Homecoming High School Football to Homecoming Hawkeye Football in Eastern Iowa starts now

It's Thursday, September 30Th and a great MVC match up kicks off tonight at Kingston Stadium with Iowa City High @ Cedar Rapids Washington High School in prep football. It's Homecoming for Washington and the University of Iowa this weekend.

– Iowa City High at Cedar Rapids Washington. No. 3 City High (5-0) has won 19 consecutive games. Ronald Thompson is the team’s leading rusher with 668 yards.

Ronald Thompson: City High's talented back
Washington (also 5-0) is an offensive powerhouse led by Alex
Carr (906 yards, 18 TDs rushing). Check your calendar, this is a Thursday
game. Both teams are ranked: Wash is No. 10. - The Des Moines Register

Tonight and Tomorrow in College Football

Thursday, September 30th (Central Time kickoffs)

• Hampton at Delaware State
  6:30 p.m.
  ESPNU (HD)


• Texas A&M at Oklahoma State
  6:30 p.m.
  ESPN (HD)


• DII: West Liberty at Fairmont State
  7:00 p.m.
  CBSC (HD)
  

Friday, October 1st

• BYU at Utah State
  7:00 p.m.
  ESPN (HD)

Saturday night at Kinnick Stadium, it's Homecoming for Iowa, as well, as the Big Ten opener with Penn State coming to Iowa City for a national game on ESPN at 7 p.m. More game info.

peace

Red River Rivarly Game: #7 Oklahoma vs. #18 Texas in Week 5

This should be an interesting game on Saturday in Dallas, as another Red River Rivalry game is on tap. Oklahoma (4-0) hasn't beat Texas, since '07. Texas (3-1) enters the game like '07, coming off a big home loss, after UCLA beat the Longhorns 34-12 in Austin. In '07, the Longhorns, were -14 favorites in Austin, but lost by 20 points to Kansas State. The next game was the RRR game and the Sooners prevailed by eight. Is coach Mack Brown headed to another defeat vs. coach Bob Stoops in Dallas on Saturday?

peace

Week 4 is in the Books: Big Ten Conference heads into Conference play in October

We have seen some good programs go down over the first four weeks off the 2010 College Football season. The top program in the land was able to take care of business, despite a scare on the road in Week 4. There are still some questions heading into conference play and October.

Who are for real heading into October and Week 5?

• Alabama (4-0, 2-0 SEC West) - nice 24-20 win @ Arkansas (3-1, 1-1 SEC West) in Week 4 ...


• Ohio State (4-0) - yes, they may not be ready to beat a SEC program in the BCS title game, but they are ready to make a run and will open Big Ten play on the road for the first time in Week 5 ...


• Boise State (3-0) - the Broncos just win games that they face in FBS play ...


• TCU (4-0) - will they get a chance in '10 to knock off Boise State, like they did to close '08?

Who are still overvalued as we hit October and Week 5?

• Nebraska (4-0) - The Cornhuskers have won three PPV games at home and on the road @ Washington (1-2)


• Wisconsin (4-0) - They won @ UNLV (1-3, 1-1 MWC) on the road and beat Arizona State (2-2, 0-1 Pac 10) at home


• LSU (4-0, 2-0 SEC West) - is a win over West Virginia (3-1) really enough to say the Tigers are back and for real?


• Florida (4-0, 2-0 SEC East) - What will the young QBs do against the SEC or nation's best in Week 5?

Our Week 4 Top 25 Poll for 2010

1. Alabama (4-0, 1-0 SEC West) 1 - won @ then #14 Arkansas (3-1, 1-1 SEC West) 24-20. Next: vs. #6 Florida (4-0, 2-0 SEC East) in the primetime showdown game between two top SEC teams.


2. Ohio State (4-0) 2 - beat Eastern Michigan (0-4, 0-2 MAC West) 73-20 to close out four staight OOC games in Columbus. Next: @ Illinios (2-1) to open 2010 Big Ten play.


3. Boise State (3-0) 3 - beat Oregon State (1-2) on the blue turf 37-24 win. Sorry AP voters, why were the Beavers in your Week 3 Top 25? Next: @ New Mexico State (0-3) to open 2010 WAC play.


4. TCU (4-0) 7 -the Horned Frogs take care of business with a 41-24 win @ SMU (2-2, 1-0 C-USA West) to win rivalry game, between the two former SWC foes. Next: @ Colorado State (1-3) to open 2010 MWC play.


5. Oregon (4-0, 1-0 Pac 10) 5 - the Ducks win 42-31 @ Arizona State (2-2, 0-1 Pac 10) to open 2010 Pac 10 play. Next: vs. #12 Stanford (4-0, 1-0 Pac 10) in the Pac 10 home opener for the Ducks that could determine the conference champion in '10.


6. Florida (4-0, 2-0 SEC East) 6 - the Gators win a 48-14 game vs. Kentucky (3-1, 0-1 SEC East), in a SEC mismatch. Next: @ #1 Alabama in a huge SEC conference match up.


7. Oklahoma (4-0) 8 - the Sooners like to make it close with three of four opponents, but they take care of business again, with a 31-29 win @ Cincinnati (1-3). Next: vs. #18 Texas (3-1, 1-0 Big 12 South) in the Red River Rivalry in Dallas.


8. Utah (4-0, 2-0 MWC) 11 - the Utes take down San Jose State (1-3) in a 56-3 win. Next: Bye Week in Week 5, before the Utes are @ Iowa State (2-2, 0-1 Big 12 North) in a MWC-Big 12 match up that should highly favor the non-BCS program in Week 6.


9. Nebraska (4-0) 9 - the Cornhuskers are taking care of business, but are they really a Top 10 program? Cornhuskers beat FCS opponent South Dakota State (0-3, 0-1 MVfC) 17-3 to close out OOC play. Next: Bye Week before opening Big 12 play on October 7Th @ Kansas State (4-0, 1-0 Big 12 North).


10. Wisconsin (4-0) 10 - the Badgers are a lot like the Cornhuskers... taking care of business in four OOC games, but are they really a Top 10 Program, as well? Badgers beat FCS opponent Austin Peay (2-2, 1-0 OVC) 70-13. Next: @ #22 Michigan State (4-0) in a huge Big Ten opener for both programs in Week 5.


11. LSU (4-0, 2-0 SEC West) 12 - the Tigers beat then #24 West Virginia (3-1) 20-14 to remain undefeated for coach Les Miles. Next: vs. Tennessee (2-2, 0-1 SEC East) in a good cross-SEC division match up that should go the Tigers way.


12. Stanford (4-0, 1-0 Pac 10) 20 - the Cardinal have wins @ UCLA (2-2, 0-1 Pac 10) in Week 2 and a 37-14 Week 4 win @ Notre Dame (1-3) in coach Jim Harbaugh's fourth season in Palo Alto. Next: @ #5 Oregon in a huge Pac 10 showdown.


13. Auburn (4-0, 2-0 SEC West) 18 - beat then #13 South Carolina at home 35-27 to remain undefeated. Next: vs. Louisiana-Monroe (1-2, 0-1 Sun Belt) to open October back in OOC play.


14. Miami-FL (2-1) 15 - came off Bye Week, following loss @ Ohio State in Week 2, with a solid 31-3 road win @ Pittsburgh (1-2) on Thursday night of Week 4. Next: vs. Clemson (2-1), who will be coming off their own Bye Week, after an OT loss at LSU in Week 3.


15. Arkansas (3-1, 1-1 SEC West) - the Razorbacks made it a close one, but fell short on the upset bid against #1 Alabama 20-24 at home. Next: Bye Week in Week 5, then @ Texas A&M (3-0) in Week 6


16. Arizona (4-0, 1-0 Pac 10) 16 - the Wildcats remain undefeated winning the Pac 10 opener in Tucson 10-9 over California (2-2, 0-1 Pac 10). Next: vs. Oregon State (1-2) in what is setting up as a good schedule for the Wildcats, after getting by #17 Iowa in Week 3 and Cal in Week 4.


17. Iowa (3-1) 17 - the Hawkeyes honored Evy in a 'Throwback Game' with a 45-0 win over Ball State (1-3) to head into conference play in October. Next: vs. #21 Penn State (3-1) in a prime time Big Ten opener on Homecoming in Iowa City in Week 5. Iowa DC Norm Parker has missed the past two games and is expected out, due to health reasons, for the third straight game.


18. Texas (3-1, 1-0 Big 12 East) 4 - the Longhorns drop out of the Top 10 with a disappointing 12-34 loss vs. UCLA (2-2, 0-1 Pac 10) in Austin. Next: vs. #7 Oklahoma in the Red River Rivalry game, with the Longhorns coming off first loss into RRR game, since '07. The last loss for the Longhorns vs. OU was in '07.


19. USC (4-0, 1-0 Pac 10) 19 - the Trojans continue their winning ways, despite NCAA probation in coach Lane Kiffin's first season, with a 50-16 road win @ Washington State (1-3, 0-1 Pac 10) to open conference play. Next: vs. Washington (1-2) in the conference home opener for the Trojans.


20. South Carolina (3-1, 1-1 SEC East) 13 - lost @ then #18 Auburn 27-35 to fall back in the SEC East. Next: Bye week, before hosting #1 Alabama in Week 6.


