Which would be bigger for the program?

[achrist70]

This is a question that I have been pondering for a few days.

Which would have a better influence on the program beating Iowa or winning a National Championship?

I am not trying to get the cart in front of horse but just trying to get some opinions.

[JayJ79]

Re: Which would be bigger for the program?

the championship would be better for the program overall.

but sadly, beating Iowa would probably garner more press buzz (at least in-state) than winning an NC would.

but I say that UNI should just do both. Beat the Hawks AND win in Chatty. Just to be safe. ;op

[Mudrafan]

Re: Which would be bigger for the program?

I'd settle for people to realize we are a Division I football program. This includes all Panther fans.

[DomeRanger Posse]

Re: Which would be bigger for the program?

I think beating Iowa would have the greater impact on in-state recruiting for the program, but the national championship would bring national recognition and recruiting opportunities as well. Two sides of the same coin, imho.

[Newsbreaker]

Re: Which would be bigger for the program?

I'd settle for people to realize we are a Division I football program. This includes all Panther fans.

Are there a lot of panther fans who don't understand this.

The NC is the answer.

[UNIFanSince1983]

Re: Which would be bigger for the program?

In the grand scheme of things beating Iowa would actually be bigger for the program. Winning a National Championship would probably mean more for us the true UNI fans. To all those middle of the road fans they could care less about a National Championship. Because they are all Iowa or Iowa State fans first and they would just say "Yeah you won the Championship, but it was D2."

Personally I would just love to see both, and think both have great upsides. I just personally think to get more publicity we need to beat Iowa especially this year when they will be a Ranked FBS team.

I want the National Championship more than anything though. So we could lose to Iowa by 50 this year, and if we end up winning in Chatty I wouldn't even care!!

[SteinPizza]

Re: Which would be bigger for the program?

In the grand scheme of things beating Iowa would actually be bigger for the program.

No, it wouldn't. You people need to get over your Iowa envy. Winning the NC is what the FCS is designed for. '83, I know you said something similar in the last sentence of your thread, so this is meant more for the "little brother" types out there in PN.

[Newsbreaker]

Re: Which would be bigger for the program?

The short-term benefit would be higher by beating Iowa. We would become a short-lived, but big name story.

Long-term, bringing recruits into the Dome, showing them all the Conference Titles, and then a National Championship banner, and explaining this is a place you can win such a title, would be more important.

[Panthers to the Bone]

Re: Which would be bigger for the program?

Yes, but would the banner fall to the ground when it was unveiled?

[Newsbreaker]

Re: Which would be bigger for the program?

Yes, but would the banner fall to the ground when it was unveiled?

Only if we were about to get embarrassed by a far inferior team.

That was certainly one of those "should have stayed in bed" kind of days.

[run&blade]

Re: Which would be bigger for the program?

I am a huge UNI Panther fan and I could care less about the Iowa game. Cash the check and lets get the National Title.

[Mudrafan]

Re: Which would be bigger for the program?

Most college football fans do not identify App State with winning FCS titles. They do recall them being the cinderalla to dance mighty Michigan in the Big House off the dance floor, however. There are several angles to look at this. In terms of respect in the state, there is no doubt that beating Iowa would do more. Within FCS circles, it would be the national title as those knowledgable know that FCS beating FBS teams is not the upset it is made out to be. In terms of the UNI fanbase, that's a coin flip. Weighing all of this, I think the Iowa win would do more for the program itself. Iowa still has strong drawing power by offering grayshirts, preferred walk ons or late rides that pulls players from UNI. See Brandon Myers, Adam Robinson, Travis Meade, et al. When UNI wins more of these battles, we will have earned the respect that we quite frankly deserve.....now. UNI has proven itself over & over & over as an FCS powerhouse for many years. Going back to the mid 80's for you younger Panther fans. Darrell Mudra took what Stan Sheriff started & built a power back then. It has only continued, but for a season or two of blips, it has been a IAA/FCS power annually

[CR Panther]

Re: Which would be bigger for the program?

You don't paint "we beat Iowa" on the purple wall in the Dome. There is a reason these games are in the first part of the schedule....they are secondary to the main reason UNI plays football....to win a national championship.

In 2005 the Iowa congress recognized UNI on the floor. The newspapers were covered in purple for a week. Will any of this occur when we beat Iowa in a month? Nope. That is far less important to me than winning a national championship.

I don't see beating iowa any more earth shattering than beating ISU.

[TravelingPanther]

Re: Which would be bigger for the program?

I don't see beating iowa any more earth shattering than beating ISU.

You couldn't be more wrong. WAYYYYYYY bigger deal. Seriously.

[Mudrafan]

Re: Which would be bigger for the program?

what Rob said. It's not even close. We beat the clowns w/ regularity. Iowa is a far better & more storied program than the clowns will ever be. Like I said, for UNI fans, it is an FCS title. For the real respect & growth of the program, a win over mighty Iowa is the pinnacle.