To be honest, I always kind of forget why Illinois is one of Missouri’s chief rivals. Maybe it’s because the two don’t play in both major revenue sports anymore and I can keep them out of sight, out of mind for most of the year. Or maybe it’s because many of my childhood memories involving Missouri and Illinois match ups involve beat downs on the gridiron. It’s hard to get too fired up about a team you’re consistently spanking.
However, once November rolls around every year, I get this itch in my skin. I eye up that late December Saturday, and my eye starts twitching ever so slightly.