21. Penn State (3-1) 21 - the Nittany Lions broke the game open in the second half to beat Temple (3-1, 1-0 MAC East) 22-13. Next: @ #17 Iowa in the Big Ten opener, which should be one of the best games in Week 5.


22. Michigan State (4-0) 22 - Hopefully, coach Mark Dantonio will make a full recovery from a health standpoint, after suffering a mild heart attack after Week 3 win over Notre Dame. With OC Don Threadwell, the Spartans won 45-7 over FCS opponent Northern Colorado (2-2, 1-1 Big Sky). Next: vs. #10 Wisconsin in rematch of '09 Big Ten opener, but this time in East Lansing.


23. Florida State (3-1, 1-0 ACC Atlantic) 23 - the Seminoles opened conference play with a solid 31-0 win over Wake Forest (2-2, 1-1 ACC Atlantic). Next: @ Virginia (2-1), who have win over FCS opponents, in coach Mike London's first season for the Cavaliers.


24. North Carolina State (4-0, 1-0 ACC Atlantic) NR - the Wolfback open ACC play with a 45-28 road win @ defending ACC champion Georgia Tech (2-2, 1-1 ACC Coastal), as NC State pick up a win in the conference opener for the first time in four seasons under coach Tom O'Brien.


25. Michigan (4-0) 25 - the Wolverines close out OOC play with a 65-21 win over Bowling Green (1-3). Next: @ Indiana (3-0) to open Big Ten play in a rematch game that nearly cost coach Rich Rodriquez's 4-0 start in '09.

Dropped Out after Week 4: former #24 West Virginia (3-1) falls out with 14-20 loss @ then #18 Auburn.

A Look at the Conferences heading into October:

ACC Atlantic - North Carolina State and Florida State both 1-0 to lead the Division thus far. Wake Forest is 1-1. Boston College is 0-1. Maryland and Clemson open ACC play in October.

ACC Coastal - Despite the slow start in '10, both Virginia Tech and Georgia Tech lead the Division at 1-1 thus far. North Carolina and Duke are both 0-1. Miami (FL) and Virginia open ACC play in October.

Big 12 North - Kansas State remains undefeated overall and is 1-0 to lead the Division heading into October and their bye week. Iowa State is 0-1 and hosts Texas Tech in Week 5. Missouri and Nebraska are idle in Week 5 and will open Big 12 play in Week 6. Colorado will open Big 12 play in Week 5 @ Baylor.

Big 12 South - Texas is 1-0 heading into October to lead the Big 12 South for now. Texas Tech is 0-1 and travels to Iowa State in Week 5. The Red River Rivalry game has determined the Big 12 South winner forever. OU opens Big 12 for the first time, in the RRR game, since '06 season. Texas A&M is @ Oklahoma State on Thursday night to open Big 12 play and close out September play. Baylor hosts CU to open Big 12 play.

Big East - No Top 25 programs currently, with Pitt (1-2), Cincinnati (1-3) and West Virginia (3-1) all falling out of the Top 25, so far in '10. OOC play continues through Week 5.

Big Ten - Conference play opens up in Week 5, the first weekend of October with some outstanding match ups. OSU @ Illinois, PSU @ Iowa, UW @ MSU, Michigan @ IU, NW @ Minnesota. Purdue is idle Week 5 and will open Big Ten play on Oct. 9Th @ NW.

C-USA East - East Carolina is 2-0 to lead the Division. UAB is 0-1 and Memphis is 0-2. UCF and Marshall will open C-USA play in October.

C-USA West - Houston is 2-0, while SMU is 1-0 in the Division. UTEP is 1-1, while Tulsa and Tulane are both 0-1. Rice will open C-USA play in October. No C-USA teams are currently in the Top 25, though Houston was until loss @ UCLA in Week 3.

Independents - Army is 3-1, Navy 2-1 and Notre Dame is 1-3. The Midshipmen fell out our Top 25, after the opening season loss to Maryland. Does BYU really want to join this group in '11?

MAC East - Temple and Miami (OH) are both 1-0 to lead the Division. Ohio U. is 0-1. Kent State, Bowling Green, Buffalo and Akron will open conference play in October.

MAC West - Toledo is 2-0 to lead the Division heading into October. Central Michigan is 1-1. Western Michigan is 0-1 and Eastern Michigan is 0-2. Northern Illinois and Ball State will open conference play in October.

MWC - Utah and Air Force both lead conference at 2-0 heading into October. UNLV is 1-1. BYU and Wyoming are 0-1, while New Mexico is 0-2. TCU, San Diego State and Colorado State will open MWC play in October.

Pac 10 - Four teams are at the top at 1-0 heading into October: Arizona, Oregon, Stanford and USC. Oregon State and Washington will open Pac 10 play in Week 5. Arizona State, California, UCLA and Washington State are all 0-1 heading into October.

Sun Belt - Middle Tennessee, Troy and North Texas are all 1-0 to lead the Sun Belt heading into October. Louisiana-Lafayette is 1-1. Arkansas State is 1-2. Florida Atlantic and Louisiana-Monroe are both 0-1. FIU and Western Kentucky will open conference play in Week 6 head to head.

WAC - Fresno State is 1-0 heading into October in the WAC. Utah State is 0-1. Nevada, Boise State, Hawai'i, Idaho, Louisiana Tech, San Jose State and New Mexico State will all open WAC play in October.

SEC East - Florida is 2-0 and the only undefeated team in the Division. South Carolina and Vanderbilt are 1-1. Kentucky and Tennessee are both 0-1, while Georgia is 0-2 heading into October.

SEC West - Auburn and LSU are both 2-0 heading into October. Alabama is 1-0. Arkansas is 1-1. Mississippi State is 1-2, while Ole Miss is 0-1. Three games already in September in conference play for Mississippi State. Ouch!

Seeing programs playing three conference games in September is poor for the sport of College Football. Too many early conference games, when you look at some of the ugly OOC match ups in the second half of the season. Let October and November be conference games and conference races to unfold. Encourage only solid OOC match ups in the second half of the season. There is nothing wrong with Florida-Florida State or South Carolina-Clemson or Georgia-Georgia Tech, but look at some of the bad examples in 2010.

Bad examples in the second half of the season:

• Georgia State @ Alabama on November 20Th


• Chattanooga @ Auburn on November 6Th


• McNeese State @ LSU on October 16Th


• Appalachian State @ Florida on November 20Th (final two games are OOC for Gators)


• Idaho State @ Georgia on November 6Th


• Charleston Southern @ Kentucky on November 6Th


• Florida Atlantic @ Texas on November 20Th


• Weber State @ Texas Tech on November 20Th

peace

Iowa Hawkeyes host 'Throwback Game" vs. Ball State to wrap up OOC play in September

#17 Iowa (2-1) will return to Kinnick Stadium on Saturday, after the disappointing 27-34 loss in Tucson vs. #16 Arizona (3-0). The Hawkeyes will host Ball State (1-2), wearing the 1958 style uniform when the face the MAC opponent in Week 4.

The Hawkeyes will honor the "Evy" era on Saturday.

Iowa has some special teams to work on, after a poor performance in Tucson yielding a KOR for a TD and a block punt. Injuries mounted with the loss of three performers, two running backs and a reserve MLB for this week's game. Iowa will likely pull a redshirt off one or two running backs, due to depth at the position. Sophomore # 32 Adam Robinson will be the #1 at the position for now for the Hawkeyes.

Fans will likely see true freshman #34 Marcus Coker make his debut in the Ball State game today, while true freshmen #31 Anthony Hitchens and #30 De'Andre Johnson may make it on the field for the first time, as well.

Iowa needs to step up play heading into Big Ten Conference play in Week 5, with a Homecoming Game, on October 2Nd in prime time vs. #21 Penn State (3-0).

