Vandals/Bengals-
Over the last few years I've bagged on Southeast Idaho for its lack of support for ISU. Those attacks were once fiery denouncements of the region in general, and Pocatello specifically. Over time, to about the 08-09 season, I calmed down. Took up rugby. Got accepted into my program of study. I still had some feelings about Pocatello and its hopping on the BSU Bus, but came to accept that the population in general was one mountain this diehard could not move. Instead, I realized that despite all the shit we've dealt with over the years: the poor play, the poorer morale, the waves of (funnily enough) anger and apathy...despite all that's happened to ISU in what many consider the darkest years since the late 90's, there has always been that core of diehard and loyal Bengal fans, people who's considerable heart they put into ISU by is far greater than I could ever conceive of doing, people who have been diehards and Orangebloods since I was but a newborn in Ohio. That core of diehards, numbering a healthy 6,000 or so every football game even during the Zamberlin Era's darkest periods, forms the nucleus of ISU Pride. And they shall always be there, in times of greatness when Holt Arena once again knows the sounds of 12,000, and in times of dire need, when Holt is near empty and you have to whisper to carry on conversations.
It's fine to get at Pocatello and prod it to support ISU more, but as I've learned over the years, that loyal contingent is stronger and more supportive than you would think, Vandals/Bengals. More so than Idaho at times.