I love being in the Big Ten. I drive from Westport to Rutgers to see Rutgers play Nebraska, Michigan,Illinois,etc. with impunity. But I am driving to see Rutgers win. Not to see the other teams lose. And none of those fan bases give a second thought about the game at the end of the season. We have a new normal now in that teams want to beat a Top 15 team now. Not to beat the name Rutgers. To have a rivalry one must need fervent fan bases which hate each other 365 days a year and circle the game on the calendar. It needs to be reciprocal. I hope that for the younger folks here that will be true with Rutgers-Maryland, but I have my doubts. The only rivalries which I have known since graduation were UConn in football, Princeton in basketball and SHU in basketball. It is tough to replicate the emotion leaving the RAC after SHU last year and being mindful of cutting the deficit to 40-31, walking out of the Rent after the Tim Brown td years back or leaving Jadwin with a w after all those years of losses. We will play UConn again in football and whip them. We will never play Princeton again in basketball and I view that with sadness. We need to play SHU in hoops. Not for NET. Not for KenPom. But for pride. Rutgers has not outgrown any of those 3 aforesaid games being in the Big Ten.I am stoked to see Rutgers beat Iowa 86-83 tomorrow and move into the Top Ten but would have been equally as stoked to beat SHU by 8 at The Rock 3 weeks ago. Just my meaningless and reflective 2 cents on New Years Day about why rivalries matter to me in life.
Everyone Needs A Rival
- Thread starter RU72
- Start date
This is very true
We would like Penn state and Maryland to be that rival. PSU just doesn’t care about hoops, we
Are too far apart as programs to be on in football. Maryland could be in 20 years. Takes time.
For basketball and me...I would love to make Syracuse a second basketball rival. Play seton hall home and home the second Saturday of December every year...and play Syracuse the third Saturday of December every year in Madison square garden ...Jim wants nothing to do that though.
The Princeton reality is as bad as we have been pre-Steven P, Princeton isn’t a basketball rival...we beat them 13 out of the last 15. It’s fun beating them for old time sakes...but it’s not really much of a rival in basketball anymore
We would like Penn state and Maryland to be that rival. PSU just doesn’t care about hoops, we
Are too far apart as programs to be on in football. Maryland could be in 20 years. Takes time.
For basketball and me...I would love to make Syracuse a second basketball rival. Play seton hall home and home the second Saturday of December every year...and play Syracuse the third Saturday of December every year in Madison square garden ...Jim wants nothing to do that though.
The Princeton reality is as bad as we have been pre-Steven P, Princeton isn’t a basketball rival...we beat them 13 out of the last 15. It’s fun beating them for old time sakes...but it’s not really much of a rival in basketball anymore
Shack pretty much nailed it. We all hate PSU but as Schiano said you need to win games for their to be a rivalry. Hopefully we can get to a place where that became a real rivalry.
Maryland makes sense bc of geography and joining the conference at the same time. The dirtbag ankle snap move helps with the hate factor
Regional Syracuse rivalry would be fun as old conferences foes as well. I like it
Maryland makes sense bc of geography and joining the conference at the same time. The dirtbag ankle snap move helps with the hate factor
Regional Syracuse rivalry would be fun as old conferences foes as well. I like it
Rivals don't have to be geographic
I think our best potential rivals are Iowa and Illinois right now
I don't care about playing Seton Hall anymore
Princeton and UConn are far in our rearview mirror at this point. Nothing positive comes off it
I think our best potential rivals are Iowa and Illinois right now
I don't care about playing Seton Hall anymore
Princeton and UConn are far in our rearview mirror at this point. Nothing positive comes off it
Last edited:
Respectfully,there are no rear view mirrors. You can't possibly think that there will be a reciprocal bond between us and Iowa. Listen,I hate Michigan. Their alums are way more arrogant than Yale or Princeton grads,largely out of academic insecurities. But they will never care about Rutgers. Not happening. I would be thrilled to play Cuse or SJU every other year at MSG and SHU home and away. Just so you know, Princeton is not wedded to a home and home,but it is never happening again. Remember above all. This is a RIVALS board.
To me UConn is irrelevant. Major drop off nationallly. Yes they will return to the NCAA soon but we are in a conference that dwarfs theirs and their football is in Antarctica
I don’t think we have any real rivals right now. It has to work from both sides. We might think we do but I doubt if the other school, whomever they might be, thinks the same. Hopefully, someday.
