The I-40 nonrivalry
Ed Hardin today makes a compelling case, seemingly an airtight case, for why the UNC-N.C. State football rivalry is hardly a rivalry at all, even after 93 meetings.
One team's up, the other is down. They're never ranked at the same time. They don't play on the final weekend. They're basketball schools. And so on.
But aren't these schools bitter rivals? Isn't that enough to stoke the passions Saturday? Or is bitter too strong a word, one Heels fans reserve for Duke? And is UNC struggling too much these days for either side to get worked up over the matchup?