Rank your BIG 10 rivals
- Thread starter hawkit3113
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In order of just how badly I want to beat them:
Want to beat them because I hate them:
1) Ohio State
2) Iowa
3) Illinois
Want to beat them because of the way they reacted to the scandal:
4) Penn State
Want to beat them because they're usually good, but I don't hate them or anything:
5) Michigan
6) Wisconsin
7) Nebraska
8) Michigan State
Want to beat them because they're usually about as good as us, so it's a nice measuring stick:
9) Minnesota
Want to beat them because it would be embarrassing otherwise:
10) Indiana
11) Purdue
Haven't played them, but still want to beat them:
12) Maryland
13) Rutgers
Want to beat them because I hate them:
1) Ohio State
2) Iowa
3) Illinois
Want to beat them because of the way they reacted to the scandal:
4) Penn State
Want to beat them because they're usually good, but I don't hate them or anything:
5) Michigan
6) Wisconsin
7) Nebraska
8) Michigan State
Want to beat them because they're usually about as good as us, so it's a nice measuring stick:
9) Minnesota
Want to beat them because it would be embarrassing otherwise:
10) Indiana
11) Purdue
Haven't played them, but still want to beat them:
12) Maryland
13) Rutgers
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Smelly pretty much nailed it, although I want a win over Penn State because I think James Franklin is a windbag and I like any chance we get to expose him as a below-average coach.
Glide version: In order of just how badly I want to beat them:
Want to beat them because I hate them:
1) Nebraska (the last NU/NU game I attended was the Alamo Bowl. Those nice, polite Nebraska fans that everyone talks about were not in attendance. The obnoxious, vulgar, cursing, screaming ones were. Terrible experience. ALSO, I will hate them until they get their acronym right - UN or UNL. How hard is that?)
Want to beat them because they are the closest things we have to rivalries:
2) Iowa
3) Illinois
Want to beat them because we do it so rarely:
4) Ohio State
Want to beat them because they are really good and the win would get us national credibility:
5) Michigan State
Want to beat them because traditionally I consider them a measuring stick about where we are as a team and their head coach is kind of a douche:
6) Michigan
7) Penn State
Want to beat them because lately I consider them a measuring stick about where we are as a team:
8) Minnesota
Want to beat them because they're usually good, but I don't hate them or anything:
9) Wisconsin
Want to beat them because it would be embarrassing otherwise:
10) Indiana
11) Purdue
Haven't played them, but still want to beat them:
12) Maryland
13) Rutgers
Want to beat them because I hate them:
1) Nebraska (the last NU/NU game I attended was the Alamo Bowl. Those nice, polite Nebraska fans that everyone talks about were not in attendance. The obnoxious, vulgar, cursing, screaming ones were. Terrible experience. ALSO, I will hate them until they get their acronym right - UN or UNL. How hard is that?)
Want to beat them because they are the closest things we have to rivalries:
2) Iowa
3) Illinois
Want to beat them because we do it so rarely:
4) Ohio State
Want to beat them because they are really good and the win would get us national credibility:
5) Michigan State
Want to beat them because traditionally I consider them a measuring stick about where we are as a team and their head coach is kind of a douche:
6) Michigan
7) Penn State
Want to beat them because lately I consider them a measuring stick about where we are as a team:
8) Minnesota
Want to beat them because they're usually good, but I don't hate them or anything:
9) Wisconsin
Want to beat them because it would be embarrassing otherwise:
10) Indiana
11) Purdue
Haven't played them, but still want to beat them:
12) Maryland
13) Rutgers
Illinois - it's a zero sum game with that school. What's good for us is bad for them and the reverse is true also.
All B1G schools that continually raid the Chicago area for talented recruits but vigorously protect their own back yards so as to make their state no-go territories for NU recruiters: I direct my venom at Iowa, Wisconsin, Michigan. It may seem inconsistent to exclude Michigan State but that school usually recruits NU non-offerees from Illinois. I just can't get too worked up about the Spartans.
