Drake and UNI lose annual Iowa & Ia St games

[unipanther99]

Is there some kind of rule that says Iowa/Iowa State are the only BCS schools you are allowed to schedule every year?

We regularly see other BCS schools in tournaments, and did the one pay-for-play game at Syracuse a while back. If you know a secret for getting another BCS school to go home and home, 2 for 1, or even play neutral somewhere, please share.

[unipanther99]

This stinks.

To be honest, I'm a little concerned that Nebraska will use this as justification to dropping their series with us.

I hope the economic impact to UNI (and to a lesser extent, Drake) doesn't hurt them too much.

I wondered about that as well. It's a little harder for Nebraska to justify because it's just one game and I have to assume Nebraska likes giving the nod to their Omaha alums.

[getreal4]

guess I'm glad that we're still allowed to have one game against a BCS team on the schedule every year. no marquee home nonconference games hurts the season ticket value. tough times for small midmajor schools.

Is there some kind of rule that says Iowa/Iowa State are the only BCS schools you are allowed to schedule every year?

BCS teams have the control and make the rules The only way Drake plays BCS schools is to meet them in a tournament.

Might get a one game deal at a BCS school when they know its a guaranteed win.

[Red]

Sucks all the way around.

[TylerDurden]

This stinks.

To be honest, I'm a little concerned that Nebraska will use this as justification to dropping their series with us.

I hope the economic impact to UNI (and to a lesser extent, Drake) doesn't hurt them too much.

I wondered about that as well. It's a little harder for Nebraska to justify because it's just one game and I have to assume Nebraska likes giving the nod to their Omaha alums.

I think with Omaha and Lincoln being so close, Nebraska doesn't consider that much as it relates to the CU series.

[McBulldog]

Dannen sold the MVC out with his words to the Register.

[getreal4]

Dannen sold the MVC out with his words to the Register.

He certainly seems to accept second class status for the Panthers.

And yes, both Drake & UNI suffer financially from this decision. Neither school will find a replacement home opponent that will pack the house.

[DoubleJayAlum]

“We’ve tried everyone in the Big Ten and the Big 12, and home-and-homes aren’t going to happen,” Dannen said. “No one is interested in two-for-ones, either. That’s why, as Iowa State and Iowa are questioning their series with us, we know it’s not unreasonable for them to question it because their peers aren’t doing it.”

WTF?

Way to give them a free pass and a perfect excuse for ending the series.

Good Lord, Stop being such a wuss and maybe make the case why the series doesn't need to be cancelled!!! Instead he goes to the "we are not worthy" card?

Is this guy sucking up in an attempt to move up within the state of Iowa university system? Trying to get a job at Iowa or Iowa State? Why not discuss the economic impact to UNI resulting from the loss of the game?

Last fall there was an article in the OWH about Nebraska perhaps not being able to continue the series with Creighton because of scheduling problems resulting from the Big Ten's decision to play more conference games. McDermott was quoted as saying, "they (Nebraska) seem to think it will be too hard to find open dates, but we (Creighton) will find a way to make it happen." His comments made it clear that Nebraska was looking for an excuse, but that Creighton wasn't going to give them one.

[blueblood]

1. Question for the UNI and Drake people. I am willing to bet there are a lot of your students and alumni that are big time Iowa and Iowa State football fans. Much like the deal we have at Creighton with so called Jayskers. When Iowa and Iowa State pull this crap does it make you wonder if they will stay Hawks and Cyclop football fans?

2. Why is the UNI AD so worried about his wording? Is he afraid of losing this stupid tourney? What makes him think it wil last more than one year?

3. Is losing one near sell out home game every other year a huge money issue? I guess I just don't see it.

[unipanther99]

While I think Dannen could be a bit less gracious, I think a couple of things are going on here. He's likely been told they aren't coming to Cedar Falls anymore... period. Des Moines is a take it or leave it option, and if UNI says no --- Iowa and Iowa State say they are off the hook because UNI is refusing to play them. I think having the state governement get involved is unlikely in this day and age, especially when the proposal on the table is to play at a mostly unused arena in Des Moines that was paid for with taxpayer dollars.

I think he's afraid of losing the football contracts with these schools. Having to go out and find BCS schools who will pay a top level FCS school (who has beaten and played well against BCS schools in the past) isn't all that easy. Keeping these games in-state makes sense for UNI, Iowa, ISU, the fans, and for the stability of UNI's athletic budget.

I also wonder if he thinks he can follow in Bob Bowlsby's footsteps and become the AD in Iowa City or Ames one day and doesn't want to say anything that would piss off those two schools.