cidsports

BCS Revisited: #1 LSU vs. #2 Alabama for the 2012 BCS Title Game

2012-01-09T18:56:00.004-06:00

They played once in the regular season. The highly anticipated game was short on scoring, but long on defense, poor special teams and physical play.

Unlike the Game of the Century played 40+ years ago in the Orange Bowl, this rematch has the BCS title on the line.

For many, the 2011-12 bowl season has gone on forever. Unlike most seasons, when New Year's Day is for bowl games, the NFL had the spotlight, since the first landed on a Sunday.

The BCS Title Game should be a good game. Game of the Century? Not likely, with the lack of buzz for many.

New Orleans will play home for the BCS Title Game. The game should allow for plenty to celebrate in the Quarter, after this game is completed.

The 2011 season BCS title will be won by an SEC program again, for a record sixth season in a row.

2006 season - Florida Gators

2007 season - LSU Tigers

2008 season - Florida Gators

2009 season - Alabama Crimson Tide

2010 season - Auburn Tigers

2011 season - LSU or Alabama

The game will kick off on ESPN at 7:30 p.m. on Mo nay, January 9Th- watch live Will it be payback for Bama or will the LSU Tigers finish 2011 undefeated. We shall see!

Bowl Day for Iowa State and Iowa to close out 2011

2011-12-30T13:50:00.004-06:00

Iowa State vs. Rutgers in Pinstripe Bowl in the afternoon, while Iowa vs. Oklahoma in the Insight Bowl this evening. Follow coverage with The Gazette.

Iowa State does not have a strong bowl history, but coach Paul Rhoads is 1-0 at ISU in bowls for Cyclones. ISU will need to play sound, as Cyclones look to finish 2011 with a winning record. ISU is a two point underdog.

For Iowa, defensive coordinator Norm Parker closes out his 13 year career at Iowa in the Insight Bowl, as heavy underdogs vs. Oklahoma. Iowa enters the game in Insight Bowl, as a 14 point underdog.

In 1995, when former Iowa defensive coordinator retired under coach J Hayden Fry, the Hawkeyes rised to the occassion in the Sun Bowl and beat Washington. Will the Hawkeyes rise up for Norm Parker and finish his career out in similar fashion? It will be a tall order for Iowa.

The First Semester and Finals have concluded; Back to College Basketball for Creighton and Iowa

2011-12-17T16:00:00.001-06:00

The first semester of the 2011-12 College Basketball season has concluded for Creighton University and the University of Iowa. Both teams have opened 2011-12 in opposite directions. Both teams are lead by second year coaches, in Omaha and Iowa City, respectively. Greg McDermott has the Bluejays headed in a positive direction. Fran McCaffery has a Top 25 recruiting class signed for next season, but year two on the court has been ugly, so far.

The Creighton Bluejays opened the 2011-12 season with seven straight wins and a Top 25 ranking. However, last weekend was a rough weekend for Creighton sports. The men's soccer team lost a semi-final game in the College Cup, while the Bluejays' men's basketball team fell for the first time at St. Joseph's, 80-71.

On the flip side, the Iowa Hawkeyes are off to a rough start in 2011-12, with a 5-5 record. Two key players have opened the season out of sync. Sophomore forward Melsahn Basabe started the season out very slow. He has played better of late, but not to the level he played as true freshman last season. Senior point guard Bryce Cartwright's woes appear to be fueled by a groin injury. Cartwright has missed time on the court lately and his health is extremely important, as Iowa's only true point guard.

Creighton returns home to CenturyLink Center Omaha on Saturday night, when they host Houston Baptist (4-6) for a 7 p.m. tip-off. The Jays have won 14 straight at home, since last season. The Bluejays need to improve on the little things, especially defense and rebounding, as they get ready for two big games next week, at Tulsa on Monday night, followed by a rematch (last year's game, in Evanston) vs. Northwestern on Thursday night; before opening Missouri Valley Conference play, after Christmas.

Creighton forward Doug McDermott has lived up to the preseason expectations of all-MVC and All-America hype. He leads the MVC in scoring (24.0) and rebounding (9.1) this year, and is the first Bluejay since Rodney Buford (in 1997) with seven straight games of 20 or more points.

Senior guard Antoine Young (11.1 ppg., 4.5 apg.) and junior center Gregory Echenique (8.1 ppg., 5.3 rpg., 1.1 bpg.), are honorable-mention preseason all-Valley selections as well. The Bluejays are expected to be a strong program in The Valley, as well as a team to watch in the Field of 68 for the 2012 NCAA Tournament.

Like Creighton, the University of Iowa returns to action, after finals week on Saturday night. The Hawkeyes tip-off on the Big Ten Network at 8 p.m., with a game vs. in-state Drake (6-3).

Iowa is coming off back to back road losses at UNI and at Iowa State, before finals week.

Two of Iowa's underclassmen -- sophomores Roy Devyn Marble and Melsahn Basabe -- had their best games of the season at Iowa State on December 9Th. Marble had career highs in points (21) and assists (five), while Basabe made 7-of-12 shot attempts en route to 18 points to go along with nine rebounds.

"We want to try to get better. Defensively, we haven't been as good as
we need to be. We want to execute a little better, we had been executing better,
but it's not good enough." - Iowa coach Fran McCaffery

Like the Bluejays, the Hawkeyes will play two additional non-conference games, before opening conference play, after Christmas. The Hawkeyes will play Drake on Saturday night at home, as they begin a four game home swing, including the Big Ten opener on December 28Th vs. Purdue.
It should be an entertaining Holiday season with College Basketball and the bowl season in College Football, which kicked off on Saturday. Plenty of excitement awaits in College Basketball, as Christmas approaches next weekend.

The 2011-12 Bowl Season kicks off on Saturday with 3 Bowl Match Ups

2011-12-17T09:06:00.004-06:00

The FBS kicks off the first of 35 bowl games in 2011-12, with the first three bowl games on Saturday. Too many? Sure, but when one considers 68 teams make the NCAA Basketball Tournament, is it that far fetched that 70 teams finish the season with a bowl game?

Big Ten leads with ten bowl spots. The Big Ten has a record ten teams in bowl games this year, including first-year member, Nebraska. The University of Iowa is playing in its tenth bowl in eleven years, under Kirk Ferentz, who is in his 13 season as head coach. Wisconsin will represent the Big Ten for the second straight year in the Rose Bowl.

Three other college football games play on Saturday. The Division II Championship Game and the NAIA Championship Game are played on Saturday, as well as the second semi-final game on the road to the FCS title game. On Friday, the first semi-final game in FCS was played, with Sam Houston State defeating Montana 31-28 at home.

2011-12 Bowl Games kick off on Saturday

(Printable Bowl Schedule w/ DirecTV channels)
Saturday, December 17th

D2 Final: Pittsburg State vs. Wayne State (MI)
10:00 a.m.
ESPN2 (HD) / espn3

New Mexico Bowl: Temple vs. Wyoming
1:00 p.m.
ESPN (HD) / espn3

DI-AA Semifinals: Georgia Southern at North Dakota State
1:30 p.m.
ESPNU (HD) / espn3

NAIA Championship: Carroll (MT) vs. Saint Xavier (IL)
3:30 p.m.
CBSSN (HD)

Idaho Potato Bowl: Ohio vs. Utah State
4:30 p.m.
ESPN (HD) / espn3

New Orleans Bowl: LA Lafayette vs. San Diego State
8:00 p.m.
ESPN (HD) (3D) / espn3

Cidsports Thoughts and Predictions on the three opening bowl games:

Temple (8-4, 5-3 MAC East) vs. Wyoming (8-4, 5-2 MWC) in New Mexico Bowl

First year coach Steve Addazio's Owls vs. third year coach Dave Christensen's Cowboys

Both teams last bowl games were in 2009, Christensen's Cowboys won in New Mexico over Fresno State, while the Owls lost to UCLA in the EagleBank

Owls are 1-2 lifetime in bowls, while Cowboys are 6-6

We will take the Cowboys, as a +7 underdog in this bowl game

Ohio U (9-4, 6-2 MAC East) vs. Utah State (7-5, 5-2 WAC) in Idaho Potato Bowl

Seven year coach Frank Solich's Bobcats vs. third year coach Gary Anderson's Aggies

Solich is leading the Bobcats to third straight bowl game, fourth in six years, while Anderson has the Aggies in their first bowl game, since '97 season

Ohio U is 0-5 in bowls, while Utah State is 1-4 over the years

Again, we will take the underdog, Ohio U as a +1.5 underdog in this bowl game

Louisiana-Lafayette (8-4, 6-2 Sun Belt) vs. San Diego State (8-4, 4-3 MWC) in New Orleans Bowl

Battle of first year coaches: Mark Hudspeth's Ragin' Cajuns vs. Rocky Long's Aztecs

Ragin' Cajuns have never played in an FBS bowl, while the Aztecs beat Navy last season 35-14 in the Poinsettia Bowl

San Diego State is 2-4 lifetime in bowl games, while it is the first postseason appearance in 41 years for the Ragin' Cajuns

San Diego State is a -4.5 favorite in this bowl game: Go Aztecs!

After 13 seasons at Iowa and 47 years overall; Norm Parker's final game as Iowa's Defensive Coordinator will take place in Insight Bowl vs. OU

2011-12-16T22:08:00.005-06:00

IOWA CITY, Iowa -- University of Iowa head football coach Kirk Ferentz and defensive coordinator Norm Parker gathered with the media on Friday, Dec. 16, to discuss Parker's decision to retire.

Parker announced his retirement from football Sunday, Dec. 11Th. He will visited with local, regional and national media for the first time since his announcement.

Norm Parker is also a savior off the field. Story by former Iowa player, Matt Bowen, on the impact Parker had on Bowen's life, after football.

‘Norm Parker saved my life’ - Matt Bowen in The Gazette

Complete Transcript [PDF]

COACH FERENTZ: Welcome. Glad everybody is here. Just a couple words before I turn it over to Norm. We've been running around recruiting. This is our last day of contacts, last time we're allowed out. As a staff, we've been kind of running around, doing that. Some of the guys have been working on Oklahoma.

I think we're looking forward to having the banquet tomorrow. Our guys have finished up their finals, then we'll be able to turn our sights towards Oklahoma on Sunday.

I think we have 13 guys graduating tomorrow. All the seniors will be excused from football activities tomorrow, then we'll have our banquet tomorrow night.

Side bar there, I think Tyler Nielsen, I remember the days when academic performance was rewarded. Tyler graduated in business with pretty hefty credentials last May. He by far gets the prize. He has a final this afternoon and one this evening. He has the last two time slots as the reward for being a good student. We're all kind of chuckling about that.

The guys have been busy. As I said, we'll turn our sights to Oklahoma after tomorrow's banquet.
I thought the main thing today is for Norm to have a chance to visit with all of you. The announcement was made last Sunday about his retirement. It's really fitting this is the year Norm was already selected to be AFCA Assistant Coach of the Year. Probably long overdue in my mind and our staff's mind, but a real fitting reward.

I think everybody is aware of Norm's expertise as a defensive coach. The record speaks for itself and the numbers speak for themselves. I point this out every time I have a chance to talk about Norm, but I think his impact, the effect he had on this football program goes way beyond the football part of things. I don't care if you're talking to our staff, players, support staff, they'd all tell you the same thing: his impact has really gone beyond any defense he may have called or coached during the week. That's something we're real appreciative of.

I've been here 23 years now. My first nine year stint was with defensive coordinator Bill Brashier, as fine a man and as fine a defensive coach as I've ever been with. Then Norm comes along and has just done a stellar job in all regards.

I know I speak for everybody on behalf of our program, how appreciative we've been of Norm's efforts and all he's done for us. Without further ado, I'll turn it over to you, Norm.

COACH PARKER: Do you want to talk about Oklahoma (laughter)? Like he said, you know, I'm retiring. I would really like to thank Mr. Barta and Kirk. The University of Iowa has been super to myself and my family, my kids. The whole thing has been a great, great, great experience. I want to thank them and thank the players.

You know the fantastic fans we've got. From the secretaries to the equipment people, to the medical people that kept me standing, I got to say thank you.
It's all been a lot of fun. It's all been a lot of fun. I'm very appreciative to everybody, to everybody even you guys (laughter).

Any questions?

Q. Do you plan to stay in Iowa City?

COACH PARKER: Yeah, I'd like to stay around. I think the big thing now is to see if we can slow down these Boomer Sooners and then see where we go from there.

Q. Will you hang around the football office?

COACH PARKER: They'll probably throw me out (laughter).

I'll probably be like Carl Jackson. When Carl retired, he used to come and see us once a day. I think he did it to get out of the house. Now he calls us once a day on the phone.

But I don't know. I'll have a hard time sitting at home, I know that. I like being around. I like being around the guys, being around the players. It's the fun of it. I feel like a guy, that I'm 70 years old and I've never really gone to work a day in my life. I never felt like, Oh, I've got to go to work today. I've never felt like that one day. So I guess that's good. I'm sure you guys feel the same way.

Q. Do you see yourself still in contact with the student athletes?

COACH PARKER: I don't see any official capacity. I don't even know what the rules are there. I don't know what I'm allowed to do.

Q. What went behind the decision for this year?

COACH PARKER: As much as anything, as much as anything, I think you got to be fair to the team, you got to be fair to the program. When it's time to go, it's time to go. I have always said, I never want to coach just to have a job. When you can't do it and do it right, do it the way it should be done, then it's time to let somebody else do it.

So I think in all fairness to the team, the players, the other coaches, myself, it's time to get out. It's time to go bounce some grandkids around on your knee.

Q. Norm, is there a moment or a game or a win that stands out in your mind that you'll tell your grandkids that that was a lot of fun?

COACH PARKER: Yeah, you know, I don't know. There's plays. You remember plays that happen. You remember plays. You remember incidents. You remember different things happening, funny things happening, as opposed to a win or something like that. You remember plays that happened.

The hard part about coaching is you remember the losses more than the wins. That's the hard part. I'm not going to talk about all of them that I lost. I'm not going to bring that up again.

Q. When you were a young coach in 1965 at St. John's, can you talk about how the game has changed since that day when you first put a whistle on till now?

COACH PARKER: I think the thing that the public really doesn't understand, people don't understand, is you hear of guys playing in the old days and now. Believe me, they are so much bigger, stronger, faster, and hit harder than ever before.

From now to 20 years ago, it's a different game. It's a different game. You get old geezers like me that say, That's when football was tough. No, it's tougher now. Now they're bigger, they're stronger, they're faster, and they have no fear. It's a harder game. I think when you even take that to pro football, it even goes up another notch, it even goes up another one.

Q. Is that I don't want to say 'scary' but shocking for you?

COACH PARKER: Yeah, yeah. You would go down on that field and all of a sudden these things are flying around down there hitting each other. You say to yourself, Damn, man, these guys are going at each other. It's changed. They're bigger.

It's like the Olympics. They run faster, they jump higher, they throw the shot further. They're better. They're bigger, they're stronger, they're faster, they're better than ever before. Ten years from now... When does it stop? How fast can a guy run? How high can a guy jump? I don't know, but it will go up. They'll get better.

Q. What persuaded you to come to Iowa and join this staff 13 years ago?

COACH PARKER: The opportunity, Kirk. I always thought when I coached at the other Big Ten schools, I thought this was a nice place. I heard a lot of good things about Kirk. We had some mutual friends that sort of talked about the thing. I talked to them. I just thought it was a good opportunity, which it was. It was a great move. It was a great move. It was a lot of fun.

Q. Have you heard from a lot of your players and what have they said?

COACH PARKER: I've heard from them. They've said, you know, nice things. Not many guys going to call you up and say, It's about time you quit. Not many guys going to call you up and say that (laughter). They've said nice things.

Q. If you had to pick one or two of your former players...

COACH PARKER: I'm not going to do that.

Q. ...who would you pick to help you stop Landry, the Oklahoma offense? Who would you pick to help you?

COACH PARKER: That's a hard question. I'd like to know what Matt Roth is doing that day, who could go get that quarterback. I mean, there's a lot of them you'd like. There's a lot of them you'd like at different positions.

I think a lot of positions have to play very well for us. I'd like to know what Considine is doing that day. I think the free safety is going to be an intricate part of what we're doing. To try to stop them, you have to have a free safety. I'd like to know what Considine is doing that day, see if he has that ability left.

Q. How does it feel to have your final challenge be against an offense like Oklahoma, all the weapons they have, how explosive they are?

COACH PARKER: Got to play somebody. Everybody's got to be someplace that day. Got to be there. Where else would you rather be than doing that? You wake up in the morning, you got to be someplace. What the hell, might as well be here. Let's go have a football game, see if you can win. That's what you do it for.

