BSpringsteen
Well-Known Member
You might recall that we were supposed to play Missouri in a 4 game series, starting in 2005. That deal was signed back in the late 90s, when we were not very good. But then, in the 2002-2004 seasons, we won 31 games. The Paper Tigers didn't like the prospects of an out of conference loss, so in the winter of 04/05, they decided they we going to instead play a cupcake, Arkansas State. They liked the idea of this so such much they then decided to play the Red Wolves again in 2006. Meaning the Hawkeyes had to find teams to fill those spots on what was a set schedule. Justifiably ****** off, the Iowa athletic department just cancelled the whole series. And so, these two schools that are just 4 hours apart by car, will have gone a full century since they last met on the gridiron.
Which requires a brief history lesson as to why: Missouri was a state filled with racist idiots, and being good and decent Iowans, we detested them. As you know, the University of Iowa was one of the first public universities to allow an African American onto a varsity athletic squad, in 1895. The Civil War had been over for 30 years at that point, but that didn't mean the slave states had all started being good and decent. Before the 1896 game (in Columbia), the Paper Tiger staff and alumni had warned Iowa about bringing our black player. We did, and won it 12-0, but it was immediately obvious that the Paper Tigers would use every dirty play in the book - aimed primarily at him, but also to any Hawkeye whenever the chance emerged. To top it off, routine chants of 'kill the n*****' filled the stadium.
Upon our return to Iowa City it was decided we would not play the Paper Tigers again until 1902. The series resumed, but then in 1910, we were due for another visit to Columbia, and the staff there again warned Iowa not to bring our current black player. That was enough; we complied in the interest of not getting him hurt, but once it was over, the Iowa coach swore we would never play Missouri again.
Just for the point of comparison, an African American was not allowed to play for the Missouri football team until 1957.
When Iowa went 10-2 we got the Orange Bowl. Missouri goes 10-2, they fall down to the Insight. During the whole Big Ten expansion chaos of last year, the Paper Tigers made no secret of their desire to ditch the Big 12 and join the Big Ten. I can't say that the fact that all the Big Ten schools are in what used to be 'free' states made any difference when we opted for the Cornhuskers, but it's a good story and I'll go with it!
Even if we do end up at 16 teams, it seems highly likely that we will go east, to more fully capture the huge media markets out here on the coast. Sorry Missouri, the Big Ten does care a lot about things like say, history - and you are on the wrong side of it. T
Which requires a brief history lesson as to why: Missouri was a state filled with racist idiots, and being good and decent Iowans, we detested them. As you know, the University of Iowa was one of the first public universities to allow an African American onto a varsity athletic squad, in 1895. The Civil War had been over for 30 years at that point, but that didn't mean the slave states had all started being good and decent. Before the 1896 game (in Columbia), the Paper Tiger staff and alumni had warned Iowa about bringing our black player. We did, and won it 12-0, but it was immediately obvious that the Paper Tigers would use every dirty play in the book - aimed primarily at him, but also to any Hawkeye whenever the chance emerged. To top it off, routine chants of 'kill the n*****' filled the stadium.
Upon our return to Iowa City it was decided we would not play the Paper Tigers again until 1902. The series resumed, but then in 1910, we were due for another visit to Columbia, and the staff there again warned Iowa not to bring our current black player. That was enough; we complied in the interest of not getting him hurt, but once it was over, the Iowa coach swore we would never play Missouri again.
Just for the point of comparison, an African American was not allowed to play for the Missouri football team until 1957.
When Iowa went 10-2 we got the Orange Bowl. Missouri goes 10-2, they fall down to the Insight. During the whole Big Ten expansion chaos of last year, the Paper Tigers made no secret of their desire to ditch the Big 12 and join the Big Ten. I can't say that the fact that all the Big Ten schools are in what used to be 'free' states made any difference when we opted for the Cornhuskers, but it's a good story and I'll go with it!
Even if we do end up at 16 teams, it seems highly likely that we will go east, to more fully capture the huge media markets out here on the coast. Sorry Missouri, the Big Ten does care a lot about things like say, history - and you are on the wrong side of it. T