While nearly everyone in the state of Nebraska loves the Huskers, most sports fans would admit that they also cheer for Creighton whenever they get the chance.
And why wouldn't they?
Creighton is in the top 10 of Mid-Major sports programs in the nation. They regularly qualify for the NCAA Basketball Tournament (seven of the last 10 years!), including a first round upset over Florida in 2002.
Creighton plays basketball at the Qwest Center in Omaha. Last season, the team ranked in the top 30 in attendance in the nation—not in the Missouri Valley Conference, the Midwest, but the entire nation!
The Jays' baseball team has qualified for NCAA regional play in four of the last 10 years. Current coach Ed Servais has averaged over 40 wins per season during his tenure.
Most importantly, the Bluejays don't field a football team, so they don't challenge the reign of Husker Football.
Nebraska fans support Creighton sports. While Husker Football rules the state, Creighton has consistently manhandled the Husker basketball team in recent years.
Is it possible that baseball will decide which school rules the state?
Hardly. The Huskers have won both games against the Jays this season and have won 21 of 28 since 2000. So why is this a rivalry?
Here's why:
1. The reasons stated above demonstrate that the state of Nebraska supports winners. With the football team at the lowest point it has been in over 30 years, some younger fans have been giving that little bit of extra attention to the Jays, and their winning ways.
2. Creighton is an Omaha team. It's not that the Huskers don't represent Omaha, but many Husker fans see a split between the Omaha Metro area and the rest of the state, which is decidedly more rural.
3. Both teams are loaded with in-state recruits. However, as usual, Creighton has more; to the tune of 17 to 12. And Creighton's number has been larger in the past five years.
4. The fans. The Creighton-Nebraska matchup has drawn six of the 26 largest regular season crowds in NCAA history (from Creighton website).
5. Everyone loves an underdog.
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about 1 month ago
No offense, but while it may be a great rivalry, it just doesn't compare to LSU-Tulane. While the Creighton-Nebraska series may decide who will win the state title, the Tigers and Green Wave has often decided who goes to Omaha to play for it all. Plus, LSU doesn't want Tulane to have success in anything, ever! Tulane fans certainly return the favor.
about 1 month ago
You might be right, but Tulane doesn't have the same name recognition as Creighton. Also, is Tulane a bad major program, or a good mid-major. It's hard to say. You don't have to make that distinction with either of the teams in the Nebraska rivalry. Defined roles really add fuel to the fire of a rivalry.
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