Q. If a college kid somewhere here in town said, I'm thinking of going into coaching, what do I really need to know, what would you tell him?

COACH PARKER: I would tell him that it's rewarding, but it's long hours, and if you are going to do it you have to do it the right way. Don't do it halfway. Don't insult the game.

To me, I think the game is a very important thing. If you do it half assed, then you're insulting the game. If that's what you're going to do, don't go into it. If you're going to go into it 100 miles an hour, full heart, then go do it, but don't insult the game. Don't insult the players and don't insult the game.

Q. I know you spent 12 years at Michigan State, you've been at Vanderbilt, East Carolina. That jumps off your résumé as a different location. Did you kind of find a home here at the end, do you think?

COACH PARKER: I think this, without question, is the nicest community to live in of all the places I've been. And I like the other places, I don't want to say that they weren't nice, but Iowa, this is a nice place, this is a nice place. It's got great schools. My kids weren't young enough that they would have gone to school here, but I think this is a great place to raise a family.

College Town USA to me it is. I think it's a nice place.

[A sharp contrast in light of Professor Bloom's article in The Atlantic on Living in Iowa the past 20 years]

Q. Could you talk a bit about a person or a moment that had the greatest effect on you in your career.

COACH PARKER: In terms of what?

Q. Let's say your coaching development.

COACH PARKER: I think all the guys that I worked for. I could give you sort of a sentimental story, but I don't want to get into that.

I think my high school coach was very important. I think my dad. I think my dad. I'm one of those guys that still at this age, my dad is long gone, but I still idolize my dad. He always encouraged me to do sports, to do other things. I think probably him more than anybody else.

Q. What is it about football that did it for you that got you out the bed in the morning, made you excited?

COACH PARKER: I think when you look at it, you know, you heard it said a lot of times, it is the ultimate team game. It is the ultimate team game. I think just being with the guys, being with the team, being part of something, just that. That got me going. That's what I like. I like to be part of the team. I like to be around the guys.

I think you often hear if you hang out with those younger people, they keep you young. I don't know if they've done that. I'm like a relic. But to me that's fun. That's fun.

Q. How are you able to relate year after year after year with them, with the different generations?

COACH PARKER: I honest to God don't think the players have changed. I don't think the players have changed nearly as much as people think they have. I think the parents have changed. Don't get me going on that.

The kids, they're the same. They're the same. I don't care if he's a kid from South Dakota or he's a kid from the inner city of Detroit. I think Abdul (Hodge) and (Chad) Greenway, they taught me as much as anything. I mean, here you had the white guy from South Dakota, the pig farmer from South Dakota, and the kid from the inner city of Miami, and those two guys were like this.

They were so tight, it was unbelievable.

The beauty of it was when they looked at each other, when Abdul looked at Greenway, he didn't see a white guy, he just saw his buddy. When Greenway looked at Abdul, he didn't see a black guy, he just saw his buddy. And they worked hard. That's what they looked at, what they saw when they looked at each other. To me it was a teaching thing for me to watch those two guys interact because that's the way they were.

It would be nice if everybody looked at everybody like that, if everybody could really just look at everybody like that. They didn't see a difference. There's no difference to them. They just saw their buddy. I really thought that was cool, just watching those two guys interact. I thought that was great.

Q. When you look at Oklahoma, without their top wide receiver, top runningback, how different has their offense become because of injuries?

COACH PARKER: None. They just reload. They just reload. I mean, they take this guy out and put that guy in. Different number. Same ability, different face, different size.

They lost two great players, but they've got great players. They've got a great football team.

They've got a great football team. Talent wise they're probably as good as anybody.

Q. Iowa's defense, did it all end up the way you thought it would 13 years ago?

COACH PARKER: I used to be a blitz o maniac, a blitzaholic. You sort of do what you can do with what you got. You do what you do because of what you have and who you're playing. I mean, I think you got to adjust a little bit. But, you know, the basic idea is to stop the other guy. Regardless of how you got to do it, you still have to try to stop him.

Q. (Question regarding Iowa's defense.)

COACH PARKER: If you had to classify what we had, and we've had some good athletes, but basically I think we've had tough, smart, hard working guys, and then we've had some guys ability wise, there's some what you would classify I don't know if you want to call them superstars, but there's been some of those guys that have been in there.

When you take guys like Mitch King, guys like that. If Considine walked in the door or Pat Angerer walked in the door and said he's a middle linebacker. Who the hell you kidding, middle linebacker in pro football.

But he's tough, he's smart, he's overachieving. He's an Iowa guy, he's an Iowa guy. That's what they are. That's what they are.

I think they work hard. Angerer, King, those guys work hard. So you have that core of your team, and then outsiders come in and they have to join that team. They have to take on those work ethics. That's the idea. That's the idea.

The core of it is made up of King, Angerer, Considine, those type of guys, then anybody that comes in has to join that core, has to join that core. If you do that, you got enough guys doing that, then you got a halfway decent defense.

Q. Angerer called you a genius the other day.

COACH PARKER: Angerer has been hit in the head too much. Got to examine his helmet (laughter).

No, Angerer is a good guy. If you look at Pat Angerer physically, he tells you he's a middle linebacker in the National Football League, you would tell him you're Vince Lombardi or somebody. But he's a good football player, a darn good football player.

Q. Would you like one of the current assistants on this staff to step in for you?

COACH PARKER: I want to see whoever Kirk wants to hire.

Q. You worked with a lot of these guys. Are they capable?

COACH PARKER: I'm not in charge of that. You're throwing out loaded questions at me now. I came in peace (laughter).

Q. How important was it for you to come back for the season after the amputation?

COACH PARKER: I think personally it was important just to prove that you could do it, just to prove that you could do it. 'The leg ran me off': I didn't want that to happen. Just to prove that you could do it. I don't know if that makes any sense or not.

But, you know, I can remember when I was a little kid, we used to put a rock in your shoe, you would see if you could walk all day with the stone in your shoe to see if you could do it. It hurt like hell, but you didn't want to take it out, just to prove that you could do it.

Q. Is that one of the things that you'll take away from this final season, that you did prove you were able to do it?

COACH PARKER: It's something I'll know. It's something I'll know. When I read that article about the kid in the paper yesterday that's playing middle linebacker and fullback, it makes me look like a piker. I felt like a sheep. I'm walking around, and he's playing middle linebacker and fullback. Sort of makes me look not real tough.

I admire that guy. I admire that guy. I mean, he must be one tough kid to be able to do that. He should win that Rudy award, whatever that award is. I can't imagine what he's doing.

Q. What did Kirk say when you told him it was time?

COACH FERENTZ: Glad you're gone (laughter). No, he was very nice. He was very nice.

Q. What did your wife say?

COACH PARKER: I'm not sure she was that nice. She didn't say much, you know. I hadn't talked it over with her. It wasn't like it was something we talked over a lot. Sort of, well, if that's the way you feel, you shouldn't do it any longer if that's the way you feel.

My kids were happy. They were afraid I was going to die on the field. They were all good, you know, so... I ain't going to die, don't think.

Q. What have other teams been able to do to slow Oklahoma down?

COACH PARKER: They were going 100 miles an hour, then Texas Tech beat them. It was like, Oh, we're not going to be the national champs. Then they lost another game. Other than Oklahoma State, nobody has really slowed them down. I mean, they move the ball. They move the ball.

It's not so much what they do, that they do anything fancy, it's the speed that they do it. It's not only the speed they execute the play but the time there is in between plays. It's almost like they line up, run a play faster than you can get lined up. It's as fast as you can get lined up, then they run another play, then they run another play. They'll go with no gain, no gain, no gain, then all of a sudden it's 15 yards, 20 yards, 25 yards, and they're in the end zone. But it is boom, boom, boom, boom, boom. It's the speed that they run in between the plays. I mean, it's fast.

The hard part is going to be simulating that in practice. How are you going to get that simulated in practice? Then during the game, they get you out on the field, they get teams out on the field, they get tired, but there isn't any of that waving your hand, Hey, coach, I'm tired, get me out of here. There's not time to get you out of there. Stay in there.

They go fast. They go fast. It's fast break football. It's like fast break football. If they were a basketball team, they sure as hell don't need a shot clock, they'd be gone. First team to 100 wins, which seems to be the mentality. A year ago they were trying for those games. They can put points on the board fast.

Q. What would you tell the person that will take your job?

COACH PARKER: I'd tell them it's a great job and good luck. I'd tell them that the guys are going to fight hard. I'd tell them you got good people, going to work for a good person, work in a good place. I think you'd tell them congratulations. That's what I'd tell them, you know. I don't know if that's sort of what you're thinking, but that's what I'd tell them.

It's a good deal. It's a good situation. I enjoyed it. I had a great time. I had a great time. Don't drive too fast down Melrose, you get a parking ticket. That guy out there will get you. Other than that, that's the only hazard, that cop out on Melrose.

It's Official: Iowa (7-5) vs. #14 Oklahoma (9-3), while the BCS Title game will be a SEC rematch

2011-12-04T20:33:00.005-06:00

The bowl games are set for the 2011-12 College bowl season! Both the Iowa Hawkeyes (7-5) and the Iowa State State (6-6) will play on December 30Th. The Northern Iowa Panthers are still alive in the FCS Playoffs. UNI will play Friday night on ESPN with a 7 p.m. kickoff at Montana. Of course, in the BCS Championship Game, it will be a battle of SEC teams, as #1 LSU faces #2 Alabama, in a rematch.

The Hawkeyes will face former Iowa defensive back Bobby Stoops, who is in his 13Th season at the helm of the #14 Oklahoma Sooners, in the Insight Bowl in Tempe, Arizona. In additional to Stoops, former Iowa OL Bruce Kittle is in his first season as offensive line coach, while co-offensive coordinator Jay Novell is a former Iowa defensive back.

The Cyclones will play earlier in the day against Rutgers (8-4) out of the Big East. Both teams will square off in Yankee Stadium in the New Era Pinstripe Bowl, in New York City.

2011-12 Bowl Games (games are Central Time start)

Saturday, December 17Th

New Mexico Bowl:

Temple vs. Wyoming 1:00 p.m. ESPN (HD) / espn3.com

Idaho Potato Bowl:

Ohio vs. Utah State 4:30 p.m. ESPN (HD) / espn3.com

New Orleans Bowl:

UL Lafayette vs. San Diego State 8:00 p.m. ESPN (HD) (3D) / espn3.com

Tuesday, December 20Th

St. Petersburg Bowl:

Florida International vs. Marshall 7:00 p.m. ESPN (HD) (3D) / espn3.com

Wednesday, December 21st

Poinsettia Bowl:

Louisiana Tech vs. TCU 7:00 p.m. ESPN (HD) / espn3.com

Thursday, December 22Nd

Las Vegas Bowl:

Arizona State vs. Boise State 7:00 p.m. ESPN (HD) / espn3.com

Saturday, December 24Th

Hawaii Bowl:

Nevada vs. Southern Miss 7:00 p.m. ESPN (HD) / espn3.com

Monday, December 26Th

Independence Bowl:

Missouri vs. North Carolina 4:00 p.m. ESPN2 (HD) / espn3.com

Tuesday, December 27Th

Little Caesars Bowl:

Purdue vs. Western Michigan 3:30 p.m. ESPN (HD) / espn3.com

Belk Bowl:

Louisville vs. North Carolina State 7:00 p.m. ESPN (HD) / espn3.com
Wednesday, December 28Th

Military Bowl:

Air Force vs. Toledo 3:30 p.m. ESPN (HD) / espn3.com

Holiday Bowl:

California vs. Texas 7:00 p.m. ESPN (HD) / espn3.com
Thursday, December 29Th

Champs Sports Bowl:

Florida State vs. Notre Dame 4:30 p.m. ESPN (HD) (3D) / espn3.com

Alamo Bowl:

Baylor vs. Washington 8:00 p.m. ESPN (HD) / espn3.com

Friday, December 30Th

Armed Forces Bowl:

BYU vs. Tulsa 11:00 a.m. ESPN (HD) / espn3.com

Pinstripe Bowl:

Iowa State vs. Rutgers 2:20 p.m. ESPN (HD) / espn3.com

Music City Bowl:

Mississippi State vs. Wake Forest 5:40 p.m. ESPN (HD) / espn3.com

Insight Bowl:

Iowa vs. Oklahoma 9:00 p.m. ESPN (HD) / espn3.com

Saturday, December 31st

Car Care Bowl:

Northwestern vs. Texas A&M 11:00 a.m. ESPN (HD) / espn3.com

Sun Bowl:

Georgia Tech vs. Utah 1:00 p.m. CBS (HD) / cbssports.com

Emerald Bowl:

Illinois vs. UCLA 2:30 p.m. ESPN (HD) / espn3.com

Liberty Bowl:

Cincinnati vs. Vanderbilt 2:30 p.m. ABC (HD)

Peach Bowl:

Auburn vs. Virginia 6:30 p.m. ESPN (HD) (3D) / espn3.com

Monday, January 2Nd

Games traditionally scheduled for New Years Day

to be played on Jan. 2nd to avoid Sunday NFL conflict

TicketCity Bowl:

Houston vs. Penn State 11:00 a.m. ESPNU (HD) / espn3.com?

Capital One Bowl:

Nebraska vs. South Carolina 12:00 p.m. ESPN (HD) (3D) / espn3.com

Gator Bowl:

Florida vs. Ohio State 12:00 p.m. ESPN2 (HD) / espn3.com

Outback Bowl:

Georgia vs. Michigan State 12:00 p.m. ABC (HD)

Rose Bowl:

Oregon vs. Wisconsin 3:30 p.m. ESPN (HD) / espn3.com

Fiesta Bowl:

Oklahoma State vs. Stanford 7:30 p.m. ESPN (HD) / espn3.com

Tuesday, January 3rd

Sugar Bowl:

Michigan vs. Virginia Tech 7:30 p.m. ESPN (HD) / espn3.com

Wednesday, January 4Th

Orange Bowl:

Clemson vs. West Virginia 7:00 p.m. ESPN (HD) / espn3.com

Friday, January 6Th

Cotton Bowl:

Arkansas vs. Kansas State 7:00 p.m. FOX (HD)

Saturday, January 7Th

FBS Championship Game

Current Brackets, including UNI

12:00 p.m. ESPN2 (HD) / espn3.com

BBVA Compass Bowl:

Pitt vs. SMU 12:00 p.m. ESPN (HD) / espn3.com

Sunday, January 8Th

Go Daddy Bowl:

Arkansas State vs. Northern Illinois 8:00 p.m. ESPN (HD) / espn3.com

Monday, January 9Th

BCS Championship Game:

#2 Alabama vs. # LSU

7:30 p.m. ESPN (HD) (3D) / espn3.com

Enjoy the ride of the 2011-12 College Football bowl season

Iowa @ Nebraksa as the Heroes Game kicks off on ABC on Black Friday

2011-11-25T08:28:00.005-06:00

Omaha was special location to celebrate Thanksgiving for a gathering of twenty friends and family. It was a mix of Cornhuskers, with Hawkeye fans. Several will be at today's game rooting for Big Red.

Which team will show up? An equal question for each fan base heading into the 11 a.m. showdown in Lincoln on ABC Sports. Both teams will not represent the Legends in the first Big Ten title game. A record of 4-3 wasn't worthy of a division title in 2011. The winner today will finish with a 5-3 Big Ten record.

Keys to Iowa-Nebraska game in Lincoln:

1. Which quarterback does a better job of game management, Vandenberg or Martinez?
2. Which defense gets off the field better on third down?
3. Which offense establishes the run better?
4. Who opens up the game and has more big plays?
5. Nebraska is a 9.5 home favorite, so Iowa needs to play a clean game, from a turnover, penalties and miscue prospective.
6. Special teams and the game of field position will be key.
7. Ultimately, this game will come down to physical line play and who consistently wins the battle in the line of scrimmage.

Iowa needs to score points and finish drives. Typically, Nebraska scores 42 points in Lincoln over Iowa, as 1982 and 2000. Last three wins in series, Nebraska has scored 42. Iowa has been dominated, but won in 1981 in Iowa City.

This series us now a conference game. Which team will show up in Lincoln for either side?

Iowa rolls 34-17 as Hawkeyes win all the phases of game. Cornhusker fans look to tar and feather coach Bo Pelini and his staff, after Year 1 in Big Ten.

Are We Ready for some Football: The Heroes Game debuts on Black Friday

2011-11-21T21:50:00.003-06:00

For the University of Iowa and its fans, a football game the day after Thanksgiving has been on the mind of a lot of people. Football in the regular season, after Thanksgiving is rather new for most Big Ten programs.

However, for Iowa's opponent on Black Friday, playing football has been a tradition dating back to the days of the old Big 8 Conference and the Nebraska-OU series. After the Big 12 Conference was created, the game was Colorado-Nebraska, in the annual game, after Thanksgiving.

