Illini Rivalries

[Fighter of the Nightman]

This topic is brought up a lot, but we are closing in on Week One ... so let's get one more offseason thread in! I also feel like this answer changes for Illini Football fans as time goes by and conditions change, so let's see where we collectively stand in August 2025. People can answer however they wish, but I'll provide three categories that I'm going to use:

Hate Rankings: The college football teams you personally hate the most.
Current Rivalry Rankings: Your "semi-objective" ranking of our current rivalries. These don't have to necessarily be reciprocal from the other fan base, but they're meant to be a bit more objective than the hate rankings.
Long-Term Rivalry Forecast: The rivalries you think have the most potential over the next decade plus if Bret and Co. can keep Illini Football winning.

Here are the FOTN choices.

HATE RANKINGS ... I'm realizing my hate runs much stronger on the basketball side of things, which is to be expected given our history, I guess.

Notre Dame ... I probably don't need to explain, but Chicago Area people (who don't have an obvious/alum team to support) who bandwagon Notre Dame instead of their state flagship Illini are the worst. Don't care if you're Catholic or Irish, you're still simping for a team in INDIANA instead of one from your home state. I really don't think I would bandwagon an out-of-state German Lutheran school instead of my state team just because of my heritage.
Michigan ... In my formative years, Michigan was a lot more like current Tennessee to me than the "Michigan" most fans think of. Good, competitive, storied history, sure ... but a clear notch below the elite team(s) in their conference. However, now that they've returned to competing for National Championships, I have gotten to see their arrogance at full potential, and it's nauseating. People can call OSU fans arrogant, but it's a much more "boarish" or salt-of-the-earth excessive pride than the nasty, condescending arrogance from Michigan fans.
Missouri ... Put me in the camp that hates all things Mizzou, no matter what. I can honestly say that they are one of my teams' rivals that I have the most overall disdain for. Sure, I hate the Cardinals, but I also genuinely enjoy when they are good at the same time as the Cubs, and I obviously respect the history. I hate the Packers, but it's hard not to love Lambeau and appreciate the community orientation of that organization. I hate Indiana basketball QUITE a bit, but I respect that they at least have a (very ancient, lol) good tradition. Mizzou? I have nothing but contempt for them and their fans.
Ohio State ... As stated above, I now hate them less than Michigan ... but it's pretty easy to hate the Buckeyes, and I probably don't need to explain why.


CURRENT RIVALRY RANKINGS ... As stated above, I am trying to be "objective" or "fair" or whatever here.

Northwestern ... Sucks to admit, but we are 3-5 years of continued, sustained success away from creating other rivalries with our conference foes to solidify other, better rivalries.
Purdue ... I really have never been on the Purdue hate bandwagon (in fact, growing up I didn't mind Purdue as a perceived ally in absolutely hating Indiana), but them shattering our 2022 Big Ten West dreams (saw that travesty in person...) and the Walters drama really solidified my distaste for them. Add in a trophy game, and this one has to be here.
Missouri ... Hey, at least they are on the schedule for sure for multiple years in a row. I get some fans think this is a regional thing only important to Metro East or Southern Illinois fans, but I disagree. I was born in Peoria, grew up in Iowa City and live in Chicago ... and I get hyped for the Mizzou rivalry in any sport, especially Braggin' Rights.

LONG-TERM RIVALRY FORECAST ... I want to preface this by saying I'm trying to rank these on theoretical potential and not take scheduling limitations into account. For example, we don't know how long playing Mizzou OOC is feasible, and Big Ten schedules might limit how often we get to play Iowa.

Iowa ... Again, provided we actually got to play, this one would be bursting with potential. Our last couple games with them under Bret have been great, and the Bret connection plus natural carried-over animosity from basketball really help the intensity.
Missouri ... I think Mizzou is an incredibly natural rivalry, and with enough time we could have something approaching Braggin' Rights (though it's a shame there isn't an outdoor football stadium option in St. Louis to replicate that 50/50 crowd setup).
Northwestern ... I think this will develop into a Tennessee/Vanderbilt or Georgia/Georgia Tech dynamic for us if we keep winning. Always on the schedule for the last weekend, a game you definitely want to win (or at least not lose) but also one that takes a backseat to other rivalries.
Wisconsin ... This is my wild card pick, but I'll throw out the prediction that Wisconsin gets a solid replacement for Fickell and rebounds a bit, Minnesota (the Badgers' main rival) gets a dud replacement for PJ and eventually regresses and Illinois/Wisconsin develops into a pretty good rivalry. You have the Bielema connection, the proximity, the Bears/Packers carryover, etc.

