Nebraska Loves Football More Than Iowa

Some random thoughts I have concerning spring practice:

• Nebraska loves football more than Iowa
• Okay this might be a bit harsh, but if you don't believe me check out the online versions of the Omaha World Herald, the Lincoln Journal Star and Hawk Central.  The latter is combination of the Des Moines Register and the Iowa City Press Citizen.
• You will find the spring story count way out of proportion in favor of Nebraska.  Well over 30 stories online by the Nebraska papers and less than half of that from the Iowa papers.  (However the Register is now your official online source for inforamtion about Rhabdo, my God how many stories can they do?)

People wonder why Nebraska fans are so "fanatical", it's because the media (print/electronic/online) feeds the beast 365 days a year. 

I don't see that for that Hawks.   Jon Miller does a great job with Hawkeye Nation but the Register and TV stations fall short of delivering on a daily basis.

Here's why;  Nebrasaka grants access, Iowa cuts it off.   For years media members  in the Cornhusker state have been allowed to cover practice on a daily basis.  A coach (head or assistant) usually talks after practice as well as players.  This is standard protocol during the regular season as well.  The Univeristy sends out daily practice reports and posts them on the athletic website.   Why do this?  It builds enthusiasm in a small populated state.  It builds expectations of a fan base and keeps them informed.   Simply put it's a better way to control information and prevent "rumors" from catching fire.

Iowa is more like Fort Knox.  The free flow of information is harder to come by.   Media/press are not welcome at practice on a daily basis and during the season, if you don't show up on Tuesday for the interview cattle call you are screwed until game day.

So it's easy to understand why the Iowa press struggles to put out more stories about the Hawks, they just don't have the access.  The lack of "openness" and transparancy are another reason "rumors" get started and in my time of covering Iowa sports there's been a lot of "rumors" and very little fact (or at least until its too late)

I do believe Iowa fans want more and would welcome it.  That's where HuskerHawkeye.com comes in.  When the "full" website lauches in May it promises to be filled with information on a daily basis for both teams.  Original content as well content from other sources.  HuskerHawkeye.com will have free message boards and more ways to interact with writers, former players and even handicappers.

Spring is just the beginning of what promises to be a great year in the Big 10!