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The I-80 basketball rivalry is set to take place on Friday between the Nebraska Cornhuskers and Creighton Blue Jays. The ‘Huskers will make the trip to Omaha in hopes of pulling an upset against their instate foe.
The two sides have faced off each season dating back to 1977. The 2024 edition will represent the 58th all-time meeting. Nebraska head coach Fred Hoiberg previewed that upcoming matchup this week.
In doing so, he threw some shade at the Blue Jays fanbase! He questioned their loyalties in his most recent press conference.
“The weird thing about this rivalry is that on the next day, a lot of those [Creighton] fans will be cheering for Nebraska on the football field.” -Fred Hoiberg
Fred Hoiberg calls out all the Jayskers ahead of the I-80 basketball rivalry on Friday 🤣 pic.twitter.com/dEBWM3OZ7j
— Hail Varsity (@HailVarsity) November 20, 2024
The term “Jayskers” is used to describe those who root for Creighton basketball (and other sports) throughout the week, but Nebraska football on Saturdays. The two-sided affiliation comes due to the Blue Jays’ lack of a football program.
This concept is nothing new to college sports. There are many fans around the nation who boast an affinity towards a smaller school maybe an alma mater, while choosing to root for a larger instate program on the gridiron. I see if frequently in my hometown of Charleston, SC.
Those who’ve attended the College of Charleston often choose between South Carolina or Clemson since the Cougars have no football team. One thing makes that situation a bit different here. The two schools are far from heated rivals!
Sure, when the Cougars pull an upset, smack will be talked, but these meetings aren’t annual and there’s a respect between the programs. That’s not the case in Nebraska!
“Our problem with Jayskers isn’t that they cheer for Creighton sports and Husker football. It’s that they cheer for Creighton sports and Husker football, and they talk never ending trash about all other Husker sports.”
Creighton lives to beat the Cornhuskers, something they’ve done in 12 of the last 15 head-to-head battles. They’ll look to do so again on Friday. Many will then turn around and cheer on Nebraska the following day when it faces Wisconsin in Memorial Stadium. It makes Fred Hoiberg scratch his head.
Blue Jays fans will root for a win on Friday. They’ll then put their Nebraska hate aside for three hours on Saturday. It’s a confusing twist in a massive rivalry. You won’t see this anywhere other than college sports!