Saturday, September 25th

• Austin Peay at #10 Wisconsin 11:00 a.m., BTN (HD)
• Ball State at #17 Iowa 11:00 a.m., BTN (HD)
• Score: Iowa 35, Ball State 10 is our pick
• Bowling Green at # 25 Michigan, 11:00 a.m., ESPN2 (HD)
• Buffalo at Connecticut, 11:00 a.m., SNY / ESPN-GP / ERTV (cable)
• Central Michigan at Northwestern, 11:00 a.m., BTN (HD)
• Florida International at Maryland, 11:00 a.m., ESPNU (HD)
• North Carolina State at Georgia Tech, 11:00 a.m., ESPN (HD)
• Northern Colorado at #22 Michigan State, 11:00 a.m., BTN (HD)
• Toledo at Purdue, 11:00 a.m., BTN (HD)
• Virginia Tech at Boston College, 11:00 a.m., ESPN-GP *2 / ACC Network (cable)
• UAB at Tennessee, 11:21 a.m., SEC Network / ESPN-GP
• Central Florida at Kansas State, 11:30 a.m., FSN (HD)
• Air Force at Wyoming, 1:00 p.m., MTN (HD)
• #19 USC at Washington State, 2:00 p.m., FSNW / FSPT (HD) / FCS Pacific (cable)
• #1 Alabama at #14 Arkansas, 2:30 p.m., CBS (HD) / online video
• Arkansas State at Troy, 2:30 p.m., ESPN-GP *2 / (CSS & CST) (cable)
• Eastern Michigan at #2 Ohio State, 2:30 p.m., (ABC *1 / ESPN *7) (HD)
• North Carolina at Rutgers, 2:30 p.m., ESPNU (HD)
• #20 Stanford at Notre Dame, 2:30 p.m., NBC (HD)
• Temple at #21 Penn State, 2:30 p.m., BTN (HD)
• Tulane at Houston, 2:30 p.m., CBSC (HD)
• UCLA at #4 Texas, 2:30 p.m., (ABC *1 / ESPN *7) (HD) / ESPN-GP *2
• Wake Forest at #23 Florida State, 2:30 p.m., (ABC *1) (HD) / ESPN-GP *2
• Nevada at BYU, 5:00 p.m., MTN (HD)
• #8 Oklahoma at Cincinnati, 5:00 p.m., ESPN2 (HD)
• Akron at Indiana, 6:00 p.m., BTN (HD)
• Georgia at Mississippi State, 6:00 p.m., (FSS/FSSW/FSHO/FSAZ) (HD) / ESPN-GP *2
• Kentucky at #6 Florida, 6:00 p.m., ESPNU (HD)
• New Mexico State at Kansas, 6:00 p.m., DirecTV - 623 / FCS Central (cable)
• South Dakota State at #9 Nebraska, 6:00 p.m., PPV
• Western Kentucky at South Florida, 6:00 p.m., ALT/SNY/MASN/ESPN-GP/ERTV(cable)
• Fresno State at Ole Miss, 6:30 p.m., ESPN-GP / CSCA / CSS (cable)
• #13 South Carolina at #18 Auburn, 6:45 p.m., ESPN (HD) / ESPN 3D
• Baylor at Rice, 7:00 p.m., CBSC (HD)
• Oregon State at #3 Boise State, 7:00 p.m., ABC (HD)
• Northern Illinois at Minnesota, 7:30 p.m., BTN (HD)
• #24 West Virginia at #12 LSU, 8:00 p.m.. ESPN2 (HD)
• California at #16 Arizona, 9:00 p.m., CSN Plus / FCS Pacific (cable)
• New Mexico at UNLV, 9:00 p.m., MTN (HD)
• #5 Oregon at Arizona State, 9:30 p.m.. FSN (HD)

Games not selected for nationally available networks.

• Army at Duke, 2:00 p.m., espn3.com
• Central Arkansas at Tulsa, 6:00 p.m.
• Charleston Southern at Hawaii, 10:30 p.m., espn3.com / Oceanic PPV
• Colgate at Syracuse, 2:30 p.m., espn3.com
• Idaho at Colorado State, 3:00 p.m.
• Memphis at UTEP, 8:00 p.m., Time Warner cable (TX)
• Miami (Ohio) at Missouri, 1:00 p.m.
• Middle Tennessee at Louisiana-Lafayette, 6:00 p.m.
• North Texas at Florida Atlantic, 6:00 p.m.
• Northern Iowa at Iowa State, 6:00 p.m., Mediacom (cable)
• Ohio U. at Marshall, 6:00 p.m., WSAZ (cable)
• San Jose State at #11 Utah, 8:00 p.m.
• Southeastern at Louisiana-Monroe, 6:00 p.m.
• Southern Miss at Louisiana Tech, 6:00 p.m., espn3.com
• Utah State at San Diego State, 7:00 p.m.
• VMI at Virginia, 12:30 p.m., espn3.com

peace

The Iowa Hawkeyes fall 27-34 @ Arizona in Week 3

Iowa's previous loss was 24-27 in OT at Ohio State last year. In a way, the Iowa loss @ Arizona in Week 3 was similar to the loss in '09 @ Ohio State. Both games witnessed an Iowa opponent on their home field gain separation, due to Iowa's poor execution or turnovers.

In both games, Iowa scored a big touchdown in the endzone by WR Marvin McNutt in the come back. But, at the end, the Iowa play calling couldn't keep the momentum on track as another opponent pulled the game out.

Former Iowa safety and now seventh year head coach Mike Stoops at Arizona appeared to have everything riding on the Iowa @ Arizona game in Week 3. He paced, he shouted, he disagreed with just about every negative play that impacted his Wildcats, despite what replay would have suggested as a good call on the field.

On the flip side, Iowa head coach Kirk Ferentz remained calm and quiet in his demeanor as Iowa fell behind 7-27 at halftime in Tucson. The Hawkeyes midway in the fourth quarter came back to tie the game 27-27. A missed extra point became costly, on a night where Iowa's special teams were not playing well.

"Both teams had their share of sloppy plays, but we got off to a fast start in
that department. That makes it tough, but our guys battled back." - Kirk Ferentz

Arizona blocked an Iowa punt deep in Iowa territory on Iowa's first possession. Arizona went on to take a 7-0 lead. Iowa made some positive plays in their next possession taking the ball nearly into the Arizona redzone, only to drop a pass that deflected right into the hands of Arizona CB Trevin Wade for a pick 6. Wade scored a pick 6 in Iowa's 27-17 win in '09 in Iowa City.

Iowa bounced back with another drive to make the score 7-14, but on the next kickoff, Arizona took the kickoff 100 yards for another Wildcat touchdown. Turnovers and special teams lead to 21 points right out of the gate for the Wildcats in what the ESPN television coverage called a "Hawkeye ambush." The "red out" was working in Arizona Stadium on Saturday night in the Desert in Tucson. And that was all in the first 16 minutes of the game.

The Hawkeyes (2-1) gave it a great effort in the second half, with Broderick Binns returning the pick-six favor with 8-minutes, 12-seconds left to knot the score at 27. Iowa also scored a touchdown after cornerback Shaun Prater recovered a muffed Wildcat punt.

After Iowa tied the ball game up 27-27, with solid defense in the second half and a mix of patient passing and several big plays, it was time for one final drive for the Wildcats. The #21 Arizona Wildcats (3-0) secured the upset by executing a 73-yard scoring drive late in the nonconference contest. #4 Iowa falls in the desert, after running out of momentum on the heals of the missed PAT.

Iowa allowed the most points since Indiana scored 38 in 2007 against the Hawkeyes. "They made the plays they had to make at the end and we didn't get it done," Ferentz said.

"The bottom line is that we made too many mistakes to win the game," UI linebacker Jeff Tarpinian said. "We knew we had to stop them and we didn't get it done." Tarpinian led the Hawkeye defense with 12 tackles. It was the second week in the row the new starting MLB has lead Iowa in tackles.

"We're going to go in (Sunday) and it will be a good teaching tool for us," Tarpinian said. Iowa will regroup with one final nonconference game, before the eight game conference schedule begins in the Big Ten.

Iowa will host Ball State at Kinnick on Saturday, September 25Th. The game will be telecast nationally on the Big Ten Network with an 11 a.m. Central Time start.

peace

#4 Iowa @ #21 Arizona to Cap off a great Week 3 in College Football

The Big Ten vs. Pac Ten: The #4 Iowa Hawkeyes (2-0) @ the #21 Arizona Wildcats in Tucson for a 9:30 p.m. Central Time kick off with a national audience on ESPN. Of course, the Big Ten vs. Pac Ten is occurring in Minnesota and Wisconsin, as well, this afternoon, with #19 USC @ Minnesota and Arizona State @ Wisconsin.

Iowa beat Arizona 27-17 in Iowa City in '09. The game was not as close as the score would indicate, with the final score coming late, when now starting QB #8 Nick Foles was inserted for the final action for Arizona.

Iowa hasn't won in the West, since 1987. They have lost six straight, but the last win was in Tucson, over the Arizona Wildcats. Although the all-time series is tied 6-6, Iowa has won four of the last five meetings. The lone blemish in that streak is a 35-11 Hawkeye loss in 1998 -- the last time the teams met in Tucson.

Iowa is 4-8 in true road openers. The Hawkeyes were blown out in the Desert in 2004, when they traveled to play Arizona State. But, Iowa may shake the monkeys off their back in 2010.

"We got quite an education and lesson that night. As I recall we didn't even
swarm properly. There's a picture -- you can probably look it up on the
Internet, where we were just all over the joint with our swarm. I'm not saying
it started there, it started before that, but it just is an indicator that we
weren't thinking right and they were. When you play a good team that's thinking
right and you're not, that's not good. If we do that this week we'll be beaten
by 60. It will be ugly." - Kirk Ferentz is talking about that '04 ASU game

In the 2003 Orange Bowl, Iowa wasn't up to the task vs. USC. Last year, in the Orange Bowl vs. Georgia Tech, the Hawkeyes were a +6 underdog, but the task was completed. Iowa was a 24-14 winner over the Yellow Jackets. In the 12Th year under Kirk Ferentz, with a veteran staff, Iowa appears to benefit from previous experience. Will it pay off int he desert in Tucson?

Last year, Iowa travel to Penn State as a +9 underdog in Week 4. It was a national audience and the Nittany Lions were offering Iowa with a "white out" game. The Hawkeyes started off down 0-7 off a big 80 yard pass play, but stayed calm and in the 3Rd quarter, took the lead and completed the game with a 21-10 finish.

This year, the "red out" is greeting the Iowa Hawkeyes as the travel to Tucson to face the Arizona Wildcats. Iowa brings a team with quite a bit of senior leadership. Iowa will likely bring a couple fans, as well, with twelve thousand Hawkeye fans expected for the game in Arizona Stadium, which holds 57,400.

The Arizona offense has some very good weapons.

