Students Will Win Free Steak Dinners If NKU Upsets Kentucky in NCAA Tournament

As if Northern Kentucky University students didn't have enough reason to hope the 15-seed Norse could upset the No. 2 Kentucky Wildcats, a local restaurant owner is upping the stakes.

Err...steaks.

According to WLWT, Jeff Ruby—the owner of popular steak houses in Cincinnati and Kentucky, among other places—has promised steak dinners for every Northern Kentucky undergrad student if the Norse (24-10) can pull off one of the biggest upsets in NCAA tournament history.

Obviously, a promotion like this will be costly if Ruby has to pay up. There are over 15,000 NKU students, putting the potential bill estimate over $1 million. 

"Yes, this could get very expensive," Ruby said, per WLWT. "But it’s important to me to show support to our hometown organizations. NKU is a real asset to the community as they continue to produce extraordinary talented leaders for our region and beyond."

Of course, the chances of Ruby actually having to make good are slim. After all, only eight No. 15 seeds have upset a 2-seed in the 31 tournaments since the field expanded to 64 teams back in 1985. Regardless of the outcome of the first-round matchup, this promotion will give Jeff Ruby's Steakhouse some incredible attention and create buzz around campus.

This is Northern Kentucky's first trip to the Big Dance, and given that a traditional power lies ahead, the Norse have a daunting task at hand. But if they can pull it off, they can make the students happy for multiple reasons.