Northwestern and Iowa Football: A Budding Rivalry of Epic Proportions

Legend has it that after a loss to Iowa in one of Gary Barnett's first years with Northwestern, opposing Hawkeyes coach Hayden Fry said to him: "Hope we didn't hurt your guys too bad."

For 21 straight games, Iowa owned Northwestern. But on November 11, 1995, that all changed when the Wildcats knocked off the Hawkeyes by a final score of 31-20 . Since that day, NU is 7-5 against Iowa in what has the potential to become one of the more heated rivalries in the Big Ten.

In recent years among the fans, the rivalry has reached a boil. Iowa fans still remember the glory years when they beat-up on NU all the time, so their respect for Northwestern is...lacking to say the least. 

Take one look at the NU message boards and you'll see what I mean. Iowa fans, particularly the blog "Black Heart, Gold Pants," which I won't dignify with a link, like to taunt the 'Cats by calling them "Just Northwestern," as in, nothing to be worried about.

But as this interview shows, the reality is much different. Iowa's fans are sick and tired of losing to "Just Northwestern." After all, Northwestern has won 3 out of the past 4 games in the series, two of those three wins coming in dramatic fashion.

The rivalry among the fans really heated up when the Hawkeyes were chosen for the Outback Bowl over NU last year, even though the Wildcats won more games AND beat Iowa in Kinnick Stadium.

The difference came down to the notion that Iowa would bring more fans to the bowl game...and thus more money to the game as well. Of course, historically Northwestern has proved they can pack any bowl stadium with their national fan base, but I digress.

So it's clear that the chirping between the fans has gotten really intense in this Internet age. But what about the guys actually playing the game on the field?

It helps the rivalry that Pat Fitzgerald is the head coach. He often reminds his players of the history Iowa has with Northwestern, which before 1995 was one of absolute dominance. That serves as extra motivation, and the players love going to Kinnick and silencing the rowdy fans.

On top of that, there were hints after last year's 22-17 win that the players were motivated from some of the disrespect they were hearing on the field coming out of the Hawkeyes' players' mouths.

Now Northwestern comes to Iowa City with a chance to turn this "budding rivalry" into a full-on college football war.

A third straight win in Iowa City would be one thing, but to end Iowa's undefeated run? Oh man...how sweet would that be?