BONUS - Teams I "Should" Theoretically Hate But Don't Mind At All

Texas A&M ... Don't get me wrong, I find their cult fans weird/annoying, and the whole literally buying an elite program with donor money thing is objectively bad for the sport, IMO. However, I also always have a soft spot for big state schools that seem to have a ton going for them and yet have never achieved the success their fans want, lol. I don't like them at all, but I don't hate them as much as your average fan.
Florida - Maybe it's the orange and blue or the uniqueness of the Swamp, but I have always kind of liked Florida. If anyone is going to be elite out of the SEC, I'll take Florida over Alabama or Tennessee any day.
LSU - Of all of the annoying SEC teams, I can't really say why, but ... I just don't hate LSU. Even with Brian Kelly being super annoying, there is something just nostalgic and likable to me about LSU, from them constantly fighting to get the same recognition/respect/status as the Alabama tier of the conference historically to the white jerseys at home to the atmosphere of Death Valley.

 

[RabidDawgClassic]

I've been an Illinois football and basketball fan since 1982. For obvious reasons, I held a deep hatred for Iowa since the Deon Thomas affair, but my true disdain for them began in 1987 when the #1 Hawkeyes came into the Assembly Hall and we jumped out to a 61-39 lead with twelve minutes left. From that point on, Illinois couldn't grab any rebound and ended up losing in overtime. It had rained all night and the grass parking lot we had back then was a muddy mess. I pushed several people out and had to be pushed out myself. In all, it was a memorably miserable night all around. 61-39 is a score that triggers me to this day.

As I've gotten older, I've gotten rid of the "hatred" I feel for anything in sports. Sure, there are teams I'd rather not see win, but if they do I don't get all upset about it like I would have 15 years ago or so. With age comes a sort of wisdom, I guess. Having said that, I do like that Iowa hasn't won a regular season B1G basketball championship since I've been a fan. I definitely wouldn't mind seeing that continue.

 

[Battle89]

This topic is brought up a lot, but we are closing in on Week One ... so let's get one more offseason thread in! I also feel like this answer changes for Illini Football fans as time goes by and conditions change, so let's see where we collectively stand in August 2025. People can answer however they wish, but I'll provide three categories that I'm going to use:

Hate Rankings: The college football teams you personally hate the most.
Current Rivalry Rankings: Your "semi-objective" ranking of our current rivalries. These don't have to necessarily be reciprocal from the other fan base, but they're meant to be a bit more objective than the hate rankings.
Long-Term Rivalry Forecast: The rivalries you think have the most potential over the next decade plus if Bret and Co. can keep Illini Football winning.

Here are the FOTN choices.

HATE RANKINGS ... I'm realizing my hate runs much stronger on the basketball side of things, which is to be expected given our history, I guess.

Notre Dame ... I probably don't need to explain, but Chicago Area people (who don't have an obvious/alum team to support) who bandwagon Notre Dame instead of their state flagship Illini are the worst. Don't care if you're Catholic or Irish, you're still simping for a team in INDIANA instead of one from your home state. I really don't think I would bandwagon an out-of-state German Lutheran school instead of my state team just because of my heritage.
Michigan ... In my formative years, Michigan was a lot more like current Tennessee to me than the "Michigan" most fans think of. Good, competitive, storied history, sure ... but a clear notch below the elite team(s) in their conference. However, now that they've returned to competing for National Championships, I have gotten to see their arrogance at full potential, and it's nauseating. People can call OSU fans arrogant, but it's a much more "boarish" or salt-of-the-earth excessive pride than the nasty, condescending arrogance from Michigan fans.
Missouri ... Put me in the camp that hates all things Mizzou, no matter what. I can honestly say that they are one of my teams' rivals that I have the most overall disdain for. Sure, I hate the Cardinals, but I also genuinely enjoy when they are good at the same time as the Cubs, and I obviously respect the history. I hate the Packers, but it's hard not to love Lambeau and appreciate the community orientation of that organization. I hate Indiana basketball QUITE a bit, but I respect that they at least have a (very ancient, lol) good tradition. Mizzou? I have nothing but contempt for them and their fans.
Ohio State ... As stated above, I now hate them less than Michigan ... but it's pretty easy to hate the Buckeyes, and I probably don't need to explain why.


