared to Philadelphia's none.

7. UConn vs. Tennessee

Pat Summitt Tennessee
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7. UConn vs. Tennessee

Pat Summitt Tennessee
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The only female basketball rivalry to achieve consistent national attention, this vicious battle features UConn and Tennessee, led by the two greatest coaches in the sports history in Geno Auriemma and Pat Summitt. While they did discontinue regular-season play in 2007, the teams will always be fierce enemies.

6. Michigan vs. Ohio State

Andy Katzennmoyer Ohio State
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6. Michigan vs. Ohio State

Andy Katzenmoyer Ohio State
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It's known simply as The Big Game, and it's between the Michigan Wolverines and Ohio State Buckeyes. These Big Ten rivals have beaten each other up since 1925 (outside of a few seasons), and almost every year it decides who goes to the Rose Bowl. Ohio State vs. Michigan has been the premier rivalry in college football, but a rivalry down south is now the best.

5. Alabama vs. Auburn

Blake Sims Alabama
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5. Alabama vs. Auburn

Blake Sims Alabama
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Sorry Michigan and Ohio State fans, but the best rivalry in college football is the Iron Bowl between Alabama and Auburn. These in-state rivals definitely hate each other, resorting to poisoning the other's trees. From 1972-85, and even 2013, the Iron Bowl has produced many of college football's greatest games and greatest moments.

4. United States vs. USSR

Miracle On Ice
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4. United States vs. USSR

Miracle On Ice
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In the 1970's and the 1980's, the Cold War was played out in athletics with the United States and the Soviet Union. In 1972, the Soviets robbed the Americans of Olympic Gold in basketball. In 1980, the U.S. got revenge in hockey, defeating the Soviets in the Miracle on Ice. In between, each country boycotted the other in their host city because of politics.

3. Boston Red Sox vs. New York Yankees

Derek Jeter Yankees
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3. Boston Red Sox vs. New York Yankees

Derek Jeter Yankees
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The rivalry between the Boston Red Sox and the New York Yankees really began when the Red Sox sold Babe Ruth to the Yankees. The Curse of the Bambino plagued the Red Sox and elevated the Yankees for decades. That is, until 2004, when the Red Sox came back from a 3-0 deficit in the 2004 ALCS to win their first World Series since 1918.

2. Boston Celtics vs. Los Angeles Lakers

Magic Johnson Lakers
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2. Boston Celtics vs. Los Angeles Lakers

Magic Johnson Lakers
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The Boston Celtics vs. Los Angeles Lakers rivalry spanned two decades, and featured four of the greatest players in NBA in Wilt Chamberlain, Bill Russell, Larry Bird and Magic Johnson. Boston dominated early on, but the Lakers have won three of the last five Finals series between the two teams.

1. Duke vs. North Carolina

Mike Krzyzewski Duke
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1. Duke vs. North Carolina

Mike Krzyzewski Duke
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Duke and North Carolina are only eight miles apart from each other, and both teams have dominated college basketball. The Blue Devils and Tar Heels are perennial contenders for the ACC and NCAA titles, and great players like Michael Jordan, James Worthy and Grant Hill have participated in this rivalry.

Brian Kalchik is a Houston Texans writer and featured writer for www.RantSports.com. Follow him on Twitter, like him on Facebook or add him to your network on Google+.

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