Stop Playing Iowa

[CRCy]

The schedule is what it is. What needs to be fixed is the product on the field.

Scheduling UNI and Iowa is nice on the business side because they are guaranteed sell outs. (the only two last year if I remember correctly) which is $$$ for the athletic department.

The question I'm sure Pollard knows the answer to is if having a sell out is more important for the bottom line than scheduling a couple of cupcakes we have a better chance at beating but have a higher chance of not selling as many tickets.

 

[Newell]

If you have seen any of my posts about this in the past, you know this isn't just a reaction to yesterday. We need to stop playing Iowa every year if we are ever going to have the profile of this program be raised. IMO it's unrealistic and naive to think playing this game every year will result in a program that has the ability improve.

In my lifetime, there are essentially 3 programs in the Big 12 that elevated themselves from the absolute dregs of the league - KSU, BU, and KU (for a short time). These teams all played different styles, occured in slightly different eras, and had different coaching philosophies driving them.

The #1 correlation between all of these programs is that they scheduled cupcakes in their noncon. Not only cupcakes, but the cupcakiest cupcakes that every cupcaked. When Snyder came back to KSU for Round 2, he schedule TWO FCS teams his first year back.

This program needs positive energy. It needs to learn how to win.

"WELL THEY SHOULD ALWAYS BEAT UNI!"
"THE STATE LOVES THIS RIVALRY GAME!"

I agree. The problem is that they DON'T always beat UNI. In fact we are batting a ridiculous .500 against them in recent memory.

Batting .500 against Iowa is likely the best we could ever realistically hope for over the long haul.

Matt Campbell talked about wanting to make ISU the Midwest destination for the Big 12. If you were a decent Iowa high school product with an offer from both ISU and Iowa, why would you every consider going to ISU after watching beatdowns like Saturday?

Yes, the Iowa/ISU game has been fun in the past. However, if I had the choice, I'd rather be 2-0 vs. Rhode Island and Arkansas State with San Jose State on the horizon than 0-2 and the only real interesting thing until next year revolving around if Park will unseat Lanning and if we can possibly hang on to this recruiting class.

I agree. Nine power five opponents is enough.

 

[madguy30]

Recruit, recruit, recruit. Practice, practice, practice.

From what I saw vs. Iowa, this is something that ISU apparently doesn't do a whole lot of.

 

[Cycsk]

I'm reading lots of posts about the financial benefit of the UNI and Iowa games as individual games. However, the bigger financial benefit is from season tickets.

How many Iowa State fans would buy season tickets if they knew they would never get to see the Iowa State/Iowa game every two years? I think plenty. The UNI and especially the Iowa games sell season tickets. I know Iowa fans who buy Iowa State season tickets just so that they have decent seats every two years for the Iowa game.

I think an entire non-conference slate of San Jose States (with no UNI and no Iowa) would significantly affect ticket sales in the short run. And we can't afford that.

So, let's keep playing the UNI and Iowa games . . . but just win more of them.

 

[MeowingCows]

If they want to keep both games, fine; reorganize the schedule then. Instead of UNI-->UI--->Supposed cupcake team, flip it around: Cupcake--->UNI--->UI. Or even Cupcake--->UI--->UNI. Just start with the easiest one to break in the season.

 

[laminak]

I didn't read all of this thread, however going to agree with many that dropping the Iowa game is stupid. It's a big game for the fans and schools and will get exposure vs playing a junk team. ISU beat Iowa half of the time in the KF era and losing to them, even getting stomped on like last game, aren't bad losses.

The problem is the annual losing to FCS and non-P5 teams. ISU should be beating these teams every year. If ISU wants to right the ship, the first priority is to have better players, preparation, and coaching to consistently beat these teams. ISU should be entering Big 12 with at least 2-1 records annually. ISU hasn't been doing that. They haven't been doing that with FCS schools, MAC schools, etc. It's completely inexcuseable that UNI, which recruits to a lower level program and shares the same in-state talent, to keep beating ISU. Before complaining about Iowa, perhaps the focus should be on dominating UNIs and MAC teams first.