• Junior #8 QB Nick Foles
• Senior #5 RB Nic Grgsby
• Junior #82 WR Juron Criner
• Senior #88 A.J. Simmons

The Iowa offense has some very good weapons, as well.

• Senior #12 Ricky Stanzi
• Sophomore RBs #32 Adam Robinson and #27 Jewel Hampton
• Senior #82 TE Allen Reisner
• Junior #7 WR Marvin McNutt and Senior #15 WR Derrell Johnson-Koulianos

Both programs are good in special teams. The Iowa defense is very good on paper. They played very well vs. Arizona last year. They have two new linebackers starting, but they have experience in the program, with a 5Th year senior at MLB in #33 Jeff Tarpinian and a fourth year junior at OLB in #45 Tyler Nielsen. This should be a close game. Either team could be capable in this game. The edge is with Iowa, who have finished in the Top 10 four of the past eight seasons.

Our Pick:

• Iowa Hawkeys 24


• Arizona Wildcats 18

We see both teams very capable in special teams, so if one team extremely out plays someone, then this phase of the game may create the difference. Turnovers are always big and last year, Arizona scored one of it's two TDs off a Pick 6. Iowa can't afford to allow Arizona easy plays. Look for Iowa to play ball control and take away the big plays on defense. A Pac 10 shootout favors the Wildcats. Iowa typically wins game with sound defense and success controlling the line of scrimmage.

peace

It's College Gameday: Week 3

Saturday, September 18Th
Times are Central Time

Sorry, but we see two Top 25 match-ups, not one, in Week 3. Most talk has been about #4 Iowa (2-0) @ #21 Arizona (2-0), but #5 Texas (2-0) @ #13 Texas Tech (2-0) is a Top 25 match-up, as well. Texas Tech, with new coach Tommy Tubberville, has been in our Top 25, since the preseason, coming off the heals of their Alamo Bowl win over Michigan State. Both games should be two of the best in Week 3 of the 2010 College Football season.

• #17 Arkansas at Georgia, 11:00 a.m., ESPN (HD)
• Ball State at Purdue, 11:00 a.m., BTN (HD)
• Connecticut at Temple, 11:00 a.m., SNY / MASN / ESPN-GP / ERTV (cable)
• Georgia Tech at North Carolina, 11:00 a.m., ESPN-GP *2 / Raycom (HD) *3
• Iowa State vs. Kansas State (Kansas City), 11:00 a.m., FSN (HD)
• Kent State at #23 Penn State, 11:00 a.m., ESPN2 (HD)
• Maryland at #25 West Virginia, 11:00 a.m., ESPNU (HD)
• North Texas at Army, 11:00 a.m., CBSC (HD)
• Northern Illinois at Illinois, 11:00 a.m., BTN (HD)
• Ohio at #2 Ohio State, 11:00 a.m., BTN (HD)
• UMass at # 24 Michigan, 11:00 a.m., BTN (HD)
• Vanderbilt at Ole Miss, 11:21 a.m.,SEC Network / ESPN-GP
• Air Force at #9 Oklahoma , 2:30 p.m., FSN (HD)
• #1 Alabama at Duke, 2:30 p.m., ABC *1 / ESPN-GP *2
• Arizona State at #10 Wisconsin, 2:30 p.m., ABC *1 / ESPN2 *7
• BYU at Florida State, 2:30 p.m., ESPNU (HD)
• Colorado State at Miami (Ohio), 2:30 p.m., STO *8 / ESPN-GP
• #6 Florida at Tennessee, 2:30 p.m., CBS (HD) / cbssports.com
• Hawaii at Colorado, 2:30 p.m., DirecTV - 623 or 617 / FCS Central (cable)
• #12 Nebraska at Washington, 2:30 p.m., ABC *1 / ESPN2 *7 / ESPN-GP *2
• #19 USC at Minnesota, 2:30 p.m., ESPN (HD)
• Washington State at SMU, 2:30 p.m., CBSC (HD)
• Baylor at #7 TCU, 3:30 p.m., Versus (HD)
• Indiana at Western Kentucky, 4:00 p.m., BTN (HD)
• Louisville at Oregon State, 4:30 p.m., FSNW / FCS Pacific (cable)
• Akron at Kentucky, 6:00 p.m., FSS / SUN / FSNO / FSAZ / ESPN-GP
• Central Florida at Buffalo, 6:00 p.m., ESPN-GP / (Time-Warner / BHSN) (cable)
• Clemson at #18 Auburn, 6:00 p.m., ESPN (HD) / ESPN 3D
• Furman at #16 South Carolina, 6:00 p.m., ESPN-GP *2 / PPV (SC)
• Marshall at Bowling Green, 6:00 p.m., ESPN-GP / WASZ (cable)
• Mississippi State at #14 LSU, 6:00 p.m., ESPNU (HD)
• San Diego State at Missouri, 6:00 p.m., PPV (HD)
• Maine at Syracuse, 6:30 p.m., SNY
• #3 Boise State at Wyoming, 7:00 p.m., CBSC (HD)
• Fresno State at Utah State, 7:00 p.m., ESPN-GP / WAC Sports Network
• Louisiana-Monroe at Arkansas State, 7:00 p.m., ESPN-GP *2 / (CSS & CST) (cable)
• Notre Dame at Michigan State, 7:00 p.m., (ABC or ESPN2 *7) (HD)
• #5 Texas at #13 Texas Tech, 7:00 p.m., (ABC or ESPN2 *7) (HD)
• #11 Utah at New Mexico, 7:00 p.m., MTN (HD)
• #20 Houston at UCLA, 9:30 p.m., FSN (HD)
• #4 Iowa at #21 Arizona, 9:30 p.m., ESPN (HD)
• UNLV at Idaho, 9:30 p.m., ESPNU (HD)
• Wake Forest at #22 Stanford, 10:15 p.m., ESPN2 (HD)

Games not selected for nationally available networks.

• Central Michigan at Eastern Michigan, 3:00 p.m.
• East Carolina at Virginia Tech, 12:30 p.m., espn3.com
• Florida International at Texas A&M, 6:00 p.m.
• Middle Tennessee at Memphis, 6:00 p.m.
• Navy at Louisiana Tech, 6:00 p.m., espn3.com
• New Mexico State at UTEP, 8:00 p.m.
• Northwestern at Rice, 6:00 p.m.
• Portland State at #8 Oregon, 5:15 p.m., Comcast OR & WA (cable)
• Southern Utah at San Jose State, 7:00 p.m.
• Toledo at Western Michigan, 6:00 p.m.
• Troy at UAB, 3:00 p.m.
• Tulsa at Oklahoma State, 6:00 p.m.

FCS Game Watch

• Stephen F. Austin (1-1) @ Northern Iowa (1-0)
  The Panthers host a strong passing team in FCS play at the Dome!

peace

TGIF: Two more college games on tap for Friday and Prep Football in Eastern Iowa

The #4 Iowa Hawkeyes (2-0) will travel to Tucson to face #21 Arizona (2-0) on Saturday night on ESPN, with a 9:30 pm Central Time kick off. The Hawkeyes beat the Wildcats 27-17 in Iowa City in '09. The game was not as close as the score would indicate. Arizona junior QB Nick Foles became the starter, after the loss to Iowa in '09. It should be a good game between two Top 25 opponents.

Friday, September 17th

• Kansas at Southern Miss
  7:00 p.m.
  ESPN (HD)


• California at Nevada
  9:00 p.m.
  ESPN2 (HD)

Who knows if Kansas (1-1) and coach Turner Gill can keep it going, after the solid 28-25 home win in Week 2 over Georgia Tech. Southern Miss (1-1) opened the season @ South Carolina, so they have played a pretty good team already. Another BCS-non-BCS game has California (2-0) @ Nevada (2-0). Good opportunity for the MAC to pick up another win against a BCS program.

Mississippi Valley Conference Football tonight in Eastern Iowa

• 7:15pm , Football: Varsity Game
  Iowa City West vs. Prairie @ Cedar Rapids Prairie
  Homecoming
• 7:15pm, Football: Varsity Game
  Xavier vs. Iowa City High @ Iowa City High School
• 7:15pm, Football: Varsity Game
  Dubuque Senior vs. Kennedy @ Kingston Stadium - Cedar Rapids
• 7:15pm, Football: Varsity Game
  Washington vs. Dubuque Wahlert Catholic High School @ Loras College
• 7:15pm, Football: Varsity Game
  Waterloo East vs. Dubuque Hempstead @ University of Dubuque
• 7:15pm, Football: Varsity Game
  Linn-Mar vs. Waterloo West @ Waterloo Memorial Stadium

peace

It's another game night: Thursday, September 16 with a battle of ACC vs. Big East

Thursday, September 16th

Cincinnati at North Carolina State
6:30 p.m.
ESPN (HD)

The Big East had a tough Week 1 and the ACC had a tough Week 2, so who starts Week 3 on top? The Cincinnati Bearcats fell out of the Top 25, after a Week 1 loss at Fresno State. North Carolina State is seeking to get off to a strong start in '10.

peace

CIDSports Top 25 College Football Poll after Week 2

So, how should the Top 25 sort out after Week 2 of the 2010 College Football season? Yes, we have Boise State #3 in the nation, but remember the season is very young. They are a solid program that can compete on the field with just about anyone, but they are also #3. We have a one game BCS title game, so right now, it will be up to the BCS programs to keep them out of the hunt in 2010, since the Boise State SOS doesn't give them any assistance along the way in this young season that just finished Week2.

