"ISU's Super Bowl"

[clonedude]

Actually, if you look at the last couple of years performance relative to the seasons, you would come to the conclusion that Iowa treated this game as their superbowl (their performance was much greater than their whole-season performance would predict) and iowa state treated it as the exact opposite (it was an outlier on the negative side)

Exactly! Great point.

Iowa played better against us last year than they did against anyone else on their schedule. And ISU played horribly against Iowa, and then went on to beat Texas, and should have beaten Nebraska.

[CyFan61]

Actually, if you look at the last couple of years performance relative to the seasons, you would come to the conclusion that Iowa treated this game as their superbowl (their performance was much greater than their whole-season performance would predict) and iowa state treated it as the exact opposite (it was an outlier on the negative side)

That's way too logical for most Hoks.

[hawkfan2679]

I cringe every time I hear that on the Hawkeye message boards because of how woefully tired, lame, and inaccurate that statement is. But there is a certain segment of the fan base that use that as a way of justifying the loss to themselves, and unfortunately that segment has access to a computer and the internet.

A lot of those same people say that the Iowa/Northwestern game is the "Super Bowl" for NW...::facepalm::

[HOTDON]

The state of Iowa turns it into a super bowl. To the national media or when stripped down to a matchup on paper, this game is completely meaningless. Top 25 rankings are the only time the media at large would follow the game.

For anyone living in Iowa, this game is promoted, discussed and broadcast everywhere from the time the season starts through the actual game. Businesses hold tailgates on Friday, schools have activities based around the teams during the week, and bars are packed like no weekend other than the actual super bowl. People that don't even follow college sports are wearing colors that week.

After all of (numerous) losses to Oklahoma over the years, not once has anyone asked me what I thought of one of the games, but the fans of the loser of the ISU-Iowa game dread going to work the Monday after. Period. It isn't Iowa State that treats this like a super bowl, it's the entire state.

The state of Iowa makes it a big deal, and the state of Iowa was the biggest winner yesterday. Perfect weather, an epic contest between the two biggest teams in the state infront of 56,000+ screaming fans. Anyone that to end this game should move somewhere else.

[mcblogerson]

I would trade a win over Iowa this year, for any Big12 team except Kansas.

It's fun to rub it in to Iowa fan for a little while, but in reality Iowa isn't some college football superpower, they're a middle of the pack Big10 team.

[kentkel]

In a conversation amongst Hawk and Cyclone fans later on yesterday, I heard some hawk fan say that it was our Superbowl and that CPR even confirmed that in his press conference. He said that CPR, when asked, confirmed that the win was bigger than Tex last year and Neb the year before that. I watched the presser and, true to nature, the Hawk left out one MAJOR detail: the media person asked CPR WHY this win was bigger. With a huge grin on his face, CPR said, "because it happened THIS YEAR." Then he (and the rest of the room) had a big laugh at it. Anyway, I get a little miffed at those Hawks who down-play an ISU win, but I take great satisfaction knowing that it is killing them inside. They wouldn't say such boneheaded things if it truly wasn't bothering them.

AND BTW, every game on your schedule SHOULD be your superbowl - or you will not reach the goals that you have set as a team.

[ISUAlum2002]

Regardless of who thinks it's who's Super Bowl, you'd better match the intensity of your opponent or you're going to be in for a long day unless you have just a massive talent advantage. And Iowa does not have a massive talent advantage over ISU, nor does ISU over Iowa.

[06_CY]

I cringe every time I hear that on the Hawkeye message boards because of how woefully tired, lame, and inaccurate that statement is. But there is a certain segment of the fan base that use that as a way of justifying the loss to themselves, and unfortunately that segment has access to a computer and the internet.

A lot of those same people say that the Iowa/Northwestern game is the "Super Bowl" for NW...::facepalm::

I can't wait until the mail guy at work tomorrow starts spouting off about this being ISU's Super Bowl. Seriously, I don't have issues with many Iowa fans, but this guy is the ultimate homer. He dogs ISU/ISU fans every chance he gets, but the crap he says is so out there, it's stupid.

