Then again, Rutgers did that. But fair on to them. They certainly circled Iowa on the calendar. But I don't remember them making any comments. The 2025 Iowa team would definitely have been a real opportunity for them if they could have won. And the 2025 Rutgers team definitely could have been the team with an opportunity to do it. And as far as I know, all they ever said is they thought this was their year to do it. And they kept it close enough to be a winnable game....until it wasn't.
And yeah, you throw in their Wave drone show and that sorta softens any animosity that might come over being circled on the calendar. I don't call that drone show classy. I know some did. I just thought it was weird. If I'm the people deciding on that stuff for Rutgers athletics....I say "OK, drone show. Let's make it about Rutger's traditions. And what might be cool is to throw somewhere in there something about The Wave as an acknowledgement to our opponent". Kind of like letting a visiting band have time for 1 or 2 pieces on the field at the halftime show. But not the whole damn show. Weird.
