It is their Super Bowl. And they are 1,000% correct for treating it that way. I wish like hell we would treat it with the importance that it deserves. Iowa understands how critical it is to beat us. IMHO, it should be the most important game on our schedule. Yes, including conference games. It’s that big of deal for our state, fans, and program - especially in today’s climate.
Back in the Big East time, most did because we all played less than 9 conference games, and for a time there was no limit on number of games. Which is why KSt got their so called 10 wins several years, playing no P5 level non cons, and as many as 5 FCS or G5 level teams including as many as 3 fcs teams a couple years I believe. Back in those days ISU played multiple P5 level teams some years and some years a couple G5 level teams. (understanding that terminology was not used then)
2 P2 a year will be tough unless the P2 also want to limit cupcakes on the schedule
Iowa raised ticket prices significantly this year and has already sold out the season. They have done it many years running. They may or may not want to keep playing, but ticket sales have nothing to do with it.
I think you probably meant Louisiana Tech or ULM because Louisiana State is LSU and a loss to LSU and ND would basically be the same thing.
^^ pretends to be ISU fan, talks about the hawkeyes all the time
I did mean Lou. Tech, and playing LSU would be like playing ND.
If you’re talking about early talks for the tv contract that comes up for bid in 2031 I suppose they could talk but nothing is going to be more than a passing conversation for the next 5-6 years
In general, I agree with your points. However, one issue they could have with football scheduling as a 100% Independent is getting teams to play them in November (Home or Away). Not because of weather, but because conferences generally don't like OOO games in November unless they are cupcakes. B1G Teams (which have many natural draws for the Irish) have always been against this. Ironically, back when the SEC only played 6 conference games, they had several teams (Alabama, LSU, Tennessee, Ole Miss) play home and home with ND including games in November, but that has obviously changed with more conference games since their original expansion in 1992. Stanford and USC will play them in November in California but not @ N.D. So, scheduling games with teams from the Major Conferences in November would be tough for ND IMO.
They always play navy. They could move that back. Pick up an army and then buy a win against a MAC team or so and you have the late part of their schedule filled. They can fill the first 5-6 weeks with p2 playing them non con.
EIU has a decent home schedule and they are supposed to be very good, hearing lots of talk about a possible playoff team. I think that is a reach, but to say that EIU is going to have no trouble selling out those non conference games without ISU or a comp. team is crazy. Look at the ticket prices for those games, this coming season the highest priced tickets in IC are for ISU and Washington. Its not Wisconsin or Nebraska but ISU and Washington. Travel to the game is cheap for both schools, and easy for the fans.
