Sign of the Times?

As promised, here is a look at the billboard Iowa State will put up next month on Interstate 380 between Cedar Rapids and Iowa City, which happens to be in the heart of Iowa Hawkeye country. Iowa is often called "the Hawkeye State," but with the Cyclones still gloating over their 23-3 victory over the Hawkeyes last fall in Ames, ISU athletic director Jamie Pollard decided to get in one last jab before this year's game, scheduled for Sept. 16 in Iowa City. Hy-Vee is an area grocery chain and Cyclone players are pictured carrying off the Cy-Hawk trophy, which goes to the winner of the annual game. The Des Moines Register reports that the new contract Iowa awarded Kirk Ferentz puts the coach at No. 3 on the salary list of college coaches. Ferentz, whose salary will be $2.7 annually, ranks behind only Crewcut Charlie Weis ($3.3 million) of Notre Dame and Pete Carroll ($3 million) of USC. Iowa State counterpart Dan McCarney was paid $978,225 in fiscal 2005. Mike McCarthy, who was hired earlier this year by the Green Bay Packers of the NFL, reportedly earns $2 million a year. One columnist has an idea how Ferentz can give back to the university.