[tm3308]

You know, I'd love to be able to say that Iowa is the more talented team (which wouldn't change the fact that they were outplayed), but I don't think I can. At a few positions, yes.

But while I'm very happy with Iowa's linebacking corps, I can't honestly say that they are MORE talented than ISU's. Perhaps equal (allow me that level of bias, please), but ISU has damn good players, particular at that spot. ISU's o-line perhaps isn't as talented at each spot, but they played very well yesterday, and the left side of that line with Hicks and KO is VERY good. Reiff didn't look any too special yesterday, and KO looked like the first round pick that he's going to be.

Vandenberg is the more talented NFL-type QB, but that doesn't mean much in the college game. Jantz is a VERY good college QB. His style of play is perfect for college football, and he's excellent with that style.

This list just kind of goes on. Kicker is the one position I know I can look at and say that Iowa is flat out better. Other positions, like WR, we may have the best individual player, but ISU's receiving corps looked good, and deep. It makes a huge difference when Reynolds brings his A game and shows what he's capable of. McNutt is the best WR between the two teams, and Davis is probably in the top 5, but he wouldn't be any higher than #4 at this point.

If I were to make an ISU/Iowa lineup today:

QB: Jantz
RB: Shontrelle, Coker (nice complement to each other)
TE: Herman or Fiedorowicz (not sure if ISU had a TE with any catches yesterday, so I don't even know what you guys have at this spot)
WR: McNutt, Lenz, Reynolds when he's on (otherwise put Horne in this spot)
LT: KO
LG: Hicks
C: Ferentz
RG: Gettis
RT: Reiff

DE: Neal
DT: Ruemp
DT: Daniels
DE: Binns or Lattimer
OLB: Knott
MLB: Klein or Morris
OLB: Klein or Morris (move one of them outside to get the best 3 on the field)
CB: Leonard Johnson
FS: Hyde
SS: Benton
CB: Prater

[CyBroncos]

It must also be Northwestern and Ohio State's yearly Super Bowl (other teams that have success against Iowa)

[Frak]

With the schedule ISU is facing, EVERY game better be their Super Bowl if they want to get to a bowl game.

[JustRedman]

[quote=hawkfan2679;2387134]I cringe every time I hear that on the Hawkeye message boards because of how woefully tired, lame, and inaccurate that statement is. But there is a certain segment of the fan base that use that as a way of justifying the loss to themselves, and unfortunately that segment has access to a computer and the internet."

I don't mean this at all sarcastic, but thank you. I cannot stand when Hawk fans write off ISU as just wanting to win more. Look at the years that we have won the game since '98, ISU has honestly had the better team in '98,'99,'00,'01,'02 (at time of game), '05 both teams went 7-5. 2007 was really the only time you could call it an upset.
Most Hawk fans need to come off their high horse, or just sober up for a minute, to realize that we haven't been upsetting you nearly as much as you think. We just aren't the ****** team that most of the state would like to believe.

[clonedude]

You know, I'd love to be able to say that Iowa is the more talented team (which wouldn't change the fact that they were outplayed), but I don't think I can. At a few positions, yes.

But while I'm very happy with Iowa's linebacking corps, I can't honestly say that they are MORE talented than ISU's. Perhaps equal (allow me that level of bias, please), but ISU has damn good players, particular at that spot. ISU's o-line perhaps isn't as talented at each spot, but they played very well yesterday, and the left side of that line with Hicks and KO is VERY good. Reiff didn't look any too special yesterday, and KO looked like the first round pick that he's going to be.

Vandenberg is the more talented NFL-type QB, but that doesn't mean much in the college game. Jantz is a VERY good college QB. His style of play is perfect for college football, and he's excellent with that style.

