Which of the matchups in the poll do you think are essential* rivalries?

* "Essential" rivalries are those in which both teams would likely seek to retain the matchup each year even in the event of a realignment that separated them into different divisions or conferences. In some cases, this has already happened, or they were never in the same conference/division to begin with.

Other current annual matchups aren't particularly essential. They may primarily be the result of sharing a conference/division and not any strong desire to play. These matchups would be sacrificed as annual games in the event of a realignment that separated the teams.

The line between essential and non-essential is rather blurry, so I thought I'd see what the realignment forum thinks. This is a miscellaneous poll containing some recently interrupted but active matchups, some younger matchups, and some matchups that I'm no longer sure are essential or not.

Poll #1: http://csnbbs.com/thread-829175.html
Poll #2: http://csnbbs.com/thread-829176.html

(10-07-2017 09:38 PM)Nerdlinger Wrote:  * "Essential" rivalries are those in which both teams would likely seek to retain the matchup each year even in the event of a realignment that separated them into different divisions or conferences.

That's a little unfair, since we're dealing with administration politics, isn't it? Look at CU-CSU and Texas-Texas A&M.

Of those, UA and KSU. They have a ******* rivalry trophy and are a premier rivalry in the MAC.

(10-07-2017 10:49 PM)Bronco14 Wrote:  Of those, UA and KSU. They have a ******* rivalry trophy and are a premier rivalry in the MAC.

I'm inclined to agree that Akron/Kent State has become essential. However, a trophy does not a rivalry make.

(10-07-2017 11:01 PM)Nerdlinger Wrote:  I'm inclined to agree that Akron/Kent State has become essential. However, a trophy does not a rivalry make.

What about proximity? It's like 12 miles between campuses, and there's even a bicycle path connecting them now.

No rivalry is essential if one the respective schools can make more money scrapping it.


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(10-07-2017 10:43 PM)Mav Wrote:  

(10-07-2017 09:38 PM)Nerdlinger Wrote:  * "Essential" rivalries are those in which both teams would likely seek to retain the matchup each year even in the event of a realignment that separated them into different divisions or conferences.

That's a little unfair, since we're dealing with administration politics, isn't it? Look at CU-CSU and Texas-Texas A&M.

CU and CSU have actually played continuously since 1995 despite being in different conferences.

For the foreseeable future, UT and A&M will not return to an essential rivalry, nor will any other Big 12 rivalries that ended after the realignment. Fans may want them to play again, but if the schools themselves are unwilling to play for whatever reason, the rivalry can hardly be called essential. Unfortunate but true.

(10-07-2017 11:53 PM)uakronkid Wrote:  

(10-07-2017 11:01 PM)Nerdlinger Wrote:  I'm inclined to agree that Akron/Kent State has become essential. However, a trophy does not a rivalry make.

What about proximity? It's like 12 miles between campuses, and there's even a bicycle path connecting them now.

As I said, the rivalry is probably essential, but proximity alone does not make schools rivals. Look at Houston and Rice, for example.

(10-07-2017 10:49 PM)Bronco14 Wrote:  Of those, UA and KSU. They have a ******* rivalry trophy and are a premier rivalry in the MAC.

The Wagon Wheel is all about Street Cred, but very respected. For most of us locals, it is understood that actual trash talking starts Three Days before the game, but we will have a Beer together afterwords. Very fierce, but we may have to see them the next day at work......