Grass is OK for high schools and NFL, but not ISU? Keep in mind, this is the only game we have ever played at home in December. Help me out on this - I was at the Tulsa Liberty bowl. We were dominating, up by 2 scores in the first quarter, then the rain came and ISU completely fell apart. ISU had an indoor practice facility, Tulsa did not. Yesterday, we were outplayed by a 41 point underdog in the rain. Again, I assume Drake doesn't have an indoor practice facility. Does ISU ever practice in the rain or mud or do they stay indoors every time?
This does not go along with my original post but I am going to go ahead and comment on it. I will again comment that I love Iowa States Grass surface and hope we keep it, but I am starting to debate whether it is the best option.
So in regards to your comment. High school and NFL do not have much in common with D1 football as far as the season and field maintenance. First of all High school is done except for the playoffs by the beginning of November. So as the field is going dormant and starting to take damage in late Oct. they are finishing up.
Edit: I also want to note Iowa State has played games in JT many many times Nov. 26-30 plus Dec3 at KSt so It is not unusual to play late games, unless you think a day or 2 means something.
In the NFL, you have things like they have in Green Bay. They have full heating systems under the field, Green bay runs grow lights over the field the entire season. They keep the field tarped over and blow hot air in to keep snow from accumulating on it. They have state of the art drainage and irrigation. They have natural grass with synthetic fibers weaved into it to get the best of both worlds.
So yes it is just fine for High School and NFL.
Can it work at Iowa State and other colleges, Yes, has it worked, Yes. Can it continue to work Absolutely. Was it the reason we struggled yesterday, partly, but not totally. Should we consider other options, probably, but those options may also include a more advanced natural field. Something that takes some of what the NFL does but not to that extreme. Is that the overall best option instead of artificial turf, maybe, maybe not.
But in all was that what this post was about, not really, it was more about, whether or not CMC was displeased with the field and if that was a signal he did not like the natural grass surface and would want to switch to turf. And if that was the case do people think we would switch to turf. Or at this he is displeased and we realize we need to rehab the natural surface to an upgraded natural surface and subsurface, to continue to have the best natural surface in the country. I just dont know if CMC likes the natural grass just hasnt been happy because of the condition the last few weeks and the deterioration or that he is displeased and would rather have turf.