Next: Iowa Hawkeyes vs. Nebraska Cornhuskers, in a new Big Ten rivalry game.

Both teams enter the game 4-3 in the Legends division. Depending on how Michigan (5-3 in the Legends) does hosting Ohio State (3-4 in Leaders) on Saturday, the game is likely for third place in the division. A win by Ohio State on Ann Arbor would throw the winner of the Iowa-Nebraska into a tw0-way tie for second place in the first Legends division race.

Michigan State (6-1 in the Legends) will represent the division in the first Big Ten title game in Indianapolis on Saturday, December 3Rd. The winner of the Penn State (6-1 the in Leaders) at Wisconsin (5-2 in the Leaders) will determine, who plays Michigan State in the title game. Michigan State plays Northwestern (3-4 in Leaders).

Nebraska holds a 26-12-3 advantage in the series that began with a 22-0 Iowa victory in 1891. The teams have not met since 2000 and the Huskers have won the last three meetings. Nebraska prevailed 42-13 in Lincoln in 2000 and won 42-7 in Iowa City in 1999 in the most recent meetings. The 1999 contest in Kinnick Stadium marked Coach Kirk Ferentz' first game as Iowa's head coach.

Iowa's most recent win in the series was a 10-7 victory at Iowa City in 1981. That game marked the first game in which Kirk Ferentz served as an Iowa assistant, being named Iowa's offensive line coach prior to the season.

Nebraska holds a 14-2-1 advantage in games played in Lincoln. Iowa has not won in Lincoln since a 33-13 win in 1933, having lost on its last four visits to Memorial Stadium. The first 10 games in the series were played in either Omaha (eight games) or Council Bluffs (two games). The series was even at 4-4-2 in those 10 meetings.

Nebraska won last meeting in series

Nebraska outscored Iowa 21-0 in the second half in pulling away to a 42-13 win over the Hawkeyes in Lincoln on Sept. 23, 2000, when the teams last met. Iowa drove 76 yards for a touchdown on its opening possession for a 7-0 lead, but the Huskers tied the game midway through the period and the teams were tied 7-7 after one quarter. Nebraska took a 14-7 lead in the second period before Iowa cut the deficit to a single point on Nate Kaeding field goals of 40 and 39 yards. Nebraska scored on a 43-yard pass on the final play of the first half for a 21-13 halftime advantage.

The Huskers dominated the second half. Iowa had just one possession in the final two quarters of more than six plays. Still, Nebraska led by a 28-13 margin before collecting two touchdowns in the final 1:27 of the fourth quarter. The big difference in the contest was rushing yardage, as Nebraska held a 331-47 advantage. In total offense, the Huskers held a 490-299 advantage. RB Ladell Betts led Iowa's rushing attack with 75 yards on 20 carries, while QB Scott Mullen completed 19-40 passes for 252 yards and a touchdown, with two interceptions. LB Mike Dolezal led Iowa's defense with 17 tackles. LB Roger Meyer had two tackles for loss and DL Jerry Montgomery recovered a fumble.

Iowa is 7-4 heading into the 2011 game in Lincoln. Nebraska is 8-3. In 2000, Iowa finished 3-9, while Nebraska finished 10-2. This year's game will be like no other in the Iowa-Nebraska series, since the Cornhuskers have now joined the Big Ten Conference.

Iowa at Nebraska Game Notes [PDF]

College Basketball Top 25: Creighton #25 in ESPN/USA Today Coaches Poll, after wins at UAB, vs. Iowa

2011-11-21T21:19:00.005-06:00

The 2012 NCAA Men's Basketball Rankings in ESPN/USA Today Coaches Poll Week 3 (Nov. 21) has the Creighton Bluejays (4-0) at #25, after picking up wins at UAB (70-60) and vs. Iowa (82-59) in Des Moines. Creighton moved up seven spots from 32Nd in last week's release.

It's the first time that Creighton has been ranked in the coaches poll since being tabbed 24Th on March 12, 2007. The last team from the MVC to be ranked by the coaches was Northern Iowa, which was 13Th in the final USA Today Coaches poll at the conclusion of the 2009-10 campaign.

Creighton will enjoy Thanksgiving on Thursday, then host Campbell (3-0), who will play at Iowa (3-1) on Wednesday night at Carver-Hawkeye Arena, before heading to Omaha. Creighton's game with Campbell on Friday will tip off at 7:05 pm at CenturyLink Center Omaha.

Creighton didn't make the Top 25 in the AP Poll, finishing #28, right behind Michigan State (2-2). Creighton has not been ranked in the top 25 by the Associated Press since being 20Th on Nov. 13, 2006. Creighton was last as high as 28Th in the AP poll on March 12, 2007, when it was 26Th. The Jays had been tied for 33rd in last week's AP poll.

The Missouri Valley Conference honors Doug McDermott as Player of the Week

After double-digit wins at UAB and versus Iowa on a neutral floor, the Creighton men's basketball team on Monday garnered its share of recognition from the league office and national pollsters.

Sophomore forward Doug McDermott was named Missouri Valley Conference Player of the Week after averaging 26.0 points and 8.0 rebounds per game. He shot 63.6 percent from the field (21-33), including 5-of-7 from downtown (71.4 percent) and also sank 5-of-6 free throws (83.3 percent).

McDermott began his week with 27 points and seven rebounds in a 70-60 road win at defending Conference USA champion UAB, snapping the Blazers 38-game non-conference regular-season home winning streak. He made 11-of-18 field goals, 3-of-4 shots from downtown, and both free throws while going against a UAB front line that included Preseason C-USA Player of the Year Cameron Moore.

On Sunday, McDermott returned to his home state and put on another impressive all-around display in an 82-59 demolition of Iowa. The sophomore had 18 of his game-high 25 points in the first half to help CU to a 45-29 intermission lead, and finished with 25 points and nine rebounds in 28 minutes. He sank 10-of-15 field goal attempts, including 2-of-3 from deep, and also made 3-of-4 foul shots.

McDermott also became the first Bluejay since 2003 with three straight games of 20 points or more, something last accomplished by two-time MVC Player of the Year Kyle Korver.

This is the first MVC Player of the Week accolade in McDermott's career, though he did set a league record last winter with seven MVC Newcomer of the Week awards.

Our look at the Top 25 in College Football, after Week 12

2011-11-20T20:45:00.001-06:00

We are heading into Thanksgiving week and many conferences will finish play in Week 13, ahead of conference title games in Week 14.

Week 12 brought a lot of upsets, especially in the Big 12, where both Oklahoma Big 12 schools, OU and Okie State, fell on back to back days. North Carolina State knocked down Clemson in the BCS pecking order in ACC play, during Week 12. USC spoiled Oregon's BCS hopes.

Here's our look at the Top 25 after Week 12

LSU Tigers (11-0, 7-0 SEC West)

Alabama Crimson Tide (10-1, 6-1 SEC West)

Arkansas Razorbacks (10-1, 6-1 SEC West)

Stanford Cardinal (10-1, 8-1 Pac 12 North)

Virginia Tech Hokies (10-1, 6-1 ACC Coastal)

Boise State Broncos (9-1, 4-1 MWC)

Oklahoma State Cowboys (10-1, 7-1 Big 12)

Oregon Ducks (9-2, 7-1 Pac 12 North)

Houston Cougars (11-0, 7-0 C-USA West)

Oklahoma Sooners (8-2, 5-2 Big 12)

Kansas State Wildcats (9-2, 6-2 Big 12)

Georgia Bulldogs (9-2, 7-1 SEC East)

Michigan State Spartans (9-2, 6-1 B1G Legends)

South Carolina Gamecocks (9-2, 6-2 SEC East)

Penn State Nittany Lions (9-2, 6-1 B1G Leaders)

Wisconsin Badgers (9-2, 5-2 B1G Leaders)

USC Trojans (9-2, 6-2 Pac 12 South)

Clemson Tigers (9-2, 6-2 ACC Atlantic)

Michigan Wolverines (9-2, 5-2 B1G Legends)

TCU Horned Frogs (9-2, 6-0 MWC)

Baylor Bears (7-3, 4-3 Big 12)

Nebraska Cornhuskers (8-3, 4-3 B1G Legends)

Notre Dame Fighting Irish (8-3)

Auburn Tigers (7-4, 4-3 SEC West)

Tulsa Golden Hurricane (8-3, 7-0 C-USA West)

Looking at the conference races, after Week 12 -
ACC - Clemson wins the Atlantic at 6-2, one game ahead of Wake Forest and Florida State. In the Coastal, the division title will be on the line in Week 13, with Virginia Tech (6-1) @ Virginia (5-2) for the right to play Clemson in the ACC title game.

Big 12 - With the loss of Colorado and Nebraska ahead of the 2011 season, there is no title game anymore in the Big 12. Oklahoma State (7-1) remains in the lead, despite the 2OT loss at Iowa State on Friday night, since Oklahoma (5-2) fell at Baylor. Kansas State (6-2) sneaks into the #2 spot now, with OU's loss.

Big East - There is no title game in the Big East, so two weeks remain in the regular season. Louisville and Rutgers lead at 4-2, but three other teams have only two losses at 3-2: Cincinnati, West Virginia and Pittsburgh. Pretty much par for the case in the lowest rated BCS conference.

Big Ten - Michigan State (6-1) clinched the Legends division spot in the first Big Ten title game, with a 55-3 win over IU. The Leaders division spot will be determined in Week 13, when Penn State (6-1) travels to Madison for the final regular season game at Wisconsin (5-2).

C-USA - Southern Miss (5-2) leads East Carolina (4-3) in the East, while the West is a little more interesting heading into Week 13 with both Houston and Tulsa at 7-0. Week 13 will determine how the C-USA title game breaks down.

Independents - Only two programs will be bowl eligible this year with BYU and Notre Dame, who are both currently 8-3, with one game left. Neither are worthy of a BCS bowl in 2011.

MAC - Ohio U (5-2) leads the East, one game ahead of Temple and Kent State. While in the West, Northern Illinois and Toledo are both tied at 6-1 heading into Week 13. This week will sort out who meets in the MAC title game.

MWC - In the final season, before heading to the Big 12, TCU at 6-0 has clinched the tie breaker for the title with wins over both Boise State and Wyoming, who are both at 4-1 heading into Week 13. There is no MWC title game, but TCU controls whether they win the conference outright or not.

Pac 12 - Stanford has closed out the North division with a 8-1 record, ahead of Oregon, who is 7-1, with one game left in the conference. The Cardinal will play their final regular season game outside the conference, when they host Notre Dame at home in Week 13. Who Stanford will play in the first Pac 12 title game will be determined in Week 13, when USC (6-2) hosts UCLA (5-3) for the South division spot.

SEC - Georgia (7-1) collected their ninth straight win of the season in Week 12, clinching the East division spot in the title game, one game ahead of South Carolina. LSU (7-0) controls their own destiny as they continue a one game lead heading into the final week of SEC play in the West. Alabama and Arkansas are both 6-1, with games at Auburn and at LSU, respectively.

Sun Belt - No title game in this conference, with Arkansas State at 7-0 with one game left, leading Western Kentucky, who is 6-1, with an opportunity to clinch a share of the conference title, if Arkansas State falls and WKU wins out.

WAC - The conference is dwindling soon, with no title game, either. Louisiana Tech (5-1) is ahead of Nevada (4-1) and Utah State (3-2), with the final weeks coming in WAC play.

We want to wish everyone a safe and enjoyable week of Thanksgiving. peace

Heroes Game - Iowa Hawkeyes (7-4, 4-3 B1G Legends) @ Nebraska Cornhuskers (8-3, 4-3 B1G Legends) on Black Friday of Week 13.

Creighton advances to 4-0 on young season, after solid 82-59 win over Iowa in Des Moines

2011-11-20T18:24:00.003-06:00

From Creighton University Sports Information
Box Score
DES MOINES, Iowa -- Creighton's first match-up with Iowa since 2001 was a lopsided affair, as the Jays drained 9-of-19 three-pointers to post a 82-59 win over the Hawkeyes before 12,746 fans at Wells Fargo Arena in Des Moines, Iowa.

Creighton is now 4-0 on the season, while Iowa dropped to 3-1. The game was the third for both teams in the Dale Howard Classic, as both teams will host unbeaten Campbell in the coming days.

Doug McDermott scored 13 of Creighton's first 18 points and the Jays used a 10-0 run to build up a 22-10 lead with 8:09 left in the first half. CU's lead reached 31-18 on a three-pointer by Grant Gibbs. The Jays kept up their hot shooting, moving ahead 45-26 after consecutive treys by CU's Avery Dingman and Josh Jones. Dingman (pictured to right) made three trifectas, while McDermott had 18 points, as the Jays headed to halftime with a 45-29 lead.

Creighton went inside early and often to start the second half, a major reason they outscored the Hawkeyes 40-16 in the paint for the night. Gregory Echenique scored the first five points, while McDermott and Antoine Young also scored in the paint to bring CU's lead to 56-36 with 14:48 to go. That started a 14-0 run that saw CU lead by as much as 66-36.

Creighton led by as much as 33 points (74-41 with 6:16 left) before settling for the final margin.

McDermott led CU with 25 points and nine rebounds, while Echenique added 15 points and nine rebounds and Dingman had a career-best 14 points on 4-of-4 shooting from long-range. Creighton shot 55.2 percent in the game, including 9-of-19 from deep (47.4 percent), while outrebounding the Hawkeyes 43-27 and dishing twice as many assists as Iowa (20-10).

Iowa was paced by 14 points from Josh Oglesby and 13 points from Matt Gatens.

Creighton returns to action on Friday when it closes out play in the Dale Howard Classic with a 7:05 pm game against unbeaten Campbell (3-0).

NOTES: This was the 25th all-time meeting between Creighton and Iowa, but first since the 2001 NCAA Tournament ... Doug McDermott became Creighton's first player with three straight games of 20 points or more since Kyle Korver in 2003 ... Greg McDermott is now 6-4 against Iowa ... Greg McDermott is now 52-4 in his Division head coaching career when scoring 80 or more points, and is 19-1 when his Creighton teams score 70 or more points ... Each of Creighton's last seven teams to start 4-0 or better have reached the postseason ... Creighton's first 12 points came from Iowa natives Doug McDermott and Grant Gibbs ... Creighton has won each of its first four games by double-digits ... Creighton outscored Iowa 18-3 in second-chance points ... Avery Dingman's career-high 14 points came in just 11 minutes ... Gregory Echenique's 15 points were a season-high ... Creighton is now 4-1 in the regular-season since 1998 against Big Ten competition, including a 3-0 mark against Iowa.

It's time to take my black & gold hat off for Iowa vs. Creighton

2011-11-19T21:46:00.004-06:00

From 1974 to 1982, my loyalty was often to the Iowa Hawkeyes, in college basketball. But, in 1982, I enrolled at Creighton University, so on Sunday, November 20Th at Wells Fargo Arena in Des Moines, its Creighton University (3-0) vs. the Iowa Hawkeyes (3-0).

It doesn't happen very often. The last time it happened was over ten years ago, in the first round of the NCAA Tournament, with Iowa advancing that day with a 69-56 win. Iowa played the previous two seasons in a home and home vs. Creighton, with the Jays winning both of those games by two and nine points. An earlier game was played in the 1990 non-conference in the old Amana-Hawkeye Classic championship game in Iowa City, losing by six.

Now, it's time for Game 5, since my years at Creighton. It's another neutral court.

Iowa has played three home games. Creighton won on the road at UAB on Wednesday night, 70-60, in the Blazers season opener. It was the first loss at home in the non-conference for UAB, since the 2005 season.

Creighton played at Wells Fargo Arena last season. The Bluejays lost at the buzzer to Iowa State.
This will be the first of three non-conference games vs. Big Ten opponents for the Bluejays this season. First up is Iowa on a neutral court. Creighton will play @ Nebraska and vs. Northwestern at CenturyLink Arena, as well.

Scoring:
Creighton is lead by sophomore Doug McDermott at 20.3 ppg, while Iowa is lead by three year captain, senior Matt Gatens at 16.3 ppg.

Rebounds:
Creighton is lead by junior Gregory Echenique at 6.7 rpg, while Iowa is currently lead by a true freshman off the bench in Aaron White at 6.0 rpg.

Assists:
Creighton is lead by a former Linn-Mar prep, in Gonzaga transfer, junior Grant Gibbs, who is averaging 4.7 apg. Iowa is lead by senior co-captain Bryce Cartwright at 6.3 apg. Cartwright was very solid in assists last season in the Big Ten.