 

[CyBobby]

I for one agree with you. I think that they should drop UNI AND iowa. Find the worst 1AA team you can get and then the worst G5 team. Then you have 3 wins before the conference season and are half way to a bowl.

At the very least, the iowa game has to be every other year or two on two off. Neither AD needs it for budget purposes. All it does is generate hatred.

R U accusing me of hating thee Choke Eyes from ioa citi....U could be right...LOOOOLLLLL

 

[CywinLannister]

UNI and Iowa are the only guaranteed sellouts at JTS. That alone will keep UNI on the schedule in future years.

 

[clonedude]

I suppose after this week there will be a post on here about how we should quit playing TCU too, right?

What a bunch of pansy's we are. If we can't beat UNI anymore, then we really need to think about dropping the football program.

 

[GROG]

At the present time, State's most critical problem appears to be the woeful OLine. The OLine's profound disability renders skill players basically useless. The closest thing to a quick fix, in my opinion, would be to go after JUCO OLinemen in a big way. THEY should be STATE's top priority going forward.

 

[Frak]

UNI and Iowa are the only guaranteed sellouts at JTS. That alone will keep UNI on the schedule in future years.

Disagree with that. UNI returned tickets this year. As long as ISU fans have some hope, they are going to sell those early games well. Last year's opener would have sold out regardless of the opponent. Maybe in the past, ISU needed iowa and Nebraska to help sell tickets, but losing Nebraska from the schedule has not hurt season ticket sales in the years when they're not playing iowa. We don't need opposing fans to help sell tickets now. We need a team that fans can believe will win.

 

[CycloneRulzzz]

I used to think the dropping of the IA game was stupid, but especially after seeing their inferiority complex by making game score shirts of a game where they were a 2 touchdown favorite I wouldn't miss it if it went away.

 

[CyTwins]

UNI and Iowa are the only guaranteed sellouts at JTS. That alone will keep UNI on the schedule in future years.

This isn't true

 

[harimad]

Has anyone mentioned that by dropping Iowa from our schedule, we are basically conceding-- for all time-- that they are better than us? I don't want to be associated with an Iowa State University that backs down from challenges. Those of you who feel otherwise really make me sick to my stomach.

 

[jkclone]

I'm reading lots of posts about the financial benefit of the UNI and Iowa games as individual games. However, the bigger financial benefit is from season tickets.

How many Iowa State fans would buy season tickets if they knew they would never get to see the Iowa State/Iowa game every two years? I think plenty. The UNI and especially the Iowa games sell season tickets. I know Iowa fans who buy Iowa State season tickets just so that they have decent seats every two years for the Iowa game.

I think an entire non-conference slate of San Jose States (with no UNI and no Iowa) would significantly affect ticket sales in the short run. And we can't afford that.

So, let's keep playing the UNI and Iowa games . . . but just win more of them.

Losing Iowa would have an effect but are people really anymore excited for UNI than some other crappy FCS team. I'd probably be more excited at this point for a crappy FCS team because I'd feel 100% confident we would win.

 

[Cydkar]

Has anyone mentioned that by dropping Iowa from our schedule, we are basically conceding-- for all time-- that they are better than us? I don't want to be associated with an Iowa State University that backs down from challenges. Those of you who feel otherwise really make me sick to my stomach.

I honestly wouldn't miss the game but I sure as hell won't advocate for dropping it. I'm not a puss.

 

[WalkingCY]

I hate that the Iowa State - iowa game is so early in the season. I loved the game in 2001 when the game was pushed back to the end of the season due to 9/11. It really gave the game MORE meaning, defined the season more, etc... (Since both sides love to "rah rah" about their own conference slates, this would be a better overall game) It would help raise the profile of the rivalry for both schools nationally if it were played at the end of the season IMO.

Say what you want about ISU not performing well this year, but this game boils down to Big 12 vs. Big 10. We both are in a unique position in regards to having two power schools in different power conferences in the same state. And yes, ISU the last 15 years has done great against UI. I would suggest that we promote it more with a late-season game.

