Exactly they are played with family in town. You reach a point where you want to watch football and ignore your family
ISU Bowl Projection
- Thread starter Chitowncy
- Start date
Agree on those points. I'll never complain about Orlando as an option in our conference rotation. Weather is nice, plenty to do, especially if you're a fan of SeaWorld, Universal, or Disney. Downside, but it is very spread out and can get pretty expensive. The stadium isn't really in the best area either.
San Antonio was the best of the bowl game experiences I've been to yet. Not overly expensive considering other options, very centrally located (you can walk to AlamoDome from the RiverWalk if you're in good shape) food is amazing if you're a fan of the local cuisine. Alamo is a neat tour that a history fan should do at least once.
Bowl games will get great ratings, relative to other sports, because of the time of year and lack of working. I will watch them all.
I will never travel to another Iowa State non-CFP game due to opt outs and perceived questionable motivation.
It is what it is.
The number one thing for Iowa State has always needed was reasonable access to the playoff. They have that. For the first time in our lifetime, the cyclones played several games that were relevant to the national playoff in November and December.
That is big in my opinion. The middle to lower class big 10 teams traded access for TV money and have to live with it. The death of divisions took away many of their chances to be relevant nationally late in the year.
I will never travel to another Iowa State non-CFP game due to opt outs and perceived questionable motivation.
It is what it is.
The number one thing for Iowa State has always needed was reasonable access to the playoff. They have that. For the first time in our lifetime, the cyclones played several games that were relevant to the national playoff in November and December.
That is big in my opinion. The middle to lower class big 10 teams traded access for TV money and have to live with it. The death of divisions took away many of their chances to be relevant nationally late in the year.
Last edited:
Insight/Fiesta is a wonderful time. Anyone who went to Insight in 2001 or 2009 knows the city "embraces" the bowl. Was sad 2020 Fiesta was during Covid and they didn't allow fans.
My best to worst ISU bowl places I have been to:
1. Alamo Bowl - SA, TX
2. Insight/Fiesta - PHX area, AZ
3. Cheez It/Camping/Pop Tart - Orlando, FL
4. Liberty Bowl - Memphis, TN
5. Houston Bowl - Houston, TX
6. Independence Bowl - Shreveport, LS
7. Pinstripe Bowl - NYC, NY
8. Potato Bowl - Boise, ID
7 & 8 I would never attend again. San Antonio, PHX, or Houston would all be my preferred places to revisit. Orlando & Memphis I've done twice now in recent memory so I'd rather go to Texas or Arizona again first.
I think you just have to frame it right in your mind - yes, you want a competitive game with your best guys, but that doesn't always exist after the regular season.
Instead, if you look at it as a chance to go to somewhere warm, hang out for a few days with other ISU fans, a few days off work, plus you get to watch a game - count me in.