Republican vice presidential candidate Paul Ryan no doubt understands how sensitive people can be to talk of politics. At a campaign stop Iowa on Saturday, he learned the same is true of football.

Ryan was addressing a crowd of more than 500 in the parking lot of an outdoor outfitter store in Council Bluffs, just across the Missouri River from Omaha, when he spotted several people sporting Nebraska football shirts and hats.

He congratulated the Cornhuskers on the team's 29-28 win over Northwestern the day before, drawing some cheers.

But he then said, "Iowa State's having a great year, and the Cornhuskers are -- are great, too."

The awkward pause elicited nervous laughter from the crowd.

Nebraska is 5-and-2 this season.