I also loath the schools that routinely chalk up NU as a given victory each season despite the relative parity achieved over the last couple of decades: I'm talking about Penn State and Nebraska, though, unlike Glide, my experience with the fans at the latter school have been very pleasant on balance.
I'm pissed off at the schools that aren't all that serious about their college football programs and seemingly exist only to drag down NU to their levels in the nether regions: yes, Indiana and Purdue. Minnesota usually fits within this category whenever Jerry Kill isn't around, so I include them here.
Then there are mercenary schools like Maryland and Rutgers who abandoned their existing conferences and geographic kinships to join B1G for no honorable reasons. I can't get much sleep whenever I think of them.
I grudgingly respect Ohio State since the school won the national championship, but I'm still smarting from Colter's late fourth quarter fumble in 2014 when we stormed out of the gate 4-0, played a game featured on GameDay, and just defeated Mississippi State in a bowl game the season prior. That school aggrandized itself after stealing our mojo and therefore must be destroyed.
All B1G schools that continually raid the Chicago area for talented recruits but vigorously protect their own back yards so as to make their state no-go territories for NU recruiters: I direct my venom at Iowa, Wisconsin, Michigan. It may seem inconsistent to exclude Michigan State but that school usually recruits NU non-offerees from Illinois. I just can't get too worked up about the Spartans.
I also loath the schools that routinely chalk up NU as a given victory each season despite the relative parity achieved over the last couple of decades: I'm talking about Penn State and Nebraska, though, unlike Glide, my experience with the fans at the latter school have been very pleasant on balance.
I'm pissed off at the schools that aren't all that serious about their college football programs and seemingly exist only to drag down NU to their levels in the nether regions: yes, Indiana and Purdue. Minnesota usually fits within this category whenever Jerry Kill isn't around, so I include them here.
Then there are mercenary schools like Maryland and Rutgers who abandoned their existing conferences and geographic kinships to join B1G for no honorable reasons. I can't get much sleep whenever I think of them.
I grudgingly respect Ohio State since the school won the national championship, but I'm still smarting from Colter's late fourth quarter fumble in 2014 when we stormed out of the gate 4-0, played a game featured on GameDay, and just defeated Mississippi State in a bowl game the season prior. That school aggrandized itself after stealing our mojo and therefore must be destroyed.
Pretty much this, except I don't hold ill will against PSU. I put them in the next group.
Move Wisconsin from#6 to #2 ahead of Iowa. I hate the Badgers. Almost as much as I hate dOSU.
Move Iowa and Illinois to a new group below dOSU and Wisconsin. Actually dOSU is in a class of it's own. Cheaters and criminals.
The question was who our rivals are in the B1G, and really, the answer is that we have only one rival - Illinois. The Pumpkinheads genuinely dislike us and feel threatened by us (e.g. "Our State, Our Team"). Everyone else in the B1G probably doesn't think much about us at all, and that's fine with me.
Rivals are teams that you hate and sometimes fear, and other than Illinois (and possibly at times, Iowa), who gives us enough thought on a consistent basis to meet that standard? We're the smart guys, usually well-coached, who play hard and generally represent the university with class. Not exactly "hate" material. As evidenced in this thread, I think there's a lot more antipathy from our fan base towards other schools than any directed from other fan bases (outside of Illinois) to us. Ask this same question to the other B1G fan bases, and we're probably near the bottom of the list, which is fine with me.
Rivals are teams that you hate and sometimes fear, and other than Illinois (and possibly at times, Iowa), who gives us enough thought on a consistent basis to meet that standard? We're the smart guys, usually well-coached, who play hard and generally represent the university with class. Not exactly "hate" material. As evidenced in this thread, I think there's a lot more antipathy from our fan base towards other schools than any directed from other fan bases (outside of Illinois) to us. Ask this same question to the other B1G fan bases, and we're probably near the bottom of the list, which is fine with me.
Iowa. Back to the days of Hayden Fry, and "I hope we didn't hurt your boys too bad out there today".
