JJ Husker
Assistant Coach
IDK....I think this whole rivalry deal is more of a personal feeling than actually meeting any certain definition. That's why I don't really have a problem if somebody views it as a rivalry currently or if some event pushes it over the edge for others later or if it never becomes one for yet others.If this years game is say a 10 win team vs an 11 win team showdown to decide the Division Champion and the game is an absolute barn burner, will THAT be enough to push this over the edge towards "Rivalry" status?
I guess I'm one of those kind of snobby Husker fans that doesn't want to give Iowa or any team any more respect than they earn. IMO, beating our team a few times since we entered the B1G doesn't do it for me. Lots of teams have done that to us. We are at somewhat of a historical low point and they have been on the up tick. I can't give a lot of credit when losses to them really haven't cost us much and victories over them haven't gained us much. I have a fair amount of respect for them as they tend to field tough, hard-nosed teams and typically have good line play. But I also expect to beat Iowa and can't shake the feeling that they should not be considered our equal until we start performing up to a respectable level and THEN they beat us a few times.
I would much rather see Wisconsin or somebody like PSU grow into a natural rivalry for us. Iowa may very well be more of a natural due to geographical location. Wisconsin just feels more natural to me because it sort of seems like Barry Alvarez stole a bottle of Nebraska mojo out of south stadium and began to employ many of the things that used to make Nebraska special, primarily dominate line play and a typically good rushing attack. Not to mention also having almost identical uniforms. It seems like it should be a situation of competing for who is the real big red. Unfortunately, we have not begun to defend our claim and I'm sure they view us as just another easy win. I think that one could turn quicker if we ever start playing football again and have a couple barn burners with them that starts costing either one of us some conference crowns. Anyway, that's how I feel about it. Opinions will vary.