CURRENT RIVALRY RANKINGS ... As stated above, I am trying to be "objective" or "fair" or whatever here.

Northwestern ... Sucks to admit, but we are 3-5 years of continued, sustained success away from creating other rivalries with our conference foes to solidify other, better rivalries.
Purdue ... I really have never been on the Purdue hate bandwagon (in fact, growing up I didn't mind Purdue as a perceived ally in absolutely hating Indiana), but them shattering our 2022 Big Ten West dreams (saw that travesty in person...) and the Walters drama really solidified my distaste for them. Add in a trophy game, and this one has to be here.
Missouri ... Hey, at least they are on the schedule for sure for multiple years in a row. I get some fans think this is a regional thing only important to Metro East or Southern Illinois fans, but I disagree. I was born in Peoria, grew up in Iowa City and live in Chicago ... and I get hyped for the Mizzou rivalry in any sport, especially Braggin' Rights.

LONG-TERM RIVALRY FORECAST ... I want to preface this by saying I'm trying to rank these on theoretical potential and not take scheduling limitations into account. For example, we don't know how long playing Mizzou OOC is feasible, and Big Ten schedules might limit how often we get to play Iowa.

Iowa ... Again, provided we actually got to play, this one would be bursting with potential. Our last couple games with them under Bret have been great, and the Bret connection plus natural carried-over animosity from basketball really help the intensity.
Missouri ... I think Mizzou is an incredibly natural rivalry, and with enough time we could have something approaching Braggin' Rights (though it's a shame there isn't an outdoor football stadium option in St. Louis to replicate that 50/50 crowd setup).
Northwestern ... I think this will develop into a Tennessee/Vanderbilt or Georgia/Georgia Tech dynamic for us if we keep winning. Always on the schedule for the last weekend, a game you definitely want to win (or at least not lose) but also one that takes a backseat to other rivalries.
Wisconsin ... This is my wild card pick, but I'll throw out the prediction that Wisconsin gets a solid replacement for Fickell and rebounds a bit, Minnesota (the Badgers' main rival) gets a dud replacement for PJ and eventually regresses and Illinois/Wisconsin develops into a pretty good rivalry. You have the Bielema connection, the proximity, the Bears/Packers carryover, etc.

Generally agree with the above, with only slight modifications.

I am one of those northern Illinois people who definitely dislike Missouri, but 'hate' seems reserved for those from southern Illinois. Some of that residual hate flows into NW and Purdue, the former because they were truly horrendous in the 70s and 80s and yet pulled themselves out (while I watched the Illini falter for decades after that). Purdue I have family reasons to intensely dislike, though I would agree functionally they could be our closest rival.

Would love a stronger rivalry with both Iowa and Wisconsin. Not sure we'll get there, for the reasons you've written, but we'll see.

100% Michigan arrogance and fans are worse than OSU fans. ND is worse than OSU too. At least we have the Herbstreit 0-5 years to remember...

 

[illinoisfootball]

Are we just talking football, or overall?

 

[Fighter of the Nightman]

Are we just talking football, or overall?

This one is for just football, but feel free to provide overall anecdotes (I touched on basketball a few times, after all). I'll make a basketball version when the season gets closer!

 

[the Castle on Daniel]

With the exception of Northwestern (and even that may be a stretch), I don't think any of our conference foes would consider us rivals outside of the fact that we've played them a lot over the last ~130 years.

Northwestern and Purdue feel like the closest we have in conference. I think Iowa and Wisconsin are up there because they border and a lot of kids from Illinois go there for school. Ohio State because the turtle, but they've dominated that series, so it's not fair to call it a rivalry. If Indiana were better historically, they'd be up there too. We have a lot of close calls and rage-inducing losses with Rutgers. They want a real rival in the B1G, but I don't want it to be us because that would mean we're comparable to Rutgers lol.