• We have some leaders in conference play in the ACC, C-USA, MWC, SEC and Pac Ten conferences, who have all opened up a little conference play already in 2010


• The ACC Coastal Division has zero teams that are undefeated after only two weeks


• The Sun Belt isn't going to gain much fan fare in 2010, with zero teams undefeated. Middle Tennessee missed vs. Minnesota in Week 1 and Troy missed getting Oklahoma State in Week 2. No teams are undefeated.


• BYU will join the three Independents next year, but all four programs have something in common in 2010: each program is 1-1 for the season


• The Big East has two undefeated teams, but barely, in Rutgers and West Virginia to start 2010


• Only three programs in the Big 12 have been defeated in 2010: Colorado, Iowa State and Kansas all have one loss. Some Big 12 teams will open conference play in Week 3


• The Big Ten has six programs 2-0 to open the 2010 season


• East Carolina is 2-0 (2-0 C-USA East) to open the season with back to back conference games. Will the Pirates win OOC opener @ Virginia Tech in Week 3?


• Temple (2-0, 1-0 MAC East) are the only remaining team undefeated in the 13 member MAC.


• The Pac 10 has six programs 2-0 to open the 2010 season.

CIDSports Top 25 after Week 2

1. Alabama (2-0) 1 - The Crimson Tide remain undefeated and are the clear #1 in our book, being the defending BCS champions and after a 24-3 win over the former #20 Penn State (1-1) Nittany Lions. Next: @ Duke (1-1, 0-1 ACC Coastal), who lost to Wake Forest (2-0, 1-0 ACC Atlantic) in the Blue Devils ACC opener 48-54. First road game at a BCS school for Alabma, since '02. Alabama beat Duke 30-14 in last meeting.


2. Ohio State (2-0) 2 - The Buckeyes are the five time defending Big Ten champion and they took care of business in Week 2 defeating former #11 Miami-FL (1-1) 36-24 in Columbus. Next: vs. Ohio U (1-1, 0-1 MAC East) - in the Buckeyes third of four straight OOC home games. The Bobcats lost their MAC opener at home 13-20 to Toledo (1-1, 1-0 MAC West). Ohio State is 6-0 lifetime playing Ohio U, beating them 26-14 in '08.


3. Boise State (1-0) 3 was idle in Week 2. Next: The Broncos are @ Wyoming (1-1), who lost 7-34 @ #5 Texas in Week 2. Boise has defeated Wyoming four times dating back to the '02 season, winning '06 game @ Wyoming 17-10.


4. Iowa (2-0) 4 - The Hawkeyes are averaging 36 points per game, while giving up 7 points after defeating in-state rival Iowa State 35-7 in Kinnick on Saturday. Next: @ Arizona (2-0) in a rematch of last year's 27-17 win at Kinnick, but will the Hawkeyes fair as well in the Desert with a 9:30 pm Iowa time start in Tucson?


5. Texas (2-0) 5 - The Longhorns won 34-7 in the home opener over Wyoming (1-1). Next: @ Texas Tech (2-0) to open Big 12 South play. Everyone should remember the shootout in '08 when the Red Raiders won 39-33 late over the Longhorns. Last year's game in Austin was a 34-24 win for the Longhorns, but coach Mack Brown would say the game was closer than the score.


6. Florida (2-0) 6 - The Gators offense was sluggish in the season opener, but the Week 2 performance in a 38-14 win over South Florida (1-1) should help the Gator fans a little. The Gators defense sparked the win in first meeting ever vs. the Bulls. Next: @ Tennessee (1-1) in the SEC opener against a Volunteer team that couldn't hold off the #8 Oregon Ducks in the second half.


7. TCU (2-0) 7 - The Horned Frogs pounded Tennessee Tech, a FCS program, 62-7 in the home stadium opener. Next: vs. Baylor (2-0) as the Horned Frogs look to win third game over the Bears, since the TCU-Baylor match up ended with the loss of the SWC. Baylor won in Week 2 over Buffalo (1-1) 34-6, after a win over Sam Houston State, a FCS program, in Week 1.


8. Oregon (2-0) 8 - The Ducks got off to a sluggish start on the road @ Tennessee (1-1), but rolled in the second half for a 48-13 win over the Volunteers. Next: vs. Portland State, a FCS program, which the Ducks beat 55-12 in '06, when they last met in Eugene.


9. Oklahoma (2-0) 18 - The Sooners have some very young and talented players and a 47-17 win over former #21 Florida State (1-1) gives the Sooners a quality win, after last year's 8-5 season. The Sooners have won four straight, since '09, including a 31-27 win over Stanford in the Sun Bowl. Next: vs. Air Force (2-0, 1-0 MWC), who defeated former #12 BYU (1-1, 0-1 MWC) 35-14 in MWC opener at home.


10. Wisconsin (2-0) 10 - The Badgers will not move up after a 27-14 win over San Jose State (0-2) in Week 2. Are the Badgers a Top 10 team in 2010? Will we know much more until the opening of the Big Ten for the Badgers @ Michigan State in Week 5? Next: vs. Arizona State (2-0) - who beat in-state FCS program Northern Arizona 41-20, but the Sun Devils were only 4-8 in '09 and just how good are they in 2010?


11. Utah (2-0, 1-0 MWC) 12 - The Utes beat UNLV 38-10 in MWC opener at home, after winning season opener over Pitt on opening day of the 2010 season. Next: @ New Mexico (0-2) in the MWC road opener. New Mexico has been beat up by Oregon in Week 1 (0-72) and vs. then #16 Texas State (17-52).


12. Nebraska (2-0) 15 - The Huskers defeated Idaho 38-17, but with wins over WKU (0-2) and Idaho (1-1) to start the season, do we really know if the defense is up to the task in the Big 12, along with new QB Taylor Martinez? Next: @ Washington (1-1) in a good road test for the Huskers against a program was 0-12 in '08 and was 5-7 in '09 under second year coach Steve Sarkisian.


13. Texas Tech (2-0) 16 - The Red Raiders won @ New Mexico 52-17 in the road opener in Week 2. New coach Tommy Tuberville will have an interesting Week 3. Next: vs. #5 Texas (2-0) in the Big 12 South opener at home. Will the Red Raiders make it two in a row in Lubbock over the Longhorns?


14. LSU (2-0, 1-0 SEC West) 17 - The Tigers opened the season as our preseason #12 team, but the offense was sluggish behind junior QB Jordan Jefferson. The Tigers won the SEC opener @ Vanderbilt (0-2, 0-1 SEC East) 27-3 to move up, but this team is still a question, after double digit win seasons in '05 to '07 under coach Les Miles. Next: vs. Mississippi State (1-1, 0-1 SEC West), who lost home SEC opener, vs. Auburn 14-17. LSU edged the Bulldogs on the road 30-26 last year.


15. Miami-FL (1-1) 11 - The Hurricane lost to a talented #2 Ohio State (2-0) 24-36 on the road. How will the Hurricane respond to the disappointment of its first loss, after the bye in Week 3? Next: @ Pittsburgh (1-1) in Week 4. The ACC didn't fair well in Week 2, with all four Top 25 teams finishing with a loss. The ACC should be wide open in 2010 and the Hurricane have a lot to play for, despite a Week 2 loss.


16. South Carolina (2-0, 1-0 SEC East) NR - The Gamecocks are off to the best start, since '07 with a solid 16-7 win over former #14 Georgia (1-1, 0-1 SEC East). However, the season is still very young. The Gamecocks in their 6Th season under Steve Spurrier. finished 6-6 in '07, his only non-bowl season. The Gamecocks have two nice wins over Southern Miss and Georgia at home. Next: vs. Furman (1-0), a FCS program, who beat Colgate 45-15 in season opener at home.


17. Arkansas (2-0) NR - The Razorbacks won 31-7 over Louisiana-Monroe in Week 2, after beating Tennessee State, a FCS program, in the season opener. Next: @ Georgia (1-1, 0-1 SEC East) in the SEC opener for the Razorback. Georgia is coming off a 7-16 loss @ South Carolina, after winning season opener vs. UL-Lafayette.


18. Auburn (2-0, 1-0 SEC West) NR - The Tigers won the SEC West opener @ Mississippi State (1-1, 0-1 SEC West) 17-14 on Thursday night, after winning 52-6 in season opener at home over Arkansas State (0-2). Next: vs. Clemson (2-0), who beat Presbyterian, a FCS program) 58-21.


19. USC (2-0) 22 - The Trojans beat Virginia (1-1) 17-14 in home opener in Week 2, after beating Hawai'i (1-1) on the road in season opener. The Trojans are on probation this season, but they will have opportunities to play spoiler in the Pac 10 this season. Next: @ Minnesota (1-1), who lost 38-41 to South Dakota, a FCS program, at home. How much will Gopher coach Tim Brewster bring up the Kansas three point loss in KU home opener against a FCS opponent only to turn around and beat a Top 25 opponent in Georgia Tech?


20. Houston (2-0, 1-0 C-USA West) 25 - The Cougars revenged last year's conference opening loss @ UTEP with a 54-24 win at home over the Miners on Friday night. Next: @ UCLA (0-2) in the Rose Bowl, in a game that will be important for the Cougars in the national polls.


