MOSER: Rivalries form on the field, not at a press conference

Last week, I had the opportunity to attend Big Ten Media Days in Chicago. For two days, football coaches and players participated in a series of interviews. It officially kicked off the Big Ten football season, and everyone was abuzz about the conference's newest team: Nebraska.

At the event, Iowa athletic director Gary Barta and Tom Osborne announced a new tradition. The day after Thanksgiving, the Huskers and Hawkeyes will face off in the Heroes Game. The winner of the game will receive the Heroes Trophy.

When the two athletic directors called it a rivalry, I had to roll my eyes. This rivalry is the worst kind: a forced one. Good rivalries don't start in press conferences, they start on the gridiron.

A rivalry is defined simply as two groups who are competing for the same objective. By definition, you can call the Hawkeyes a rival — we will both be playing to take home the trophy. Rivalries are important to the coaches, players and especially the fans. So why don't I feel excited about this?

Rivalries can take a number of different forms. The Oklahoma-Nebraska rivalry will probably be remembered as one of the greatest in college football. I consider this to be a true one. No one declared the other as a rival in a press conference. No one was looking to start a new tradition. It arose out of intense games on the field. Moreover, the Huskers and the Sooners had a mutual respect for each other. These qualities made it one of the best.

On the other hand, some rivalries are one-sided. The Nebraska–Colorado rivalry started in 1982. Colorado head coach Bill McCartney decided Nebraska would be their rival. At the time, Nebraska was one of the best programs in the country. McCartney hoped the rivalry would motivate the Buffs to victory. However, the feeling wasn't mutual. That year, Colorado posted two wins — Nebraska went 12-1.  The Buffaloes were the least of the Huskers' concerns.

In 1986, Colorado finally claimed victory in the so-called rivalry. Still, the fans weren't convinced.

I took the Colorado-Nebraska rivalry seriously for the first time in 2001. The Huskers experienced an embarrassing loss that should have ended their chances for a national title. Since 2001, they only lead Colorado 6-4. Although it started one-sided, Colorado was a legitimate rival when Nebraska left the Big 12.

Finally, there is this new type of rivalry. Consider Nebraska's history with Iowa: Since 1946, the Huskers have only faced off with the Hawkeyes six times. Nebraska won five of those games. Moreover, in the most recent games, the Huskers have decimated Iowa. The last time they played was 2000, when NU delivered a 42-13 ass-kicking.  For these reasons, we can safely say this rivalry didn't start on the gridiron.

The fans are another important part. This is the only area that this new rivalry has. Geography often plays a role in rivalries. Programs in the same state often have pretty strong feelings about each other. The same is said for universities sharing a border. While Nebraska fans are apathetic toward the Hawkeyes, many Iowa fans have an intense dislike for Nebraskans. I've been approached by many Iowa fans who want to give me a piece of their mind. Apparently, they think Nebraska fans write Iowa off and we are full of ourselves. Oh, what was that? I got a little distracted by all our trophies.  

Of course, Iowa fans only talk big when the other team is in the gutter. I've been asked if I felt like committing suicide after a big loss — it's like they're the jealous next-door neighbor.

Don't get me wrong, Iowa is a football program that deserves respect. I'm excited to play all the new teams, Iowa included. I think it will be a challenge to adapt to a completely new schedule. However, I am much more excited to play teams like Ohio State and Wisconsin.

Also, I don't want to rag on the Heroes Game at all. Every year, the trophy will feature the names of a new hero from each state. Fans will nominate heroes in their lives and each university will select one. The Heroes Game will truly be an exciting new tradition.

Just don't call it a rivalry. At least, not yet.

Let the teams play it out on the field and let the fans decide when the pot is ready to boil. Because that is how the best rivalries begin. And hey, we're the Huskers. The best deserves the best.

Kevin Moser is a senior psychology major. reach him at kevinmoser@dailynebraskan.com