Rumors of Iowa vs. Notre Dame

[C/Seahawk]

Colorado State - Colorado are stopping their series after 2020. Everybody on both sides aren't happy. It's one of the most anticipated games for both teams every year. So dumb to end it. Downtown Denver employees, almost all, are one schools shirt the day of game. Even people that don't get into football get into that game. I love it! Love watching in-state rivalry games!

Haven't read beyond this post so my comment might duplicate another, but your statement about downtown Denver employees, almost all, wearing CU/CSU colors the day of the game couldn't be further from the truth. I worked in downtown Denver from 2002-2010 and get back down there every once in a while since, and college football barely resonates in the city. Mile High Stadium is half full, CU has been down for quite some time and half the city seems to be transplants(myself included, from 2000), so this game really doesn't mean a great deal to the area.

The game should be played and it is relevant to a degree, but college football is way down the list on relevant items in downtown Denver( outside the sports column and a few other sports bars that act as gathering spots for out of state college football teams). From the Broncos to Avalanche, skiing, hiking, etc., college football doesn't have much of a presence in this state. At least that is my interpretation.

 

[anon_2zMXH429BhxV1Npk]

Would've sucked if we'd beat Mich St last year because 13-0 would not have been good enough to get in playoffs. Playing ISU instead of ND would've been enough to keep Iowa out. At least according to bdg8. Derp!

And what would have happened if Iowa, Alabama, Oklahoma, Florida St., and Oregon are all undefeated one year? Or if there are 4 one loss teams vying for 3 spots? Iowa's SOS was bad last year and will be bad again this year, there's a good chance they would be left out in that scenario.

You're looking at things in a vacuum. Yes, it would be amazing and make things way easier if Iowa just won all their games every year but while I would be elated if it happened, we all know it's likely not. So yes, SOS still matters very much for Iowa fans.

 

[anon_2zMXH429BhxV1Npk]

Honestly the issue is this "need" to have 7 home games. Iowa makes enough money they don't "need" 7 home games every year, I think the program and school will survive if it's 7 home games every other year. Schedule a P5 opponent every year, some will be home and home, others will be a neutral site game. Every other big program can survive doing it, somehow I think Iowa would too.

Go ahead and keep Iowa St. on a home and home to keep the Clones and state happy. Schedule a neutral site game when Iowa is hosting, try to schedule a home and home to start @ Kinnick the following year when Iowa St. is hosting, and the year after that play @ the other P5 team when Iowa is hosting Iowa St. Yes, over simplified, but really shouldn't be that hard.

 

[OtayLake Hawkeye]

Not sure how I feel about this. Part of me thinks it would be cool to play Notre Dame, but the other part of me says if they want to play B1G teams they should join the B1G.

I agree. Join or the entire BigTen agrees to not schedule you

 

[Recruiting Violation]

Honestly the issue is this "need" to have 7 home games. Iowa makes enough money they don't "need" 7 home games every year, I think the program and school will survive if it's 7 home games every other year. Schedule a P5 opponent every year, some will be home and home, others will be a neutral site game. Every other big program can survive doing it, somehow I think Iowa would too.

Go ahead and keep Iowa St. on a home and home to keep the Clones and state happy. Schedule a neutral site game when Iowa is hosting, try to schedule a home and home to start @ Kinnick the following year when Iowa St. is hosting, and the year after that play @ the other P5 team when Iowa is hosting Iowa St. Yes, over simplified, but really shouldn't be that hard.

I could maybe see us scheduling an occasional neutral game, but to expect the athletic department to give up a 7th home game every other year is extremely unlikely. Yes, the program can survive without it, but every dollar you don't make is a dollar that you don't have to spend to keep up with the rest of the conference. If you don't think the bottom dollar final figures are extremely important to keeping programs and projects going, then you aren't paying attention to what those dollars are buying now. It's not like the UI athletics department is storing up extra money in a giant vault somewhere. That money is allocated and used.

 

[Rustys Dad]

Would love to see us play Notre Dame. Sign me up!

 

[DodgerHawki]

It's a moot point anyway because the series won't be dropped any time soon.

You're entitled to your opinion and I respect that. I just personally don't get any joy or glee out of seeing Iowa beat Iowa State in football.