Head coaches:
Both programs are headed by second year coaches. Creighton hired former UNI and ISU coach Greg McDermott, an Iowa native, took replace sixteen year coach Dana Altman, who is now at Oregon. Altman and McDermott squared off to close out the 2011 postseason last year. Former Siena Coach Fran McCaffery took over Todd Lickliter at Iowa last season. McDermott is 5-4 lifetime as a head coach vs. Iowa. This is the first time he has faced McCaffery head to head.

It should be an interesting game. Both teams are playing better than last season, with a deeper roster for each. It will be Iowa's first real test. Creighton passed its first test at UAB on Saturday night, but Iowa is even bigger, since it is a neighboring state and both teams are looking to keep a win streak going.

Some of the players have faced each other before. Iowa's Gatens and Creighton's Gibbs both played against one another in high school in Iowa.

A Creighton win over Iowa would be a great start in Year 2 for coach Greg McDermott. The same can be said for Coach Fran McCaffery. Go Jays! On Iowa!

Iowa picks up first road win of season with 31-21 win @ Purdue

2011-11-19T18:22:00.006-06:00

The Iowa Hawkeyes (7-4, 4-3 B1G Legends) finally took care of business on the road, after losing the first three of the season, with a 31-21 win at Purdue (5-6, 3-4 B1G Leaders). Purdue falls to 0-3 on Senior Day under coach Danny Hope. Iowa gets road redemption as the Hawkeyes win at Purdue on a windy day.

"It's good to get the win and being on the road makes it that much better. We knew it was going to be a tough challenge. Credit goes to our
players, they fought and battled hard. It wasn't a pretty game, but they really
worked hard." - Iowa head coach Kirk Ferentz

The Hawkeyes have won five of the last six and 17 of the last 23 meetings vs. Purdue. Iowa assures themselves of a winning season, with the win at Purdue.
After losses at Iowa State in 3 OT, at Penn State, at Minnesota; Iowa gets it together with solid road win at Purdue. The Hawkeyes were lead by solid quarterback play from junior James Vandenberg, solid running from sophomore Marcus Coker and solid play by four Iowa receivers, lead by senior Marvin McNutt. On defense, the defensive line put together their best game of the season, lead by seniors Mike Daniels and Broderick Binns.

"It's great to get that monkey off our back. This was a great team win all
around." - quarterback James Vandenberg

Iowa will enjoy this game, but will have to turnaround and get ready for the final Big Ten road game of the season on Black Friday, when the Hawkeyes face Nebraska (8-3, 4-3 B1G Legends) in Lincoln for the first Heroes Game, starting the Iowa-Nebraska rivalry in the Big Ten.

***

Michigan State (9-2, 6-1 B1G Legends) clinched the Big Ten Legends Division with a 55-3 home win on Senior Day over Indiana (1-10, 0-7 B1G Leaders). The Spartans, who beat Iowa last weekend on Iowa's Senior Day, will play the winner of next Saturday's Penn State-Wisconsin game on December 3Rd in the Big Ten's first championship game in Indianapolis. The Spartans will close out the regular season next Saturday at Northwestern (6-5, 2-4 B1G Legends).

Is it time for Iowa to pull off a road win in the 2011 season?

2011-11-19T08:27:00.007-06:00

Iowa is 0-3 on the road for the 2011 season. Iowa has two more chances at Purdue this week, then at Nebraska on Black Friday.

Until last weekend, Iowa (6-4, 3-3 B1G Legends) was undefeated at home, but Michigan State dropped Iowa to 6-1 for the season. Iowa's opponent, Purdue (5-5, 3-3 B1G Leaders) this week is 5-1 this season at home, at Ross-Ade Stadium.

Iowa hasn't played in West Lafayette, since the 2007 season and last won there in 2005. The Boilermakers and Hawkeyes haven't faced one another, since 2008, when Iowa beat Purdue 22-17 in the second to last game of the season.

Will three be a charm for Purdue? It will be Senior Day for the Boilermakers. Under Coach Danny Hope, the Boilermakers are 0-2 on Senior Day.

The weather is likely going to be windy at Ross-Ade Stadium on Saturday, as the two teams play on the Big Ten Network (Direct TV 611-1 in HD) with a 11 a.m. start. Last week, in Iowa's 37-21 loss vs. Michigan State, the Hawkeyes' junior QB James Vandenberg struggled against the wind.

Purdue is coming off a big 26-23 OT win at Ross-Ade Stadium over Ohio State last week. Last week for Iowa, the Hawkeyes were coming off a big 24-16 win over Michigan, as they faced Michigan State for the second straight home game.

Will Purdue's fate be similar to Iowa or will they string another victory at home and obtain bowl eligibility? http://Iowa - Black & Gold rivals, in this Big Ten intra-division protected game! Iowa has been 16-5-1, since 1983, while prior to the 1981 win by Iowa, Purdue had a 19 game winning streak over the Hawkeyes.

Both teams have a lot to play for on Saturday. Iowa can secure a winning season for 22011. While, Purdue can secure bowl eligibility and their first win on Senior Day under coach Danny Hope.

So, is there any Hope for Iowa in West Lafayette on Saturday?

Iowa QB Vandenberg needs to do a better job of game management

Iowa defense needs to play stronger and avoid "big plays" which hurt Iowa vs. MSU and in other Iowa losses on the road

Execution is huge, as well proper technique

Iowa must establish the running game - which they did at Minnesota in their disappointing 22-21 road loss. Who will be the #2 RB for Iowa this week?

Iowa must finish, unlike @ Minnesota: put points on the board in the red zone on offense

Iowa defense needs to play strong on red zone

Ironically, Iowa is a good red zone defense, in conference play

Special teams: both teams are pretty even, so who win the challenges in this phase?

Which coaching staff has there club in better position to win?

The Iowa coaching staff for the most part has had Iowa in position to make plays this season. But, in Iowa four losses, players have not stepped up, when the opportunity has been there for the Hawkeyes.

Iowa appears to be in a strong position, if they can get to 28 points @ Purdue.

Purdue needs to hold Iowa to 24 points or less. In regulation, Iowa has been held to 24, 3, 21 and 24 points in the four losses Iowa has had this season.

Prediction:

In 2005, it was Iowa 34, Purdue 17, in Iowa's last victory in West Lafayette, so this time around. Iowa's last road win was @ Michigan in 2010, when the Hawkeyes won 38-28.

In this game, look for Iowa, if they can get off to a good start and control momentum, the line of scrimmage and field position... IOWA 28, Purdue 17, very similar to Iowa's first B1G road win in 2007. That game was at Northwestern, when Iowa entered the game 0-3 on the road in the Big Ten.

24-24 Special at Iowa State again: Cyclones knock off #2 this time in 2OT

2011-11-19T07:42:00.004-06:00

Coach Paul Rhoads has become a dragon slayer over three years for the Iowa State Cyclones. On Friday Night in Ames, with a national ESPN audience, the Cyclones (6-4, 3-4 Big 12) knocked off #2 Oklahoma State Cowboys (10-1, 8-1 Big 12) 37-31 in 2 OT.

Most observers would say it was the biggest victory likely in Iowa State football history. ISU beats a 27 point favorite, after rebounding from a 24-7 third quarter deficit in front of a national television audience to force overtime. On Senior Night, at Jack Trice Stadium, the Cyclones pull off a huge win that throws a huge monkey wrench into the BCS title game pecking order.

For the second time in the 2011 season, ISU takes a game 24-24 into overtime in Ames. In the first OT game, earlier this season vs. Iowa, the Cyclones beat the Hawkeyes 44-41 in 3 OT. Last night, vs. #2 Oklahoma State, the Cyclones forced an interception in Okie State's possession in the second OT. With the ball, the Cyclones took three carries from the 25 yard line right down the Cowboys throat for a 37-31 victory.

David wins! Like the name of the movie Any Given Sunday, there is a reason the games are played on the field. Turnovers can often be a big equalizer.

#2 Oklahoma State made mistakes in Ames. In an emotional charged game, for different reasons for each team, Iowa State prevails. Oklahoma State threw three interceptions, which helped Iowa State get the upset. Sadly, earlier in the day, the Oklahoma State community faced a heavy heart, with the tragic loss of two women's basketball coaches, when the plane they were flying on in a recruiting trip crashed.

In the past three seasons under Paul Rhoads at Iowa State, the Cyclones have pulled off some special games.

In 2009, in Lincoln, Iowa State 9, Nebraska 7

In 2010, in Austin, Iowa State 28, #22 Texas 21

In 2011, in Ames, Iowa State 44, Iowa 41 in 3 OT

In 2011, in Ames, Iowa State 37, #2 Oklahoma State 31 in 2 OT

For the second time in three seasons, Iowa State is bowl eligible, after winning the season home finale of the season. Unlike 2009, the Cyclones have two games, rather than one left in Big 12 play.

Iowa State will wrap up the regular season with two final road games in Big 12 play. Next Saturday, the Cyclones will head to Norman for a game @ Oklahoma (8-1, 5-1 Big 12), then at Kansas State (8-2, 5-2 Big 12) on December 3Rd.

Fan bases should always remember... any given day! ISU is a program that hasn't won a share of football title in 99 and 100 years, respectively. There is always something special to play for on any given day!

Iowa is a .500 Big Ten football team with two games left

2011-11-13T12:09:00.005-06:00

Against the top two division teams in the Big Ten, Penn State (8-2, 5-1 B1G Leaders) and Michigan State (8-2, 5-1 B1G Legends), Iowa (6-4, 3-3 B1G Legends) wasn't equal, losing 13-3 at Penn State to open the Big Ten conference season, then losing 37-21 on Senior Day this past Saturday at Kinnick Stadium against Michigan State.

The Hawkeyes are coming off three straight seasons, winning each of their bowl games. In 2009, Iowa played with the Big Ten title on the line at Ohio State, but lost 24-27 in OT. Iowa QB James Vandenberg lead Iowa in that competitive game in Columbus, in relief of starter Ricky Stanzi, who was out due to injury. Stanzi was a key piece in leading Iowa to three bowl wins.

But, in Iowa's four losses in 2011, Vandenberg has often struggled at QB. Iowa's other two losses were on the road, with a 44-41 3OT loss at Iowa State, then a 22-21 loss at Minnesota. Turnovers have been a common denominator in Iowa's four losses this season. In Iowa's latest loss on Senior Day, vs. Michigan State, Iowa was a minus three in turnover margin.

Typically, Quarterbacks lose more games at the Big Ten level, than win them. Balance, with strong offense, defense and special teams are all typically needed. Wisconsin has a good team this year, but special teams have lead to breakdowns and losses. Iowa's special teams breakdowns last year, caused similar results.

Game management is important at the Quarterback position, but all phases need to step up. Since Iowa's 7-1 Big Ten season in 2004, Iowa's special teams have been hit and miss. Iowa has had some good performers, but consistency and execution has caused issues. Both coaching mistakes and player execution problems have been noticed in Iowa City, lately.

In the game Saturday vs. Michigan State, Iowa was victim of another special team breakdown, when the Spartans executed a fake field goal. A good Michigan State defense didn't make it easy for Iowa, but at times, Iowa simply looks out of sync.

Yeah, I don't know. I guess you'd have to say we weren't ready. We
didn't look ready. We left the door open way too many times in all three phases.
It wasn't just any one segment. Little details. Just little things, all the
basics that either help you win or make it tougher to win, Iowa
coach Kirk Ferentz commenting what was the key to MSU game

Iowa will lose 18 seniors, after this season. So, where are the Hawkeyes headed, as they close out the final two games on the road in the Big Ten? Iowa is bowl eligible for the eleventh straight season, but a trip to Detroit is not what the Iowa fans had in mind heading into 2011.

Iowa will face difficult challenges on the road with games at Purdue (5-5, 3-3 B1G Leaders) this week, then a major showdown at Nebraska (8-2, 4-2 B1G Legends) on Black Friday. The games at Purdue and Nebraska will have major bowl implications for all three teams. Both games will have an 11 a.m. kickoff. The Purdue game will be on the Big Ten Network and ABC Sports will air the Nebraska game on Black Friday.

The Hawkeyes were at a crossroads, at 2-2, after the loss at Minnesota. Iowa rebounded with a solid 24-16 win over Michigan (8-2, 4-2 Legends), which was clearly Iowa's best game in 2011. But, unlike returning to the home field of Kinnick Stadium facing Michigan, Iowa will face two major road games, where Iowa is 0-3 for 2011. Next up: @ Purdue on Saturday.

Senior Day for Iowa: 18 seniors face Michigan State at Kinnick Stadium with 11 a.m. kickoff on ESPN2

2011-11-12T06:30:00.001-06:00

The Iowa Hawkeyes (6-3, 3-2 B1G Legends) will kickoff Senior Day with Michigan State (7-2, 4-1 B1G Legends), with first place in the Legends Division on the line. The game is televised on ESPN2 at 11 a.m. Central Time. ESPNs preview.

Iowa has beat Michigan State each time at Kinnick Stadium, since 1989. However, there have been some close games in the series, including a double OT game in 2007, when Iowa beat Michigan State 34-27. Last year, Iowa beat Michigan State 37-6, which was the Spartans lone loss in the Big Ten and the regular season. The Hawkeyes have beat the Spartans seven straight times at Kinnick Stadium by a 15 point margin, but like the 2007 game, this year's game should be a close one. The Spartans are favored by three points.

However, the road has been tough for many teams in 2011. Iowa is 6-0 at Kinnick this year, but 0-3 on the road. Michigan State has lost twice on the road this season with a non-conference game at Notre Dame, then at Nebraska in Big Ten play.

The quarterbacks will be a key position to watch in the Iowa-MSU match up. Senior #8 Kirk Cousins leads the Spartans offensive attack. Last year in Iowa City, Cousins had his worse game, according to Phil Steele, with three interceptions, with two that lead to 13 first half points for the Hawkeyes. Iowa is lead at quarterback by a first year starter, in junior #16 James Vandenberg.

Offensively, Iowa has three of the top performers statistically in the Big Ten, with Vandenberg at QB, sophomore RB #34 Marcus Coker and senior WR #7 Marvin McNutt. Michigan State has one of the Big Ten's best defensive squads. In Iowa's road loss at Penn State, defensive strength from the Nittany Lions kept the Iowa offense off track all game, in a 13-3 loss. Will another top defense cause Iowa problems? With the game at Kinnick Stadium, Iowa's offense should play better? If they are going to defeat Michigan State, they will have to or it could be a long day for the Hawkeyes.

On defense, Michigan State is lead by super sophomores, like DE #2 William Gholston, LB #28 Denicos Allen and CB #31 Darqueze Dennard, all first year starters. Junior DT #99 Jerel Worthy is outstanding, along with two other returning starters in a strong Spartan defensive line. Junior CB #5 Johnny Adams is another good player for the Spartans to keep an eye on.

Success at Kinnick Stadium will start with the play of the offensive and defensive lines. The Iowa-MSU game should be a very physical game. The victory will most likely go to the team that establishes the better line play, whether that be on offense or on defense. Special teams will also be an important aspect of the game.

Senior Day at Kinnick, with a look at the Big Ten statistical breakdown: Iowa vs. MSU:

SCORING OFFENSE G TD FG XPT 2XP DXP Saf Points Avg/G
5. Iowa 5 17 5 17 0 0 0 134 26.8
8. Michigan State 5 14 3 12 1 0 1 109 21.8

MSU is weakest scoring offense of Iowa, UNL and Purdue

SCORING DEFENSE G TD FG XPT 2XP DXP Saf Points Avg/G
t3. Michigan State 5 13 3 13 0 0 0 100 20.0
6. Iowa 5 13 6 10 0 0 0 106 21.2

Strongest scoring defense of teams left for Iowa

TOTAL OFFENSE G Rush Pass Plays Yards Avg/P TD Avg/G
6. Iowa 5 842 994 294 1836 6.2 16 367.2
9. Michigan State 5 600 1042 308 1642 5.3 12 328.4

Iowa beat #2 Northwestern and #3 Michigan and #8 IU at Kinnick in B1G

TOTAL DEFENSE G Rush Pass Plays Yards Avg/P TD Avg/G
3. Michigan State 5 647 909 338 1556 4.6 13 311.2
8. Iowa 5 906 1092 367 1998 5.4 13 399.6

Illinois ranks best in this stat, with PSU #2 and MSU #3. Michigan is #4.

RUSHING OFFENSE G Att Yards Avg. TD Yards/G
8. Iowa 5 177 842 4.8 8 168.4
12. Michigan State 5 160 600 3.8 4 120.0

How well will MSU run the ball at Kinnick? Could be biggest factor in game?

RUSHING DEFENSE G Att Yards Avg. TD Yards/G
3. Michigan State 5 214 647 3.0 5 129.4
8. Iowa 5 211 906 4.3 5 181.2

PSU ranks #1 and Michigan ranks #2. Iowa appears to be improving in run offense. Will Iowa show another back vs. MSU? Or, will it continue to be all Marcus Coker attacking MSU's run defense?

