JJ Husker
Assistant Coach
I can accept that and even understand it. I was lucky enough to be around during the height of the NU-OU games of the 70's, 80's, and 90's. I just have always viewed them as our traditional rival. And having lived in Colorado for the past 28 years, I developed a deep hatred and lack of respect for the Buffs. It was a rivalry type thing for sure but I will never give them the satisfaction of acknowledging it.Geographically Iowa could fit the bill as a rival, and due to their close proximity there seems to be a fair amount of animosity between the fanbases. But location and hatred alone do not a rivalry make. I believe for a true rivalry there needs to be at least some mutual respect and some give and take (win some lose some, including some upsets or heartbreakers). Iowa, in recent history, has not taken anything from us and we have little reason to respect them on the field of play. So, in many ways, they are just another one-sided rival in the mold of Colorado. Sure we hated them and loved beating them, the worse the better, but for all but a few year stretch they just weren't good enough to earn the rival status from us. Sorry Iowa, you are CU light.![]()
For many of our younger fans (me included) who weren't around for the Oklahoma games, Colorado/Missouri were the only rivals we knew. So you guys that got to experience the OU games saying that Colorado was forced upon you after Oklahoma bailed and it was never a true rivalry game, it may feel like that to you, but not everyone.