The fact Iowa State has made the series competitive isn't in dispute. The issue I raised and which still stands is what does Iowa benefit from playing Iowa State in the non-conference slate every year? Nothing. It does nothing for their strength of schedule and it does nothing in the way of prestige. Again, it's win and big deal. Lose and Iowa is the laughingstock of college football. That's what we call a lose/lose proposition.

Would this be considered if Iowa was on a winning streak similar to the years of Hayden Fry? Great question. But with strength of schedule being more important than it's ever been, I think the subject would still definitely be raised. Schedule Iowa State similar to scheduling UNI. That's my opinion and I'll leave it at that.

Iowa State's fans can be annoying and petty, but that comes with a rivalry. The Iowa/Iowa State series isn't hurting Iowa. Yes, we get zip credit for beating Iowa State, but that is not harming Iowa's perception. Last year, Iowa would have been in the playoffs had we defeated MSU. With a non-conference schedule of Iowa State, Pitt, Illinois State and North Texas. If Iowa adds a Notre Dame or Arkansas on the non-con schedule, it isn't going to change the equation for Iowa getting in the playoffs one bit. If you think a 1-loss Iowa is going to go to the playoffs over a 1-loss SEC team, or another traditional power like Florida State or USC, that's not reality.

I'm all for getting a marquee name on the non-con schedule if it makes sense to do so. Strength of schedule is supposed to be important, but really it's only important for the blue blood teams who get one loss. An undefeated Big 10 team is not getting left out of the playoff, and if Iowa loses a game it won't get in.

 

[DodgerHawki]

I could maybe see us scheduling an occasional neutral game, but to expect the athletic department to give up a 7th home game every other year is extremely unlikely. Yes, the program can survive without it, but every dollar you don't make is a dollar that you don't have to spend to keep up with the rest of the conference. If you don't think the bottom dollar final figures are extremely important to keeping programs and projects going, then you aren't paying attention to what those dollars are buying now. It's not like the UI athletics department is storing up extra money in a giant vault somewhere. That money is allocated and used.

Correct. The 7th home game is not a have-to in terms of the football program itself. But each home game brings in $4M or so in ticket and concession revenue. That money is a sizable chunk of the budget for many/most of the non-revenue sports. That's why it sounds like Iowa is exploring options for a neutral site game where the potential revenue for such a game would offset what it wouldn't be getting from a home game. But Iowa isn't going to just give up a home date to play someone on the road.

 

[5Fan5]

Iowa State's fans can be annoying and petty, but that comes with a rivalry. The Iowa/Iowa State series isn't hurting Iowa. Yes, we get zip credit for beating Iowa State, but that is not harming Iowa's perception. Last year, Iowa would have been in the playoffs had we defeated MSU. With a non-conference schedule of Iowa State, Pitt, Illinois State and North Texas. If Iowa adds a Notre Dame or Arkansas on the non-con schedule, it isn't going to change the equation for Iowa getting in the playoffs one bit. If you think a 1-loss Iowa is going to go to the playoffs over a 1-loss SEC team, or another traditional power like Florida State or USC, that's not reality.

I'm all for getting a marquee name on the non-con schedule if it makes sense to do so. Strength of schedule is supposed to be important, but really it's only important for the blue blood teams who get one loss. An undefeated Big 10 team is not getting left out of the playoff, and if Iowa loses a game it won't get in.

That simply cannot be stated with absolute certainty. What can be said is that there is a distinct difference between Notre Dame (even at its worst point) and isu. A loss to isu would be hard to overcome in terms of convincing a selection committee to award a playoff berth. A loss to Notre Dame is not as disastrous to a team trying to achieve a playoff spot.

 

[Recruiting Violation]

That simply cannot be stated with absolute certainty. What can be said is that there is a distinct difference between Notre Dame (even at its worst point) and isu. A loss to isu would be hard to overcome in terms of convincing a selection committee to award a playoff berth. A loss to Notre Dame is not as disastrous to a team trying to achieve a playoff spot.

I don't think anyone would argue against your point here. Unfortunately, a "sexy" set of opponents (not trying to put words in your mouth, sorry) is not the only factor when making a schedule, especially now that we've got 9 conference games.

As much fun as it would be to play only higher profile teams in the non-conference, that's just not what drives the bus right now. Until/unless home game revenue from cupcakes is significantly reduced (e.g. attendance drops precipitously), all the big schools are going to work to maximize home games and therefore maximize revenue. Since we're locked into the ISU series (I'm not trying to debate if this is good or bad), we're unlikely to be able to regularly schedule marquee matchups.

