The cutoff was at 150 points. I have 200 and feel reasonably safe about getting a ticket. If not, I have a reservation for the package through Alumni/Winnebrenner and would get a ticket there, but lose whatever priority I have through Iowa as a Silver Hawk.
That being said, I feel really badly that the cost of these trips to major bowls has gone through the roof. How in the world can the every day joe and mary afford to see a bowl game? I will drop about $4,000 for a four day trip. I can stay in a beautiful log cabin in the woods near the White River in the Ozarks for TWO MONTHS for what I will pay to see Iowa in the Rose Bowl. Or, I can go to northern Ontario for a month and catch a ton of walleyes for somewhat less than the Rose Bowl trip.
Back in the day, there is no way I could afford to go to the Rose when Hayden was around. I am blessed to be able to afford this trip, although it will mean some real sacrifice in regard to some other things I would love to do next spring and summer. Keep it up, and the moderate income retired folks like me will be out of the picture. And, this is happening in the face of a massive increase in TV revenue for the BT schools. As the movie title from a while ago says, this is "No Country for Old Men." And, certainly not for young couples.
Jon, say what you will about the "market." How is that treating middle America? Just sayin'...