PASS OFFENSE G Comp Att Int Pct. Yards Avg. TD Avg/G
5. Michigan State 5 89 148 3 60.1 1042 7.0 8 208.4
6. Iowa 5 73 117 3 62.4 994 8.5 8 198.8

Iowa beat the #1 Northwestern and #3 Michigan at home. Didn't play UW or Illinois.

PASS DEFENSE G Comp Att Int Pct. Yards Avg. TD Avg/G
4. Michigan State 5 64 124 7 51.6 909 7.3 8 181.8
11. Iowa 5 97 156 3 62.2 1092 7.0 8 218.4

#11 and #12 Iowa and Northwestern, respectively pulled off big wins this past weekend.

PASS EFFICIENCY Offense G Comp Att Int Pct. Yards TD Effic.
3. Iowa 5 73 117 3 62.4 994 8 151.2
6. Michigan State 5 89 148 3 60.1 1042 8 133.1

Big game for James Vandenberg vs. MSU.

PASS DEFENSE EFFIC. G Comp Att Int Pct. Yards TD Effic.
6. Michigan State 5 64 124 7 51.6 909 8 123.2
9. Iowa 5 97 156 3 62.2 1092 8 134.1

Purdue and Nebraska rank better in this category.

KICKOFF RETURNS G No. Yards TD Avg.
5. Iowa 5 17 392 0 23.1
7. Michigan State 5 19 417 0 21.9

Field position is always important and Iowa's coverage units have been improving, since ISU game.

PUNT RETURN AVG G No. Yards TD Avg.
3. Michigan State 5 11 109 1 9.9
8. Iowa 5 4 19 0 4.8

Micah Hyde is getting more comfortable and made some big catches on windy day at Kinnick vs. Michigan. Iowa needs to make sure this isn't an area where MSU shines.

INTERCEPTIONS G No. Yards TD Avg.
2. Michigan State 5 7 70 1 10.0
8. Iowa 5 3 103 1 34.3

PSU leads the B1G. Iowa's offense needs to avoid mistakes. Turnovers helped Iowa this past weekend.

PUNTING G No. Yards Avg/P Ret. Avg. TB Net/P
4. Iowa 5 14 535 38.2 16 1.1 1 35.6
9. Michigan State 5 28 1073 38.3 74 2.6 2 34.2

Field position game is always important for Iowa.

KICKOFF COVERAGE G No. Yards Avg. Return TB Net Avg.
3. Michigan State 5 21 1356 64.6 279 6 45.6
6. Iowa 5 27 1655 61.3 455 0 44.4

MSU has 6 TBs to Iowa's 0 in B1G play this year.

FIELD GOALS G Made-Att Pct.
8. Iowa 5 5-7 .714
11. Michigan State 5 3-5 .600

In close games, Alabama witnessed how important FGs can be in last night's game vs. LSU.

PAT KICKING G Made-Att Pct.
t1. Iowa 5 17-17 1.000
Michigan State 5 12-12 1.000

Iowa has been scoring more TDs, basically one more per game than MSU in the B1G.

SACKS BY G No. Yards
1. Michigan State 5 21 151
12. Iowa 5 6 56

Night and day differences when it comes to sacks and pressuring the QB.

SACKS AGAINST G No. Yards
t5. Michigan State 5 10 61
8. Iowa 5 14 107

Which O-Line protects better on Saturday?

FIRST DOWNS G Rush Pass Pen Total Avg/G
8. Iowa 5 46 40 5 91 18.2
10. Michigan State 5 28 47 5 80 16.0

Big plays on offense are always important in games.

OPPONENT 1ST DOWNS G Rush Pass Pen Total Avg/G
7. Michigan State 5 36 45 14 95 19.0
9. Iowa 5 51 54 6 111 22.2

Iowa gives up first downs, but can they hold down the big plays?

3RD-DOWN CONVERSIONS G Conv. Att. Pct.
6. Iowa 5 22 54 40.7
10. Michigan State 5 25 71 35.2

First and second down will be important on Saturday.

OPP 3RD-DN CONVERT G Conv. Att. Pct.
3. Michigan State 5 24 69 34.8
10. Iowa 5 38 77 49.4

Michigan is #2 in this category, next up Michigan State.

4TH-DOWN CONVERSIONS G Conv. Att. Pct.
9. Iowa 5 4 9 44.4
10. Michigan State 5 3 7 42.9

Both coaches are likely conservative on 4th down.

OPP 4TH-DN CONVERT G Conv. Att. Pct.
t3. Michigan State 5 3 7 42.9
10. Iowa 5 6 8 75.0

Hopefully for Iowa, it will not come done to 4Th down conversions?

PENALTIES G No. Yards Avg/G
1. Iowa 5 22 153 30.6
10. Michigan State 5 33 308 61.6

MSU isn't dirty and physical are they?

OPPONENT PENALTIES G No. Yards Avg/G
2. Michigan State 5 37 293 58.6
5. Iowa 5 29 255 51.0

Who will play more sound on Saturday? Michigan leads B1G in this stat.

TIME OF POSSESSION G Poss. Time Avg/G
t7. Michigan State 5 144:37 28:55
11. Iowa 5 136:54 27:22

Opponent offenses are keeping the ball longer vs. each.

Gained Lost
TURNOVER MARGIN G Fumb Int Total Fumb Int Total Margin Per/G
t4. Iowa 5 3 3 6 2 3 5 +1 0.20
t9. Michigan State 5 0 7 7 5 3 8 -1 -0.20

Huge stat typically, in a game where Iowa has won at Kinnick every game, even OT games, since 1989.

Red Zone Touchdowns Field Goals Lost possession
RED ZONE OFFENSE G Scores-Chances Pct. TDs Rush-Pass Made-Att Fumb Int. Downs Other
5. Iowa 5 15-18 83.3 11 8-3 4-6 1 0 0 0
11. Michigan State 5 8-11 72.7 7 2-5 1-1 0 1 2 0

Only Nebraksa is better (#5) in red zone offense in the Legends.

Red Zone Touchdowns Field Goals Lost possession
RED ZONE DEFENSE G Scores-Chances Pct. TDs Rush-Pass Made-Att Fumb Int. Downs Other
2. Iowa 5 17-24 70.8 12 5-7 5-5 0 3 3 1
8. Michigan State 5 11-13 84.6 8 4-4 3-4 0 0 1 0

Iowa leads defenses in the Legends in this category now.

ON-SIDE KICKS BY G On-side Pct.
t2.Michigan State 5 0-0 0.0
Iowa 5 0-0 0.0

ON-SIDE KICKS AGAINST G On-side Pct.
1. Michigan State 5 0-1 0.0
12. Iowa 5 1-3 33.3

Hopefully, Iowa will not need a onside kick to win.

RUSHING Cl G Att. Yards Avg. TD Long Avg/G
1. Coker, Marcus-IOWA SO 5 124 721 5.8 8 50 144.2
9. Bell, Le'Veon-MSU SO 5 64 311 4.9 2 35 62.2

A healthy Marcus Coker has emerged in conference play.

PASSING AVG/GAME Cl G Comp-Att-Int Pct. Yards TD Long Avg/G
4. Cousins, Kirk-MSU SR 5 89 - 148 - 3 60.1 1042 8 69 208.4
5. Vandenberg, J.-IOWA JR 5 73 - 117 - 3 62.4 994 8 80 198.8

Which QB will have more success on Saturday?

PASS EFFICIENCY Cl G Comp-Att-Int Pct. Yards TD Long Effic.
3. Vandenberg, J.-IOWA JR 5 73 - 117 - 3 62.4 994 8 80 151.2
7. Cousins, Kirk-MSU SR 5 89 - 148 - 3 60.1 1042 8 69 133.1

Iowa just faced the #6 QB in this category with D. Robinson.

RECEPTIONS/GAME Cl G Rec. Yards TD Long Avg/C Avg/G Rec/G
3. McNutt, Marvin-IOWA SR 5 32 546 5 80 17.1 109.2 6.4
4. Martin, Keshawn-MSU SR 5 25 252 3 25 10.1 50.4 5.0
t7. Cunningham, B.-MSU SR 5 22 399 2 69 18.1 79.8 4.4

When Iowa wins, Vandenberg and the offense usually find a way to get the ball to McNutt.

RECEIVE YDS/GAME Cl G Rec. Yards TD Long Rec/G Avg/C Avg/G
2. McNutt, Marvin-IOWA SR 5 32 546 5 80 6.4 17.1 109.2
4. Cunningham, B.-MSU SR 5 22 399 2 69 4.4 18.1 79.8
8. Davis, Keenan-IOWA JR 4 13 229 1 47 3.2 17.6 57.2

The return of Keenan Davis was big in win over Michigan.

TOTAL OFFENSE Cl G Rush Pass Plays Total Yds/G
8. Vandenberg, J.-IOWA JR 5 28 994 151 1022 204.4
9. Cousins, Kirk-MSU SR 5 -45 1042 164 997 199.4

SCORING Cl G TD FG XPT 2XP Pts Pts/G
t2. Coker, Marcus-IOWA SO 5 8 0 0 0 48 9.6
10. Meyer, Mike-IOWA SO 5 0 5 17 0 32 6.4

Iowa needs both these players producing, if they are going to surpass MSU.

SCORING (TDs) Cl G TD Rush Pass Ret. PAT Pts Pts/G
t2. Coker, Marcus-IOWA SO 5 8 8 0 0 0 48 9.6
t4. McNutt, Marvin-IOWA SR 5 5 0 5 0 0 30 6.0

Iowa has a one-two punch on offense, as long as Vandenberg has offense in sync.

SCORING (KICK) Cl G PATs FGs Pts Pts/G
7. Meyer, Mike-IOWA SO 5 17-17 5-7 32 6.4
10. Conroy, Dan-MSU JR 5 12-12 3-5 21 4.2

As Alabama found out vs. LSU and Iowa vs. Minnesota, you have to execute and put points on the board.

PUNT RETURN AVG Cl G No. Yards TD Long Avg.
2. Martin, Keshawn-MSU SR 5 10 73 0 15 7.3

Iowa has dipped in this category. How many games has Martin played vs. Iowa in his career?

KICK RETURN AVG Cl G No. Yards TD Long Avg.
4. Bernstine, J.-IOWA SR 5 12 300 0 62 25.0
7. Hill, Nick-MSU FR 5 16 364 0 62 22.8

Each has a 62 yard return... which KOR team will play better on Saturday?

ALL PURPOSE Cl G Rush Rcv PR KR Yards Yards/G
3. Coker, Marcus-IOWA SO 5 721 38 0 0 759 151.8
9. McNutt, Marvin-IOWA SR 5 26 546 0 14 586 117.2

Does Iowa get on sync agaisnt defensive minded MSU team?

PUNTING Cl G No. Yards Long Avg.
6. Sadler, Mike-MSU FR 5 28 1073 51 38.3
7. Guthrie, Eric-IOWA SR 5 14 535 49 38.2

Coverage units need to step up in this game.

FIELD GOALS Cl G Made Att. Pct. Made/G
6. Meyer, Mike-IOWA SO 5 5 7 71.4 1.00
t9. Conroy, Dan-MSU JR 5 3 5 60.0 0.60

Will this game come down to the little things, such as a FG?

FIELD GOAL PCT Cl G Made Att. Long Pct.
6. Meyer, Mike-IOWA SO 5 5 7 47 71.4
9. Conroy, Dan-MSU JR 5 3 5 50 60.0

Iowa and MSU both typically are sound in special teams.

PAT KICKING PCT Cl G Made Att. Pct.
t1. Meyer, Mike-IOWA SO 5 17 17 100.0
Conroy, Dan-MSU JR 5 12 12 100.0

In the Iowa-Michigan game, we witnessed how important an XP can be.

TACKLES (All positions) Cl G Pos. Solo Ast. Total Avg/G Sacks
5. Morris, James-IOWA SO 4 LB 21 23 44 11.0 0.0
8. Gholston, W.-MSU SO 4 DE 15 22 37 9.2 3.0
10. Nielsen, Tyler-IOWA SR 4 LB 16 18 34 8.5 1.0
t11. Bernstine, J.-IOWA SR 5 DB 18 24 42 8.4 0.0
Kirksey, C.-IOWA SO 5 LB 23 19 42 8.4 0.0
t17. Lewis, Isaiah-MSU SO 5 17 21 38 7.6 0.0
Miller, Tanner-IOWA SO 5 DB 28 10 38 7.6 0.0
t23. Bullough, Max-MSU SO 5 LB 11 23 34 6.8 1.5
t36. Robinson, T.-MSU SR 5 19 12 31 6.2 0.0

Sophomores lead MSU in defense.

SACKS Cl G Pos. Solo Ast. Yards Total Avg/G
t2. Allen, Denicos-MSU SO 5 LB 4 2 38 5.0 1.00
11. Gholston, W.-MSU SO 4 DE 2 2 20 3.0 0.75
t14. Binns, B.-IOWA SR 5 DL 2 1 21 2.5 0.50
t17. Adams, Johnny-MSU JR 5 CB 2 0 18 2.0 0.40
Rush, Marcus-MSU FR 5 DE 2 0 17 2.0 0.40

MSU will get pressure from a variety of players over the defense. Iowa needs Binns to play solid again and other players to step up in game vs. MSU.

TACKLES FOR LOSS Cl G Pos. Solo Ast. Yards Total Avg/G
7. Gholston, W.-MSU SO 4 DE 6 3 29 7.5 1.88
t10. Allen, Denicos-MSU SO 5 LB 4 4 40 6.0 1.20
Binns, B.-IOWA SR 5 DL 5 2 32 6.0 1.20
19. Rush, Marcus-MSU FR 5 DE 4 1 21 4.5 0.90

TFL will help defenses get off the field and force offenses to get behind the sticks. What will we see Saturday?

PASSES DEFENDED Cl G BrUp Int. Total Avg/G
t1. Hyde, Micah-IOWA JR 5 4 1 5 1.00
Robinson, T.-MSU SR 5 2 3 5 1.00
t8. Binns, B.-IOWA SR 5 4 0 4 0.80
t16. Lowery, B.J.-IOWA SO 4 3 0 3 0.75

Iowa needs some breaks in pass defense to continue.

INTERCEPTIONS Cl G No. Yards TD Long Avg/G
1. Robinson, T.-MSU SR 5 3 6 0 6 0.60
t3. Lewis, Isaiah-MSU SO 5 2 39 1 39 0.40

MSU has two ball hawks in pass defense. Iowa needs to step up and likely force some, if they plan to upset MSU.

FUMBLES FORCED Cl G No. Avg/G
t7. Nielsen, Tyler-IOWA SR 4 1 0.25
Gholston, W.-MSU SO 4 1 0.25

Forcing turnovers... big for Iowa and MSU on occassion!

FUMBLES RECOVERED Cl G No. Avg/G
t3. Nielsen, Tyler-IOWA SR 4 1 0.25
t7. Bigach, Steve-IOWA JR 5 1 0.20

Defense often wins championships. The Legends division race will be on the line at Kinnick Stadium on Saturday. Who steps up?

Iowa has won 16 of last 21 finales at home. Iowa has had MSU's number at Kinnick, since 1989. Kirk Cousins had worse game of his career at Iowa LY in 37-6 loss. Cousins threw three INTs leading to 13 Iowa points.

MSU has a new OC this year and 3 of 5 new starters in offensive line, so those two areas likely are part of MSU's dip in offense in 2011. Iowa's defense has dipped due to loss of talent to NFL and graduation.

Iowa 27, MSU 22 when looking at B1G games
How much will Kinnick be worth for Iowa? 5 points?
MSU opponents 20, Iowa opponents 21 games

Numbers are good for Iowa, but MSU has played better opponents? We shall see, our game prediction is Iowa 27, Michigan State 22.

Wins for Iowa and Creighton to open season; while #1 North Carolina beats Michigan State on Carrier Deck

2011-11-11T21:27:00.004-06:00

Final basketball scores to open 2011-12 season ...

Iowa Hawkeyes 96 - Chicago State Cougars 53 ESPN Box
Creighton Bluejays 93 - North Carolina A&T Aggies 66 ESPN Box
#1 North Carolina Tar Heels 67 - Michigan State Spartans 55 ESPN Box

A great basketball site to follow College Basketball statistically is Ken Pomeroy's site.

Veteran Day games on 11/11/11.

