Rivalries are a part of the material of faculty soccer, and no convention cherishes its rivalries and historical past greater than the Large Ten. Not solely do they exist, however almost all of them have inventive trophies that are awarded to the winners.
There are many issues that contribute to a rivalry forming. Plenty of the time it is geography, however there’s additionally familiarity. The extra usually you see an opponent, the extra probably you’re to develop an animus. Ultimately, a begrudging respect for them emerges. Generally rivalries kind for no different purpose than when two groups meet the stakes are sometimes excessive.
However on the coronary heart of all of it, there’s one main issue: competitors.
So, what higher strategy to rejoice rivalries than by having them compete towards each other? In any case, not all rivalries are created equal! Some colleges have a number of rivals, they usually’ll fortunately let you know they hate one faculty greater than the opposite. Type of like how mother and father rank their children (they do, it doesn’t matter what they let you know).
With the addition of USC, UCLA, Oregon and Washington in 2024, the Large Ten has added two new rivalries, and extra will certainly kind whereas others fade within the coming years. For proper now, here is how the league’s rivalries stack up towards each other because the convention prepares for enlargement on July 1.
It isn’t solely the most important rivalry within the Large Ten, but it surely’s additionally within the working as the most important rivalry in faculty soccer if not all American sports activities. It is referred to easily as The Recreation, and it is performed between the 2 colleges which have traditionally dominated the Large Ten. Coaches get fired for shedding this sport regardless of different accomplishments, whereas successful it constantly buys you time. Regardless of how massive the Large Ten will get, it will at all times be the matchup the league considers its crown jewel. Michigan leads all-time sequence 61-51-6
No Large Ten rivalry has been performed extra usually than this one, not even The Recreation. The Golden Gophers and Badgers have performed 133 occasions in historical past with the primary assembly coming in 1890. Whereas the stakes in every sport aren’t usually excessive, it would not matter to both of these fan bases. Border wars are inclined to play out that means, and having an superior trophy to play for would not harm, both. Wisconsin leads 63-62-8
3. Iowa vs. Minnesota (Floyd of Rosedale)
If I have been rating Large Ten rivalry trophies, this is able to be first in a landslide victory. Who would not need a trophy of a pig? The Floyd of Rosedale is ideal in each means, however I am inserting this one behind Minnesota and Wisconsin as a result of there’s extra historical past between these two. Nonetheless, it is one other border rivalry with an superior trophy. Minnesota leads 63-52-2
4. UCLA vs. USC (Victory Bell)
I do know it will ruffle the feathers of loads of Large Ten followers who will not need to see the newcomers ranked this extremely. However I’m an unbiased observer, and the Victory Bell needs to be a top-five rivalry. There are many bordering state colleges and rivalries between groups that share a state. These two share a metropolis. Additionally, for my cash, there isn’t any higher uniform matchup within the sport than when these two sq. off of their house uniforms. USC leads 50-34-7
5. Michigan vs. Michigan State (Paul Bunyan Trophy)
There’s loads of hate right here, as you’d anticipate from two public colleges that share a state and battle one another on and off the sphere. Nonetheless, whereas I admire that anger and the trophy is rock stable, the rivalry has been too one-sided to rank any larger than this. Plus, , Michigan State is not Michigan’s main rival. Nonetheless, each time the phrases “little brother” are thrown round as usually as they’re right here, you may rely on fireworks. Michigan leads 73-38-5
6. Oregon vs. Washington
The Pac-12 could also be gone, however this rivalry will proceed to thrive within the Large Ten. The 2 greatest video games of the season within the Pac-12 final yr have been between these two, however these colleges do not want excessive stakes to get into this sport. They’ve performed 116 occasions of their historical past. Solely three Large Ten rivalries have been performed extra usually. Washington leads 63-48-5
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7. Iowa vs. Wisconsin (Heartland Trophy)
This rivalry has gained steam within the School Soccer Playoff period. Whereas the Hawkeyes and Badgers have performed a very long time (96 video games since 1894), issues ramped up once they have been positioned within the Large Ten West. The division existed for 10 seasons, and considered one of these two gained it in seven of these seasons, which means their annual assembly mattered far most of the time. It should stay a protected rivalry in the intervening time, however I’m wondering if we may see this slip a bit now that they not share a division since neither is the opposite’s main rival. Wisconsin leads 49-46-2
8. Indiana vs. Purdue (Previous Oaken Bucket)