OOC the only real contender is Missouri. I think if/when the B1G and SEC split, we are likely to have a nearly annual match up with them. Crazy how Missouri may be the most sought after SEC team with at least 3 B1G teams try to play them. Iowa and Nebraska are likely to want them on the schedule too due to history/bordering. Nebraska may prefer to play Oklahoma or Texas.

 

[Fighter of the Nightman]

With the exception of Northwestern (and even that may be a stretch), I don't think any of our conference foes would consider us rivals outside of the fact that we've played them a lot over the last ~130 years.

Northwestern and Purdue feel like the closest we have in conference. I think Iowa and Wisconsin are up there because they border and a lot of kids from Illinois go there for school. Ohio State because the turtle, but they've dominated that series, so it's not fair to call it a rivalry. If Indiana were better historically, they'd be up there too. We have a lot of close calls and rage-inducing losses with Rutgers. They want a real rival in the B1G, but I don't want it to be us because that would mean we're comparable to Rutgers lol.

OOC the only real contender is Missouri. I think if/when the B1G and SEC split, we are likely to have a nearly annual match up with them. Crazy how Missouri may be the most sought after SEC team with at least 3 B1G teams try to play them. Iowa and Nebraska are likely to want them on the schedule too due to history/bordering. Nebraska may prefer to play Oklahoma or Texas.

RE: Your first point, I think Northwestern would absolutely consider us a rival, and we realistically have to consider them one, too. After all, the "bar" for a rivalry is a lot lower than many fans like to act, IMO ... Tennessee/Vanderbilt ARE rivals, and that's just a fact; how Tennessee fans rank Vandy in relation to Alabama or Florida is irrelevant to that. I also think Purdue fans would consider us one if for no other reason than there's a literal trophy and they only have two rivalries in-conference, but they would obviously put us way behind Indiana.

Iowa WOULD (IMO) if we got to play more and continued to be good. I lived in Iowa City for many years, and let me tell you we are their #1 basketball rival (and at this point, I would say they are the same to us). However, it would need more time and consistency to develop, especially given they have on-the-books rivalries with Iowa State, Minnesota, Nebraska AND Wisconsin already.

 

[bdutts]

I hate any team that is not Illinois.

 

[Illinifan533]

If Indiana finds sustained success under Cignetti, they could become a legitimate football rival for a little while. With all the chirping their fans have done this offseason about our game in September, giving them the same dose of humble pie that we gave Nebraska last year would be gratifying.

 

[RabidDawgClassic]

If Indiana finds sustained success under Cignetti, they could become a legitimate football rival for a little while. With all the chirping their fans have done this offseason about our game in September, giving them the same dose of humble pie that we gave Nebraska last year would be gratifying.

I suspect Cignetti will be the next coach at Alabama. And it’ll be sooner rather than later. Just a hunch, but I like to think an educated one.

 

[uofi7477]

I am against Miznoz with no other team even close. It comes from living for a decade (1983-1993) in St Louis and dealing with those insufferable insecure morons

 

[lstewart53x3]

If Indiana finds sustained success under Cignetti, they could become a legitimate football rival for a little while. With all the chirping their fans have done this offseason about our game in September, giving them the same dose of humble pie that we gave Nebraska last year would be gratifying.

Would be one of the most satisfying wins of the year.

 

[redwingillini11]

I am a Michigan sympathizer, so I admit I hate them a lot less than an Illinois fan probably should. That being said I still absolutely love when we beat them, especially in basketball. But my Illinois-related hate flows in this order of teams I desperately want to see us beat.

1. Ohio State - still the evil empire in my mind. They only won a championship in 2024 thanks to an unnecessarily expanded playoff after having an underwhelming regular season on their scale. There is just not one thing likable about Ohio State.
2. Missouri - Obviously it's been dormant, but a win over Mizzou on the year would be a huge point of pride as an Illinois fan. Hopefully we turn the tides during this upcoming stretch of the rivalry.
3. Wisconsin - They bullied us for so long, I need us to continue to put that state back in its place.
4. Purdue - I just hate them. They should be our little brother in this rivalry, but that just hasn't been the case. We need to take advantage of playing them every year and make that a near auto-win on the schedule. Anything less is embarrassing.
5. Northwestern - No doubt a rivalry, and I don't understand people who think otherwise. Still, I hate other schools more than them. But once again, I hate that they had the upper hand over us for so long. We cannot let that happen again.
6. Iowa - Wisconsin-lite. We just don't play them enough. That being said, whenever we beat them next will be a huge reason for celebration.
7. Indiana - Should be higher up there, but we just haven't played them enough. That being said, a win to open conference play this year would be absolutely massive.
8. Michigan State - I don't really hate them. But there have been times that losing to them has felt really gross, like in 2022. I don't really like how they go about their business.
9. Minnesota - PJ Fleck. That's all I hate about them.
10. Maryland - Fraud B1G school. They don't belong in this conference, and therefore we should not be losing to them.
11. Rutgers - Other fraud B1G school.