Penn State has a 13-4 lifetime edge over us, and last year's win against their sanctions-depleted team was the first in quite a while. I think we need to get a little closer than that before we talk about "relative parity" and believe me I'd love it to get closer as my brother is a Penn State alum.
In terms of "rivalry", I agree that Illannoys is at the top of the dung heap. Ioa would be second, Wisconsin next. But in terms of hatred and want-to-beat-so-badly-you-can-taste-it factor, I'm with Ecat, it's got to be dOSU.
1. Illinois
2. Iowa
Big dropoff after. Really just a matter of personal preference at that point, though Maryland, Rutgers, Indiana, Purdue, and probably Minnesota are all just meh at the bottom.
2. Iowa
Big dropoff after. Really just a matter of personal preference at that point, though Maryland, Rutgers, Indiana, Purdue, and probably Minnesota are all just meh at the bottom.
In my opinion, Iowa and Northwestern are rivals. And we are probably the only fanbases in the BIG 10 that realize it. BIG 10 folks should really pay more attention to this game. Its a tough game, year in and year out.
Except for last year (face palm). That was not a tough game for the Iowa Hawkeyes. And it was not a fun game for us to watch.
But I agree that Iowa and Northwestern have developed a nice little rivalry over the past decade or so. Hopefully we can swing it around and get our "w" back this year.
I don't know what happened last year. We really weren't that good. And I think you guys got going later in the season. As a season ticket holder, the Iowa vs NU game is now a must see attraction.
You had a physical oline and our dline was beat up going into the game. We had a weak oline and your dline was very good. We also couldn't wear down your dline by keeping them on the field. QBs, RBs, and WRs, tend to look really good when the oline destroys the dline and really bad when it's the other way around.
Easy answer on number 1. That university in Rantoul. We need to go back to putting a hurt on them and I don't care if we are playing our 4th string. Having Bo run a plunge was the highlight of that season for me.
I would go with Michigan as 2 because of their obnoxious fan base, but they have settled done since they have regressed. Hardballs elevates them to number 2 again. Years ago I felt bad about me and a group of my buddies busting his chops when he was in a bar while on the Bears. I don't anymore.
Iowa would be three only because they always think they are much better than they really are.
PSU is moving up with a bullet. If they were in the West they would 2. Franklin is slippery and just don't care for him.
I would go with Michigan as 2 because of their obnoxious fan base, but they have settled done since they have regressed. Hardballs elevates them to number 2 again. Years ago I felt bad about me and a group of my buddies busting his chops when he was in a bar while on the Bears. I don't anymore.
Iowa would be three only because they always think they are much better than they really are.
PSU is moving up with a bullet. If they were in the West they would 2. Franklin is slippery and just don't care for him.
We do? I don't this so. I just think the Hawkeye fans realize how much money when generate and how much is invested in the program. We expect more, because of that.
Ok, but IMO that expectation translates into an over evaluation of your squad and "surprise" at every defeat.
Perhaps, but we aren't lowering our expectations because of the money we give, season tickets we buy, etc......... When we lower our expectations, you will see a half empty Kinnick.
I guess my point is this, when you buy something, you expect it to work.
Top Tier
1) Wisconsin (it's personal)
2) Iowa (long term mutual animosity in this series for the last 20 years is fantastic)
3) Michigan (they're still Michigan)
4) Penn State (they're still Penn State)
5) Nebraska (great series of competitive games launched them quickly to upper echelon of hated opponents)
6) Michigan State (don't/haven't play them enough to be higher)
7) Ohio State (don't/haven't played them enough to be higher)
Mid Tier
8) Illinois (have to pretend to care enough about hating the pumpkin heads. Little joy in beating them, but dread losing to them.)
9) Minnesota (improved recent teams move them out of the low tier).