21. Arizona (2-0) 23 - The Wildcats didn't finish well in the Holiday Bowl vs. Nebraska last season. The Wildcats beat The Citadel (1-1), a FCS program, 52-6 in the home opener in Week 2. Next: vs. #4 Iowa (2-0) looking for first Week 3 win in seven years under Mike Stoops over a FBS program. The Wildcats beat Stephen F. Austin in '06, but have not defeated a FBS program in Week 3 in the Stoops era.


22. Stanford (2-0) NR - The Cardinal won @ UCLA (0-2) 35-0 in a game that asks as much about the Bruins, as it does on the overall strength of the Cardinal. The Cardinal won 52-17 over Sacramento State, a FCS program, in Week 1. Next: vs. Wake Forest (2-0, 1-0 ACC Atlantic), who won conference opener over Duke (1-1, 0-1 ACC Coastal) 54-48 in Week 2. The Cardinal lost @ Wake 17-24 last year.


23. Penn State (1-1) 20 - The Nittany Lions lost @ #1 Alabama 3-24 and are a young team lead by true freshman Rob Bolden at QB. This is a team that will continue to grow as the season progresses. Next: vs. Kent State (1-1), who lost 13-26 @ Boston College (2-0) in Week 2.


24. Michigan (2-0) NR - The Wolverines won @ Notre Dame 28-24 as QB Denard Robinson rolled up 502 total yards to continue his offensive juggernaut. Michigan beat UConn (1-1)in Week 1 to open the 2010 season! Next: vs. UMass (2-0, 1-0 CAA), a FCS program, that beat William & Mary and Holy Cross to open 2010 season.


25. West Virginia (2-0) 24 - The Mountaineers were nearly upset @ Marshall (0-2) on Friday night, but pulled out a 24-21 win in OT to move to 10-0 lifetime in the in-state rivalry. Next: vs. Maryland (2-0), who defeated Morgan State (1-1) 62-3, after win over Navy in Week 1.

Out of the Top 25 - What is wrong with #9 Virginia Tech (0-2), #6 in our preseason rankings - knocked out of the Top 25 with a loss to FCS James Madison (2-0) 16-21? The Hokies defense was knocked up by #3 Boise State in Week 1 and now the Hokies are 0-2.
#13 BYU falls out of the Top 25 with a 14-35 loss in MWC opener @ Air Force (2-0)
Should #14 Georgia be rated? They were 8-5 in '09, including 44-20 win over Texas A&M, but have freshman QB and fell @ South Carolina (2-0) 7-16 in the SEC East opener.
#19 Georgia Tech lost @ Kansas (1-1) in road opener 25-28 to fall out of the Top 25.
#21 Florida State lost @ former #18 Oklahoma (2-0) 17-47 to fall out of the Top 25

Week 3 will have some very interesting games. The match up of #4 Iowa @ #21 Arizona should be a good game in Tucson. Coach Mike Stoops will be facing his alma mater again, after last year's Week 3 game in Iowa City.

• #5 Texas @ #13 Texas Tech in the Big 12 South opener


• #6 Florida @ Tennessee in a SEC East opener


• Baylor @ #7 TCU in an in-state match up of Big 12 vs. MWC


• Air Force @ Oklahoma in a MWC vs. Big 12 game


• #12 Nebraska @ Washington in a Big 12 vs. Pac 10 game


• Notre Dame @ Michigan State - this game could move the Spartans into the Top 25

peace

Week 2: The Good, the Bad and the Ugly

#4 Iowa beats Iowa State 35-7 for Cy-Hawk Trophy!

It's only Week 2 that has concluded, so there is plenty we don't know right now about certain teams, likely conference races and who is truly worthy for the BCS in 2010. Figuring out a decent Top 25 is still a crap shoot, but Week 2 has provided us some very interesting moments.

The Good in Week 2

1. #1 Alabama 24, #20 Penn State 3 in Tuscaloosa


2. #2 Ohio State 36, #11 Miami-FL 24 in Columbus


3. #3 Boise State (1-0) idle


4. South Carolina (2-0) beat #14 Georgia (1-1) 17-6 to give coach Steve Spurrier a big win, only the second win ('07 last) over Georgia in past nine seasons


5. The Denard Robinson show (502 total offense for sophomore QB) for Michigan (2-0) continues as coach Rich Rodriguez enjoys some fun as the Wolverines win 28-24 @ Notre Dame (1-1)


6. Kansas (1-1) coach Turner Gill picks up his first win as Jayhawks head coach with 28-25 victory over #19 Georgia Tech (1-1)


7. #18 Oklahoma (2-0) looks strong at home in beating #21 Florida State (1-1) 47-17 in Week 2, after unimpressive Week 1 victory


8. FCS victories over FBS programs continue in Week 2 with four more victories, after two big victories in Week 1 over BCS programs


9. The State of Iowa remains the "Hawkeye State" for another year when #4 Iowa (2-0) defeated Iowa State (1-1) 35-7 on a super weather day at Kinnick Stadium


10. In FCS play, Northern Iowa (1-0) defeated North Dakota State (1-1) 16-9 to open the 2010 College Football season and play in the Missouri Valley Football Conference

The Bad

1. The ACC takes a fall in Week 2 as everyone in the Top 25 falls in OOC play: #11 Miami-FL (@ # 2 Ohio State), #9 Virginia Tech (vs. James Madison), #19 Georgia Tech (@ Kansas) and #21 Florida State (@ #18 Oklahoma)


2. Ball State (1-1), the Iowa Hawkeyes opponent in Week 4 falls 23-27 to Liberty (2-0), a FCS program, in Week 2


3. Akron (0-2) joined Ball State as the second MAC program to fall to a FCS program, when Zips lost 27-28 to Gardner-Webb


4. After Week 2, no teams in the Coastal Division of the ACC, the Sun Belt or all three Independents have an undefeated program remaining in the FBS standings


5. Iowa defensive coordinator Norm Parker misses Cy-Hawk game, due to hospitalization brought on by complications to diabetes (missed game @ ASU in '04)

The Ugly

1. Virginia Tech (0-2) fall out of the Top 25, after losing 16-21 to James Madison, a FCS program, in the Hokies home opener in Week 2


2. Minnesota (1-1) gets derailed from another Dakota school in the coach Tim Brewster era, as South Dakota, a newer FCS program takes out the Golden Gophers in Minneapolis.

peace

It's 9/11: College Football and time for reflection

In Iowa City, it will the 58Th meeting in the Cy-Hawk series, as Iowa State visits #4 Iowa at Kinnick Stadium. It should be an outstanding game between in-state rivals from the Big 12 and Big Ten conferences, respectively. The game will be on ABC in the surrounding areas and ESPN2 for the rest of the nation.

Remembering 9/11

"September 11 should be a day of prayer for rebuilding and restoring relationships, and for reaching out to find ways to work and live together in this world."

Saturday, September 11Th

• Duke at Wake Forest, 11:00 a.m., Raycom (HD) *3 / ESPN-GP *2


• Florida Atlantic vs. Michigan State (Detroit), 11:00 a.m., ESPNU (HD)


• #14 Georgia at South Carolina, 11:00 a.m., ESPN2 (HD)


• #19 Georgia Tech at Kansas, 11:00 a.m., FSN (HD)


• Hawaii at Army, 11:00 a.m., CBSC (HD)


• Illinois State at Northwestern, 11:00 a.m., BTN (HD)


• Indiana State at Cincinnati, 11:00 a.m., FSOH / ESPN-GP *2


• Idaho at #15 Nebraska, 11:00 a.m., PPV


• San Jose State at #10 Wisconsin, 11:00 a.m., ESPN (HD)


• South Dakota at Minnesota, 11:00 a.m., BTN (HD)


• Texas Southern at Connecticut, 11:00 a.m., SNY / ERTV (cable) / ESPN-GP


• Western Illinois at Purdue, 11:00 a.m., BTN (HD) DirecTV: 612 (SD)


• South Florida at #6 Florida, 11:21 a.m., SEC Network / ESPN-GP


• Eastern Michigan at Miami (Ohio), 1:00 p.m., STO / ESPN-GP *2 / Cable (OH, MI)


• Arkansas State at Louisiana-Lafayette, 2:30 p.m., ESPN-GP *2 / (CSS & CST) (cable)


• Colorado at California, 2:30 p.m., FSN (HD) / CSNB


• #21 Florida State at #18 Oklahoma, 2:30 p.m., ABC / ESPN2 *7


• Georgia Southern at Navy, 2:30 p.m., CBSC (HD)


• Eastern Kentucky at Louisville, 2:30 p.m., ESPN-GP / SNY (j.i.p.) / ERTV (cable)


• Iowa State at #4 Iowa, 2:30 p.m., ABC / ESPN2 *7


• Kent State at Boston College, 2:30 p.m., ESPNU (HD)


• Michigan at Notre Dame, 2:30 p.m., NBC (HD)


• #11 Miami (Floirda) at #2 Ohio State, 2:40 p.m., ESPN (HD) / ESPN 3D


• #13 BYU at Air Force, 3:00 p.m., Versus (HD)


• UNLV at #12 Utah, 3:00 p.m., MTN (HD)


• Arkansas vs. Louisiana-Monroe (Little Rock), 6:00 p.m., FSS (HD) / SUN / ESPN-GP *2


