Who Will Be University of Nebraska's Biggest Big Ten Football Rival?

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Without a doubt, Nebraska moving to the Big Ten Conference is going to make an immediate impact on college football. The Big Ten is accepting its first new conference member since 1990 when Penn State joined.

Nebraska will have a new set of opponents and new stadiums to travel to and play in, and the Big Ten will have a new powerhouse team.

New rivalries will be born, no matter how the new Big "Ten" gets split up with its 12 teams. There will still be the Michigan versus Ohio State rivalry and Minnesota versus Wisconsin.

Who will Nebraska form a rivalry with?

Here is a look at the top four possibilities for Nebraska's football rival in the Big Ten.

4. University of Minnesota

The University of Minnesota began playing Nebraska in 1900. They have played Nebraska on a consistent basis ever since, up until 1990. However, the two have not faced off since Nebraska killed Minnesota 56-0 in 1990.

Minnesota holds a 29-20-2 edge in the overall series, with 21 wins coming at home. Since 1963, however, Minnesota is 0-14 against Nebraska.

This rivalry would be more of a geographical one. The reason this is the number four possibility is because of the rivalry Minnesota has with the University of Wisconsin.

3. University of Michigan

This rivalry would be more of a traditional powerhouse team versus another traditional powerhouse team.

Michigan and Nebraska first played in 1905. Michigan holds a 3-2-1 edge over Nebraska all-time.

Michigan is the only team on the list that has faced Nebraska in a bowl game. The Wolverines won the 1986 Fiesta Bowl and lost the 2005 Alamo Bowl.

These two teams have history on their side as well. Fielding Yost coached at Nebraska before coming to Michigan.

Does anyone remember 1997?

Michigan was ranked first in the AP Poll, while Nebraska was first in the Coaches Poll. They shared the National Title.

This rivalry is third because Michigan already has a huge rivalry with Ohio State—I'm sure a few people have heard of that one.

2. University of Iowa

This rivalry would be more of a corn field team versus another corn field team or a geographic rivalry.

The University of Iowa began playing Nebraska in 1891. The two teams faced off 34 times between 1891 and 1946. The "rivalry" went on hiatus until 1979.

Nebraska holds the overall edge 26-12-3 against Iowa. The last time these teams faced off was in 2000 in Lincoln, Nebraska won 42-13.

This is a definite possibility for a rivalry. No matter how the Big Ten is divided, chances are these two teams will be in the same division. This means a game every year.

Iowa has been near the top of the Big Ten in recent years. Nebraska will most likely be near the top as well, so these teams playing could impact the standings greatly.

1. Penn State University

Even though Penn State and Nebraska are as far away as they can be in the Big Ten, these two teams should form a nice rivalry.

They have history on their side as Penn State and Nebraska have played in some tough and controversial games over the years.

Penn State is 7-6 against Nebraska. They played five times between 1949 and 1958. The "rivalry" took a 21-year break and was resumed in 1979.

In 1982, they played a controversial game that led to Penn State's National Championship. TE Mike McCloskey caught a pass that was ruled complete at the two-yard line with four seconds to go in the game. Replays showed he was out-of-bounds. Nebraska would finish the season 12-1.

In 1994, the teams never played, but there was slight controversy anyway. Both Penn State and Nebraska finished the season undefeated. Nebraska was the only team recognized as National Champions.

There has been a rivalry brewing since the 1980's.

Nebraska joining the Big Ten could elevate this rivalry and create another big rivalry in the Big Ten.

Penn State sits alone on the East side of the Big Ten and needs a rival. Nebraska would fit perfectly.