Indiana is a basketball state; neither of those fanbases would argue in any other case. Consequently, this in-state rivalry has not often been performed with one thing vital on the road, but it surely’s the ultimate sport of the common season for each and a terrific warmup for basketball season. It is the second-most performed rivalry sport in Large Ten historical past (124 conferences) and features a cool trophy. Purdue leads 77-42-6
9. Iowa vs. Nebraska (Heroes Trophy)
I admire how shortly these two fanbases took to hating the opposite. Nebraska did not be a part of the Large Ten till 2011, however they have been instantly positioned within the Legends division with Iowa after which joined them within the West, which means they’ve performed each season since. It already appears like a Black Friday staple. Nebraska leads 30-21-3
10. Illinois vs. Purdue (Purdue Cannon)
Whereas Illinois is not Purdue’s main rival, I would argue Illini followers have extra animus for Purdue than they do Northwestern. The 2 colleges are separated by solely 95 miles, and the mutual dislike extends simply from basketball to soccer. It would not harm that Purdue coach Ryan Walters was Illinois’ defensive coordinator earlier than taking the job, both. Purdue leads 48-45-6
11. Michigan vs. Minnesota (Little Brown Jug)
I like the Little Brown Jug, however I am unable to rank this sport within the prime 10. It is not a protected rivalry, and the faculties have not performed for the reason that 2020 season. Plus, every has at the least two different colleges they’d take into account to be greater rivals. There’s loads of historical past right here, although. Michigan leads 77-25-3
12. Illinois vs. Northwestern (Land of Lincoln Trophy)
As I mentioned earlier, most Illinois followers have stronger emotions towards Purdue than Northwestern, however the rivalry facet has picked up right here just lately. One of many issues this rivalry faces, although, is that regardless of sharing a state, they not often go after the identical gamers on the recruiting path. Additionally, the one factor usually on the road once they meet on the finish of the yr is bowl eligibility for one or each. Illinois leads 57-55-5
13. Minnesota vs. Nebraska ($5 Bits of Damaged Chair Trophy)
If you have not seen, Minnesota is a rival of half the league. Minnesota Good is a fable. This can be a newer rivalry with a trophy that was actually created after Minnesota’s Twitter account obtained right into a good-spirited debate with a parody Twitter account of Nebraska’s then-coach Bo Pelini referred to as “FauxPelini.” Actually, that is the Large Ten’s first Millennial rivalry. Minnesota leads 37-25-2
14. Illinois vs. Ohio State (Illibuck)
It is one of many cooler trophies within the Large Ten. Who would not need a large picket turtle? It is also a particularly lopsided rivalry that we have not seen a lot of these days. The Buckeyes and Illini have met 103 occasions, however the final assembly was means again in 2017. Ohio State leads 68-30-4
15. Indiana vs. Michigan State (Previous Brass Spittoon)
Not like the Stanley Cup, I don’t advocate ingesting out of the Previous Brass Spittoon for those who win it. Appears unhygienic. It has been a one-sided affair all through its historical past, however Indiana has gained two of the final 4 conferences. Michigan State leads 50-18-2
16. Michigan State vs. Penn State (Land-Grant Trophy)
Penn State wanted a rival when it joined the Large Ten in 1993, so the Land-Grant Trophy was created out of skinny air. If both facet talks concerning the depth of this rivalry, it is often with tongue firmly planted in cheek. It has been an evenly-matched sequence general, although. Penn State leads 19-18-1
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17. Michigan vs. Northwestern (George Jewett Trophy)
Do you know this was a rivalry? Nicely, it’s. It has a trophy and the whole lot. The George Jewett Trophy was created in 2021 to honor George Jewett, the primary African American soccer participant at each colleges and within the Large Ten. Whereas the trophy is new, the groups have met 76 occasions, and there’s a little bit of a “nerds” factor taking place right here. Michigan leads 59-15-2
18. Nebraska vs. Wisconsin (Freedom Trophy)
The Freedom Trophy was created in 2014 when each colleges have been positioned within the West division collectively. On the time, the thought course of was most likely that Nebraska and Wisconsin would battle for division titles yearly. Nebraska hasn’t saved up its finish of the cut price, although. Wisconsin leads 13-4
It would not have a trophy, however I like to recommend The Jim Delany Trophy. It is a golden cable field. These two are one another’s solely protected rival after becoming a member of the Large Ten on the similar time in 2014. Maryland leads 12-7
20. Maryland vs. Penn State
The factor about Penn State is that it has been within the Large Ten for 30 years however would not have or appear to need rivals. Some will say Ohio State is a rival, however I am unsure Ohio State is aware of that. Penn State is the one faculty with out protected rivalries within the new setup, and it even makes use of “UnRivaled” as a catch phrase. Penn State leads 43-3-1
21. Minnesota vs. Penn State (Governor’s Victory Bell)
This sport has a trophy, so I included it within the rankings, however I do not know what number of Minnesota or Penn State college students are even conscious that that is thought of a rivalry. Penn State leads 10-6