• Buffalo at Baylor, 6:00 p.m., DirecTV - 617 / FCS Central (cable)


• #17 LSU at Vanderbilt, 6:00 p.m., ESPNU (HD)


• McNeese State at Missouri, 6:00 p.m., PPV


• Montana State at Washington State, 6:00 p.m., FSNWa / FCS Pacific (cable)


• #9 Oregon at Tennessee, 6:00 p.m., ESPN2 (HD)


• #20 Penn State at #1 Alabama, 6:00 p.m., ESPN (HD)


• Syracuse at Washington, 6:00 p.m., FSNW / FCS Atlantic (cable)


• Wyoming at #5 Texas, 6:00 p.m.,FSN (HD)


• North Carolina State at Central Florida, 6:30 p.m., CBSC (HD)


• Southern Illinois at Illinois, 6:30 p.m.,BTN (HD)


• Western Kentucky at Kentucky, 6:30 p.m., ESPN-GP *2 / CSS (cable)


• Rutgers at Florida International, 7:00 p.m., SNY / ESPN-GP *2 / ERTV (cable)


• San Diego State at New Mexico State, 7:00 p.m., ALT2 / ESPN-GP


• #16 Texas Tech at New Mexico, 7:00 p.m., MTN (HD)


• Northern Arizona at Arizona State, 8:00 p.m., FSAZ+ / FCS Atlantic (cable)


• Ole Miss at Tulane, 8:00 p.m., ESPN-CL (ESPN2 following OU at UT)


• The Citadel at #23 Arizona, 9:00 p.m., DirecTV - 623 / FCS Pacific (cable)


• Colorado State at Nevada, 9:30 p.m., ESPNU (HD)


• Stanford at UCLA, 9:30 p.m., ESPN (HD)


• Virginia at #22 USC, 9:30 p.m., FSN (HD)

Games not selected for nationally available networks.

• Austin Peay at Middle Tennessee, 6:00 p.m.


• Bowling Green at Tulsa, 6:00 p.m.


• Gardner-Webb at Akron, 11:00 a.m.


• Idaho State at Utah State, 7:00 p.m.


• James Madison at #9 Virginia Tech, 12:30 p.m., espn3.com


• Liberty at Ball State, 6:00 p.m.


• Louisiana Tech at Texas A&M, 6:00 p.m.


• Memphis at East Carolina, 11:00 a.m., (CSS / WITN) (cable)


• Missouri State at Kansas State, 6:10 p.m.


• Morgan State at Maryland, 5:00 p.m., espn3.com


• New Hampshire at Pittsburgh, 12:00 p.m., espn3.com


• Nicholls State at Western Michigan, 6:00 p.m.


• North Dakota State at Northern Iowa, 6:30 p.m., (KWWL / KCWI) (Iowa Cable)


• North Dakota at Northern Illinois, 6:00 p.m.


• Prairie View at Southern Miss, 6:00 p.m.


• Presbyterian at Clemson, 2:30 p.m., espn3.com


• Rice at North Texas, 6:00 p.m.


• Tennessee Tech at #7 TCU, 6:00 p.m.


• Toledo at Ohio, 6:00 p.m.


• Troy at Oklahoma State, 6:00 p.m.


• UAB at SMU, 7:00 p.m.

Thus far, there have been some exciting games in Week 1 and on Thursday of Week 2. Some great match ups in Week 2 and it should be interesting taking inventory at the end of the second week.

peace

Week 2 of College Football and plenty of Prep Football Firday night

On Thursday night, the two FBS games went down the final seconds in the SEC and the MAC opener went into OT. Auburn beat Mississippi State in SEC road opener, while Temple pulled out victory to go 2-0 for the first time, since 1981, when they defeated Central Michigan in the MAC opener at home.

Will Friday night be more of the same of exciting competitive football?

Friday, September 10th

• West Virginia at Marshall, 6:00 p.m., ESPN (HD)


• UTEP at Houston, 9:15 p.m., ESPN (HD)

High School Spotlight:

Catch the live action via Iowa Prep Sports ...

Kennedy vs. Washington @ Kingston Stadium at 7:15 p.m.

Two players to watch:

#4 Christian French for Kennedy and #3 Alex Carr for Washington.

peace

NFL Kickoffs tonight with Minnesota vs. New Orleans

As a Green Bay Packer fan, we have our favorite, but we typically enjoy both the Vikings and Bears from time to time, since we know so many fans of both teams.

Video: NFL: Week 1 Preview - The Associated Press

College Football is first and foremost, but by Super Bowl time, the NFL will get our attention!

It should be a great 2010 College Football season and we expect no less from the NFL.

peace

Ranking the Big Ten and Beyond heading into Week 2

The Big Ten went 9-2 in Week 1 in OOC play. Here's how we would rank the Big Ten, heading into Week 2 of the 2010 College Football season.

1. #2 Ohio State (1-0) - the defending Big Ten champions will host #11 Miami-FL (1-0) in the Horseshoe in one of many top games of Week 2. The game will showcase junior QB Terrelle Pryor for the Buckeyes vs. junior QB Jacory Harris for the Hurricane. Buckeyes won opener 45-7 over Marshall.
2. #4 Iowa (1-0) - the darkhorse of the Big Ten will host in-state rival, Iowa State (1-0) in the Cy-Hawk Trophy game, which resumed in 1977. Iowa leads the series 38-17. Iowa won opener 37-7 over Eastern Illinois, a sharp contrast from last year's 17-16 win over Northern Iowa for Hawkeyes. Look for fans on both sides to hit the tailgates heavy before kickoff in this one.
3. #10 Wisconsin (1-0) - the Badgers hit the road in Week 1 and brought back a win over UNLV 41-21. The Badgers open in Madison in Week 2 vs. San Jose State (0-1), another opportunity to unload a trio of running backs in Clay - Ball - White on the Spartans from the WAC.
4. #20 Penn State (1-0) - Joe Paterno and the Nittany Lions will hit the road and travel to #1 Alabama (1-0), in a game that will likely provide some wonderful reflection for the head coach in his 45Th season. It will be a tough test for a true freshman QB Rob Bolden, so early in his career. The Nittany Lions will have to reload quickly and a 9-0 win in Tuscaloosa, like the last one in '90 is highly unlikely. The Nittany Lions won the opener over Youngstown State 44-14.
5. Michigan State (1-0) - the Spartans could very well be the sleeper in the conference in '10. The Spartans travel to Detroit for a game in Ford Field vs. Florida Atlantic (1-0). The Spartans won the opener 38-14 over Western Michigan.
6. Michigan (1-0) - Wow, when you have no running back, coach Rich Rodriguez has the answer for the Wolverines... start sophomore QB Denard Robinson, who lead the offense to a 30-10 victory over UConn in the season opener in Ann Arbor. The Wolverines will travel to South Bend for a rivalry game @ Notre Dame (1-0) in Week 2.
7. Northwestern (1-0) - the Wildcats pulled out a 23-21 road win @ Vanderbilt to take the first Big Ten-SEC match up of the season. The Wildcats have a lot of rebuilding to accomplish, but a nice win none the less. The home opener in Week 2 will be vs. Illinois State (1-0), who beat the Mules of Central Missouri State in Redbirds' opener.
8. Minnesota (1-0) - it was nice to see the Golden Gophers senior Jon Hoese play well, despite the news at home of his father's failing health. Hoese brought back memories of former Gopher FB David Puk of the mid 1980s, who was from Cedar Rapids. The Golden Gophers picked up a solid road win 24-17 @ Middle Tennessee in Week 1. The Golden Gophers open at home in Week 2 vs. South Dakota (0-1), who lost 7-38 @ Central Florida in the Coyotes opener.
9. Purdue (0-1) - the Boilermakers looked very undisciplined in the 12-23 road loss @ Notre Dame in Week 1. Junior Miami-FL transfer Robert Marve at QB brings some talent, but will he develop the consistency needed to win in the Big Ten, against teams they should? In Week 2, the Boilermakers will host Western Illinois (1-0) in Ross-Aid Stadium.
10. Illinois (0-1) - the Illinois-Missouri game was very positive for the Fighting Illini at halftime, but redshirt freshman QB Nathan Scheelhaase had a tough second half. The Illini fell to Missouri for the sixth straight time in St. Louis 13-23, after leading 13-3 at halftime.
11. Indiana (1-0) - The Hooisers take 16 days off, with a bye between Week 1 and Week 3. Not the ideal way to start a season. The Hoosiers took down Towson in the opener 51-17. In Week 3, the Hoosiers will travel on the road to face a Sun Belt opponent @ Western Kentucky (0-1). When is the last time two Big Ten programs traveled to Sun Belt programs for an OOC game. Only Minnesota and IU.

What about other conference teams?

The SEC - 1. #1 Alabama (1-0), 2. #6 Florida (1-0), 3. #14 Georgia (1-0), 4. #17 LSU (1-0), 5. Arkansas (1-0), 6. South Carolina (1-0), 7. Auburn (1-0), 8. Tennessee (1-0), 9. Kentucky (1-0), 10. Mississippi State (1-0), 11. Vanderbilt (0-1), Mississippi (0-1). SEC Week 2 games, which include three conference openers, plus South Florida @ #6 Florida is an interesting Big East-SEC match up for the first time ever in this series.

