Some things in life are easy. Taking Astronomy 120 in order to fill a science credit for the university is taking life easy.

Sleeping in during a rainy morning instead of going to an 8 o’clock class is an easy decision.

And being a Nebraska Cornhusker fan is really being a slacker in the world of college sports.

To be an Iowa State Cyclone fan takes dedication, determination and die-hard commitment to a football team.

I realized this two summers ago when I spent a summer living in Nebraska’s capital city. In less than three months, I learned a lot about Nebraska fans and the Big Red that unites an entire state.

First of all, everything comes in red.

In Nebraska, a Cornhusker fan can buy Big Red beer (which is nothing more than beer with tomato juice poured in it), red hot dog buns for the pregame barbecue and bright red women’s underwear with angel -white “Go Big Red” printed on the butt.

I learned about the fans who would decorate whole rooms in their homes with nothing but Nebraska memorabilia. One girl (I prefer to refer to her as a psycho Husker fan) would brag about her parents’ den, which was dedicated to the University of Nebraska’s football team.

There was a cabinet filled with videotapes of Nebraska victories in various bowl games. Don’t worry, they do re-watch the games. Nebraska fans never get tired of viewing their team’s bowl victories even though they know the outcome of the game.

The sofa was covered with “Go Big Red” blankets and pillows. On the walls were framed posters featuring former head coach Tom Osborne (who is second only to God) and Memorial Stadium crammed with the sea of red fans.

And the focus of the room was the bright red carpet with a white “N” in the center.

How many Iowa State fans have a Cyclone stamped on the center of their carpet?

Is ISU carpet even available?

Of course not. Cyclone fans don’t get any respect.

Nebraskans have such an easy time being a fan. Their sports are basically shoved down everyone’s throat every time he or she turns around.

It takes true dedication to be a Cyclone fan. Cyclone fans have to search high and low to have shot glasses, blankets and posters dedicated to their football program. I’m still looking for matching Cy salt and pepper shakers or a special edition Monopoly game with Broadway replaced with Lincoln Way. (The Cornhuskers have both.)

Plus, Nebraska fans who may not have the opportunity to attend the game can watch just about any game on TV no matter where they live. I’m sure Husker fans can watch their football team run over Oklahoma State in far-away places like Alaska. The Huskers’ marketing managers are probably working on an international television broadcasting deal, while the Cyclone fans in northeast Iowa can’t even watch a game all season. Except, of course, when they’re playing Nebraska.

Cyclone fans are dedicated enough to listen to the game on the static of their radio. They don’t need to see their football team miss field goals and throw the football to anyone but a player in cardinal and gold.

Nebraska fans always know the score of the Huskers’ latest game. They can recall scores from games from past seasons.

Saturday afternoon, I had to ask about 50 people until I found someone who knew the score of the Kansas State game.

To be a Cyclone fan, a person needs to have a good memory. It takes energy to remember the last time Iowa State beat a winning team.

And on the note of constant winning, don’t Nebraska fans ever get bored with their team? It’s just win after win. Victory after endless victory.

Why even tune in to the game when you know what the outcome is going to be?

A Cyclone fan never feels the boredom a Husker fan does. When watching or attending an Iowa State game, the fan knows this game is another adventure. The whole game could be amazing play after play or it could be Saturday’s game against Kansas State. Or the Texas A&M game. Never a moment of boredom.

Nebraska fans may mock the Cyclone record and lack bowl game victories.

But at least Iowa State fans know they are true fans of college football.

Michelle Kann is a senior in journalism and mass communication from Garnavillo. She is the newsroom managing editor of the Daily.