db012031

July 14th, 2016 at 10:27 AM ^

We got 6 tickets through an Iowa Alumi connection.   Book your hotel ASAP and they are almost all booked in the area already.  It is going to be a great time.

daveheal

July 14th, 2016 at 4:17 PM ^

Ditto. Thankfully at a non-extortionate Red Roof in Cedar Rapids but wondering whether there's a more expert move. There ain't jack on Airbnb, though. Is there any public transportation from Cedar Rapids to Iowa City or does this mean driving in and parking and driving home? Would like to find transportation that is compatible with having a few bourbons if possible. Uber does appear to be in Iowa City, at least. 

True Blue Grit

July 14th, 2016 at 10:51 AM ^

athletic department, but don't know yet where they are in the stadium.   I concur with the suggestion on making hotel reservations.  We've made ours in Davenport for Friday night and North Liberty (just north of Iowa City) on Saturday night.   It seems strange that Iowa is making  tickets available to the general public for such a popular game.  You'd think they'd have no trouble selling out.  Oh well, Iowa.

SpikeFan2016

July 14th, 2016 at 11:10 AM ^

Unlike the Rutgers thread yesterday, these would be good tickets to buy right now from the University. 

 

Should be a great game; jealous of everyone who gets to go! 

Leaders And Best

July 14th, 2016 at 12:17 PM ^

This is a great home schedule in 2016 for an Iowa fan. They have Iowa State, Wisconsin, Michigan, and Nebraska at home. I think it's possible that Michigan ranks #3 or #4 among those games for an Iowa fan in terms of pure rivalry. In terms of competitiveness though, I think the Michigan game is probably the best game on their schedule.

Perkis-Size Me

July 14th, 2016 at 12:54 PM ^

I'm sure it probably depends on who at Iowa you're talking to, but I'm guessing most Iowa fans are looking at Michigan as the "red-letter game" on the schedule. A legitimate argument could be made for Wisconsin since Iowa has a natural rivalry with them. But I'm betting most are looking to Michigan. 

They don't play MSU or OSU, and the real balance of power lies in the east. Night game, in November, against what could be a top-10 Michigan team (dare I even say top-5 if we come in undefeated or 1-loss), and while beating us has zero bearing on Iowa getting back to Indy, it will be the ultimate measuring stick for Iowa to see how good they are. 

If Iowa is as good as last year, this could be the "signature win" that they never had last year. If they tank, as history has shown for them after good years, then this will be the "salvage what's left of your season, play like you've got nothing to lose" kind of game for them. Either way, going into Iowa and coming out with a W will be tough. 

SpikeFan2016

July 14th, 2016 at 3:04 PM ^

That's not a certainty.

I think it's likely, but if Iowa comes into that game faltering, we could face a worse Iowa team than other people. For that to happen I think they would need to have at least 2 losses in the Big Ten going into our game.

Their expectations are high given last year; if they stumble early and often (say a combination of a shocking upset home to the most dangerous team on a Big Ten non-conf schedule, North Dakota State, plus a home loss to West contender Wisconsin, and a loss in Happy Valley just one week before our game) the wheels could be off the train. 

SpikeFan2016

July 14th, 2016 at 2:46 PM ^

Just checked. 

 

Very interesting looking at the rate of sell outs.

 

The Iowa State game sold out more quickly than any of Iowa's Big Ten games. 

However, Michigan has sold out more quickly than either the Wisconsin or Nebraska games. 

 

Nebraska is selling the slowest of the big 4, even though they offer $25 tickets for any kids under 18. 

So the interest of Iowa fans seems to be:

  1. Iowa State
  2. Michigan 
  3. Wisconsin
  4. Nebraska

Iowa priced the tickets as follows: Michigan and Wisconsin $85, Iowa State $80, Nebraska $70 for adults, $25 for youth (18 and under). 

Iowa State is obviously the most familiar rival to them, but I still think it's kind of surprising as they are the worst opponent of the 4. Although, perhaps feeling highly confident you will beat your rival, as well as preferable September weather, slightly cheaper price than Michigan and Wisconsin, helped interest in tickets. 

