Why I believe the ISU/Iowa series will end

**wischawk** · 09-09-2010, 07:33 PM

First off, I enjoy this series. It's healthy for the programs, fans, and both schools benefit within the state from the attention it brings. Despite this, I would like the series to end, at least on a yearly basis. I would propose continuing the series on a 2 games/4 years basis, or something similar where the games are played consistently, but not yearly. Be it home/away/off/off or otherwise, I believe both programs would benefit. Here's why:

Both programs need 7 home games a year. College athletics are expensive, and we all know this. Both schools need these home games to fund the rest of the department because without, programs will be underfunded or potentially cut. I don't have the numbers in front of me, but I get the sense from what has been said by both Pollard and Barta that neither school will risk giving up the 7th home game.

Both schools will (eventually) be going to a 9-game conference schedule. I will lay out the situation from Iowa's view, but it applies to ISU as well. There will be alternating years of 4 and 5 home games within these conference schedules, and both Pollard and Barta have expressed a need to have 7 home games a year. In the years where Iowa has 4 conf. home games, all non-conf. games will have to be at home, ISU game included. In the years Iowa has 5 conf. home games, they will be able to play one non-conf. road game (ISU) and maintain 7 home games. Given that each school must maintain 7 home games, this means that neither ISU or Iowa will ever play a non-conf. game on the road outside of the Iowa-ISU game. It's either 4 conf + 3 non-conf. (ISU included) or 5 conf. + 2, with ISU being the road game. In this setup, neither ISU or Iowa will be able to play competitive non-conference BCS schools, because it will be impossible to set up a home and home (which any respectable program would require) while maintaining 7 home games a year. You would have to add a non-conf. road game to the schedule, and with the Iowa-ISU rivalry played yearly, it can't be done.

As important as the Iowa-ISU game is for the state, the detriment of not being able to play other quality programs (ex. Utah, Pitt, Arizona) might be equally harmful. If ISU is given a chance to play a home and home with, say, South Florida, wouldn't that be a valuable tool to tap into a recruiting base? Would you be willing to give up the Iowa game for a couple years to be able to play unfamiliar, quality opponents and develop the program's image? There's a lot to be gained playing a national opponent, and not just the teams in your surrounding states. As an Iowa fan, I love playing teams like Pitt, Arizona, Syracuse (even though they've been awful). Does the Iowa State game mean a lot? Of course, but the prospect of never playing national opponents is a worse scenario.

**Wesley** · 09-09-2010, 07:37 PM

Unless we go to 13 game seasons.

**RustShack** · 09-09-2010, 07:37 PM

I believe your wrong.

**rebecacy** · 09-09-2010, 07:41 PM

This is the #1 premier sporting event in Iowa every year -- it will not end. The IA government (as a last resort) would not let it end if their intervention was necessary.

**sportsfandave** · 09-09-2010, 07:42 PM

There is too much unequal revenue sharing between the schools. Iowa makes less playing at JTS, than isu makes at Kinnick. It will end because of this and a 9 game conference sched.

**CyDude16** · 09-09-2010, 07:50 PM

Your own AD said its most likely not going to win. Sorry to burst hawk fan bubbles.

**crash_zone** · 09-09-2010, 08:04 PM

Okay, so you have two entities, owned by the same group (the state). You are saying that they will end it because of unequal money sharing (from pocket A to pocket B of the same pair of pants). I don't get what the big deal is? Is the UofI really that bitter about helping ISU out just a little?

**CyForPresident** · 09-09-2010, 08:24 PM

The game will continue. Both AD's are on record in the last month as wanting to continue it. The state legislature, Governor, Board of Regents would have a say in this too. The game bring 100,000-150,000 people to Iowa City or Ames, all of which are spending money. Those businesses would be very vocal if the game stopped.

ISU/Iowa will continue and it should. It is absolutely ******** for the 2 teams not to play.

**theshadow** · 09-09-2010, 08:29 PM

Originally Posted by sportsfandave

There is too much unequal revenue sharing between the schools. Iowa makes less playing at JTS, than isu makes at Kinnick.

Until 2013, when the new revenue clause kicks in and the home team keeps 100% of the gate.

**CyForPresident** · 09-09-2010, 08:37 PM

Originally Posted by theshadow

Until 2013, when the new revenue clause kicks in and the home team keeps 100% of the gate.

And the contract can be renegotiated now because of the 9 game schedule. The revenue talk is BS.

**simply1** · 09-09-2010, 08:38 PM

Originally Posted by CyForPresident

The game will continue. Both AD's are on record in the last month as wanting to continue it. The state legislature, Governor, Board of Regents would have a say in this too. The game bring 100,000-150,000 people to Iowa City or Ames, all of which are spending money. Those businesses would be very vocal if the game stopped.

ISU/Iowa will continue and it should. It is absolutely ******** for the 2 teams not to play.

That is 100,000 to 150,000 every other year, if the game ends both teams would have a home game more than likely, so I doubt that they'd complain. So Ames would have 2 home games in 2 years, versus 1 big one every other year.

I like the game, but 9 conference games plus this one is a tall order if you like bowl games.

**CyForPresident** · 09-09-2010, 08:42 PM

Originally Posted by simply1

That is 100,000 to 150,000 every other year, if the game ends both teams would have a home game more than likely, so I doubt that they'd complain. So Ames would have 2 home games in 2 years, versus 1 big one every other year.

I like the game, but 9 conference games plus this one is a tall order if you like bowl games.

And a game against D1-AA/MAC/MWC/Sun Belt does not bring in the same amount of people as Iowa. There are 50,000 people who just show up to tailgate/party and have no intention of going to the game.

**herbicide** · 09-09-2010, 08:56 PM

Originally Posted by rebecacy

This is the #1 premier sporting event in Iowa every year -- it will not end. The IA government (as a last resort) would not let it end if their intervention was necessary.

This. The event raises too much revenue for both the communities (Ames, Iowa City) and the state to allow it to end.