 

[anon_2zMXH429BhxV1Npk]

Oh I know it's all driven by the amount of money they would be giving up, and that was more or less my point. Iowa doesn't need to give up a home game if they schedule a home and home correctly, or even more than one if they schedule a neutral site game that can bring in close to the same amount of money. They should be able to schedule an additional home and home P5 series to coincide with the Iowa St. series if they really wanted.

Other teams survive doing it. Florida St. has Ole Miss at a neutral site and Florida at home this year. Clemson is @ Auburn and home vs. South Carolina. Oklahoma is going to Houston and home vs. OSU. USC has a neutral site game with Bama and a home game with ND. Oregon is hosting Virginia and going to Nebraska. Sparty is going to ND and hosting BYU.

How is it that only Iowa has the problem of "needing" that 7th home game every single year and it's such a hassle to keep Iowa St. and schedule another P5 game? I couldn't care less about playing Iowa St. every year, but anyone saying that we have to give them up to play a neutral site game for even one year or *gasp* schedule another home and home logically doesn't make any sense.

 

[icparkerhawk]

We have an open date in 2019, ND does not. I'm assuming someone is talking about the 2019 season. So no, no ND that year at least.

Someone with more time than me needs to check all P5 schedules for open dates in 2019.

I certainly don't have the time or interest to go through every P5 schedule, but I did check Arkansas as a neutral site game with them in KC has been thrown out from time to time. It looks like they have an opening in 2019 as well.

 

[NevadaHawk]

A neutral site like Soldier field? 50% Iowa and 50% Domers? Play in a year when we have 7 home games? How far down the road are we talking?

I would love to see a game against ND under the lights at Soldier Field in Chicago! Would be an instant classic.

 

[CyCity]

Every fan base has their fair share of dipshits.

I know the game means a lot to Iowa State fans, but I don't think it means that much for most Hawkeye fans. Last year after Iowa beat Iowa State, I wasn't fist pumping or jumping up and down all ecstatic about it. I felt relieved. That was it. Nothing more. A visceral feeling of "well, another year of not having to be embarrassed about losing to Iowa State, phhhhew" and then nothing.

Why?

Because Iowa benefits nothing from playing Iowa State over any other opponent. Nothing. Iowa wins? Yawn, big deal. They were supposed to. And when Iowa loses? Haha, Iowa is now the laughingstock of college football.

Lose/lose proposition, friend.

You really don't think this do you? I mean ISU was just as bad as half of Iowa's schedule last year so did you go into half the games thinking it was a lose/lose situation?

 

[5Fan5]

You really don't think this do you? I mean ISU was just as bad as half of Iowa's schedule last year so did you go into half the games thinking it was a lose/lose situation?

Why should it not be believed? Are you stating that you think you know the mindset of Iowa fans any better than the next person?

The isu game holds no real value to many Iowa fans. It is what it is, an early season, non-conference game that Iowa is expected to win. Nothing more than that. The chance to enhance the experience for Hawk fans by scheduling programs with tradition, recognition and success is a no brainer for any objective observer.

 

[CyCity]

Why should it not be believed? Are you stating that you think you know the mindset of Iowa fans any better than the next person?

The isu game holds no real value to many Iowa fans. It is what it is, an early season, non-conference game that Iowa is expected to win. Nothing more than that. The chance to enhance the experience for Hawk fans by scheduling programs with tradition, recognition and success is a no brainer for any objective observer.

So I can only assume you want to get rid of the Miami (OH) and NDSU game this year as well since it puts your team in a lose/lose situation

 

[5Fan5]

So I can only assume you want to get rid of the Miami (OH) and NDSU game this year as well since it puts your team in a lose/lose situation

No, it is/does not.

As for NDSU, they have proved their worth by beating what now, five FBS (Power 5) programs in succession. Had isu not lost by twenty to the Bison, do you think you would be on here asking this question as opposed to singing the praises of how isu defeated one of the very best from the FCS ranks?

Same general idea applies for Miami of Ohio. I can likely very easily show you where it is you extol the virtues of a rival MAC team simply because isu was able to lure away its head coach and not withstanding the fact that isu lost to that very team and had to go on the road to do so!

 

[CyCity]

No, it is/does not.

As for NDSU, they have proved their worth by beating what now, five FBS (Power 5) programs in succession. Had isu not lost by twenty to the Bison, do you think you would be on here asking this question as opposed to singing the praises of how isu defeated one of the very best from the FCS ranks?