This list just kind of goes on. Kicker is the one position I know I can look at and say that Iowa is flat out better. Other positions, like WR, we may have the best individual player, but ISU's receiving corps looked good, and deep. It makes a huge difference when Reynolds brings his A game and shows what he's capable of. McNutt is the best WR between the two teams, and Davis is probably in the top 5, but he wouldn't be any higher than #4 at this point.

If I were to make an ISU/Iowa lineup today:

QB: Jantz
RB: Shontrelle, Coker (nice complement to each other)
TE: Herman or Fiedorowicz (not sure if ISU had a TE with any catches yesterday, so I don't even know what you guys have at this spot)
WR: McNutt, Lenz, Reynolds when he's on (otherwise put Horne in this spot)
LT: KO
LG: Hicks
C: Ferentz
RG: Gettis
RT: Reiff

DE: Neal
DT: Ruemp
DT: Daniels
DE: Binns or Lattimer
OLB: Knott
MLB: Klein or Morris
OLB: Klein or Morris (move one of them outside to get the best 3 on the field)
CB: Leonard Johnson
FS: Hyde
SS: Benton
CB: Prater

Hicks is a RG, not LG.

And how do you know that Vandenburg would be the better NFL style QB? I wouldn't necessarily say that. Steele is a playmaker. NFL teams need playmakers too. Just ask the Eagles.

[Frak]

You know, I'd love to be able to say that Iowa is the more talented team (which wouldn't change the fact that they were outplayed), but I don't think I can. At a few positions, yes.

But while I'm very happy with Iowa's linebacking corps, I can't honestly say that they are MORE talented than ISU's. Perhaps equal (allow me that level of bias, please), but ISU has damn good players, particular at that spot. ISU's o-line perhaps isn't as talented at each spot, but they played very well yesterday, and the left side of that line with Hicks and KO is VERY good. Reiff didn't look any too special yesterday, and KO looked like the first round pick that he's going to be.

Vandenberg is the more talented NFL-type QB, but that doesn't mean much in the college game. Jantz is a VERY good college QB. His style of play is perfect for college football, and he's excellent with that style.

This list just kind of goes on. Kicker is the one position I know I can look at and say that Iowa is flat out better. Other positions, like WR, we may have the best individual player, but ISU's receiving corps looked good, and deep. It makes a huge difference when Reynolds brings his A game and shows what he's capable of. McNutt is the best WR between the two teams, and Davis is probably in the top 5, but he wouldn't be any higher than #4 at this point.

If I were to make an ISU/Iowa lineup today:

QB: Jantz
RB: Shontrelle, Coker (nice complement to each other)
TE: Herman or Fiedorowicz (not sure if ISU had a TE with any catches yesterday, so I don't even know what you guys have at this spot)
WR: McNutt, Lenz, Reynolds when he's on (otherwise put Horne in this spot)
LT: KO
LG: Hicks
C: Ferentz
RG: Gettis
RT: Reiff

DE: Neal
DT: Ruemp
DT: Daniels
DE: Binns or Lattimer
OLB: Knott
MLB: Klein or Morris
OLB: Klein or Morris (move one of them outside to get the best 3 on the field)
CB: Leonard Johnson
FS: Hyde
SS: Benton
CB: Prater

Nice post. I can't disagree with anything you wrote. It's been a long time since I could say that ISU had similar talent to iowa on defense. Definitely iowa has fallen back a bit on D due to graduation losses, but ISU has upgraded as well.

[tm3308]

It must also be Northwestern and Ohio State's yearly Super Bowl (other teams that have success against Iowa)

That's not fair to say about OSU. They own pretty much everybody in the Big Ten outside of outside of Michigan, historically. Because they're routinely one of the top two teams. They're just flat out more talented. Northwestern isn't always more talented than Iowa (see: 2009, 2010), but they win anyway because they're a matchup nightmare for our defense.