I got to mark off another thing off the Sports Bucket List yesterday- I went to a Big 10 football game- Indiana University at the University of Iowa.

I have mentioned that I am partial to our state school which has all the populism that comes with  a team that went 9-27 in the last three years.  Iowa City's tailgate differs in that it is more spreadout (and I am less likely to run into people I know) than Ames.  Still, with beer, grilling, and beanbag games, tailgating is tailgating, anywhere you go.  Also, because of this, the port-a-potties (locals call them kybos) are way cleaner and have less lines.

Oh, and there's Meat on A Stick.

It was Halloween, so Cookie Monster, the Blue Man Group, the Teletubbies (two sets), and Pinhead from Hellraiser were all in attendance.  Most amusingly, Jesus was there, and he was not amused with bad play from the Hawkeyes.

Indiana hasn't been good for about a decade.  Iowa on the other hand is off to their best start in school history, have a real look at their first undefeated season, and are currently rankled fourth in the nation.  Their modus operandi this year, however seems to be "trail all game, and make a dramatic finish at the end" (not an idea I'd recommend).  The defense is pretty amazing and are a "bend don't break" team that keeps the Hawks in every game.  Quarterback Ricky Stanzi is the ultimate second half qb- a Tony Romo character that at times looks like he should be benched, then at the last minute, makes an unbelievable game-winning play.

Here, college football is king.  The Cubs rule the summer,  Sundays are ruled by the Vikes, Packers, and Chiefs, but everyone comes together for Saturdays in Fall.  With this not-so-expected amazing season, Iowa fan is pumped.  We were lucky enough to get four rows away from the goal line.  I suspect we are in this picture, but everyone in black and gold look the same.

Kinnick Stadium is mostly enclosed and we got loud.  Iowa won 42-24, however, for much of the game, things went bleak.

In fact, Iowa lost the turnover battle 6-3, but still went ahead to beat the spread.  In fact, it looked like Indiana was going to put the nail in the coffin in the third quarter leading 21-7 and the ball on their two yard line.  Nearby fans were talking about leaving.  Then, Iowa recovered the ball on a crazy play and ran it 98 yards the other way.

From there, the momentum shifted, and Iowa won prety handily when it was said and done.

This one was a wild one, and will probably be in fans' minds for awhile.  A fun Saturday.  Albeit a cold one, 43 degrees was the gametime weather.  Even the cheerleaders had their thermal underwear on.