Rivalries happen easiest between schools that are natural peers for reasons other than sports. BC and Cuse for example have a lot of NJ kids. And a lot of Cuse/BC grads end up in NY and NJ, so we just overlap and are peers with those grads in the workplace and in life. Everyone knows lots of alums from those schools, and they hate RU.
In the B1G the two schools where there is the most overlap are PSU and Mich. For the same reasons. Just lots of NJ kids that go to those schools, and we see their grads all the time in our daily lives. Not to say we don't see other schools grads, but they don't have the same footprint here.
So I think that once the games get competitive those rivalries will bloom quickly.
In the B1G the two schools where there is the most overlap are PSU and Mich. For the same reasons. Just lots of NJ kids that go to those schools, and we see their grads all the time in our daily lives. Not to say we don't see other schools grads, but they don't have the same footprint here.
So I think that once the games get competitive those rivalries will bloom quickly.
Duke/UNC
Auburn/Alabama
Michigan/Ohio St
The big rivalries that last are geographic except for maybe Army/Navy. Even Notre Dame /USC died after decades. We are not going to be rivals long term with IA or IL. Not gonna happen. Whether you like it or not, Seton Hall remains our top rival based on fan interest year in year out.
A big Part of this ...is that we have never established ourselves in a conference. There was sort of a football confrence in the 80s with eastern indies...but the big East basketball came that formed rivalry based on basketball
Then big East football came...but was never secure. Then we joined basketball 15 years late and never became good to be a rival. We considered schools rivals...but other then the hall, they didn’t consider us a rival
Now we are in the big ten...and it’s hard joining a conference with 50 years of rivalry built in with the original 10 schools. Penn state is sort of becoming one of the original gang, but it’s taken nearly 30 years
Success and tradition of playing these teams annually will make them rivals ...but it will take 20-30 years.
Then big East football came...but was never secure. Then we joined basketball 15 years late and never became good to be a rival. We considered schools rivals...but other then the hall, they didn’t consider us a rival
Now we are in the big ten...and it’s hard joining a conference with 50 years of rivalry built in with the original 10 schools. Penn state is sort of becoming one of the original gang, but it’s taken nearly 30 years
Success and tradition of playing these teams annually will make them rivals ...but it will take 20-30 years.
Geography is still very important. I’ve never met an Iowa or Illinois fan or alum my entire life. You need local alum from schools and fans to keep the rivalry going. I’m always talking smack with PSU, MD, Cuse, Uconn, and Shoe alums I’m friends with or work with. Can’t say the same for these midwest teams.
Interaction among the fan bases is key, and that usually doesn't happen without geography.
Rivalry doesn’t have to be reciprocal. I hate Penn State as much as I want RU to win, that’s enough for me.
PENN STATE
MICHIGAN
those are the teams I want to beat the most, in any and every sport, and when I see someone with a Lion hat or Yellow M sweatshirt in Target or ShopRite I get physically angry inside. Thats a rival for me
PENN STATE
MICHIGAN
those are the teams I want to beat the most, in any and every sport, and when I see someone with a Lion hat or Yellow M sweatshirt in Target or ShopRite I get physically angry inside. Thats a rival for me
I look at it as in state rival and national rival.
Princeton was our in state rival, but now it's SHU.
We don't have a national rival. Honestly, we have not been good enough to have one. Illinois has produced the best games in the last few years. Iowa too, but I wouldn't call it a rivalry yet.
Princeton was our in state rival, but now it's SHU.
We don't have a national rival. Honestly, we have not been good enough to have one. Illinois has produced the best games in the last few years. Iowa too, but I wouldn't call it a rivalry yet.
I'll jump in...
I would like to think if RU continues to win at a decent enough level 19 to 21 wins in the next 3 seasons after this years abbreviated schedule and RU makes the NCAAs, there would be new rivals because we would be beating out someone in this league (probably) for a bid.
We are the new guy in the neighborhood and I think Maryland misses the UVA, UNC, Duke matchups too.
What makes some rivals more relevant are natural regions or border states or area programs. While Seton Hall, or St John's would be RAC or Big East centric, RU really wasn't good for a long enough period of time to impact St Johns or Villanova or Cuse UConn etc.
What is more ironic are reading other boards like Nova, UConn and they look at RU with curiosity but no fever or angst.....some are still lost in thinking RU suddenly can't pay Pike or he has 1 foot out the door.
