BigRedBuster
International Man of Mystery
That has been my point.There is more than one way to end up rivals and you are listing decades of history. That can definitely create one despite inital results. If the time period is much shorter and mostly one sided then it doesn't have the same effect in my eyes.
I like @Toe's analogy of defining it by a feeling. The only reason I feel any different about Iowa is I have good friends who are Iowa fans. Take that away and I don't feel any different about playing them versus NW, Minny or Wisconsin. I have respect for Iowa, but no hate. I am starting to hate Wisconsin and that's it in this conference, but I in no way consider them rivals.
I think of Iowa as a rival because I lived there for 15 years and have good friends who are fans and we trash talk all season long looking forward to the game. Then, people bring up these random ideas on why they aren't a rival.....and there are many examples of classic rivalries in sports that don't hold up to their criteria.