If there's one thing that can unite fans and alumni from Arizona State University and The University of Arizona, it's their shared frustration regarding non-Arizona residents' lack of knowledge about the two schools.
Those who live or have never been to the Grand Canyon State often confuse the Sun Devils with the Wildcats and vice versa. Many people -- even self-professed hardcore college football fans -- are totally unfamiliar with the football rivalry between the two schools, which dates back to 1899 and includes the Territorial Cup, the oldest collegiate rivalry trophy in American history.
That's why moments like this one from a recent episode of Sports Jeopardy! are especially irritating, if unsurprising.
On an episode that aired Sunday night, a contestant was asked this question: "The Territorial Cup between these two southwestern universities dates back to 1899, when the state was still just a territory"
His response? Sigh...
Seemed like an easy one ... #TerritorialCup pic.twitter.com/5aBAuHJ4mW
— Anthony Gimino (@AGWildcatReport) August 16, 2016
Non-Arizona residents' knowledge of the ASU-UA rivalry, in one screenshot. (h/t @AGWildcatReport) pic.twitter.com/qv2lJSiD26
— Shane Dale (@ShaneDaleABC15) August 16, 2016
Granted, it's up to ASU and UA to consistently win on the field in order to gain attention of fans across the country -- and it's difficult for those on the East Coast to stay up late to watch Pac-12 games that end at 2 or 3 a.m. their time.
Still: The ASU-UA football rivalry has a storied history both on and off the field -- and it's a shame that fans like the gentleman featured above have apparently never heard of it.