I also think football and how far we fell under Ash, muted a lot of the B1G to the point of "eh"....there were so few compelling or competitive games in football, that it carries over to hoops too.
RU basketball and football have been somewhat isolated....playing Cincinnati or West Virginia meant more in football than hoops....playing Seton Hall or Nova meant more in hoops than what exactly, if there's no carry over to football.
RU has to deliver someone pain or experience pain in a game of meaning with someone in the B1G to spark things....I don't know how that happens until football and Schiano catch up and put things together the way Pike has done.
I would like to think if RU continues to win at a decent enough level 19 to 21 wins in the next 3 seasons after this years abbreviated schedule and RU makes the NCAAs, there would be new rivals because we would be beating out someone in this league (probably) for a bid.
We are the new guy in the neighborhood and I think Maryland misses the UVA, UNC, Duke matchups too.
What makes some rivals more relevant are natural regions or border states or area programs. While Seton Hall, or St John's would be RAC or Big East centric, RU really wasn't good for a long enough period of time to impact St Johns or Villanova or Cuse UConn etc.
What is more ironic are reading other boards like Nova, UConn and they look at RU with curiosity but no fever or angst.....some are still lost in thinking RU suddenly can't pay Pike or he has 1 foot out the door.
I also think football and how far we fell under Ash, muted a lot of the B1G to the point of "eh"....there were so few compelling or competitive games in football, that it carries over to hoops too.
RU basketball and football have been somewhat isolated....playing Cincinnati or West Virginia meant more in football than hoops....playing Seton Hall or Nova meant more in hoops than what exactly, if there's no carry over to football.
RU has to deliver someone pain or experience pain in a game of meaning with someone in the B1G to spark things....I don't know how that happens until football and Schiano catch up and put things together the way Pike has done.
I would take beating Illinois or Michigan at home over Seton Hall
I think there’s no telling how long it could take to develop a serious B1G rival.
Ask yourself this. Who is Penn State’s conference rival in football or basketball?
We should play SHU every year. It’s the only natural rivalry we have.
Ask yourself this. Who is Penn State’s conference rival in football or basketball?
We should play SHU every year. It’s the only natural rivalry we have.
I'm old enough (like Richard) to hate SJU as a rival more than anyone. Princeton was a close second. SHU always lost to us. Not a rival in my heart. More like a gnat.
I'd love to have a rival in the B10. As she wrote, we will have to beat someone a few times in meaningful games for that to develop.
Pen St and MD could develop into bitter rivalries for RU.
Seton Hall and Rutgers is already a heated rivalry on both sides. Continue to play once per season.
Both fanbases enjoy the rivalry too.
Check this thread out.
This is the obvious answer. The old school Midwestern B1G teams have their rivals already. We aren't it. We won't be it. It's Maryland and PSU or no one
Very obvious. Great answer. Like Wisconsin whose rival is Minnesota has Marquette in basketball. We can have Seton Hall in basketball for NJ bragging rights. We need a conference rival. It’s likely Maryland but perhaps PSU for all sports. They, PSU tried to make Michigan St there rival for a trophy but not impactful. We can play regional schools for bragging rights but as far as a rival we moved on
Iam an RU alum that grew up in upstate NY
I LOVE it when we beat Cuse in football and BBall(recently,,thats HUGE!!!!)
I want Cuse to be Rutgers rival...
I hope SHU stays a BBall rival but as a school overall>>>SHU is pretty small potatos
BUT IMO in the Big Ten you have to BEAT a team to be a rival...that lets Penn St out
I see Maryland as our biggest rival...Football, Basketball, soccer, lax
:WooHoo::WooHoo:MD vs RU !!!!!!:WooHoo::WooHoo:
I LOVE it when we beat Cuse in football and BBall(recently,,thats HUGE!!!!)
I want Cuse to be Rutgers rival...
I hope SHU stays a BBall rival but as a school overall>>>SHU is pretty small potatos
BUT IMO in the Big Ten you have to BEAT a team to be a rival...that lets Penn St out
I see Maryland as our biggest rival...Football, Basketball, soccer, lax
:WooHoo::WooHoo:MD vs RU !!!!!!:WooHoo::WooHoo:
I was at the RAC last yr. Spent $$$$ for good seats. Would not do that for Terps. We handled the Nits fairly well. I'll take MD but PSU gets my vote
Last edited:
Haven't we learned anything from the past????
We all know the BEST rivalries aren't made on the court, but from random words with letters from 2 opponents!(see civil conFLiCT) and make a useless trophy for the games.
