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Ranking the top 10 best Big Ten football rivalries

By Shane Lunnen

MINNEAPOLIS, MN - NOVEMBER 25: The Wisconsin Badgers hoist Paul Bunyan's Axe after winning the game against the Minnesota Golden Gophers on November 25, 2017 at TCF Bank Stadium in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The Badgers defeated the Golden Gophers 31-0. (Photo by Hannah Foslien/Getty Images)
MINNEAPOLIS, MN - NOVEMBER 25: The Wisconsin Badgers hoist Paul Bunyan's Axe after winning the game against the Minnesota Golden Gophers on November 25, 2017 at TCF Bank Stadium in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The Badgers defeated the Golden Gophers 31-0. (Photo by Hannah Foslien/Getty Images) /
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(Photo by Steven Branscombe/Getty Images)
(Photo by Steven Branscombe/Getty Images) /

6. Iowa vs. Nebraska

When Nebraska joined the Big Ten in 2011, it made sense to have a rivalry game with the closest school to Lincoln. The Hawkeyes and Cornhuskers have played a closely contested series throughout the years before becoming conference foes.

The teams first met in 1891, a 22-0 Iowa victory. The game also marked the first time the Hawkeyes had ever played outside the state of Iowa. The two schools are separated by about 300 miles and during the early days of the series, trains would run between the two to allow fans to travel.

light. Related Story. Nebraska Football: 5 players trending up after spring

The teams would meet on the gridiron 35 times through 1946 and the series went on hiatus until a 4 year series renewal between 1979 and 1982. Nebraska would win three of those four games, however the Hawkeyes upset the seventh ranked Huskers in 1981.

Besides a brief two year series near the start of the 21st century, both won by Nebraska, the teams would not meet again until Nebraska joined the Big Ten in 2011. Dubbed “The Heroes Game”, Nebraska and Iowa now meet annually on the Friday after Thanksgiving. The Heroes Trophy is awarded to the winner. Since Nebraska joined the conference, Iowa leads 5-3 including winning the last four meetings.

With Nebraska’s hiring of Scott Frost, Husker fans hope he can turn around the once legendary program. Kirk Ferentz always has his Hawkeyes in the Big Ten West mix. Perhaps at some point in the near future, these two teams will meet on Black Friday with a trip to Indianapolis on the line.

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