Hlas: Critical Saturday and season for Iowa, ISU

Pretend it's a year ago today and I'm telling you this:

Iowa and Iowa State will have their 2015 football season-openers at home on the same day. The Cyclones will have a larger crowd for Northern Iowa than the Hawkeyes will have for Illinois State.

You would, of course, have called me something far less charitable than 'Hlastradamus.” Or you'd have somehow bought that premise and said 'Iowa State must be on its way to a good 2014 season. And Iowa must be about to fall down a rabbit hole.”

Iowa State has sold all 61,500 tickets for its game Saturday night against UNI. As of Thursday afternoon, Iowa had moved 57,598 for its Saturday morning game with the Redbirds. Which, unless there is really strong walk-up sales, will be the first time Iowa had a home crowd of under 60,000 since 54,471 came for the Buffalo-Iowa game in 2003.

Which of our state schools' teams went to a bowl last season, and which went 2-10?

But 7-6 was considered a bust by Hawkeye people, and induced 16 percent of Iowa's 2014 season ticket-buying population to say farewell. As Iowa men's basketball learned the hard way after declining under Steve Alford and falling under Todd Lickliter, it takes a long time and proof of being vital again to get everyone back in the fold.

A win today followed by one at Iowa State next Saturday will get some folks enthused about attending the Pittsburgh-Iowa game on the night of Sept. 19. But noticeable splotches of empty seats will probably be visible all year unless the Hawkeyes keep winning.

Yet, how do you explain Iowa State filling Jack Trice Stadium tonight on the heels of a 2-10 season that ended with a 55-3 thrashing at TCU?

OK, the Cyclones have cheaper ticket-prices for season tickets than Iowa. Plus, the UNI game is part of 3-game mini-packs that went for $99 and $125, and include a ticket to the Iowa game and another to a game of the buyer's choice.

But they are still bodies in the seats, spending money in Ames and feeling connected to ISU.

Another key reason is this will be the first game in which its stadium shows off what it called the 'End Zone Project.” A $50 million renovation has changed the way Trice looks and feels in a very positive way.

Still ... Paul Rhoads' program was 0-9 in the Big 12 last season and is 14-38 in league play over his six years. Why have football ticket sales not cratered? Taylor Swift, Kenny Chesney and One Direction aren't doing pregame concerts, are they?

Part of it certainly is ISU's athletic administrators and coaches relentlessly building and maintaining relationships with fans. And stadium renovations are sure helping, for now.

'Our department has worked tirelessly in the last 10 years to improve the game-day experience and make a visit to Jack Trice Stadium something memorable,” ISU senior associate athletic director Steve Malchow told me this week.

'There's no doubt that Cyclone fans are enthused to see and experience the stadium with the south end zone enclosed. That construction has transformed the venue in ways beyond our imagination and people are excited to see it on a game day.”

It's something its neighbors to the east have noticed. Iowa recently got approval from the state's Board of Regents for a potential $150 million project that includes up to $45 million dedicated to upgrading Kinnick's north end zone. Improvements will come to restrooms, concourses, and concession areas.

But right here, right now, the amenities Iowa fans are most concerned with are victories.

Iowa needs wins this fall. So does Iowa State. Iowa needs a win Saturday. So does Iowa State.