My, my, how the tables have turned.

Just three weeks ago, some ISU fans were jumping ship on the football team, frustrated with the team’s two heartbreaking overtime losses, as well as giving the Baylor Bears their first ever Big 12 win on the road.

Everyone was frustrated, after all, having selected the Bears as the red-headed step child, I ended up eating some very sour crow.

Then, things changed.

A couple of blowout wins against Oklahoma State and Texas A&M, and Cyclone fans switched stances faster than John Kerry.

As the (rebuilding) Cyclone nation tries to “Pack the Jack” for the next few weeks, rather than give the halftime beer-drinking fans any more grief, I decided to salute the die-hards.

Die-hard, n. 1. one who stands by the team through it all. 2. A trilogy with Bruce Willis.

3. Iowa State Cyclone fans.

4. It’s the people who …

– Camped outside of Jack Trice the night before the Iowa game, even though they could have been ninth in line if they arrived at 10 a.m. the morning of the game.

– Were behind me in line on Sept. 10 who had made their own ISU capes, shoes, shirts and hats. They painted their faces, and they ran up the hill to get into the stadium.

– Hold season tickets and year after year renew their orders to keep supporting the Cyclones.

– Go to Applebee’s on Monday nights just to see Dan McCarney broadcast his weekly radio show.

– Travel to away games week after week, win or lose.

– Drag their 3-year-old to games in 30 degree weather.

– Have not called for McCarney’s job.

– Are members of the ISUCF’V’MB – if you know what this is, you’re DEFINITELY a die-hard.

– Have Iowa State listed on their ESPN.com sidebar.

– Cheer for the New England Patriots because that’s where Ellis Hobbs went.

– Get a satellite dish just so they can see Cyclone games.

– “Pack the Jack” week after week.

I salute you, die-hards, and your efforts in supporting Cyclone sports. Now, it’s your job to bring an even better legacy to Cyclone football. While you’re sitting outside tailgating five hours before spectators are allowed inside Jack Trice, raise your glass and toast to all of the other fans, just like you, yet unique in their own way.

::Raises glass::

“Here’s to all the die-hard fans,

who flock to Ames and pack the stands.

We’re having fun, we are the best, so go, ‘Clones go and screw the rest!”

Yeah, maybe it sounds a little more like a limerick than a toast, but still, I think it gets the job done.

So well done, all of you face-painting, finger-waving, sign-toting, Cyclone-cheering, Hawkeye-booing, Cyclone Nation fans. Keep it up.

The rest have a thing or two to learn.

– Pat Brown is a junior in pre-journalism and mass communication from Naperville, Ill. He is assistant sports editor for the Daily.