The Big 12 - 1. #5 Texas (1-0), 2. #15 Nebraska (1-0), 3. #16 Texas Tech (1-0), 4. #18 Oklahoma (1-0), 5. Missouri (1-0), 6. Texas A&M (1-0), 7. Kansas State (1-0), 8. Oklahoma State (1-0), 9. Iowa State (1-0), 10. Colorado (1-0), 11. Baylor (1-0), Kansas (0-1). Big 12 Week 2 games, which includes an outstanding OOC match up with #21 Florida State @ #18 Oklahoma.

The ACC - 1. #9 Virginia Tech (0-1), 2. #11 Miami-FL (1-0), 3. #19 Georgia Tech (1-0), 4. #21 Florida State (1-0), 5. Boston College (1-0), 6. Maryland (1-0), 7. North Carolina (0-1), 8. Clemson (1-0), 9. Wake Forest (1-0), 10. North Carolina State (1-0), 11. Virginia (1-0), 12. Duke (1-0). ACC Week 2 games, which includes ACC-Big 12 match up of #19 Georgia Tech @ Kansas, where the Jayhawks suffered an upset loss in coach Turner Gill's debut vs. FCS opponent, North Dakota State.

The Pac 10 - 1. #9 Oregon (1-0), 2. #22 USC (1-0), 3. #23 Arizona (1-0), 4. Oregon State (0-1), 5. Stanford (1-0), 6. California (1-0), 7. Arizona State, 8. Washington (0-1), 9. UCLA (0-1), 10. Washington State (0-1). Pac 10 Week 2 games, which includes the Pac 10 opener of Stanford @ UCLA.

The Big East - 1. #24 West Virginia (1-0), 2. Pittsburgh (0-1), 3. Cincinnati (0-1), 4. UConn (0-1), 5. South Florida (1-0), 6. Rutgers (1-0), 7. Syracuse (1-0), 8. Louisville (0-1). Big East Week 2 games, which includes #24 West Virginia @ Marshall for an in-state rivalry game facing Big East vs. C-USA foes. WVU is 9-0 in the "Friends of the Coal Bowl" Trophy game.

The MWC - 1. #7 TCU (1-0), 2. #12 Utah (1-0), 3. #13 BYU (1-0), 4. Air Force (1-0), 5. San Diego State (1-0), 6. Wyoming (1-0), 7. UNLV (0-1), 8. Colorado State (0-1), 9. New Mexico (0-1). MWC Week 2 games, which include two conference openers, plus Wyoming @ #5 Texas, which didn't turn out well in '09.

The C-USA - 1. #25 Houston (1-0), 2. East Carolina (1-0, 1-0 C-USA), 3. Central Florida (1-0), 4. SMU (0-1), 5. Tulsa (0-1, 0-1 C-USA), 6. Southern Miss (0-1), 7. UTEP (1-0), 8. UAB (0-1), 9. Marshall (0-1), 10. Rice (0-1), 11. Tulane (1-0), 12. Memphis (1-0). C-USA Week 2 games, which includes four conference games, including UTEP @ #25 Houston.

The WAC - 1. #3 Boise State (1-0), 2. Fresno State (1-0), 3. Nevada (1-0), 4. Idaho (1-0), 5. Louisiana Tech (1-0), 6. Hawai'i (0-1), 7. Utah State (0-1), 8. New Mexico State (0-0), 9. San Jose State (0-1). WAC Week 2 games, with Idaho @ #15 Nebraska and San Jose State and of course top non-BCS rated team, Boise State is idle in Week 2. The Broncos have won 15 straight game, since the 2008 season bowl loss to TCU 16-17 in the Poinsettia Bowl.

The MAC - 1. Central Michigan (1-0), 2. Ohio U (1-0), 3. Temple (1-0), 4. Kent State (1-0), 5. Northern Illinois (0-1), 6. Western Michigan (0-1), 7. Bowling Green (0-1), 8. Buffalo (1-0), 9. Ball State (1-0), 10. Toledo (0-1), 11. Akron (0-1), 12. Miami-OH (0-1), 13. Eastern Michigan (0-1). MAC Game 2 games, which includes three conference openers, plus Kent State @ Boston College in a non-BCS-BCS match up for the MAC.

The Sun Belt - 1. Troy (0-1), 2. Middle Tennessee (0-1), 3. Florida Atlantic (1-0), 4. North Texas (0-1), 5. Arkansas State (0-1), 6. UL-Lafayette (0-1), 7. Florida International (0-0), 8. UL-Monroe (0-0), 9. Western Kentucky (0-1). Sun Belt Week 2 games, including four BCS games with UL-Monroe @ Arkansas and Troy @ Oklahoma State. One conference match up occurs in Week 1, as well in the Sun Belt.

The Independents - 1. Notre Dame (1-0), 2. Navy (0-1), 3. Army (1-0). Week 2 games, include Hawai'i traveling to Army for a West Coast-East Coast match up.

Top 10 Winners of Week 1

1. Boise State over Virginia Tech
2. TCU over Oregon State
3. Utah over Pittsburgh
4. Maryland over Navy
5. BYU over Washington
6. Northwestern over Vanderbilt
7. Minnesota over Middle Tennessee
8. Troy over Bowling Green
9. Jacksonville State over Ole Miss
10. North Dakota State over Kansas

Week 2 Games, starting with Thursday, September 9Th

• Central Michigan at Temple, 6:00 p.m., ESPNU (HD)
• Auburn at Mississippi State, 6:30 p.m., ESPN (HD)
  

peace

Cy-Hawk Trophy Game this Saturday at Kinnick: Iowa vs. Iowa State

"It's been a great series. It's been one of those series where both teams
have been very competitive. They have had some excellent football teams; I think
they have an excellent football team this year, so we are going to have to be at
our best."

- Iowa's Kirk Ferentz



Complete Coach Ferentz Transcript (Sept. 7) - pdf
Iowa head coach addresses the media for the upcoming Iowa-Iowa State game...

The University of Iowa beat Iowa State 35-3 in last year's game in Ames. The Cyclones turned the ball over seven times (five interceptions, two fumbles) in last season's game. Some interesting stats from last year's game...

• Iowa gave up 190 yards rushing, with a 5.6 average per carry


• Iowa ran for 191 yards themselves and averaged 5.5 yards per carry


• Iowa won the turnover margin with a +4


• Iowa had more than 123 yards offense than Iowa State last year

The 2010 game at Kinnick Stadium should be a good match up. The keys to the game:

• Controlling the line of scrimmage on both sides of the ball, for example the Iowa D-Line vs. ISU O-Line


• Turnover margin - last year's game was a perfect example, much like the '03 win for Iowa


• Special teams - in 2007 game ISU didn't score a TD, but won on 5 field goals (15-13)


• Big Plays 15+ yards


• Consistency - who improves the most from Week 1 to Week 2


• Iowa has held Iowa State to 14 quarters without allowing a touchdown in this series

Both Iowa and Iowa State appear healthy entering the 2010 match up. Iowa State is coming into the game with a two game winning streak, having won the Insight Bowl in 2009 over Minnesota 14-13 and the opening season win 27-10 over Northern Illinois last Thursday.

The University of Iowa enters the game with a three game win steak with wins over Minnesota 12-0, vs. Georgia Tech 24-14 in the Orange Bowl last year and the opening season game at Kinnick over Eastern Illinois 37-7. Game notes - pdf for Week 2 game vs. Iowa State.

Iowa State returns 8 offensive and 4 defensive starters from last year, along with junior PK Grant Mahoney from Marion and the Cyclones return specialist. The Cyclones did lose the punting services of Mike Brandtner to graduation. Coach Paul Rhoads enters his second season in Ames as head coach. He had previously been on former Cyclone head coach Dan McCarney's staff, but left for Pitt, then Auburn to become a defensive coordinator. Players to watch:

• Senior QB #4 Austen Arnaud and reserve sophomore QB #11 Jerome Tiller


• Senior RB #33 Alexander Robinson - ran for over 100 yards vs. Iowa in '09


• Senior WR #83 Jake Williams is the top returning receiver for the Cyclones from '09


• Other WRs that will contribute are junior #8 Darius Darks, junior #7 Darius Reynolds and junior #2 Sedrick Williams


• Senior TE #88 Collin Franklin brings experience and steps up as the #1 TE for Cyclones


• Four returning starters back on the O-Line lead by senior C #63 Ben Lamaak from Cedar Rapids and junior LT #72 Kelechi Osemele


• Senior SS #1 David Sims is the top returning tackler and will be back from suspension


• Junior CB #23 Leonard Johnson is another returning starter, along with senior undersized DE #29 Rashawn Parker and senior DT #85 Bailey Johnson, who played NG in '09

#4 Iowa should beat Iowa State on Saturday. But, we have seen Iowa State pull the upset over Iowa. ISU upset Iowa in '07, the Cyclones last win, 15-13 in Ames. ISU's last win in Iowa City was one of the most exciting games in the series, that resumed in 1977, when ISU beat Iowa 36-31 in the 2002 game at Kinnick.

This is the 58Th meeting in the series and Iowa leads the series 38-19. Our Pick: #4 Iowa Hawkeyes 30, Iowa State 17 on Saturday at Kinnick. It will take a solid game in all three phases of the game: offense, defense and special teams.

peace