I really do think Hawk fans were emboldened by ISUs horrific run in the 80s and early 90s. 15 straight years will make any fanbase cocky. But some Iowa fans took the superiority complex to new levels. Their self esteem is somehow tied to Iowa needing to be better than ISU. Any ISU success and it threatens their long held belief that Iowa should always be better than Iowa State.
I personally know a guy that I umpire with. During the 15 year stretch he was unbearable. But he got worse when ISU won 5 in a row. He felt personally violated that Iowa could lose to such a horrible program in ISU. No credit where credit was due. No respect for anyone. He wanted coaches fired any time Iowa lost to ISU from the end of the streak on, literally. And outside of talking about football he's a good guy. My dad was his mentor so he's always been like a big brother to me. But holy **** he's a prick during Hate Week.
I think this is pretty spot on, especially the personal violation aspect. The thought that Iowa State deserves media coverage. or could have fans, or....gasp....that those fans can be loud and proud of their team, personally offends many Hawkeye fans. They don't understand that what they hate in ISU fans is what we've experienced our entire lives.
More simply, they're a bunch of arrogant ******** that look down their nose on everything ISU, even if they've never had the courage to leave their hometown.