That makes sense, thanks for your input. Rivalries don’t happen overnight. Aside from proximity, frequency and length build rivalries too. When you mix in similar strength of teams, then you get a real rivalry.
The NMSU v UTEP rivalry is a rivalry because both teams have a solid basketball tradition. So when both teams typically play, they’re both good. If NMSU had a trash program, the rivalry wouldn’t be a big deal because we would be kicking their ass all the time. Good teams, make good games.
When it comes to football, the game is huge, as most seasons that is an opportunity for the other to beat a FBS team. Neither school gets many of those every year. The Rice and UTSA games just don’t have that big game feel. The last time I felt we had a real rivalry brewing was Nevada basketball. Maybe Memphis could have got there, but CUSA ****ed it up and never scheduled us twice a year.
Nevada and Memphis were only that way because all of us were good. When you don’t win, and the other team is similar, it’s just another game. Especially when the arena/stadium is 25% full.