Given the fact that Iowa State has been, to be nice, in kind of “down” cycle for the better part of the last quarter century -- or more -- there’s not a lot more than regional interest when it comes to their annual showdown with in-state rival Iowa State. Fortunately, one of the few things that could add spice to the rivalry has occurred.
(Stop yawning. The season starts in 64 days.)
Hawkeyes head coach Kirk Ferentz will probably not appreciate it all that much, but one of his players has provided his counterpart with the Cyclones, Paul Rhoads, with something to tack onto the bulletin board ahead of their annual showdown the second weekend of the season.
Adrian Clayborn was asked about expectations facing his school coming off an 11-win season that ended with a No. 7 ranking nationally. The All-American defensive end used the question, for whatever reason, to take a shot at the Ames school.
“Too much actually, it makes me want to stay in the house,” he said jokingly according to the Des Moines Register. “But it comes with being a Hawkeye football player. I mean we’re the only team in the state, as far as I know. And it comes with being us, I guess.”
(Last 12 meetings: Iowa State 7, Iowa 5. Just sayin’, Adrian.)
Wow, that’ll certainly add some spice to the rivalry, won’t it? It won’t? Yeah, didn’t think so. Carry on, then.
64 days...