Forty-five thousand fans witnessed the crushing 41-7 Iowa State defeat at the hands of the Nebraska Cornhuskers on Saturday.

Unfortunately for the Cyclones, almost 20,000 of those fans were cheering against them. At home —in their own stadium — almost 200 miles from Lincoln.

As frustrating as this has to be to players and coaches, at least it’s tempered by the fact that this is not exactly a new thing.

It happens every two years on Nebraska weekend.

Of the 20,000 boisterous fans cheering for the Cornhuskers, around 10,000 had made the journey from the heart of Nebraska or were at least turning out to root for their alma mater.

They graduated from Nebraska, or they live in Nebraska, or they have some earthly tie to Nebraska or their athletic program.

The remaining 10,000 Husker faithful were, in all likelihood, from Des Moines, or perhaps Ames, or even from Iowa State University.

These are the fans who can teach us what college football is all about. These are the fans who can teach us what athletics, in general, are all about. These are the fans who embody loyalty, spirit and dedication.

They have no connection to their team. They have no tie to the state or the university. They have absolutely no reason, outside of an impressive winning record, to cheer for the team they do.

Imagine, if you can, how difficult life is for these people.

They live a long way from their beloved state and team. In fact, most have never seen the cornfields of Nebraska or the astroturf of Memorial Stadium. Many probably couldn’t locate either on a map.

They live each day amidst the scorn and envy of rival Cyclone fans whose numbers probably equal their own.

They travel once a year to a stadium that would pose a hostile environment if it weren’t for the fact that their own cohorts nearly outnumber the home team’s faithful.

All of this to root for the lost cause of their underdog team?

Actually, all of this to cheer their rugged crew, 28-point gametime favorites, to guaranteed victory.

The truth is, life has been pretty good to those local Nebraska fans in recent years.

Their Huskers have been 95-13-1 in the ’90s, including three national titles in four seasons.

Their basketball team hasn’t performed quite as well, but they tend to side more with Roy Williams and the Jayhawks, anyway.

Success has even followed them into the professional ranks.

Despite living 2,000 miles from the Bronx, they’ve cherished the Yankees through thick and, well, thick. Then, just weeks ago, they got their second World Series in just three years.

Their Bulls, to whom they’ve clung for the better part of a decade now, won another title. With the loss of so much talent, though, most Husker fans are now welcoming the opportunity to evolve this season … into Suns or Lakers fans, perhaps.

The Broncos even rewarded their 1998 allegiance with a Super Bowl victory over the Packers, their second-favorite team.

All is actually quite well in the world of the local Husker.

Despite the horrifying possibility of a 9-3 football season, these fans don’t need your sympathy.

All they need is your acceptance of their shallow and ever-changing loyalties.

On Saturday, there were 45,000 people at Jack Trice Stadium: 25,000 are the most loyal fans in the world; 10,000 can be forgiven for their transgressions.

The final 10,000, however, are without excuse.

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Ron DeMarse is a junior in liberal studies from Muscatine.