Iowa, Creighton open 2011-12 season on Friday night, while Quicken Loans Carrier Classic tips off in San Diego

2011-11-11T19:23:00.003-06:00

The University of Iowa tips off the 2011-12 college basketball season with a home game vs. Chicago State at Carver-Hawkeye Arena. Over in Omaha, Creighton University opens the 2011-12 season hosting North Carolina A&T at newly named CenturyLink Center. It should be an exciting year for both the Hawkeyes and Bluejays, under second year coaches Fran McCaffery and Greg McDermott, respectively.

Over on ESPN, the Quicken Loans Carrier Classic opens with #1 North Carolina playing Michigan State. President Barack Obama and the First Lady will be on hand as College Basketball opens the 2011-12 season with a game on the U.S.S. Carl Vinson on Veterans Day 2011.

On Saturday, the Iowa Hawkeyes (6-3, 3-1 B1G Legends) will take the football field at Kinnick Stadium for Senior Day vs. Michigan State (7-2, 4-1 B1G Legends) for first place in the Legends Division. Iowa hasn't lost to MSU at Kinnick Stadium, since the 1989 season. The game will be broadcast on ESPN2 at 11 a.m. Central Time.

Sad Day in College Football with the firing of Joe Paterno at Penn State University

2011-11-09T21:34:00.006-06:00

We learned tonight that the 46 year career of Joe Paterno as head football coach at Penn State University has ended with his termination by the Board of Trustees. It is a sad day in College Football, with news of Joe Paterno's dismissal. However, it is hard to disagree that the Paterno should leave immediately.

Earlier in the day, Joe Paterno informed Penn State that he would retire at the end of the 2011 season, but the Board of Trustees decided tonight, after a meeting at the Penn State University campus that Joe Paterno has been fired. The President of Penn State University has also been fired tonight by the Board of Directors.

The Nittany Lions have three games left in the Big Ten season, with Senior Day on Saturday vs. Nebraska, then two road games, @ Ohio State and @ Wisconsin. In light of the tragic story involving a former Penn State defensive coordinator, Jerry Sandusky, and the potential cover up by the administration at Penn State University over the past nine years, it isn't surprising to see Joe Paterno's career at Penn State end tonight.

Current defensive coordinator Tom Bradley will serve as interim coach for the rest of the season. One would expect the entire staff will be dismissed at the end of the season. With this ugly story of sexual abuse by a former PSU coach and the possible cover up, Penn State University begins the purging of the principals that were present during this emerging story in State College.

Joe Paterno is not guilty of any criminal violations, but the ethics and moral responsibility appears to have a gap. In his own words, Joe Paterno wished he would have done more. The University is moving on. It is a sad day indeed in College Football and State College.

Our thoughts and prayers are with those negatively impacted by this abuse scandal and the series of events surrounding this development.

Personally, I began watching College Football around 1973, which was one of the five undefeated seasons for Joe Paterno. My College Football history has always involved Joe Paterno coaching in it. Today, like with Woody Hayes at Ohio State, we witness an end of a historic career with a firing, rather than a retirement. It was the right business decision and like many who follow College Football, I agree with it.

Top 25 after Week 10

2011-11-08T22:49:00.002-06:00

It's wasn't a high scoring affair, but #1 vs. #2 closes out a big first weekend in November in College Football!

CIDSports Top 25 after Week 10

LSU (9-0, 6-0 SEC West)

Stanford (9-0, 7-0 Pac 12 North)

Oklahoma State (9-0, 6-0 Big 12)

Bosie State (8-0, 3-0 MWC)

Alabama (8-1, 5-1 SEC West)

Oregon (8-1, 6-0 Pac 12 North)

Arkansas (8-1, 4-1 SEC West)

Oklahoma (8-1, 5-1 Big 12)

Virginia Tech (8-1, 5-1 ACC Coastal)

Clemson (8-1, 5-1 ACC Atlantic)

Penn State (8-1, 5-0 B1G Leaders)

Houston (10-0, 6-0 C-USA West)

Kansas State (7-2, 4-2, Big 12)

South Carolina (7-2, 5-2 SEC East)

Georgia (7-2, 5-1 SEC East)

Texas (6-2, 3-2 Big 12)

Michigan State (7-2, 4-1 B1G Legends)

Auburn (6-3, 4-2 SEC West)

Wisconsin (7-2, 3-2 B1G Leaders)

USC (7-2, 4-2 Pac 12 South)

Cincinnati (8-1, 3-0 Big East)

Georgia Tech (7-2, 4-2 ACC Coastal)

Nebraska (7-2, 3-2 B1G Legends)

Michigan (7-2, 3-2 B1G Legends)

Southern Miss (8-1, 4-1 C-USA East)

MAC - top teams, but unranked: Ohio U (6-3, 3-2 MAC East); Northern Illinois (7-2, 4-1 MAC West)

Independents - top team, but unranked: Brigham Young (6-3)

Sun Belt - top team, but unranked: Arkansas State (7-2, 5-0 Sun Belt)

WAC - top team, but unranked: Nevada (5-3, 3-0 WAC)

Iowa 24, Michigan 16 to stay alive for the B1G Legends Divisions Title

2011-11-07T16:39:00.003-06:00

Iowa beats Michigan for the first time, three years in a row. A first in the series, after previous two year steaks in 1984 and 1985 under J. Hayden Fry, 2002 and 2003 under Kirk Ferentz, along with the past two years in 2009 and 2010.

Iowa (6-3, 3-2 B1G Legends) gets ready for the Division leader, Michigan State (7-2, 4-1 B1G Legends) at Kinnick Stadium, with a 11 am kickoff on ESPN2.

It will be Senior Day at Kinnick Stadium on Saturday. Senior members of the Iowa football program will be introduced Saturday during pregame ceremonies. The Iowa seniors include RB Jason White, DB Jordan Bernstine, P Eric Guthrie, WR Marvin McNutt, Jr., DB Kyle Steinbrecher, DB Shaun Prater, TE Brad Herman, LB Tyler Nielsen, LB Terrance Pryor, OL Markus Zusevics, DL Lebron Daniel, OL Woody Orne, OL Adam Gettis, DL Tom Nardo, WR Joe Audlehelm, DL Broderick Binns, DL Mike Daniels and DL Joe Forgy.

Additional senior members of the program include senior student managers Ben Dolan, Andrew Flynn, Blaine Mateer and Todd Dunford; senior athletic training students Sara Smith, Jon Piche and Joe McDermott; and senior student videographers Michael Witt, Derek Ambrose, Grant Ridpath and Dan Bettenhausen.

November has arrived and the games get bigger in the B1G

2011-11-06T14:14:00.005-06:00

No, the Big Ten isn't playing as strong as the SEC right now. But, as the first weekend of November closes, two big upsets open up the division race in the Legends, while off the field issues hit hard in Happy Valley.

Who will win the Legends Division?

Two games threw a wrench into a couple of teams sites on winning the first Legends division title. First, at Kinnick Stadium in Iowa City, the Iowa Hawkeyes upset Michigan 24-16 to remain in the division hunt. Both teams are now 3-2 in the division. Then, down in Lincoln, Northwestern went on the road, using three quarterbacks, knocked off Nebraska 28-25 to throw the Huskers to 3-2 and into a three way tie for second in the division with Iowa and Michigan.

Michigan State is leading the division with a 4-1 record, after holding off the upset minded Golden Gophers in a 31-24 win over Minnesota in East Lansing. This Saturday, the Spartans will travel to Iowa City with first place on the line. Minnesota will be home for the holidays, due to their the seventh loss of the season, but they can certainly make some noise as a spoiler in final three games of the Big Ten season.

Legends Division Standings

Michigan State 4-1, 7-2

Nebraska 3-2, 7-2

Iowa 3-2, 6-3

Michigan 3-2, 7-2

Northwestern 2-4, 4-5

Minnesota 1-4, 2-7

Game of the Week: Michigan State @ Iowa

Rivalry of the Week: Nebraska @ Penn State

Oldest Rivalry of the Week: Wisconsin @ Minnesota

Leaders Division Standings

Penn State 5-0, 8-1

Ohio State 3-2, 6-3

Wisconsin 3-2, 7-2

Illinois 2-3, 6-3

Purdue 2-3, 4-5

Indiana 0-6, 1-9

Penn State is coming off a bye week. The lone loss for the season came in Happy Valley in Week 2, when Alabama took the Nittany Lions down, in non-conference play. Plenty of off the field distractions for the Nittany Lions heading into the big game with Nebraska? Will the Nittany Lions have the bye week blues? Will the off the field issues hurt Penn State? Nebraska will look to rebound, after a disappointing loss at home.

With help from Minnesota and Purdue, the Nittany Lions could wrap up the division with a win over Nebraska, along with upsets in Minneapolis and West Lafayette, if Wisconsin and Ohio State both go down, respectively. Minnesota is playing better the last two weeks, while Purdue has not, after back to back road losses at Michigan and at Wisconsin. The most recent was a 62-17 loss to the Badgers. If Purdue wants to go to their first bowl game under coach Danny Hope, in his third season, they can't afford many more losses. The Boilermakers return home for the first of two home games, with Ohio State coming to town, followed by Iowa.

Wisconsin heads to Minnesota this week for the first of two road games, before closing out the season at home with division leading Penn State. Illinois enjoyed a bye week to open November, but will host Michigan on Saturday, in the first of two home games.

Northwestern return to Evanston on a two game winning streak and seeking a couple more wins to get bowl eligible. The Wildcats play their final non-conference game of the season, with Rice (3-6, 2-4 C-USA) coming to town, then back to back home games in Big Ten play, with Minnesota and Michigan State.

Indiana gave Ohio State one strong half of play in Columbus, with a 13-13 halftime score. But, freshman QB Braxton Miller pulled Ohio State ahead for a 34-20 win. IU will enjoy a bye week, which will hopefully help the continued development of freshman QB Tre Robinson. The Miller-Robinson game was the first time, since 1988, when true freshman quarterback squared off in Big Ten play.

Thoughts heading into the Week:

How will Iowa prepare coming off a win over Michigan, third straight for the first time in the series?

Is this Joe Paterno's final season at PSU?

Last week, Iowa fans were a little frustrated with Kirk Ferentz and his team's play at Minnesota, so how will Nebraska fans feel with Bo Pelini in staff, after game with PSU?

Is Kirk Cousins ready to avenge last years debacle in Iowa City, where he threw three INTs and Iowa cruised to a 37-6 win?

How good will the 2011-12 College Basketball season be, as teams complete exhibition play?

Iowa Hawkeyes open at home at Kinnick with Michigan, as back half of the B1G race begins

2011-11-05T10:23:00.004-05:00

It has been a difficult road for Iowa Hawkeyes (5-3, 2-2 B1G Legends) in 2011. The Hawkeyes are 0-3, with losses at Iowa State (45-42, 3 OT), at Penn State (13-3) and last week with a disappointing 22-21 loss at Minnesota.

Home has been a better place for the Hawkeyes in 2011. Heading into the final two games for 2011, Iowa is 5-0 at Kinnick Stadium, thus far. Of course, the next two weeks will be the biggest challenges at Kinnick in 2011, with the two schools from the State of Michigan.

First up, Iowa hosts Michigan (7-1, 3-1 B1G Legends), who features the most explosive QB in the B1G, with junior Denard Robinson. Robinson and his teammates have lost two straight to Iowa. A win today by Iowa would be a first in the Iowa-Michigan series, with Iowa winning three in a row.

Iowa has four games left in the B1G in November and control their own destiny, despite the 0-3 road record and two losses in the B1G, since they face the Legends division teams tied presently for first place the rest of the way. The final crossover game, with a Leaders team will be very important too, as well.

vs. Michigan (7-1, 3-1 Legends)

vs. Michigan State (6-2, 3-1 Legends)

@ Purdue (4-4, 2-2 Leaders)

@ Nebraska (7-1, 3-1 Legends)

Michigan may be the most difficult of the next four games for Iowa, due to Iowa's defense and how it will match up against Robinson at QB for the Wolverines. All four games will be difficult, based on the inconsistency of the Iowa offense, defense and special teams.

Playing at Kinnick Stadium should be a factor for Iowa?

After three games on the road in 2011, if this Iowa-Michigan game was on the road, Michigan would be a heavy favorite. But, as most teams have found in the Big Ten on the road, any given Saturday. All three tri-leaders in the Legends Division have a loss and all three came on the road.

Iowa features on offense three of the top play makers in the conference, with junior QB James Vandenberg, sophomore RB Marcus Coker and senior WR Marvin McNutt. Iowa will likely have to score plenty of points on Saturday, if they are successful to pull off their third win in a row over Michigan. It would be a huge upset for some Iowa fans, but some media talking heads do have Michigan on upset alert heading to Kinnick. Michigan is 1-1 this season on the road.

Iowa better bring A Game in all four phases of the game. Yes, four phases, since coaching and the intangibles may be as huge in getting Iowa back on track, after the disappointing 22-21 loss last week. Iowa's offense, defense and special teams will have to play strong, balance, balance for Iowa, in this big home game.

Prediction: IOWA 37, Michigan 35

DEFEND Kinnick Stadium

57Th meeting in the Iowa-Michigan series

Trick or Treat: Will the Hawkeyes bring Floyd home to Iowa City for a November run in the B1G?

2011-10-29T10:04:00.004-05:00

The last time the University of Iowa headed to Minnesota, they returned home to Iowa City without Floyd of Rosedale last season, after losing to the Gophers 27-24. The Hawkeyes (5-2, 2-1 B1G Legends) face Minnesota (1-6, 0-3 B1G Legends) at 2:30 p.m. on the Big Ten Network. Iowa becomes bowl eligible for the 11Th straight year with a win on Saturday in Minneapolis. However, Minnesota is just looking for something to build on.

Iowa has plenty on the line heading into a Legends title race in November. Minnesota is looking for their first Big Ten win under new coach Jerry Kill. A match up between two Legends teams will be on the line at TCF Bank Stadium on Saturday.

The Iowa defense has given up the big play a more in 2011, than the typical defense under Iowa DC Norm Parker. Iowa is young in many spots in 2011, but if the Hawkeyes are going to continue to be in the hunt in November for the Legends division, the Hawkeyes need to step up on the road in Minneapolis. Iowa junior QB James Vandenberg is 0-3 in road starts in his career as a starter.

Iowa should get Floyd back for the winter, but this Iowa team hasn't won on the road yet, so this is far from a given. This is another rivalry game, with a trophy on the line. Currently, the Hawkeyes have zero trophy-game trophies in the trophy case. The Hawkeyes have three straight bowl trophies in the case, but those were other teams and Iowa needs to find some Mojo heading into November. A win on the road is the first step for the young Hawkeyes.

Our prediction is a little conservative here...

Iowa 29

Minnesota 18

At QB, both teams are lead by first-year juniors, with Vandenberg for Iowa and MarQueis Gray for Minnesota. Vandenberg has some good skills throwing the football, with the ability to make the chains move with his feet. Gray is a nice athlete, who has played WR in his career and is a quality QB carrying the football. His passing game has work, but he is facing an Iowa defense, who has given up some big plays this season, with the majority by air.

Iowa redzone defense has been good in 2011, but overall both teams are giving up plenty of yards to their opponents. Who plays stronger on third down and gets off the field sooner will be a major key on Saturday?

On Saturday, the best defense may likely be a solid offense. Both teams will need to establish strong line play on offense and keep the ball. Special teams will be very important, as well. How balanced will both teams be on Saturday? Iowa is capable of some big plays on offense and Minnesota's defense has given up plenty of offense to opponents thus far in 2011.

For Iowa, senior DE Broderick Binns will have a homecoming of sorts, with a return to his hometown for Saturday's game. Iowa's DEs will have a do a good job of containment vs. Minnesota's QB Gray. Iowa's other DE is sophomore Dominic Alvis, who will be backed by senior Lebron Daniel. This is an area of the game to watch in Minneapolis.

Iowa has been banged up at linebacker, so it will be injury to see who will take the field. How physical will Iowa be vs. Minnesota. In last year's win, Minnesota played well physically on both sides of the ball. Under Kirk Ferentz, line play and playing physical, assignment football has been Iowa's bread and butter. Will Iowa bring it on the road on Saturday?

Two other Iowa colleges face big road tests on Saturday. The University of Northern Iowa, ranked #2 in FBS, travels to #3 North Dakota State for a huge Missouri Valley Football Conference game. The Bisons beat Minnesota in Week 4. UNI's lone loss came @ Iowa State to open the 2011 season. The game will kickoff at 3 p.m. on FCS (DirecTV channel 617). A win on the road would be huge for the Panthers on their title run in 2011.

Iowa State (3-4, 0-4 Big 12) travels to Texas Tech (5-2, 2-2 Big 12) on Saturday for a 6 p.m kickoff on Fox Sports Net. The Red Raiders pulled off the upset in Norman last week. The Cyclones are just looking for some positives, after struggling in Big 12 play, after winning three straight games by comeback in non-conference play.

