All due respect to Hawkeyes and Cyclones fans, but though the following news item, here, about their upcoming college football game this weekend caught my eye, it also left me a bit puzzled.
Former President Donald Trump loves him some college football. The 45th President of the United States plans to attend a big-time college football rivalry game this weekend. Trump will be in the crowd when the Iowa State Cyclones host the Hawkeyes of Iowa at Ames Stadium on Saturday.
“We’re thrilled to invite Donald J. Trump to the Iowa vs. Iowa State football game this weekend,” Matt Whittaker, Trump’s Acting Attorney General and a former Iowa Hawkeyes tight end said in a press release. “President Trump attended this game in 2015 and remembers the incredible passion and electricity of the fans.”
OK, “passion and electricity,” I get it. But as power rankings go, this one is not going to determine any of the teams who will be making it into the national playoff picture come season’s end. Iowa will be lucky to finish in the top 5 of the Big Ten. As for Iowa State? It’s listed 4th in the Big Twelve, and that’s only because the listing is alphabetical. I mean, c’mon. REALLY? This is the best you got?
Of course, the Former Guy is welcome to attend any sporting event he so chooses, even if it IS a junior varsity football contest. And with his private jet (a Boeing 757) he has the means to get there in style too – though the closest major airport to Ames is Des Moines (DSM) some 35 miles away. Still, one has to wonder about this one. There are any number of other games this weekend that are at least as interesting, and likely more pivotal in the grand scheme of things in college football.
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Maybe it’s related to Iowa’s 6 electoral votes in the upcoming 2024 election? But I’ve gotta say, even on that score, the following matchups carry way more political weight:
- Nebraska v. Colorado – a combined 16 electoral votes, not to mention the up-and-coming (also telegenic) Coach Prime on the Buffs sideline.
- Notre Dame v. NC State – a combined 26 electoral votes, plus over 60 million Catholic voters (mostly ND fans) spread clear across the U.S.A.
- Texas A&M v. Miami (FL) – a whopping combined 67 electoral votes in these 2 prime red-meat Red States.
Ah well, Hawkeyes and Cyclones it shall be… Go Hawks!