I have this question for Hawkeye fans. What is Iowa's Top Rivalries and how would you rank them?
I would imagine these teams are among your rivals, but don't know which are the most important: Minnesota, Wisconsin, Iowa State, Illinois, Northwestern, Michigan, Indiana.
This question is mostly for football, but it could be for all sports, including basketball as well.
How would you rank Iowa's Rivals?
Football-
By importance: 1. Minnesota 2. Wisconsin 3. Illinois 4-10. all other conference games ;-) 11. ISU
By hate: 1. ISU 2. Minnesota 3. Wisconsin 4. Illinois (we do hate Mich and OSU, but its not really a rivalry)
Basketball: 1. Illinois 2. ISU 3. Wisconsin/Minnesota
1. Iowa State
2. Minnesota
3. Wisconsin
4. Illinois
5? Northern Iowa (basketball)
(Ohio State & Michigan are big games for everyone in the conference)
I'm sure there are some Iowa fans would disagree with me, but it kind of depends on geography (with the exception of ISU, which is universally hated). If you're from the north, you're probably going say Minnesota & Wisconsin more than Illinois. My friends from Sioux City and Council Bluffs can't stand Nebraska and we never even get to play them! I grew up in Illinois and I really don't like the Illini.
My old man & his college buddies (graduated from Iowa in '72) seem to dislike Ohio State more than the other schools. ISU wasn't much of a rivalry to those guys because Iowa didn't play them back then.
Recruiting is a factor. Do a Google search on Bruce Pearl/Deon Thomas and you'll understand a big reason why Illini fans despise Iowa.