USC/ISU
First on the USC thing. I don't think there was any effort to copy USC's uniforms, however anyone who says they are not at all alike is delusional I believe our administrators probably were looking for a updated design using the Iowa game throwbacks as a base design and being that ISU and USC basically have the same color...guess what.
I think administrators have tried to get away from this problem to some extent. The use of the white road uniforms. They even tried a gold jersey a few years ago but few people liked it. I would be surprised if we didn't change our home uniform just enough over the next few years to get away from the USC comparison.
SEZ
As for the stadium. Facilities is my bread and butter. I worked for the university in a capacity that allowed for me to become intimate with our facilities and opened up opportunities to see and hear plans and ideas that were on the table. I've been away from the university for a while but I think I have a pretty good feel for what is going on.
The SEZ is going to happen, and the students will be moved to the endzone. The band will most likely be moved with the students. The space in the endzone will remain cheep seats so why not put the students there when we can get more out of the seats on the east side. A portion of the current student section will be visitors section to separate the two factions. Majority of people who pay big money for tickets don't want to be near the students (see below about press box).
Press box
The press box has been mentioned by some "insiders" on this board as one of the priorities along with the SEZ. Of course after the SEZ what is left? I could list off dozens of projects that could be done and are in the works, but at this point it is more like coming up with a wish list instead of a must do list.
I do know that as of 2010 we were near equilibrium for suites with supply being just behind demand. It just isn't a wise move to spend millions to add a bunch of suites that may or may not sell. The press area is cramped in our press box as well as the administration space, but is it worth the cost? Actually the two areas in our press box that probably need the most attention are the TV broadcast area and technical and administrative areas. Now only the first floor is suites, second floor is open press area and the top floor is TV/Radio broadcast and coaches suites.
Originally there were plans to add suites to the East side just like the west side. There were a number of reasons why this didn't happen including cost and student section. However, after the SEZ is built I would be looking for new suites on the east side along with a remolded press box that will expand 3rd floor operations onto the 1st floor.
I just don't see us making any big changes to the press box for some time. The athletic department will have to pay down some bills and ISU football will have to become more than a 6 win team. Several projects get paid off in 2016, maybe sometime after then...maybe.
So when you say SEZ will happen... will it be the first thing and if so will it happen prior to the 2016 debt freedom?