Other Big Games:

Northwestern @ Indiana at 11 a.m. on Big Ten Network

Michigan State @ Nebraska at 11 a.m. on ESPN

Purdue @ Michigan at 11 a.m. on ESPN2

Missouri @ Texas A&M at 11 a.m. on Fx

UAB @ Marshall at 11 a.m. on Comcast

Florida vs. Georgia in Jacksonville at 2:30 p.m. on CBS

Oklahoma @ Kansas State at 2:30 p.m. on ESPN

Illinois @ Penn State at 2:30 p.m. on ESPN

Baylor @ Oklahoma State at 2:30 p.m. on ESPN2

Navy @ Notre Dame at 2:30 p.m. on NBC

Iowa @ Minnesota at 2:30 p.m. on Big Ten Network

South Carolina @ Tennessee at 6:15 p.m. on ESPN2

Iowa State @ Texas Tech at 6 p.m. on Fox Sports Net

Wisconsin @ Ohio State at 7 p.m. on ESPN

Stanford @ USC at 7 p.m. on ABC

Arizona @ Washington at 9:30 p.m. on Comcast

It's been a long grind in the Iowa-Northwestern series for the Hawkeyes

2011-10-15T07:09:00.005-05:00

The Iowa Hawkeyes (3-2, 0-1 B1G Legends) have lost the last five out of six games over the Northwestern Wildcats (2-3, 0-2 B1G Legends) , with three straight losses in the series at home. Both teams are a combined 0-3 in the B1G heading into the 6 p.m. kickoff at Kinnick Stadium on the Big Ten Network on Saturday night.

Iowa's last win in the series was in 2007 in Evanston, when the Hawkeyes, a +1 road underdog, beat Northwestern 28-17. Ironically, Iowa's last loss to both Iowa State and Penn State, before this season was in 2007. So, does it mean anything on Saturday for Iowa? We shall see.

Northwestern has beat Iowa five games, in the past six:

28-27 in 2005 in Evanston, Northwestern was a +3 underdog

21-7 in 2006 in Iowa City, Northwestern was a +20 underdog

22-17 in 2008 in Iowa City, Northwestern was a +8 underdog

17-10 in 2009 in Iowa City, Northwestern was a +15 underdog

21-17 in 2010 in Iowa City, Northwestern was a +10 underdog

Iowa hasn't held Northwestern to less than 17 points, since the 2002 win in Iowa's 62-10 victory at home. Iowa ruined Northwestern's Rose Bowl bid in 2000, with a 27-17 win at Kinnick. The Wildcats were coming off a 54-51 shootout at home vs. Michigan. Iowa won the 2001 game in Evanston 59-16.

In the game that cried, "bring on instant replay," in Kirk Ferentz's first season as Iowa's head coach, Northwestern beat Iowa 26-24 in Evanston in 1999, after an apparent fumble on their final scoring drive. The call on the field was player was down. If replay had been used in the game, indisputable evidence was fumble on the field. Northwestern kept the ball inside and scored the final TD in the closing seconds. The Big Ten Conference at the end of the season commented about the mistake on the field. The talk of using replay in Big Ten games was on the radar.

Iowa has a true sophomore at placekicker and a fifth year senior walkon at punter. Iowa PK Mike Meyer, like punter Eric Guthrie, arrived at Iowa as a walkon. Special teams will be very important on Saturday. Northwestern coach Pat Fitzgerald, like Kirk Ferentz for Iowa, takes pride in special teams and taking advantage of turnovers and mistakes from their opponents. In Iowa's lost in 2008, five Iowa turnovers fueled Northwestern to a 22-17 win over the Hawkeyes on Homecoming. Turnovers have been a problem in Iowa's losses.

Iowa will enjoy Homecoming next Saturday, with a game vs. Indiana (1-4, 0-2 B1G Legends). By the way, the Hoosiers play at Wisconsin on Saturday at 11 a.m. on ESPN2, as the Badgers (5-0, 1-0 B1G Leaders) come off a bye week.

Iowa doesn't have a strong defense in 2011. However, in the B1G opener in Happy Valley, the Hawkeyes held Penn State to only 13 points. The problem was on offense for the Hawkeyes, where Iowa only mustered three points, with only one red zone appearance the entire day. The defense wasn't pretty for Iowa, but the offense needed to be checked for a pulse, after the first quarter. Penn State's defense is good, but how good?

Opportunity knocks! Iowa opens the next four out of five games of the 2011 season at Kinnick Stadium. Ferentz's squad looks for success against the 'new' Wildcats on Saturday night at Kinnick Stadium.

"It's going to be a big challenge for our football team. We are excited to be
back in Kinnick again where our fans continue to be absolutely fantastic. It
should be a great environment, too." - Kirk Ferentz.

Iowa fans, as well as the Iowa's defense, have one big concern on Saturday night, with Northwestern's quarterback Dan Persa. The Northwestern quarterback has given the Hawkeyes fits in the past. Dispite being slowed by a torn Achilles tendon on the final TD play in last year's Iowa win, Persa has now returned for B1G play and ranks number four in passing efficiency.

Iowa quarterback James Vandenberg had a rude awakening in Happy Valley last Saturday. Vandenberg's first major game day experience, was when Ricky Stanzi went down vs. Northwestern in the 2009 game. Iowa opened the game up 10-0 in 2009, but the Stanzi injury early in the second quarter on a sack, fumble and touchdown, threw Vandenberg into a 10-7 game against the Wildcats, as a redshirt freshman. The Wildcats scored 10 straight and won 17-10 to continue the streak.

How will Vandenberg rebound on Saturday? Iowa entered last week's Big Ten Penn State upbeat about a no-huddle offense. Vandenberg was a leader in all games in passing efficiency, but with two interceptions and no touchdowns at Penn State, his numbers dropped. Entering the B1G, Vandenberg had ten touchdowns and only one interception in leading Iowa to a 3-1 start. Can the Iowa offense find some Mojo vs. a Northwestern defense that ranks among the B1G and nation's weakest?

For Iowa to win on Saturday, the Hawkeyes will have to score touchdowns. The Iowa defense will have to keep tabs on Persa enough to give the Hawkeyes an opportunity. Last week, the defense held Penn State to 13 points. Northwestern appears to have a much better offense, than Penn State, in their ability to score. Army held Northwestern to 14 points, the lowest point total of the year, but Persa was on the sidelines. Like Army, Iowa needs to be disciplined against Northwestern, if they are going to win.

A Mike Meyers FG could be huge on Saturday, along with QB James Vandenberg, RB Marcus Coker, the receivers and enough defense for the Hawkeyes. Our pick: Iowa 31, Northwestern 27

Elsewhere around the B1G:

Purdue (3-2, 1-0 B1G Leaders) @ Penn State (5-1, 2-0 B1G Leaders) at 11 a.m. on BTN, Nittany Lions will be without top receiver senior Derek Moye, ouch!

Michigan (6-0, 2-0 B1G Legends) @ Michigan State (4-1, 1-0 B1G Legends) at 11 a.m. on ESPN, the Wolverines are lead by QB Denard Robinson ... while MSU is coming off a bye week.

Indiana (1-4, 0-2 B1G Leaders) @ Wisconsin (5-0, 1-0 B1G Leaders) at 11 a.m. on ESPN2, the Badgers are coming off a bye week against Kevin Wilson, who has lost 18 scholarship players, since arriving at IU this off season.

Ohio State (3-3, 0-2 B1G Leaders) @ Illinois (6-0, 2-0 B1G Leaders) at 2:30 p.m. on ABC, the Fighting Illini beat the Buckeyes back in 1989, the last time we saw the Buckeyes enter this game unranked.

Minnesota (1-5, 0-2 B1G Legends) and Nebraaka (5-1, 1-1 B1G Legends) both have bye weeks. The Cornhuskers will travel to Minnesota next Saturday!

The Cyclones travel to Columbia as a Homecoming opponent: Iowa State (3-2, 0-2 Big 12) @ Missouri (2-3, 0-2 Big 12) for a 1 p.m., no TV game. Hopefully, the Cyclones can overcome the odds and pick up another road win. They beat Nebraska in '09 in Lincoln and Texas in '10 in Austin.

Week 6: Our Top 25 picks heading into Week 7 and the second half of the 2011 College Football season

2011-10-10T20:00:00.006-05:00

The SEC will be tough to beat for the BCS? Big 12: Oklahoma smoked Texas 55-17 in the Red River Rivalry and little brother , Oklahoma State travels to Austin in Week 7. The Big Ten and the Pac 12 historically play for the Rose Bowl, but will one or two sneak into the BCS talk in the second half of the 2011 College Football season?

CIDSports Top 25 College Football Teams after Week 6

LSU Tigers (6-0, 3-0 SEC West)
Alabama Crimson Tide (6-0, 3-0 SEC West)

Oklahoma Sooners (5-0, 2-0 Big 12)
Stanford Cardinal (5-0, 3-0 Pac 12 North)
Boise State Broncos (5-0, 0-0 MWC)
Oregon Ducks (4-1, 2-0 Pac 12 North)
Wisconsin Badgers (5-0, 1-0 B1G Leaders)
Oklahoma State Cowboys (5-0, 2-0 Big 12)
Clemson Tigers (6-0, 3-0 ACC Atlantic)
Arkansas Razorbacks (5-1, 1-1 SEC West)

Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets (6-0, 3-0 ACC Coastal)
West Virginia Mountaineers (5-1, 1-0 Big East)
Michigan Wolverines (6-0, 2-0 B1G Legends)
Illinois Fighting Illini (6-0, 2-0 B1G Leaders)
Arizona State Sun Devils (5-1, 3-0 Pac 12 South)
Virginia Tech Hokies (5-1, 1-1 ACC Coastal)
Nebraska Cornhuskers (5-1, 1-1 B1G Legends)
Auburn Tigers (4-2, 2-1 SEC West)
South Carolina Gamecocks (5-1, 3-1 SEC East)
Kansas State Wildcats (5-0, 2-0 Big 12)
Texas Longhorns (4-1, 1-1 Big 12)
Texas A&M Aggies (3-2, 1-1 Big 12)
Michigan State Spartans (4-1, 1-0 Legends)
Baylor Bears (4-1, 1-1 Big 12)

Penn State Nittany Lions (5-1, 2-0 B1G Leaders)

Knocked out: Florida Gators (4-2, 2-2 SEC East) - loss of starting QB in Week 5 lead to second loss in as many weeks in Week 6; Florida State Seminoles (2-3, 0-2 ACC Coastal), who are underperforming under second year coach Jimbo Fisher.

Undefeated, but unranked by CID: Houston Cougars (6-0, 2-0 C-USA West)

Ranked in AP or Coaches, but not by CID: Houston Cougars (6-0, 2-0 C-USA West), who are #25 in AP and #22 in Coaches.

The B1G Season begins in Happy Valley for the University of Iowa

2011-10-08T08:37:00.005-05:00

Iowa (3-1, 0-0 B1G Legends) @ Penn State (4-1, 1-0 B1G Leaders) on ABC at 2:30 p.m. CT on Saturday, October 8Th. This series typically has been about the visitor, with 14 of the 23 games won by the visitor in this series. Iowa is 7-4 lifetime in Beaver Stadium. Iowa has won eight of the last nine, with the lone loss in Beaver Stadium in 2007. Iowa has won three in a row over the Penn State Nittany Lions.

Kirk Ferentz is 8-2 vs. Joe Paterno, one game behind all-time leader Lloyd Carr, who stands 9-2 over Joe Pa. Will his young Iowa Hawkeyes move him to #1 with Carr?

Wow, who would have thought the Iowa Hawkeyes would do that to the Penn State Nittany Lions over the years? Iowa has won 50 Big Ten games over the past ten seasons, while Penn State has won 45 games over the past ten in the B1G. Iowa leads the series lifetime 12-10.

So, who wins in Happy Valley on Saturday?

Vegas says Penn State. The Computer (Jeff Sagarin) suggests Penn State. The Gazette picks all go for Iowa this week. Our Pick: Iowa 28, Penn State 27

So, what should we look for in Happy Valley? Iowa opens Big Ten season ...

Quarterback play is always extremely important. For Iowa, this will be #16 junior James Vandenberg's third start on the road in his career. For Penn State, they are playing two quarterbacks with #1 sophomore Rob Bolden, who started in last year's 24-3 loss @ Iowa, and #11 junior Matt McGloin. Vandenberg has thrown for 10 TDs and ran for 3 TDs in four games, while the two-headed monster for PSU have five TD passes in five games. Vandenberg has tossed one INT, while Bolden has thrown four picks. Last year in Iowa City, Bolden threw a Pick 6 to Iowa CB Shaun Prater, who is a senior now.

Vandenberg is 0-2 as a road starter for Iowa. Both games were 24-24 games at the end of regulation. In Vandenberg's first start in college in '09, Vandenberg lead Iowa, with a Big Ten title on the line in Columbus to a 27-24 loss in OT. He was only a redshirt freshman, but he made outstanding plays to keep Iowa in a tight game. In the first road game of '11, Vandenberg and the Hawkeyes fell short at Iowa State, in a 44-41 loss in three overtimes. Will the third road start be a charm for Vandenberg? It likely will have to be, if Iowa is going to win for the eighth time in 12 visits in the series.

Will Penn State win on Saturday? Defense typically fuels Penn State, but quarterback play will be extremely important. A quarterback often doesn't have to win the game, but he can't lose the game for his team. Most would believe that McGloin is the one to watch, if a PSU QB is going to shine. The offensive players to keep an eye for Penn State will be #6 senior WR Derek Moye, when the QBs are throwing the ball, but it is Penn State's run game that will test Iowa's rebuilt defensive line. At RB, #25 sophomore Silas Redd leads the Nittany Lions ground attack, but could some reserve RB come out and cause Iowa's defense trouble?

Iowa has typically done a good job slowing Penn State's ground game over the past decade. Iowa sent three linemen to the NFL this off season, so Iowa's top DT #93 senior Mike Daniels and DE #91 senior Broderick Binns, a starter in '09, need to help Iowa new line mates, including former walk on and PA native, DT # 87 senior Thomas Nardo, who is coming off a Big Ten defender of the week game in Week 4.

How much will the bye week slow Iowa? Will the Hawkeyes get off to a quick start?

Over the last five years, we have heard a lot of about Penn State's HD offense, which lost more than won vs. Iowa.

Iowa comes in with a new no-huddle offense. Iowa has three outstanding WRs this season, who have all ten TD passes in Iowa's offense over the past four games. Marvin McNutt, #7 a senior leads the unit with four TDs, with #6 junior Keenan Davis and #11 redshirt freshman Kevonte Martin-Manley, with three each.

Iowa's traditionally strong TE corp can go four deep, but consistency has been lacking, after sending four TEs to the NFL over the past four seasons. Walk-on #85 junior Zach Derby has been the most consistent, but #1 senior TE #39 Brad Herman and #86 sophomore C.J. Fiedorowicz can move the chains, if they are playing well. Inconsistency has moved Iowa to a no-huddle three WR set more in '11.

Heading into Beaver Stadium on Saturday ... how much will Iowa use the run game on offense? Will it be the pass setting up the run or will Iowa stick to the tradition of using the run to set up play action and the Hawkeye bread and butter over the past decade? Iowa is lead on the ground by #34 sophomore Marcus Coker. After losing true freshman Mika'll McCall to a season ending injury in the opener, Iowa has finally brought in #33 true freshman Jordan Canzeri in Week 4. He is a small 5-9 180 pounds out of Troy, NY. Other running backs for Iowa are walk-on #3 junior Jason White and #28 true freshman Damon Bullock out of Texas. Look for both to come out and be in the slot on passing plays in Iowa's offense.

While we have heard about the offense so far, both Iowa and Penn State are built traditionally on solid 4-3 defense schemes that look to have the linebackers make plays on the field. Iowa will likely play a little 3-4 on defense, especially, if PSU wants to attack Iowa with the short passing game. In the 3-4, Iowa will likely blitz more. Otherwise, Iowa likes to establish line play with the four defensive linemen.

Iowa has two of the leading tacklers in the B1G right now, with sophomores #44 James Morris and #20 Christian Kirksey. Iowa's leadership at LB is #45 senior Tyler Nielsen. Iowa's fourth LB is another sophomore in #31 Anthony Hitchens. Iowa is lean on numbers, but this is a good group developing for the Hawkeyes.

For Penn State, will MLB #40 sophomore Glenn Carson off the field talking lead to success on the field for the Nittany Lions vs. Iowa? B1G fans will be disappointed again to not see Penn State linebacker Michael Mauti this season, due to an early ACL injury. The leadership now turns to OLBs #6 junior Gerald Hodges and #34 senior Nate Stupar.