 

[skyIdub]

I am a Michigan sympathizer, ...

 

[bluemountain]

The only program I hate is Michigan - this goes back to the Schembechler/Moeller days. Incredibly arrogant fan base. Wisky would be second on my list - I'm old enough to remember when they sucked, so the unjustified arrogance from their fan base also gets under my skin. Iowa BB was always up there with IU due to Satan, but I always respected what Fry and Ferentz did with their FB program. OSU football never really bothered me.

 

[the Castle on Daniel]

I will clarify - Northwestern is a rival. When I see people wearing NW shirts I'm like , but it's just not a heated rivalry. It could v much be the time of year we play them, but I feel like more people show up for Purdue 1000% of the time.

Rutgers will most likely have a better crowd than Northwestern this year. There shouldn't be any games the week of Thanksgiving. Regular season should be over the week before.

We love pounding Iowa and Wisconsin, but I wouldn't say rivalry. Both fanbases may gain mutual enjoyment winning, but our season isn't defined by beating either. Further, Iowa, Minnesota, Nebraska, and Wisconsin talk about a "quadrangle of hate" and we're not there. The closest we have is Indiana, Northwestern, and Purdue, but I digress.

IMO, Wisconsin is next closest to being a heated rivalry if it's not one of the schools in our quadrangle, but we all may have differing opinions. Purdue is there (it's Indiana and the games are usually ugly) and Indiana would be too, but they're bad.

The game this September @Indiana could be the start of seeing how deep that FB rivalry could go, but it'd be so fresh that a few bad years on either end would kill it. They're probably who a lot of non B1G football fans would assume our rival is though.

I feel like basketball is a completely different beast, but the only "carryovers" we have from FB to BB are Purdue and Wisconsin. Missouri could also be one, but we are only just about to play them in FB for the first time in like 1.5 decades. I do wish the Big Ten took them in 2010. Nebraska is fine, but we'd all be having more fun if it were Missouri.

 

[BZuppke]

A lot depends on the quality and sometimes controversy of the games being played. For almost all of our history Iowa and Illinois were never good at the same time except for the 1980s/early 1990s. We had some memorable games and had that continued, the rivalry probably would be superior to that they developed with Wisconsin. Alas we fell off a cliff and that was that.

 

[fuddrules]

I'll be honest, other than Auburn basketball, I don't dislike anyone. Perhaps the SEC in general, I do like to see them get beat. Same with Duke basketball. I like to see the B1G teams win OOC.


Ferentz at Iowa is a fantastic coach

Michigan football, whatever, it's great to beat them but that's the extent of it.

CigNasty at IU has a different approach and different demeanor, but says almost the exact thing as Bielema. He's more aggressive than BB but is still a great coach. IU will be strong in football as long as he is there. He has a real knack at finding talent to fit his system.

Prior to last year, Mizzou football was simply better.

Mizzou and Iowa basketball - not very relevant.

More than anything, I just wanted Illinois to improve. They have.

 

[GatorMcKlusky]

I got married in 1991. My wife and both of her sisters went to Northwestern. Just in time the Cats to turn around their putrid football program. I really believe I am responsible for the rebirth of Cat football. The Feagin fumble in the driving rain at NU in '91 drove Mackovic to quit and go to Texas. No rain = we win by 30 and Mackovic stays (the did mention the weather as one of the reasons he left for Austin). One of my brother-in-laws is a hillbilly from a farm in Missouri. Went to Mizzou. Dumb as a box of rocks. He stays mute if we win, won't STFU if they win. So those are my top two.

 

[fishbed]

This from 1952...........