Same general idea applies for Miami of Ohio. I can likely very easily show you where it is you extol the virtues of a rival MAC team simply because isu was able to lure away its head coach and not withstanding the fact that isu lost to that very team and had to go on the road to do so!

So if Iowa would lose to ISU it would be an embarrassment but if they lost to NDSU it wouldn't be. SUUUURRRREEE

 

[iclone]

I can speak for Kirk Ferentz when I say Iowa should drop the ISU series. He has a losing record against ISU, so of course it should be dropped at this point.

 

[5Fan5]

So if Iowa would lose to ISU it would be an embarrassment but if they lost to NDSU it wouldn't be. SUUUURRRREEE

Did not say that at all. That is what you hope to sell here to somehow justify the worth/value of isu.

Most objective fans of football do not consider isu to be a quality Power 5 program. It has been stated way too many times already, but bears repeating - there is no gain for Iowa when playing isu year in and year out. Iowa is expected to win regardless of situation/circumstance. When Iowa fails to win, it is viewed in an extremely negative light.

As unusual as it might sound/look, a team such as NDSU is considered by many to be a better program/team than is isu. Was it embarrassing to lose by twenty points to the Bison?

 

[SoDakHawk]

Honestly the issue is this "need" to have 7 home games. Iowa makes enough money they don't "need" 7 home games every year, I think the program and school will survive if it's 7 home games every other year. Schedule a P5 opponent every year, some will be home and home, others will be a neutral site game. Every other big program can survive doing it, somehow I think Iowa would too.

Go ahead and keep Iowa St. on a home and home to keep the Clones and state happy. Schedule a neutral site game when Iowa is hosting, try to schedule a home and home to start @ Kinnick the following year when Iowa St. is hosting, and the year after that play @ the other P5 team when Iowa is hosting Iowa St. Yes, over simplified, but really shouldn't be that hard.

Why the heck should Iowa sacrifice anything just for the sake of the Clones and to keep their fans happy. For Iowa fans, many would be more than happy to drop the Clones.

If it comes out this ISU series is prohibiting Iowa from scheduling games with cache like Notre Dame most Iowa fans will be livid.

Efff ISU, can't get them off the schedule fast enough.

 

[CyCity]

Did not say that at all. That is what you hope to sell here to somehow justify the worth/value of isu.

Most objective fans of football do not consider isu to be a quality Power 5 program. It has been stated way too many times already, but bears repeating - there is no gain for Iowa when playing isu year in and year out. Iowa is expected to win regardless of situation/circumstance. When Iowa fails to win, it is viewed in an extremely negative light.

As unusual as it might sound/look, a team such as NDSU is considered by many to be a better program/team than is isu. Was it embarrassing to lose by twenty points to the Bison?

It was very embarrassing to lose to NDSU. By your logic all your non conference games are lose/lose situations for Iowa so why not try to get rid of NDSU or Miami (OH) instead of ISU?

 

[SoDakHawk]

ISU should be used to being embarrassed by now. Get ready because you will need those skills after UNI beats you.

 

[iahawkeyes17]

Oh I know it's all driven by the amount of money they would be giving up, and that was more or less my point. Iowa doesn't need to give up a home game if they schedule a home and home correctly, or even more than one if they schedule a neutral site game that can bring in close to the same amount of money. They should be able to schedule an additional home and home P5 series to coincide with the Iowa St. series if they really wanted.

Other teams survive doing it. Florida St. has Ole Miss at a neutral site and Florida at home this year. Clemson is @ Auburn and home vs. South Carolina. Oklahoma is going to Houston and home vs. OSU. USC has a neutral site game with Bama and a home game with ND. Oregon is hosting Virginia and going to Nebraska. Sparty is going to ND and hosting BYU.

How is it that only Iowa has the problem of "needing" that 7th home game every single year and it's such a hassle to keep Iowa St. and schedule another P5 game? I couldn't care less about playing Iowa St. every year, but anyone saying that we have to give them up to play a neutral site game for even one year or *gasp* schedule another home and home logically doesn't make any sense.

Difference is Florida St plays in ACC with only 8 conference games like SEC. Iowa plays 9 now after last season. If ACC or SEC went to 9 games Florida/FSU and Clemson S Carolina would be in same situation Iowa is now. Play in state rival and no other power 5 team or go 6 home with a neutral, only difference is Florida and FSU aren't close to being bottom feeders and strong non conf games.

