Sweet 16 Border Battle – 8 Fun Facts For Iowa and Nebraska

Nebraskans love to joke that "IOWA" stands for "Idiots Out Wondering Around", while Iowans are quick to fire back by calling their neighbors to the west "Bug Eaters". With the Sweet Sixteen Showdown looming Thursday night, the border battle between the Hawkeyes and Huskers is reaching a fever pitch.

According to the Big 10 Network, Iowa has won 7 of the past 10 matchups. However, Nebraska has the better record and seed heading into this Thursday's battle royale.

Beyond this week's big game, these two states have been trying to one-up each other for well over a century. From secret inventions to "corn-troversies", here are 8 fun facts to settle the debate before tip-off.

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Kool-Aid - Nebraska

Edwin Perkins invented Kool-Aid in Hasings, Nebraska, in 1927. It was originally sold in glass bottles and called "Fruit Smack", but the bottles kept breaking, so Perkins went with just the powder, and the rest is history. Nebraskans loved it so much that it's now the official state drink!

Sliced Bread - Iowa

Otto Frederick Rohwedder, an Iowa-born jeweler and inventor, created the first automatic bread-slicing machine, which was put into use on July 7, 1928.

911 - Nebraska

If you ever find yourself in an emergency, you can thank a Nebraskan. While Alabama technically placed the first 911 call, the entire 911 Emergency System was actually invented and designed in Lincoln, Nebraska, by Robert Fitzgerald.

Ruben Sandwich - Nebraska 

The legendary Ruben Sandwich is widely believed to have been invented in Omaha, Nebraska, by Lithuanian-Born Reuben Kulakofsky. 

Red Delicious Apple - Iowa

An apple so good that its original name was "Hawkeye". It was originally discovered on Jesse Hiatt's Farm in Peru, Iowa, in the 1870s.

Corn and Pigs - Iowa     Cattle - Nebraska

The big 3. When it comes to corn production, Iowa comes out on top at 2.5 billion bushels per year, while Nebraska produces 1.7 billion.

As for Hog production, Iowa is by far the nation's top producer, accounting for over 35% of the U.S. inventory. But when you're talking about cattle, Nebraska is king, with over 6 million head (only trailing Texas).

As you can see, the states are neck-and-neck in terms of accomplishments. Who will come out on top in the Sweet Sixteen? Tune in Thursday night and find out.