[Mark Padgett]

I grew up in Illinois and there the two "major" sports colleges are the University of Illinois and Northwestern University (a private school). Although Northwestern isn't really a "powerhouse", it has a higher "conference status" than Illinois State (located in a town weirdly named "Normal"), Northern Illinois (where I attended), Eastern Illinois, Western Illinois and Southern Illinois. Oh yeah, and Prairie State (which I also attended).

The University of Illinois and Northwestern really don't have a hot rivalry going, and I don't think they ever did.