Rhoads: Iowa-ISU not a grudge game

Iowa State football coach Paul Rhoads has a kinder, more-genteel view of the annual Iowa-Iowa State game than many.

On the Big 12 football teleconference Monday morning, Rhoads said this:

"I don't think there are any grudges that move forward from this game. I would get away from 'heated' and say 'intense.' Both sides of the line want to win the football game, but there's not a lot of fights breaking out about this one. People are sharing tailgates together, then rooting hard and aggressively for their team. Then everybody moves on.

"I get more comments when I'm out in the state or just out publicly where people say 'Coach, we root for you every game but one.' Who's got a problem with that? You would expect them to be loyal to their team and root for them.

"But the people in the state after that are rooting for the other side to win their games."

I seldom post an Iowa State-related Tweet without someone responding with a insult to the Cyclones. And I hear the same things from the ISU side about the Hawkeyes. I think and hope that's the nature of my job and people. Those with axes to grind speak loudly and often. Those with a little more perspective do just what Rhoads said, and move on.

It's like with radio call-in shows. The vast majority of people listen, and listen only. A small portion call in to vent. A smaller portion call over and over. They don't represent the masses.

It's always a little surprising to me each year when I roam the parking lots before an Iowa-ISU game and see just what Rhoads described. All sorts of fans from both teams do tailgate together, do act like friends. What, this isn't a blood feud?

Rhoads and Iowa's Kirk Ferentz don't say anything to stoke the flames of those whose flames are easily stoked. Good for both of them.