It’s not Ohio State-Michigan or Alabama-Auburn. It’s not even Toledo-Bowling Green.
But the UT-Northern Illinois rivalry is exactly that — a rivalry.
Since 1999 — 23 meetings — the loser of the game has lost out on a division championship 13 times. By comparison, the loser of the OSU-Michigan game has had its conference or division championship hopes spoiled 10 times during the same period.
Toledo-Northern Illinois has turned into the most undervalued rivalry in college football. The latest chapter is 3:30 p.m. Saturday at Huskie Stadium.
“That’s our biggest rival. Every day, we’re competing against them,” Northern Illinois defensive tackle James Ester said about the Rockets.