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Questions and Answers

Q&A: Des Moines Register’s Randy Peterson

By Paul Myerberg   //   Jun 9, 2010

As I spoke of last week, the projected conference realignment linking the southern teams in the Big 12 with the Pac-10 might leave the lower-profile teams in the Big 12 facing the possibility of losing their B.C.S. conference affiliation.

One such program is Iowa State, a program very fearful of its future should the conference disband. What is the university feeling as realignment talk reaches a fever pitch? What could the future hold for the Cyclones? To address these questions and more, I reached out to Randy Peterson, who covers I.S.U. sports for The Des Moines Register. I have questions, he has answers.

Iowa State’s Stance

Paul What can Iowa State be feeling right now? Is it anger — “these guys are ditching us for the Pac-10.” Fear — “where do we go from here?” Annoyance at the posturing of the Texas schools? Do you sense a feeling of frustration from a university and athletic department that has its hands tied in this whole realignment scenario?

Randy Iowa State president Gregory Geoffroy and athletic director Jamie Pollard issued a joint letter, saying they are concerned about their future in the Big 12, while hoping the Big 12 stays intact. Iowa State officials are not doing a lot of talking “on the record” these days, which leads me to believe they’re edgy about where the Cyclone domino will fall.

Iowa State and the Big 10

Paul What could Iowa State offer say, the Big Ten, if that conference looks to expand even further? Should fans hold out any hope of landing a spot in another B.C.S. conference should the Big 12 disband?

Randy Iowa State offers the Big Ten nothing in terms of television viewers, and that’s one of the most important aspects of this whole realignment talk. Translated: When it comes to potential money, Iowa State clearly has more to gain by joining the Big Ten than the Big Ten has to gain by adding Iowa State.

In the Best-Case

Paul What’s a best-case scenario? I’d have to think it’s the Big 12 standing pat. If that does occur, would I.S.U. want to have a commitment — a contract, perhaps — from the South division teams that this won’t happen again?

Randy Iowa State’s best-case scenario is for the Big 12 Conference to remain as is. Give Texas what it wants; Iowa State has trouble competing against the ‘Horns in most sports, anyway.

In the Worst-Case

Paul What about a worst-case scenario? Would joining the Mountain West, particularly if that conference adds Boise State, giving it four perennial Top 25 programs, really be a bad thing for I.S.U.?

Randy Iowa State’s worst case would be joining a conference that does NOT get an automatic B.C.S. qualifier. Iowa State’s proposed athletic budget for fiscal year 2011 is $41.6 million, of which $9.8 is projected to come from conference and N.C.A.A. revenue. If Iowa State joins a lesser conferece, that figure drops significantly. Iowa State’s fiscal year 2011 budget also includes projected $11.6 million in ticket sales. That, I believe, would drop significantly, too, if relegated to a lesser conference.

Nebraska’s Importance

Paul Kansas reached out to Nebraska in an effort to convince the University to rebuff the advances of the Big Ten, believing Nebraska the key to the Big 12′s future. Do you agree with this? Could Nebraska’s flirtation (and Missouri’s) with that conference really be what caused Texas et al. to pursue a relationship with the Pac-10? If Nebraska stays, do the South division programs do the same?

Randy My belief is that if Nebraska stays, Texas stays. There is a Big 12 status quo — unless Colorado bolts for the Pac 10.

Iowa State in 2010

Paul It’s not all doom and gloom in Ames. Paul Rhoads had a wonderful debut season with the Cyclones, landing seven wins and a bowl berth one year after Gene Chizik’s ugly departure. A lot of things went right last fall. Beyond taking the ball away from the Cornhuskers eight more times, what needs to go right for I.S.U. to return to bowl play in 2010?

Randy Iowa State plays one of the toughest schedules in the nation, if not THE toughest. The Cyclones play at Oklahoma and at Texas on successive Saturdays. That’s mind-boggling for even a traditional power program. Iowa State also plays its annual game against Iowa, and also hosts Utah. Translated: Iowa State needs every break to fall its way.

Program Prestige Hit?

Paul It’s unfortunate that this realignment talk has arrived just as Iowa State seems poised for a solid run. Do you worry about the long-term health of the football program if it does not remain in a B.C.S. conference?

Randy I think fans should be concerned any time a football program goes from a B.C.S. conference to a non-B.C.S. conference. The prestige of the programs takes a drastic hit.

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