As for Oklahoma, USC, Oregon, Nebraska etc they don't have the issue of being locked into a game with a rival who is a power 5 opponent in another conference which takes up one non conf game. So they have that luxury and playing other power 5 teams and keep 7 home games. ACC and SEC have more leeway cause like Iowa last yr and years past can play 2 power 5 teams with 4 non conf and still get 3 non conf along with 4 conf home games. Right now ISU locked in till least 2023.

As has been stated numerous times here.
When 4 home conference games 3 home non conf including ISU
When 5 home conf games have 2 non conf with game at ISU.

 

[5Fan5]

It was very embarrassing to lose to NDSU. By your logic all your non conference games are lose/lose situations for Iowa so why not try to get rid of NDSU or Miami (OH) instead of ISU?

For several reasons... some previously stated. NDSU is a better program than is isu. By and large, it is felt that NDSU would be successful on the field against isu more times than not. Equate the scholarship disparity and the likelihood becomes skewed strongly in favor of NDSU.

Which games are lose/lose for isu? Are all of the non-con opponents so good that isu can be proud of the scheduling all of the time?

The bottom line remains. If the decision is to retain a home/away, every season game with isu or have the opportunity to schedule other higher quality opponents then the same conclusion will be reached by reasonable people. Notre Dame hands down over isu.

 

[5Fan5]

I can speak for Kirk Ferentz when I say Iowa should drop the ISU series. He has a losing record against ISU, so of course it should be dropped at this point.

Just to play along.... other than Iowa, which Power 5 program(s) does isu hold a winning record against?

 

[iahawkeyes17]

It was very embarrassing to lose to NDSU. By your logic all your non conference games are lose/lose situations for Iowa so why not try to get rid of NDSU or Miami (OH) instead of ISU?

Cause Iowa is not locked into a long term yearly contract with ndsu and Miami (oh). Apples and oranges to compare those with isu game. But yes they would be bad losses if we lose to either 2 along with isu this year. They fill non conf games where Iowa doesn't have to return favor and play at their place

 

[CyCity]

For several reasons... some previously stated. NDSU is a better program than is isu. By and large, it is felt that NDSU would be successful on the field against isu more times than not. Equate the scholarship disparity and the likelihood becomes skewed strongly in favor of NDSU.

Which games are lose/lose for isu? Are all of the non-con opponents so good that isu can be proud of the scheduling all of the time?

The bottom line remains. If the decision is to retain a home/away, every season game with isu or have the opportunity to schedule other higher quality opponents then the same conclusion will be reached by reasonable people. Notre Dame hands down over isu.

Every non conference game this year is a lose/lose situation for Iowa according to you but for some reason Iowa State is the only one that gets talked that way. I'm all for dropping the series though

 

[CyCity]

Cause Iowa is on not locked into a long term yearly contract with ndsu and Miami (oh). Apples and oranges to compare those with isu game.

So every year Iowa plays at least one non conference opponent besides Iowa State that is a "lose/lose" for them so why not just schedule all good major conference programs for all the non conference games and ditch Iowa State and the MAC and FCS teams?

 

[HerkyFan]

I can speak for Kirk Ferentz when I say Iowa should drop the ISU series. He has a losing record against ISU, so of course it should be dropped at this point.

Johnny Orr had a losing record against Iowa while at isu and has a statue built for him.

Must ignore right isu grad?

More little bro syndrome please.

 

[HerkyFan]

So every year Iowa plays at least one non conference opponent besides Iowa State that is a "lose/lose" for them so why not just schedule all good major conference programs for all the non conference games and ditch Iowa State and the MAC and FCS teams?

Because even if we would want to do that why would other schools always be willing to come to Iowa City? We schedule who we do to take advantage of the gate which can't be said for schools like NDSU, Miami of Ohio or North Texas.

 

[J_Heater]

And what would have happened if Iowa, Alabama, Oklahoma, Florida St., and Oregon are all undefeated one year? Or if there are 4 one loss teams vying for 3 spots? Iowa's SOS was bad last year and will be bad again this year, there's a good chance they would be left out in that scenario.

You're looking at things in a vacuum. Yes, it would be amazing and make things way easier if Iowa just won all their games every year but while I would be elated if it happened, we all know it's likely not. So yes, SOS still matters very much for Iowa fans.