Following the win at Iowa, which was full of penalties and a couple of ejections for fighting, Iowa students began to throw fruit, cans, and bottles at the officials and Illinois' team as they left the field. One Iowa student was also punched by an Illinois player in the melee. Illinois and Iowa were not scheduled to play in 1953 and 1954, but their athletic directors decided to expand that timeline to 1958 in order to allow for a "cooling-off" period. That time frame was eventually extended until 1967, which created a 14-season gap in the series between the conference schools.

For me it's the Hogeyes

 

[illinoistradition]

I'll be honest, other than Auburn basketball, I don't dislike anyone. Perhaps the SEC in general, I do like to see them get beat. Same with Duke basketball. I like to see the B1G teams win OOC.


Ferentz at Iowa is a fantastic coach

Michigan football, whatever, it's great to beat them but that's the extent of it.

CigNasty at IU has a different approach and different demeanor, but says almost the exact thing as Bielema. He's more aggressive than BB but is still a great coach. IU will be strong in football as long as he is there. He has a real knack at finding talent to fit his system.

Prior to last year, Mizzou football was simply better.

Mizzou and Iowa basketball - not very relevant.

More than anything, I just wanted Illinois to improve. They have.

How long until Cignetti jumps to a new job? Does he do it after this year? I don't know if USC or Arkansas or some other rumored openings after this year would appeal to him or not.

 

[Fighter of the Nightman]

How long until Cignetti jumps to a new job? Does he do it after this year? I don't know if USC or Arkansas or some other rumored openings after this year would appeal to him or not.

I wouldn't be surprised if Cignetti moves on to something "bigger," and I do think his situation is fundamentally different than Bielema here. Bret built this thing from the ground up, experienced some adversity along the way, already has jumped to another "better" opportunity once that ended up not working out, he has SIGNIFICANT long-term ties to the Big Ten and he grew up an Illini fan instate. In contrast, Indiana is Cignetti's first Power Conference opportunity, he captured lightning in a bottle in his first year largely behind transfers from his previous spot and his coaching career has had him jumping all over the US - including Alabama, which seems quite relevant.

With that said, I do not think he'd jump for a job like Arkansas. Despite great NIL, facilities and fan support, I actually think Arkansas is one of the most difficult jobs in the sport. You have lofty expectations from the fan base to compete with SEC programs that have the same or better built-in advantages than you have, and most of them have a significantly better history. I do think Cig would jump for Alabama if/when it's offered to him, but I think he's content being the New Kid on the Block until that type of opportunity comes up.

If Indiana falls too hard back down to Earth this year - and we can help this along by beating their a$$ in Bloomington!! - such an opportunity may not be on the table.

 

[NoRival]

Once we have sustained success in football, we may develop one. Until then, just a bunch of teams we don't like but no true rival.

 

[illinoistradition]

I wouldn't be surprised if Cignetti moves on to something "bigger," and I do think his situation is fundamentally different than Bielema here. Bret built this thing from the ground up, experienced some adversity along the way, already has jumped to another "better" opportunity once that ended up not working out, he has SIGNIFICANT long-term ties to the Big Ten and he grew up an Illini fan instate. In contrast, Indiana is Cignetti's first Power Conference opportunity, he captured lightning in a bottle in his first year largely behind transfers from his previous spot and his coaching career has had him jumping all over the US - including Alabama, which seems quite relevant.

With that said, I do not think he'd jump for a job like Arkansas. Despite great NIL, facilities and fan support, I actually think Arkansas is one of the most difficult jobs in the sport. You have lofty expectations from the fan base to compete with SEC programs that have the same or better built-in advantages than you have, and most of them have a significantly better history. I do think Cig would jump for Alabama if/when it's offered to him, but I think he's content being the New Kid on the Block until that type of opportunity comes up.

If Indiana falls too hard back down to Earth this year - and we can help this along by beating their a$$ in Bloomington!! - such an opportunity may not be on the table.

Okay I just looked and did not realize he is 64. It is very possible that IU is his last stop. Would somebody in their mid-60s want to move on? Seems like a lot of added work and stress, unless IU cannot keep up with compensation.

 

[Fighter of the Nightman]

Once we have sustained success in football, we may develop one. Until then, just a bunch of teams we don't like but no true rival.

Username checks out, haha.