Out of Conference games late in the season:
Clemson plays South Carolina Nov. 26th
FSU vs. Florida - Nov. 26th

We both love to say we hate each other, so let's prove it. Just like Clemson and So. Car do each and every year, play the game at the END of the regular season.

As for UNI, ISU has nothing to gain playing this game. Win, and you beat a Div. 2 opponent that everyone expects (doesn't look great on the overall win column either). Lose, and it is VERY embarrassing. Squeak one out for a W, and it is treated like a loss. Not to mention we pay them a **** ton too much to play us. Go for the likes of; Western Illinois, Troy, Rhode Island, North Texas, etc... Heck, get the terrible P5's like Vandy, Wake, BC, etc... Seriously, ISU should have someone on staff in the AD that has been studying the **** out of terrible opponents and their trajectory since we have to plan most of these games 4-8 years out in advance. It's all about getting to 6 wins, and we are not helping ourselves out.

Our fanbase has grown so much throughout the state since the early 2000s. Central Iowa is dominated by ISU alumni. Our enrollment is at 36k+ and continues to grow. Even though the FB program has struggled mightily the past couple of years, the butts CONTINUE to fill the seats in JTS. We don't need UNI to sell the place out anymore, especially for an opener. Whoever is on the schedule for game 1, it's going to be a sell-out. Getting UNI off the schedule would make sense.

 

[Frak]

Has anyone mentioned that by dropping Iowa from our schedule, we are basically conceding-- for all time-- that they are better than us? I don't want to be associated with an Iowa State University that backs down from challenges. Those of you who feel otherwise really make me sick to my stomach.

THEY want to drop it more than we do. I'd be all for a two on two off type arrangement.

 

[atlantacyclone]

If you have seen any of my posts about this in the past, you know this isn't just a reaction to yesterday. We need to stop playing Iowa every year if we are ever going to have the profile of this program be raised. IMO it's unrealistic and naive to think playing this game every year will result in a program that has the ability improve.

In my lifetime, there are essentially 3 programs in the Big 12 that elevated themselves from the absolute dregs of the league - KSU, BU, and KU (for a short time). These teams all played different styles, occured in slightly different eras, and had different coaching philosophies driving them.

The #1 correlation between all of these programs is that they scheduled cupcakes in their noncon. Not only cupcakes, but the cupcakiest cupcakes that every cupcaked. When Snyder came back to KSU for Round 2, he schedule TWO FCS teams his first year back.

This program needs positive energy. It needs to learn how to win.

"WELL THEY SHOULD ALWAYS BEAT UNI!"
"THE STATE LOVES THIS RIVALRY GAME!"

I agree. The problem is that they DON'T always beat UNI. In fact we are batting a ridiculous .500 against them in recent memory.

Batting .500 against Iowa is likely the best we could ever realistically hope for over the long haul.

Matt Campbell talked about wanting to make ISU the Midwest destination for the Big 12. If you were a decent Iowa high school product with an offer from both ISU and Iowa, why would you every consider going to ISU after watching beatdowns like Saturday?

Yes, the Iowa/ISU game has been fun in the past. However, if I had the choice, I'd rather be 2-0 vs. Rhode Island and Arkansas State with San Jose State on the horizon than 0-2 and the only real interesting thing until next year revolving around if Park will unseat Lanning and if we can possibly hang on to this recruiting class.

I think we should play Alabama. We would probably get beat by Arkansas State and RI. The Iowa game is usually a great game .... this year was just painful. I really hope that we play Park and give TCU a game.

 

[CyBobby]

Iowa States best shot at improving is scheduling 3 wins during non conference, there's no debating that. But Iowa State doesn't want to win.

In the bad old days after Earle Bruce.... I would agree with you that "Iowa State Doesnt want to Win" .. But not now... I think that JP and Steven Leath both want desperately to Win football games

Its just that our geographic location and continued recruiting failures wont let us win games, and until that changes it will be losing as usual