I rationalize it all by calling them an insignificant rival. I don't mean that as an insult to us or them - insignificance refers to all the variables impacting the two teams.
The game honestly just hasn't meant much (for both teams) on a consistent basis. There's also a serious divide between both fan bases as to whether or not call this a rivalry, not just Nebraska. I know several Iowa fans who dislike Nebraska yet feel that this "rivalry" business is being influenced by outside forces more so than the programs and their fans.
Another variable I weigh is national relevance. Using BRB's list, every single one of those teams listed is a nationally recognized rivalry by fans in the sport, and most of them span back through decades upon decades of games. Iowa/Nebraska is not a nationally relevant rivalry in this sense.
I think the biggest challenge here is that "rival" can mean a number of different things and exist on a variety of levels to people. There's no unified check list. Therefore, it's incredibly minor on my radar.
The game honestly just hasn't meant much (for both teams) on a consistent basis. There's also a serious divide between both fan bases as to whether or not call this a rivalry, not just Nebraska. I know several Iowa fans who dislike Nebraska yet feel that this "rivalry" business is being influenced by outside forces more so than the programs and their fans.
Another variable I weigh is national relevance. Using BRB's list, every single one of those teams listed is a nationally recognized rivalry by fans in the sport, and most of them span back through decades upon decades of games. Iowa/Nebraska is not a nationally relevant rivalry in this sense.
I think the biggest challenge here is that "rival" can mean a number of different things and exist on a variety of levels to people. There's no unified check list. Therefore, it's incredibly minor on my radar.
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