Wolverine In Iowa 68

July 14th, 2016 at 2:49 PM ^

Iowa State is the in-state rival.  They went on a tear against Iowa a few years back and roll off 3 straight wins, ending last year during Iowa's 12-0 start.

There's still a fair bit of venom on the Iowa side that ISU beat them 3-straight, so a chance to stomp them for a second straight year is probably a big driving force in that as well.

SpikeFan2016

July 14th, 2016 at 2:54 PM ^

Very understandable. 

 

Being that you live in Iowa, do you think that Nebraska is on track to becoming a true rival since joining the Big Ten? Do you believe one fanbase or the other cares more about the rivalry? 

 

I'm a little surprised the interest hasn't been higher. Two very similar border states, especially with the majority of Nebraskans living right near the Iowa border (metro Omaha).

Wolverine In Iowa 68

July 14th, 2016 at 3:08 PM ^

I work at UI Hospital, right in the heart of the sports area on campus.  I don't hear a bunch of talk about Nebraska, but I think a big part of that is the teams haven't played a bunch over the last 50 years. 

I do think the possibility is there for it to become something, but both teams have to improve overall so that they have a chance to play for something other than "meh, it's just another game that we won" syndrome.  If Iowa can have a few more good years competing for the B1G West, and Nebraska can right the ship and start winning consistently and competing for the West as well, then the two schools may have a shot at making a true rivalry out of things.

 

I mean...it'll NEVER be up the status of the #WarOnRutgers, but what will?

drzoidburg

July 15th, 2016 at 4:28 AM ^

well that's easy to understand since we play there once a generation now and those other teams every 2 years

but you're right about iowa state. It's nonsense, a garbage opponent that's been used as an excuse to avoid any worthwhile non conference games. Some of those in-state rivalries make no sense to me

rob f

July 15th, 2016 at 11:46 AM ^

about whether Iowa should continue to play Iowa State.  ISU is a member of the Big 12, one of the so-called "Power 5" conferences, and the two teams have a long-standing natural rivalry as the two biggest state schools in Iowa.

What I have a problem with, though, is that Iowa hasn't yet shown much inclination to upgrade their schedule elsewhere.   It's been clear for a while that strength-of-schedule was going to be factored in to the new CPO 4-team selection process.  It's been over 4 years since the B1G announced that it  was going to a 9-game conference schedule beginning in 2016 (leaving room for only 3 non-conference games).  Here's what I could find regarding the recent and future opponents, in addition to Iowa State,  on the non-conference Iowa schedule:  

2014:  Northern Iowa, Ball State, @Pitt

2015: Illinois State, Pitt, North Texas State

2016: Miami (NTM), North Dakota State

2017: Wyoming, North Texas State 

2018: Northern Iowa, Wyoming (although apparantly Iowa may be finally in the process of making changes here)

The home-and-home series with Pitt in 2014 and '15 are the only games over the above timeline that are defensible other than the Iowa State series.  While it may have been too late to change the 2014 schedule in light of the rapidly changing CFB landscape when both the B1G and the National Championship system changes were being announced, Iowa schedules from 2015 forward don't appear to be upgraded at all.  

Needs

July 14th, 2016 at 1:16 PM ^

I wouldn't be surprised if the night game actually depresses interest in single-game tickets slightly among Iowa fans. If you're an Iowa fan without season tix, chances are decent that you live somewhat far from Iowa City, a night game means getting a hotel (often for two nights) or requires a significant late night drive. You're probably not going to go with young kids. As the poster below suggests, there are a number of other attractive games, in division, to go to. And it's also late in the season with a likelihood to be cold.

Indiana Blue

July 14th, 2016 at 1:13 PM ^

went to Iowa during the Hoke years and it was a nice place to see a game, but the ONLY away game I'm going to this year is MSU.  Just got 4 on StubHub for October 29th & I cannot wait !

Yeah - tickets are around $225, but EL is only 2 hrs so no hotel makes this about the same cost and the moment when Spartan Bob runs the clock to zero will be PRICELESS !!!

Go Blue!