Iowa Hawkeyes Ranked Fifth Among Illinois' Biggest Rivals
A recent deep dive by Illinois fans into their biggest rivals placed the Iowa Hawkeyes at number five. The Champaign Room Podcast held a rivalry draft, and while Illini fans might put Northwestern and Purdue at the top of their list, Iowans know the border battle with the Hawkeyes runs much deeper than a simple ranking suggests.
Where Do the Hawkeyes Stand in Illinois' Rivalry Rankings?
According to the Illinois-based podcast, Northwestern takes the top spot due to proximity and guaranteed annual games. Purdue and Missouri followed. The Illini faithful placed Iowa in the second tier of rivals alongside Indiana and Wisconsin. For Hawkeye fans, being ranked fifth might feel like a slight. However, it highlights how much the landscape of college sports has shifted with conference realignment.
Illinois fans argue that Iowa has other primary rivals like Nebraska and Iowa State. While that is true, it does not diminish the intensity when the Hawkeyes and Illini face off. There is a large population of Iowa graduates living in Illinois, and plenty of Illinois alumni residing right here in Iowa. The personal connections and shared border make every game a battle for state pride.
How the Ayo Dosunmu and Luka Garza Era Ignited the Rivalry
Recent history proves the Iowa and Illinois rivalry is white-hot. The matchup gained serious momentum when Iowa's Luka Garza and Illinois' Ayo Dosunmu battled for Big Ten supremacy. The tension certainly did not stop with the star players. Hawkeye fans remember the heated moments involving Illinois players like Chin Coleman, Trent Frazier, and Da'Monte Williams. Those intense matchups reminded everyone in the Midwest that border-state pride is always on the line.
A Long History Between the Hawkeyes and Illini
The rivalry between these two programs is not a recent invention. Iowa and Illinois first met on the basketball court in 1908. The football rivalry dates back even further, with the first gridiron clash taking place in 1899. That is well over a century of competition. While conference expansion has reduced the frequency of their annual meetings, the history between the two schools is undeniable.
Older generations of Illinois fans might view Indiana as their top rival, but the Hoosiers have faded from consistent contention. Meanwhile, the Hawkeyes have remained a steady thorn in Illinois' side. When Iowa and Illinois clash, it is a clash of heartland values and Midwestern grit.
What Does the Future Hold for the Iowa-Illinois Matchup?
Conference expansion has changed the Big Ten, making annual matchups less guaranteed. Iowa and Indiana have become once-a-year opponents in basketball since the league expanded. Despite the scheduling challenges, the passion from fans on both sides of the Mississippi River remains strong. As Illinois continues to build under Bret Bielema and Iowa maintains its tough, physical program, the rivalry is poised to grow.
Iowans will always circle the Illinois game on the calendar, regardless of where the Illini rank them. A true border battle is about more than just conference standings. It is about defending your state and your community against the neighbors next door.
When did the Iowa and Illinois football rivalry begin?
The Iowa Hawkeyes and Illinois Fighting Illini first met on the football field in 1899, establishing a rivalry that has lasted well over a century.
Who are the key players that fueled the recent Iowa-Illinois basketball rivalry?
The recent rivalry was heavily fueled by the battles between Iowa center Luka Garza and Illinois guard Ayo Dosunmu, along with heated moments from players like Chin Coleman, Trent Frazier, and Da'Monte Williams.
Why did Illinois fans rank Northwestern as their top rival?
Illinois fans ranked Northwestern first because the two schools are only 150 miles apart, they are the only Illinois-based schools in the Big Ten, and they have a protected rivalry that guarantees annual games in both football and basketball.