With the failed experiment of Gene Chizik behind them, Iowa State needs to quickly move on with their football program. If Iowa fans are smart, they will be hoping their rival's next coach is a successful one.
If last week's wrestling meet was any indication, highly anticipated match ups between two successful programs are a lot more enjoyable than match ups pitting a bowl bound team against a two win program. If you need more evidence, ask fans connected to the Michigan-Ohio State rivalry. While the Buckeye faithful had no problem watching a blowout victory on the final day of their season, they felt robbed at the same time. Without Michigan having a successful season, Ohio State's victory doesn't mean as much. It is not as much fun for them when they are SUPPOSED to blow out their rival, as opposed to the Wolverines actually having a chance to win.
During the second half of Dan McCarney's tenure as Head Coach of Iowa State, he led the Cyclones to five bowl games in six seasons. In 2002, 2004, and 2005, both Iowa and Iowa State went to bowl games. Because of the success of both programs, the early season face off of the two teams became more highly anticipated and garnered more national attention. In 2006, after both teams went bowling the previous season, the battle of the Cy-Hawk Trophy was televised to a national audience on ESPN. This year, a year after both teams missed out on the postseason, the game was relegated to regional coverage on Big Ten Network.
Recruits like rivalries. They grow up watching the annual clashes just like the rest of us, and dream of one day playing in one of those big games. With the right coach in Ames, the state of Iowa can be the host to one of those big games every fall.
Hy-Vee runs commercials throughout the state every year, boasting the Cy-Hawk Series as one of the greatest rivalries in sports. This is the time for Iowa State to step up and prove it.
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