So here we go 3 instant rivals.. are there any others ?
eRUPtS
RUM-Dum
hUMdRUm
We all know the BEST rivalries aren't made on the court, but from random words with letters from 2 opponents!(see civil conFLiCT) and make a useless trophy for the games.
So here we go 3 instant rivals.. are there any others ?
eRUPtS
RUM-Dum
hUMdRUm
I think the BB program has grown enough to where SHU now knows we are a legitimate rival and it is a game I really enjoy winning. Within the conference as others have said, its Maryland and Penn State. In basketball given Maryland's traditional strength, they are the ones we want to be able to beat every year. Although I very much enjoy PSU wins as well. In football, as Schiano said, we have to be able to beat someone periodically before we can consider it a rivalry. Therefore in the short term we need to keep pace with Maryland but the long term aspiration has to be competitive games with Penn State.
A
anon_ivydyf0amkzay
Guest
I will say it every time one of these threads come up… State Penn and Maryland; our only real chance at rivals. End of story.
Seton Hall is a tiny school that only plays basketball as a rival-worthy sport (baseball or soccer really don’t count as very few care or even know they’re happening). Since we hardly play Princeton (and never in football) then that historic rivalry is dead.
RU should do all it can to cultivate those two B1G rivalries going forward. If we are going to act like a big conference player, focusing on the south orange college for anything other than some close OOC game means very little.
even between state penn and MD, MD makes most sense...we came into the league together and we are almost linked by i95...it has a chance!
Seton Hall is a tiny school that only plays basketball as a rival-worthy sport (baseball or soccer really don’t count as very few care or even know they’re happening). Since we hardly play Princeton (and never in football) then that historic rivalry is dead.
RU should do all it can to cultivate those two B1G rivalries going forward. If we are going to act like a big conference player, focusing on the south orange college for anything other than some close OOC game means very little.
even between state penn and MD, MD makes most sense...we came into the league together and we are almost linked by i95...it has a chance!
Last edited:
I laugh when people say SHU is not our rival. I mean, in hoops, it’s not even a question that they’re our longest and most heated rivalry. Just think of all of the great games and “moments” we’ve had against them. It’s the only game all year that has true “juice” on both sides regardless of the teams’ records.
But it’s true that we need rivals in our own conference. Unfortunately, we’ve only been in this 100+ year old conference for a few years, and the other teams already have established their own rivalries. Most or all of those other teams don’t give Rutgers a second thought, and many of them still resent that we were ever invited into their conference in the first place.
The other thing is that, as a general proposition, rivalries are different in football and basketball. For example, I LOATHE Penn State in football, but less so in basketball. And PSU generally doesn’t care about hoops, and it will be hard building up a rivalry in a half empty away venue. But PSU is our most natural football rival, since we all hate them with a passion. Except a rivalry won’t develop unless and until we start beating them on the field and in recruiting wars.
And, despite the geographical similarities, and the fact that we joined the conference at the same time, I just don’t get worked up about Maryland very much. But I recognize that they are our most “natural” rival in basketball. It will probably take several years of both programs being top half in the B1G, and having some epic battles, for a true rivalry with MD to develop in hoops.
For now, our only true 2-way rivalry in either sport is SHU in hoops. And for me, our only true rivalry in football is Penn State (except it’s currently a 1-way rivalry).
But it’s true that we need rivals in our own conference. Unfortunately, we’ve only been in this 100+ year old conference for a few years, and the other teams already have established their own rivalries. Most or all of those other teams don’t give Rutgers a second thought, and many of them still resent that we were ever invited into their conference in the first place.
The other thing is that, as a general proposition, rivalries are different in football and basketball. For example, I LOATHE Penn State in football, but less so in basketball. And PSU generally doesn’t care about hoops, and it will be hard building up a rivalry in a half empty away venue. But PSU is our most natural football rival, since we all hate them with a passion. Except a rivalry won’t develop unless and until we start beating them on the field and in recruiting wars.
And, despite the geographical similarities, and the fact that we joined the conference at the same time, I just don’t get worked up about Maryland very much. But I recognize that they are our most “natural” rival in basketball. It will probably take several years of both programs being top half in the B1G, and having some epic battles, for a true rivalry with MD to develop in hoops.
For now, our only true 2-way rivalry in either sport is SHU in hoops. And for me, our only true rivalry in football is Penn State (except it’s currently a 1-way rivalry).