Peterson: Here’s hoping that somehow, Cy-Hawk game survives the greedy realignment blitz

ARLINGTON, Texas — I stopped to do a double-take before leaving Big 12 Media Days Thursday afternoon. One more look at where the customary 10 coaches and dozens of players did their question-and-answer things, I felt, was appropriate. A last look at where next season, this event will swell to 14 teams.

At least.

Probably.

BYU, Cincinnati, Houston and UCF will play Big 12 football in 2023. That brings the number to 14, unless Texas and Oklahoma pay up and leave early for the SEC, which they should. Then it’d be 12, unless ...

Don’t go there. That will entail getting worked up about something you can’t control, this power grab of football programs

Even if the conference poaches Arizona, Arizona State, Utah and Colorado from the Pac-12, details won’t be finalized for a while. So, be patient. It'd be surprising if that many dominos fell that swiftly — if that much talked-about scenario even happens.

More: A younger, hipper and cooler Big 12 Conference brand could be heading our way

Matt Campbell predictably said he didn’t have anything to say on that topic. Don’t read anything into that. Anything he said would have been pure speculation. Sure, he’s curious about Iowa State’s potential future opponents. He’s also wise enough to know not to put too much brainpower into it right now. He’s got starters to replace, new players to instruct, and a season that starts Sept. 3 against Southeast Missouri at Jack Trice Stadium to prepare for.

Iowa State’s seventh-season coach did talk about the Cy-Hawk game, though. This year's game will be at Kinnick Stadium in Iowa City on Sept. 10. Will that traditional rivalry be among the annual non-conference games nationally that go bye-bye when conferences continue succumbing to financial greed?

“Man, great question,” he said. “I wish I had the power to answer that question, other than the fact I would just say for us, in our state, we're really fortunate. There are no pro sports teams. To have two Power Five conferences right now with programs playing, and to be able to compete against one another — I think it's really special for our entire state.

More: Peterson: Does Iowa State football have low expectations in 2022? Not if you ask them.

“I know that's meant a lot to the state of Iowa. It certainly means a lot to our alumni bases and our universities. So, for us, we're really grateful that that's continued, and certainly has the opportunity to continue moving forward.”

The game’s contract is signed through 2025, but of course, everyone knows contracts can be broken. Let’s hope when realignment dust settles, that somehow, some way, Cy vs. Hawk still shows up on the schedule.

“I know just as an outsider coming in, you certainly know how special the rivalry is, and the opportunity to play an in-state rival is,” said Campbell, who came to the Cyclones from a successful coaching stint at Toledo. “It’s been great for the state, the fan bases and the alumni, so you certainly hope it continues.

“Those are decisions that come from our leadership, our presidents and our athletic directors.”

Realignment overwhelmingly was a hot topic. Will the Big 12 expand? Will it be by four, or even six schools? When will Oklahoma and Texas leave, and by the way, just what are their administrators doing in Big 12 meetings?

Taking notes? That's what  Oklahoma State coach Mike Gundy wondered.

“It's interesting," Gundy told reporters after his podium session. "We go to conference meetings, and OU and Texas are in there. They're still in the conference. I'm guessing when they leave, they're scratching down things that can help them when they're in the SEC.

“So, it’s an unusual situation. I think there's a business side of it that nowadays people say, 'It is what it is.' Which 10 years ago, they might not even let them in meetings.

"The new commissioner, I mean, honestly, if I was him, I wouldn't let OU and Texas in any meetings.”

The only thing missing was Gundy actually flashing “Horns Down.” That would have been a hoot — and likely a penalty.

Again, that gesture will be watched by eagle-eyed officials, who aren’t shy in throwing flags for “taunting.”

That was more than evident at last season’s Iowa State-Oklahoma State game, when receiver Xavier Hutchinson was flagged during the Cyclones’ 24-21 win at Jack Trice Stadium.

He looked over his shoulder to see if any defenders were within reach on the 54-yard passing play from Brock Purdy. Seeing none, he jogged the final three or so yards into the end zone.

Penalty. Unsportsmanlike conduct.

Geez.

“Let me be very clear with Horns Down," Greg Burks, the Big 12’s director of officiating, said. "I have no ownership on this symbol. This symbol is the same as all other signals. It's when you do it, who you do it to, and which manner you do it."

Translated? It’ll continue being a penalty when opposing players show Horns Down in the face of a Longhorn.

More: Peterson: New Big 12 commissioner Brett Yormark touts bold vision. He'll need it.

When will that no longer become a Big 12 Media Days talking point?

That’s the great unknown. What we know, though, is that the next Big 12 Media Days likely will span three or four days, not two like has been the case with 10 teams. The SEC, which has 14 teams, has its four-day Media Days next week, for example.

Will someone bring up Horns Down there in 2023, or will it continue to be a talker at the Big 12?

Stay tuned.

Iowa State columnist Randy Peterson embarked on his 50th year of writing sports for the Des Moines Register in December 2021. Reach him at rpeterson@dmreg.com, 515-284-8132, and on Twitter at @RandyPete.

This article originally appeared on Des Moines Register: Let's hope Iowa vs ISU football game survives conference realignment power grab