On the scene at ESPN’s College GameDay

INDIANAPOLIS - On a chilly morning in downtown Indianapolis, thousands of Iowa football fans swarmed the Pan Am Plaza to cheer, boo and chant nearly a half-day before the Hawkeyes face Michigan State for the Big Ten championship.

ESPN's 'College GameDay” aired live for three hours, and Iowa fans dominated the crowd. There were signs aplenty for both schools, but most were from Hawkeyes fans. When Iowa Coach Kirk Ferentz gave an early interview to ESPN's Tom Rinaldi, the lack of sound was deafening. Among the loudest ovations late in the show was for guest picker Dallas Clark, a longtime Indianapolis Colts tight end and the 2002 Mackey Award winner for Iowa, who was clad in black and gold.

Perhaps the most entertaining moment came during the first commercial break when 'Jump Around” blared from the speakers. The anthem famously played before the fourth quarter at Camp Randall Stadium - home of the Wisconsin Badgers - aired to virtual silence with both Iowa and Michigan State fans in attendance.

Many Iowa fans traveled to Indianapolis in advance, including Manchester natives Ryan King and Ryan Gaffney, along with four of their buddies. They crowded in the cheapest hotel south of Indianapolis they coud find to save money and scalp game tickets.

Maria Slavens, her husband John and their son, Luke, flew from their home in Chanhassen, Minn., to Indianapolis on Friday. John's family has had seasons tickets since 1956. Maria Slavens held up a double-sided sign during the show. On one side it made fun of FS1 radio commentator and Iowa antagonist Colin Cowherd. On the other it showed a scene from the movie 'Field of Dreams.” It read, 'Is this Heaven? No, it's Iowa. And just as perfect! 12-0.”

On site there were multiple pictures of rapper Snoop Dogg wearing an Iowa sweatshirt, and four fans dressed up as former Iowa Coach Hayden Fry complete with the old hats, mustaches, black pullovers and sunglasses. When Ohio State was discussed for the playoff, the booing was universal. An Indiana fan held up a sign that read 'I'm just here for the party. Go Hoosiers!”

There was little trash talk among the fans, although when a woman wearing a white Michigan State jacket asked 'Where are all the Spartans?” an Iowa fan replied, 'No Spartys today.”

The signs were plentiful with clever sayings. Here's a sampling of the best (from both sides):

'Kirk Ferentz and the Deadly Hawkeyes” - Ferentz dressed as Harry Potter with the lettering in Potter font

'Mark Dantonio is a Bron-i” - a dig at the 'My Little Ponies”

'Jordan ‘Canzmarry' my sister”

'Cowherd Hates Santa”

'Connor Cook Wears Yoga Pants”

'Quality Losses: Iowa 0, Nebraska 7”

'Iowa's Corn Sucks”

'Let's Cook the Hawks”

'Hawkeye is the worst Avenger”

By the end, there was black and gold confetti everywhere. Analysts Desmond Howard (Iowa) and Kirk Herbstreit (Michigan State) split their picks. Venerable former coach and longtime GameDay staple Lee Corso admitted he had his worst season projecting games with a 3-10 record. Then he promptly picked up the Michigan State headgear and said 'This is Sparta.”

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