Look, I hate nebraska as much as anybody. I have a peculiar personality flaw that makes want to fight anything brandishing a red "n".
However, no matter how much I personally relish the annual grudgefest between CU and nebraska, I can't believe it ranks on the national stage.
--It lacks historical balance. I believe that CU, in the decades to come, will gain parity with, and hopefully surpass our flatland neighbors to the north. But even through the nineties--arguably CU's strongest sustained decade--the huskers were a continual thorn in our side. The all-time win and loss record is similarly unfortunate.
--It lacks reciprocity. Look, we all know that most nebraskans hate CU fans and secretly want to beat CU more than any other team. But a true rivalry requires fans from both teams to openly embrace the rivalry. Until the nebraska fans come out of the closet, our rivalry can't reasonably make the top ten list.
--In recent years the game has lacked national implications. Yes, in the nineties both teams could typically be found in the top ten, and often the top five (I remember wanting to fight Phil Steele in the late nineties when he predicted we would finish 14th at the end of the season...we finished 14th and I was pissed...I'd kill to be ranked 14 now), but that was only one decade. The game also mattered in 1986 (sort of) and definitely in 1989. It was before my time, but also, I believe, in 1969-1972. But compared to the top two teams on the list...?
--CU lacks the rabid fanbase. As I've written in other posts, I consider it fortunate for CU that certain fans are attracted to the NFL and not the Buffs. I like our select fanbase. However, the SEC vs. anybody creates a crazy scene. We don't quite enjoy that atmosphere, and the fans we do have are a little fickle (clearly I'm not referring to the fans on this board--you guys are awesome) and a little dispersed (we have jobs). Having said that, our atmosphere is about a thousand times better than that lame thing that happens in So. Cal. USC vs. UCLA...are you kidding me? So lame.
So who's missing? Tough one. I think the writer got the top two correct, and despite the lack of national implications (such overwhelming history) Army/Navy belongs in the #3 slot. Texas and aTm belong somewhere in the top ten. Notre Dame and maybe somebody? South Carolina and Clemson? UVA and VA Tech has a pretty strong history, so it deserves consideration. The "Civil War" in Oregon lacks the national implications but at least all of the fans believe it to be the most important rivalry in America. Where's Purdue and Indiana for basketball? Just a few off of the top of my head.
I'm flattered that the writer thought about the Buffs. We are fortunate to hold the slot after Thanksgiving and to me, CU/nebraska is the single most important day of the year...it's my Christmas. I hope that someday nebraska fans will get off their butts and embrace this rivalry so that we can take it to the next level. Oh yeah, they also have to rebuild their team (as do we, but I believe we have a head start and a coach I wouldn't trade for any other).
Go Buffs!