One thing that does help rivalries is a good story on how it became that way. If the two are in a conference in 40 years and the story is UConn's old coach just bought a trophy and said it was a rivalry, that is actually not a bad story. Granted, you need some close victories from both sides still to make it work, but if the two do spoil each others seasons some, there is at least potentil (although I would not bet on it surving till another coach at UConn arrives).

UConn - Rutgers on the football side was developing -- we had a couple of losses at key points when UConn was an underdog in the game, historically the teams played since 1940 with some gaps but it could have been interesting if we were playing each other every year. If we were still in the American I'm sure we would be closing the season out playing UConn.

UConn-Rutgers had become something of a rivalry by the end. Almost always close games, no love lost between the two sides, both fought in women's basketball for top dog in the old Big East (with Notre Dame consistently as well) with UConn almost always coming out with the crown. That was something where finally putting a trophy in place would have made it something.

Seton Hall and Rutgers in basketball have been rivals for decades and only last year did they add a trophy and branding and all that. Pretty cool trophy too.

This is contrived like many of the more recently (last 25 years or so) conceived trophy games have been.

(10-12-2015 10:03 AM)brista21 Wrote:  UConn-Rutgers had become something of a rivalry by the end. Almost always close games, no love lost between the two sides, both fought in women's basketball for top dog in the old Big East (with Notre Dame consistently as well) with UConn almost always coming out with the crown. That was something where finally putting a trophy in place would have made it something.

Seton Hall and Rutgers in basketball have been rivals for decades and only last year did they add a trophy and branding and all that. Pretty cool trophy too.

This is contrived like many of the more recently (last 25 years or so) conceived trophy games have been.

Agreed. Rutgers was the closest thing UCONN ever had to a rival in football.

Any UCONN rivalry in the AAC would be contrived. Diaco targeted the school that was at the top (at the time). I like that line of thinking.

Here's my take on all of it - If these forced rivalries/trophies lead to a motivated, winning UCONN football team, then I hope Diaco makes one for every member in the AAC.

How about the houston - Pitt rivalry. Maybe a trophy with a big choker labeled 4TH quarter.

Of course, you have to be good to be in a position to choke and Memphis has rarely been there. And of course, when you bring into the equation basketball, Memphis knows a thing or two about choking, especially uner Coach Cal.

UConn and Temple could be an AAC rival. Temple and UMass made it work in the 90's, but John Chaney was a crazy person, makes the rivalry easier.

I kind of broke this down on the AAC board... I think UConn/Temple or UConn/Cincy would be a great rivalry... but UConn/South Florida is almost the perfect rivalry

All time head to head: South Florida 7- UConn 5.
Big East/AAC: South Florida 5 - UConn 5.

In every conference meeting but 1, the winning team won by a touchdown or less.

Similar aged programs that were successful way faster than anyone expected.

Neither team has scored 20 points or more on the other in 5 seasons.

Have the game early in the year when USF hosts it and have it be the home finale when UConn hosts it.. so both get true home field advantage.

(10-12-2015 10:45 AM)shere khan Wrote:  How about the houston - Pitt rivalry. Maybe a trophy with a big choker labeled 4TH quarter.

That would have to be a Houston - Wisconsin trophy since that coaching staff all but 1 works there now.

I thought you were done trolling UConn fans, Miko.

(10-09-2015 04:24 PM)miko33 Wrote:  Why is UCONN manufacturing a rivalry game? Shouldn't these develop naturally?

If you look at the first two numbers listed it's what the score would be if they kept playing a couple more quarters.

"Civil Conflict"...ugh, how lame...

(10-16-2015 08:22 PM)Rabbit_in_Red Wrote:  "Civil Conflict"...ugh, how lame...

Maybe you can start a rivalry with Houston

(10-09-2015 04:24 PM)miko33 Wrote:  Why is UCONN manufacturing a rivalry game? Shouldn't these develop naturally?

Miko trolling UConn what's new? Pitt is actually good this year, talk about Pitt.