Low Tier
10) Indiana
11) Purdue
12) Maryland (don't have enough familiarity to despise them yet)
13) Rutgers (don't have enough familiarity to despise them yet)
1) Wisconsin (it's personal)
2) Iowa (long term mutual animosity in this series for the last 20 years is fantastic)
3) Michigan (they're still Michigan)
4) Penn State (they're still Penn State)
5) Nebraska (great series of competitive games launched them quickly to upper echelon of hated opponents)
6) Michigan State (don't/haven't play them enough to be higher)
7) Ohio State (don't/haven't played them enough to be higher)
Mid Tier
8) Illinois (have to pretend to care enough about hating the pumpkin heads. Little joy in beating them, but dread losing to them.)
9) Minnesota (improved recent teams move them out of the low tier).
Low Tier
10) Indiana
11) Purdue
12) Maryland (don't have enough familiarity to despise them yet)
13) Rutgers (don't have enough familiarity to despise them yet)
1) Ohio State. We've beaten them once in like forever, and I've encountered obnoxious fans at Ohio Stadium.
2) Penn State. Because I live in Pa. and have to hear about it ad infinitum when we lose to them.
3) Michigan. Overbearing fan base. Listening to their fans complain on the shuttle bus in 1996 after NU had beaten them for a second year in a row was very entertaining.
4) Wisconsin. Have had some irritating encounters with drunken Bucky fans,
5) Illinois. Can't get too excited about the game, but hate to lose to them when they're bad.
6) Iowa. Good games in recent years have made this one fun.
The Maryland game could get interesting as I have several friends who are Terp alumni or fans, but doubt we'll play them frequently enough to make it a real rivalry.
2) Penn State. Because I live in Pa. and have to hear about it ad infinitum when we lose to them.
3) Michigan. Overbearing fan base. Listening to their fans complain on the shuttle bus in 1996 after NU had beaten them for a second year in a row was very entertaining.
4) Wisconsin. Have had some irritating encounters with drunken Bucky fans,
5) Illinois. Can't get too excited about the game, but hate to lose to them when they're bad.
6) Iowa. Good games in recent years have made this one fun.
The Maryland game could get interesting as I have several friends who are Terp alumni or fans, but doubt we'll play them frequently enough to make it a real rivalry.
I'm originally from the Madison area. There are a lot of badgers among friends and family...
Given the short distance between Madison and Evanston (which is closer than between Evanston and Champaign), I always thought NU-UW was a more natural rival than NU-UI.
I'd be curious to see how each fan base's lists change with football vs. basketball. For example, I think like 80% of Illini fans would name Indiana as our biggest basketball rivalry in the Big Ten, but football is much less defined. You'd get people saying Iowa, NU, OSU, etc.
Good point. Wouldn't imagine, say, that Michigan considers Ohio State as big a rival in basketball as Michigan State, etc.
In the Quad Cities, IL is a pretty big deal in basketball. Football, when IL is good, its a big game as well. IL just hasn't been very good.
I agree with this MRCat95. Also for most recruits Madison is just a little harder to get to than Evanston. If you are from Columbus, Ohio it is the difference between just under 6 hours to just over 7.5. Flying into Madison is expensive and flight are limited to Milwaukee relative to CHicago. It is one little edge we have in addition to other benefits of going to NU.
I'll go alphabetical and see the rivalry factor from my eyes (in football) from what I have seen during my time at NU:
Illinois: A natural rival, but the teams have mostly followed suit during their rivalry games. I feel that UIUC has more contempt for Northwestern than the other way around.
Iowa: A true rival. We have played them every year since I have been here, and there seems to be mutual feelings of wanting to get into the other side's skin. That upset win in 2009 was the first NU game that I watched on TV, and how satisfying it was (though I couldn't find a watch party for it...)
Indiana: We've only played them a few times while I have been here, but I still remember 2009, when a 3-28 deficit became a 29-28 victory for the 'Cats.
Maryland: Though the 'Cats have not played the Terps yet, I have a little bit of bad blood against UMD... I applied to their graduate school, and my rejection letter led off, "Dear Ms. W----..." (letters beyond the first one intentionally redacted).
