Northwestern:
My argument for why NW should earn our consideration:
1) Many were upset when we originally lost Illinois (border state) the last couple of years (and I will admit that I hate ILL) but Northwestern works within geographical logic as well. Also, although Illinois went to the Rose in 2007, I consider the Cats the better program in the last decade + by showing more consistency (especially 08/09 moving forward).
2) With as much bragging as our fan base does about 7of last8 from PSU, we feel disrespected if it is not fully validated that we currently have a rivalry with PSU. (by the way, they don't make last year a whiteout if they don't view us as a big game!) I would hope most rational fans would give Northwestern their credit by upgrading our recent history to a game we circle on the calendar.
3) Northwestern views us as the program it wants to compete with consistently to prove that it has arrived as a player in the B10...(started with barnett's philosophy
, and has continued with Fitz, *who is a class coach. best of both worlds-philosophy began with someone we can hate, and is continued by someone we can respect Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery, and Fitz has stated publicly that he views the Iowa program as something He and NW aspire to.
4)There may not be a bigger rallying cry for Iowa Fans than being under-appreciated, so let's not be hypocritical and deny NW their due. They unfortunately HAVE beaten us 4of the last 5
Finally: I think some of this is on NW! I believe that if they had a solid-decent following (at least MSU level or bigger) that this could grow in relevance...so until they get consistent fan support, this likely won't grow into a full blown rivalry, but I think that it deserves consideration moving forward!
My argument for why NW should earn our consideration:
1) Many were upset when we originally lost Illinois (border state) the last couple of years (and I will admit that I hate ILL) but Northwestern works within geographical logic as well. Also, although Illinois went to the Rose in 2007, I consider the Cats the better program in the last decade + by showing more consistency (especially 08/09 moving forward).
2) With as much bragging as our fan base does about 7of last8 from PSU, we feel disrespected if it is not fully validated that we currently have a rivalry with PSU. (by the way, they don't make last year a whiteout if they don't view us as a big game!) I would hope most rational fans would give Northwestern their credit by upgrading our recent history to a game we circle on the calendar.
3) Northwestern views us as the program it wants to compete with consistently to prove that it has arrived as a player in the B10...(started with barnett's philosophy
, and has continued with Fitz, *who is a class coach. best of both worlds-philosophy began with someone we can hate, and is continued by someone we can respect Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery, and Fitz has stated publicly that he views the Iowa program as something He and NW aspire to. 4)There may not be a bigger rallying cry for Iowa Fans than being under-appreciated, so let's not be hypocritical and deny NW their due. They unfortunately HAVE beaten us 4of the last 5
Finally: I think some of this is on NW! I believe that if they had a solid-decent following (at least MSU level or bigger) that this could grow in relevance...so until they get consistent fan support, this likely won't grow into a full blown rivalry, but I think that it deserves consideration moving forward!