If Iowa played Notre Dame instead of Iowa State in the scenario above they are still the odd man out if Bama, Oklahoma, Florida State and Oregon were unbeaten.

 

[CyCity]

If Iowa played Notre Dame instead of Iowa State in the scenario above they are still the odd man out if Bama, Oklahoma, Florida State and Oregon were unbeaten.

When was the last time 4 major conference schools went unbeaten in the same year?

 

[HerkyFan]

When was the last time 4 major conference schools went unbeaten in the same year?

The same year isu won a football ball conference championship by winning more than 3 games.

 

[CyCity]

Next year Iowa's non conference is ISU, Montana and North Texas. Iowa would be better off dropping one between Montana and North Texas and then adding a Notre Dame like team. You'd still be getting two pretty much guaranteed wins (or "lose/lose" games) and then a marquee battle against Notre Dame

 

[HerkyFan]

Next year Iowa's non conference is ISU, Montana and North Texas. Iowa would be better off dropping one between Montana and North Texas and then adding a Notre Dame like team. You'd still be getting two pretty much guaranteed wins (or "lose/lose" games) and then a marquee battle against Notre Dame

Pretty sure Notre Dame has games scheduled for next year already. In fact probably out for some time. Not as easy and just telling Montana or North Texas not to come.

 

[McK_Hawk]

It is fun to keep making the little bro pokes but I will resist. Cy, the reason that ISU is singled out to be dropped is that you are the only non-conference school on our schedule with a home/away arrangement. The other bad schools we play are always home games. Therefore, the question is, do we keep playing ISU or trade ISU for Notre Dame, etc?

The lose/lose or win/win stuff means that if we beat ND, it is a feather in our cap. Not a lot of harm if we lose. However, if we lose to ISU, big time egg on our faces but not much credit comes our way if we win. Follow?

 

[CyCity]

It is fun to keep making the little bro pokes but I will resist. Cy, the reason that ISU is singled out to be dropped is that you are the only non-conference school on our schedule with a home/away arrangement. The other bad schools we play are always home games. Therefore, the question is, do we keep playing ISU or trade ISU for Notre Dame, etc?

The lose/lose or win/win stuff means that if we beat ND, it is a feather in our cap. Not a lot of harm if we lose. However, if we lose to ISU, big time egg on our faces but not much credit comes our way if we win. Follow?

You could still do a home/away with another big program and just do it opposite of when you play Iowa State home/away so you still get your home games in. ISU sucks and is pretty much a guaranteed win, another poster said even FCS NDSU was a better program, so I don't know why you wouldn't ditch a MAC or FCS team on your schedule where you might have a better chance of losing instead of ditching Iowa State.

For the "lose/lose" comments all of your non conference games are going to be that way for the forseeable future now that you will play 9 conference games so it's not just Iowa State

 

[whatsup13579er]

Difference is Florida St plays in ACC with only 8 conference games like SEC. Iowa plays 9 now after last season. If ACC or SEC went to 9 games Florida/FSU and Clemson S Carolina would be in same situation Iowa is now. Play in state rival and no other power 5 team or go 6 home with a neutral, only difference is Florida and FSU aren't close to being bottom feeders and strong non conf games.

The difference being these in-state rivals and ISU is that FSU/Fla/Clem/SC aren't historically the worst team in their conference. Nobody is getting blamed for FSU/Fla or Clem/SC or PSU/Pitt if they would play. Iowa has to play Iowa State and their 3 wins per year.

Switch the series to every other year or every 3rd year. That keeps the rivalry intact and allows Iowa some breathing room to schedule some other P5 teams.

 

[WORTHYWISH]

Haven't read beyond this post so my comment might duplicate another, but your statement about downtown Denver employees, almost all, wearing CU/CSU colors the day of the game couldn't be further from the truth. I worked in downtown Denver from 2002-2010 and get back down there every once in a while since, and college football barely resonates in the city. Mile High Stadium is half full, CU has been down for quite some time and half the city seems to be transplants(myself included, from 2000), so this game really doesn't mean a great deal to the area.

The game should be played and it is relevant to a degree, but college football is way down the list on relevant items in downtown Denver( outside the sports column and a few other sports bars that act as gathering spots for out of state college football teams). From the Broncos to Avalanche, skiing, hiking, etc., college football doesn't have much of a presence in this state. At least that is my interpretation.

Been here since 1999 and I can back what you just said 100%.