Michigan: All of the close games in the last several years make me think that it developed into a real rivalry... even though the 'Cats went oh-fer against the Wolverines. Fitz won't forget that the next time they play.
Michigan State: I'm not sure how to evaluate the rivalry factor of this series. They've had our number excluding 2012.
Minnesota: A rivalry game based more on respect of the coaches. I don't see much, if any, animosity (or even interaction) between the fans.
Nebraska: Whether it's animosity or respect between the fans, it's the obvious rivalry game par excellence for me, since I remain loyal to both schools. The games while both teams have been in the B1G have been really exciting, excluding last year. (The win in Lincoln in '11 was one of my big highlights of my Northwestern career.)
Ohio State: The only OSU experience I have as an NU student was the 2013 game. That seemed more a game of big hype, but not really a rivalry game.
Penn State: The monkey we couldn't get off our back until last year, but I never sensed animosity between the teams. Granted, I know all about the problems with the scandal, but I chose to ignore it.
Purdue: A surprising rival, but they've had quite a few down years. I feel that NU has an edge over the Boilers, but you never know.
Rutgers: ??????????????. But, shifting to women's basketball, it was VERY satisfying to go 2-0 against them this year.
Wisconsin: A strange rivalry in which the home team has won each time during my NU career. Yet, the 'Cats were always blown out of the water at Camp Randall.
I'm probably ducking the purpose of this post, given that I rated rather than ranked. Such is my style
Illinois: A natural rival, but the teams have mostly followed suit during their rivalry games. I feel that UIUC has more contempt for Northwestern than the other way around.
Iowa: A true rival. We have played them every year since I have been here, and there seems to be mutual feelings of wanting to get into the other side's skin. That upset win in 2009 was the first NU game that I watched on TV, and how satisfying it was (though I couldn't find a watch party for it...)
Indiana: We've only played them a few times while I have been here, but I still remember 2009, when a 3-28 deficit became a 29-28 victory for the 'Cats.
Maryland: Though the 'Cats have not played the Terps yet, I have a little bit of bad blood against UMD... I applied to their graduate school, and my rejection letter led off, "Dear Ms. W----..." (letters beyond the first one intentionally redacted).
Michigan: All of the close games in the last several years make me think that it developed into a real rivalry... even though the 'Cats went oh-fer against the Wolverines. Fitz won't forget that the next time they play.
Michigan State: I'm not sure how to evaluate the rivalry factor of this series. They've had our number excluding 2012.
Minnesota: A rivalry game based more on respect of the coaches. I don't see much, if any, animosity (or even interaction) between the fans.
Nebraska: Whether it's animosity or respect between the fans, it's the obvious rivalry game par excellence for me, since I remain loyal to both schools. The games while both teams have been in the B1G have been really exciting, excluding last year. (The win in Lincoln in '11 was one of my big highlights of my Northwestern career.)
Ohio State: The only OSU experience I have as an NU student was the 2013 game. That seemed more a game of big hype, but not really a rivalry game.
Penn State: The monkey we couldn't get off our back until last year, but I never sensed animosity between the teams. Granted, I know all about the problems with the scandal, but I chose to ignore it.
Purdue: A surprising rival, but they've had quite a few down years. I feel that NU has an edge over the Boilers, but you never know.
Rutgers: ??????????????. But, shifting to women's basketball, it was VERY satisfying to go 2-0 against them this year.
Wisconsin: A strange rivalry in which the home team has won each time during my NU career. Yet, the 'Cats were always blown out of the water at Camp Randall.
I'm probably ducking the purpose of this post, given that I rated rather than ranked. Such is my style
1. Illinois
2. Iowa
3. Wisconsin to be replaced by Nebraska given the apparent decline in Wisconsin football
Interesting that the top 4 teams you consider rivals, or maybe more accurately dislike the most, seem to be more about the fans than the actual players and teams. I would bet that fan dislike is the biggest reason for many others who claim to dislike programs.
