So much to unpack from the post that started this thread.
lived in Iowa for 15 years now.
- Every Iowan that has ever talked about cowbells has complained about the noise. Its always after MSU plays on ESPN and they happen to see some of the game. They watch a bit so they can talk with me the next day and just end up complaining about the noise. Its funny and a running joke at this point. My office post-New Years will be funny to be at regardless of who wins because so many more will complain.
- The Busch Light storyline is funny- check twitter for an Iowa State message board(Wide Right & Natty Lite) tweeting to their bowl host about the beer. Its been a back and forth ongoing joke. No idea why its a beer that is beloved here, but for some inexplicable reason it is.
- Iowans are Yankees. Not even sure why this is discussed because seriously who gives a 17 at this point- so much migration has made the North v South thing moot for most normal people- but for those that oddly still give a 17, Iowa is clearly Yank+
- The state is quite equally divided between Red and Blue. To suggest liberal views exist only around Iowa City is simply absurd. The DSM metro and the entire NE quadrant of the state are both often blue.
- I have forever been fascinated by how similar Iowa is with Mississippi in many ways. Then there are obvious ways they are quite different too.
- both are predominantly rural farming states depending heaving on agriculture.
- both are similar in population and geographic size.
- both have 2 major conference schools in their state which can really challenge the success in athletics.
- Iowa State and MSU have a ton in common.
- both are land grant institutions.
- both pride themselves on engineering, vet, and ag majors.
- both are small relative to their conferences(in budget, success, etc).
As for Iowa...meh. Its where so many from my high school in the Chicago suburbs went if they couldnt make it into U of Illinois. I have never understood the prestige of graduating from U of Iowa. Its a good college, but its hardly some excellent institution for higher learning- I went to HS with dozens of kids that went there and since living here, i know know hundreds. I wouldnt say its some prestigious university based on those that graduate. Its like any other large university- there are some incredibly smart people and mostly competent people.
If its going to be compared- ISU = MSU and UofI = OM.