The Penn State secondary is banged up, but everyone who starts is a junior or senior. Iowa's secondary has two of the better CBs in the B1G with #28 Prater and #18 junior Micah Hyde. Iowa was second to Florida over the past three seasons in forcing interceptions. Iowa has new starting safeties, since the Pitt game, with #4 senior SS Jordan Bernstine, who missed ISU game, and #5 sophomore Tanner Miller, who played as a true last season, but missed the Spring coming off a shoulder surgery. Bernstine has emerged as a leader. Both should be strong in run support.

Special teams often play a huge role in the outcome of the Iowa-Penn State series. Iowa's young kickoff return coverage team will have identify #2 senior Chaz Powell, who already has one return for a TD this season. Iowa could be very solid in the kicking game, as former walk-on PK #96 Michael Meyer continues to grow into the job, after arriving in Iowa City last season only to win the placekicking job. His long is 50 yards.

Iowa lost four year starting punter Ryan Donahue, who is now with the Detroit Lions, after beating out a veteran punter as a free agent. However, a 6-6 245 fifth year senior, #6 Eric Guthrie has filled the position well, so far, and Iowa leads the conference in net punting (43.1).

We have seen some very exciting games over the years in this series. Many of the game have come down to the wire. Two games in Happy Valley (2000, 2002) finished in overtime. The 2011 game should be very similar.

Keys to the game:

Controlling the line of scrimmage

Field position

Special teams

Big plays

Turnovers

The team that plays the better game will likely win this game. The 1983 and 2002 wins in Happy Valley were shout outs, with Iowa winning 42-34 and 42-35 OT, respectively. On the flip side, we saw a 6-4 game in 2004, another Iowa win. PSU typically beats Iowa with a strong one-sided game, as the 27-7 win in 2007 shows.

Look for a close game on Saturday, which should give Iowa, the underdog, a good opportunity to win on the road. We shall see.
Three great games on ABC today (Central Time):

Red River Rivalry in Dallas: Oklahoma vs. Texas at 11 a.m.

Iowa @ Penn State at 2:30 p.m.

Ohio State @ Nebraska at 7 p.m.

Other B1G games on Saturday:

Minnesota @ Purdue at 11 a.m. on ESPN

Illinois @ Indiana at 1:30 p.m. on Big Ten Network

Michigan @ Northwestern at 6 p.m. on Big Ten Network

Bye weeks for Michigan State and Wisconsin

Some other games on TV to consider:

Louisville @ North Carolina at 11 a.m. on ESPN2

Mississippi State @ UAB at 11 a.m. on Comcast

Florida @ LSU at 2:30 p.m. on CBS

Air Force @ Notre Dame at 2:30 p.m. on NBC

Miami-FL @ Virginia Tech at 2:30 p.m. on ESPN

Arizona State @ Utah at 2:30 p.m. on Comcast

Auburn @ Arkansas at 6 p.m. on ESPN

Georgia @ Tennessee at 6 p.m. on ESPN2

Iowa State @ Baylor at 6 p.m. on FSN

Texas A&M @ Texas Tech at 6 p.m. on FX

Colorado @ Stanford at 6:30 p.m. on Versus

Washington State @ UCLA at 11 p.m. on Comcast

We head into October and the Top 25 College Football teams after Week 5 of 2011

2011-10-02T18:22:00.007-05:00

The defending BCS champions keep finding a way to win most of the games, though they are 4-1, but 2-0 in the SEC West, so no longer the team to beat in College Football, but certainly in the conversation in the nation's best football division.

There are plenty of unbeatens, as College Football ends the first Weekend in October. Here's a look at our Top 25, after five weeks of play in the 2011 College Football season.

CIDSports Top 25 College Football Teams after Week 5

LSU Tigers (5-0, 2-0 SEC West)

Alabama Crimson Tide (5-0, 2-0 SEC West)

Oklahoma Sooners (4-0, 1-0 Big 12)

Stanford Cardinal (4-0, 2-0 Pac 12 North)

Boise State Broncos (4-0, 0-0 MWC)

Oregon Ducks (3-1, 1-0 Pac 12 North)

Wisconsin Badgers (5-0, 1-0 B1G Leaders)

Oklahoma State Cowboys (4-0, 1-0 Big 12)

Clemson Tigers (5-0, 2-0 ACC Atlantic)

Arkansas Razorbacks (4-1, 0-1 SEC West)

Auburn Tigers (4-1, 2-0 SEC West)

Florida Gators (4-1, 2-1 SEC East)

Texas Longhorns (4-0, 1-0 Big 12)

West Virginia Mountaineers (4-1, 0-0 Big East)

Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets (5-0, 2-0 ACC Coastal)

Illinois Fighting Illini (5-0, 1-0 B1G Leaders)

Arizona State Sun Devils (4-1, 2-0 Pac 12 South)

Nebraska Cornhuskers (4-1, 0-1 B1G Legends)

Michigan Wolverines (5-0, 1-0 B1G Legends)

Virginia Tech Hokies (4-1, 0-1 ACC Coastal)

South Carolina Gamecocks (4-1, 2-1 SEC East)

Kansas State Wildcats (4-0, 1-0 Big 12)

Texas A&M Aggies (2-2, 0-1 Big 12)

Florida State Seminoles (2-2, 0-1 ACC

Michigan State Spartans (4-1, 1-0 Legends)

Undefeated, but unranked by CID: Texas Tech Red Raiders (4-0), Houston Cougars (5-0)

Ranked in AP or Coaches, but not by CID:

Baylor Bears (3-1, 0-1 Big 12) - #25 in AP; lost only road game @ K-State

October has arrived and the first weekend of B1G conference football is in the books

2011-10-02T12:32:00.003-05:00

It is a beautiful weekend here in Eastern Iowa, weather wise, as Autumn has clearly arrived. We also have witnessed the opening weekend of Big Ten football, with five conference games being completed, in the new Legends and Leaders divisions.

What do we know, after Week 1 of Big Ten conference play?

Coaching stability is an important part of Big Ten football. Also, strong QB play is very important. In winning championships, defense is often a key component, as well.

Wisconsin (5-0, 1-0 in B1G Leaders) has a very good offensive coordinator (Paul Chryst) to complement head coach Bret Bielema and the rest of the Badgers' coaching staff. Further, NC State transfer QB Russell Wilson is an upgrade at QB for the Badgers in 2011. While a lot of love is going to be thrown out at the Badgers five weeks into the season, are the Badgers as strong as last year's team overall?

The Badgers are clearly the team to beat in the Big Ten, but despite the upgrade at QB, the defense may not be as strong as last year's team and we will have to let the season play out before we compare the Badgers to elite in the FBS. How would the Badgers perform right now vs. LSU, Alabama, Oklahoma or Boise State?

Nebraska (4-1, 0-1 B1G Legends) is breaking in a new OC in 2011, with Tim Beck, elevated from RB coach. Sophomore QB Taylor Martinez and his Cornhusker teammates received a "rude welcome" to the B1G, with a road night game opener in Madison against the defending Big Ten co-champions. The Badgers beat Nebraska 48-17, as Martinez made too many costly mistakes, along with others for the Cornhuskers. New PK/punter junior Brett Maher is a bright star for the Cornhuskers.

Nebraska has really struggled against Top 10 teams as of late. The
Cornhuskers have lost 16 of their last 18 games against Top 10 teams since the
start of the 2000 season... 11 of the losses have been by double digits,
including 6 by at least 20 points. - ESPN
Ohio State's new head coach Luke Fickel, in for departed Jim Tressel, didn't find Michigan State (4-1, 1-0 B1G Legends) a very easy opponent in the Big Ten opener at home.

Despite the MSU 10-7 win at Ohio State to open the 2011 season, Michigan State's offense struggled in Columbus. New OC Dan Roushar, promoted from OL coach, doesn't have senior QB Kirk Cousins and the Spartans run/pass game is struggling more than not, after a 11-2 season in 2010. Former OC Don Treadwll is head coach now at Miami-OH. The Spartans lost big twice in 2010, with a 6-37 loss at Iowa and a 7-49 loss in Capital One vs. Alabama.

The Ohio State Buckeyes (3-2, 0-1 B1G Leaders) nearly were shut out at home for the first time, since 1982 vs. MSU on Saturday. The suspensions are over, after Week 5. However, quarterback play is the weakest for the Buckeyes, then any season under Tressel. The 2004 Buckeyes had trouble going 4-4 in the Big Ten. Right now, the Buckeyes need to get something going. A road trip to Lincoln is ahead this week.

How easy will Nebraska's home opener in the B1G vs. Ohio State be this week? Both teams are licking wounds right now. Ohio State will get suspended players back on offense, as well as a reserve DE. Both teams need better quarterback play, if they are going to compete in 2011.

The Michigan Wolverines (5-0, 1-0 B1G Legends) beat Minnesota 58-0, after opening 2011 with five straight home games. Sometimes a coaching change is good and the Wolverines appear to be headed in the right direction under new coach Brady Hoke, with OC Al Borges and DC Bryan Mattison. However, just how good will the Wolverines finish? Last year, the Wolverines started 5-0 to finish 7-6 and in 2009, started 4-0 to finish 5-7. There is a trend towards improvement, but is Michigan ready to contend for a B1G division title in Hoke's first season. Junior QB Denard Robinson is exciting and healthy through five games. The defense can't be worse than what they were under former coach Rich Rodriquez and staff.

Sometimes coaching changes work well, but Minnesota (1-4, 0-1 B1G Legends) sadly is hurting right now. Head coach Jerry Kill, who arrived from a successful short run at Northern Illinois, has serious health concerns, after suffering a seizure, after the loss to Miami-OH in Week 3. He was on the sidelines, but he has been missing significant time during the week, since he is seeking medical attention for his condition. Alos, key playmakers were out for the Golden Gophers right now, with junior QB MarQueis Gray and senior RS/CB Troy Stoudermire out.
The 0-58 loss by Minnesota, tops the 0-55 loss to Iowa in 2008, in the final game the Gophers played in the Metrodome.

Illinois (5-0, 1-0 B1G Leaders) enjoyed another victory over Northwestern, as they came back from a 10-28 deficit late in the third quarter at home, to defeat the Wildcats 38-35 to remain undefeated for the first time, since 1951. Head coach Ron Zook has found some stability in the coaching staff, as OC Paul Petrino and DC Vic Koenning begin second season in Champaign. Further, second-year QB sophomore Nathan Scheelhaase threw for a career highs: 391 yards and 3 touchdowns.

Michigan travels to Northwestern for a game in Evanston this week. However, Northwestern (2-2, 0-1 B1G Legends) senior QB Dan Persa still remains a question for the Wildcats, as he recovers from a setback, another leg/foot injury in Champaign. Persa made his first start of the season, after being lost late last year, after being injured on the final score in a win over Iowa in '10. His injury didn't help Northwestern in Champaign on Saturday. This is the first meeting between the two programs, since Northwestern's 21-14 win over Michigan in Ann Arbor in 2008. Michigan has back to back road games with Northwestern this week, then a trip to East Lansing on October 15Th.

Penn State (3-2, 0-1 B1G Leaders) traveled to Bloomington and despite a sluggish offense, Nittany Lions beat Indiana 16-10 to open the Big Ten with a win. The Nittany Lions still continue to go with two quarterbacks, as sophomore Paul Bolden and junior Matt McGloin share time. Bolden played poorly in Bloomington and McGloin lead the Nittany Lions to the lone touchdown drive. Joe Pa is in his 46Th season at Penn State. They have never lost to IU.

Iowa (3-1, 0-0 B1G Legends) enjoyed a bye week to get ready for Penn State in the Big Ten opener at Penn State. Iowa has won nine of the last 11 games over Penn State. The Hawkeyes will travel to Happy Valley, but the first off the field distraction was tabulated for the 2011 season, with second-string freshman quarterback A.J. Derby arrested over the weekend. So, much for a perfect bye week.

Iowa's coaching staff is lead by head coach Kirk Ferentz, OC Ken O'Keefe, and DC Norm Parker, all enjoying their 13Th season in Iowa City leading the Hawkeyes. Junior QB James Vandenberg has been up and down, but lead Iowa to a 21 point comeback win over Pitt in Week 3 and played well in the win over ULM to close out non-conference play. Iowa needs better consistency in all three phases of the game: offense, defense and special teams. If the Hawkeyes can staff healthy, and find success in Happy Valley and early in the Big Ten, the Hawkeyes may find themselves competing for a B1G division title.

Indiana (1-4, 0-1 B1G Leaders) lacked much on offense in the debut of new coach Kevin Wilson in Big Ten play. The road will not get any easier, as undefeated Illinois comes to Bloomington this week for a Leaders division rivalry game. Sophomore QB Dusty Kiel made his first career start vs. Penn State, replacing sophomore Edward Wright-Baker.

Purdue (2-2, 0-0 B1G Leaders) after a 10-38 loss vs. rival Notre Dame in West Lafayette. The Boilermakers are still unsettled at quarterback, like Penn State, with two players rotating at the position. Third year head coach Danny Hope has junior Caleb TerBush and senior Robert Marve rotating at quarterback. Sophomore Rob Henry was the likely #1 heading into 2011, but a season ending injury cost Henry for the season.

Minnesota @ Purdue highlights the fifth game of the week in the Big Ten on October 8Th. Both teams have been struggling. Michigan State and Wisconsin will enjoy bye weeks before the Spartans host Michigan on October 15Th, while Wisconsin enjoys Homecoming vs. Indiana on the 15Th.

In closing, Wisconsin is the team to beat in the race for the Rose Bowl. Fitting, since the Wisconsin Badgers represented the Big Ten in the last Rose Bowl. Are the Badgers a BCS title game contender? Let's see how things fall out in the Big Ten first. After all, the Badgers did come up short 19-21 to TCU last season. Of course, 2011 is a new season!

Michigan State and Ohio State are co-champs from last year, though OSU was stripped of victories last year, due to NCAA violations. The Spartans need to play better if they are going to make a run at the Legends division title. Ohio State has a lot of questions right now, especially with their quarterback play.

Illinois is playing well, but they have nearly lost three staight games at home, vs. Arizona State, Western Michigan and Northwestern. The schedule is favorable for Illinois with the toughest B1G games at home and the games they should win on the road. Ron Zook's seventh season in the B1G and only one winning season in the Big Ten (6-2 in '07). Could this be another year of success?

It should be a great October in College Football, as conference play hits full bore.

On a sad note, Iowa State (3-1, 0-1 Big 12) was unsuccessful vs. Texas in Ames on Saturday night. After beating Texas for the first time ever in Austin in 2010 (Cyclones won 28-21), the Cyclones were roughed up 14-37 by the Texas Longhorns (4-0, 1-0 Big 12). ISU self distructed and Texas is improved from last season's team that finished 5-7.

The Red River Showdown will be played this week, with Oklahoma (4-0, 0-0 Big 12) playing their rival Texas in Dallas. Iowa State travels to Baylor (3-1, 0-1 Big 12), who fell short at Kansas State (4-0, 1-0 Big 12), by the score of 35-36.

Iowa Hawkeyes look to climb to 2-1, while Iowa State wins @ UConn to move to 3-0 in Week 3

2011-09-17T08:02:00.003-05:00

It's a big weekend in College Football in Week 3. Alabama is our #1, but #2 Oklahoma travels to #4 Florida State for a showdown in Tallahassee on Saturday of Week 3. Last weekend, Iowa State took down in-state Iowa 44-41 in 3 OT. The Hawkeyes face another team that likes to spread it out. Plenty of talk about the Hawkeyes woes with spread opponents over the 13 years under Kirk Ferentz.
What will happen in Kinnick Stadium today, as Iowa (1-1) hosts the Pittsburgh Panthers (2-0), out of the Big East. In 2008, the game in Pittsburgh went down the the wire, with Pitt beating Iowa 21-20. The Panthers own the series at 3-1. Saturday will be a Be Bold, Wear Gold day at Kinnick Stadium, as the Panthers come to town.
With all the off the field discussions of the demise of the Big 12 Conference, Iowa may see a new Big East opponent every season, right? The Iowa State Cyclones could find a new home some day in the Big East? A topic for another day!

Pittsburgh (2-0) @ Iowa (1-1)
11:00 a.m. on ESPN2 (HD) / espn3

Prediction: Iowa over Pitt 24-21

Though, Iowa has had trouble in close games this season and last ...

Pittsburgh is lead on offense by the #1 rusher in College Football, with junior TB Ray Graham, a 5-9 195 back. Backing up Graham, is former Wisconsin RB, senior Zach Brown, 5-10 230, so Iowa's retooled defensive line for '11 will be tested on the ground. In game 3 in 2009, the Iowa Hawkeyes were a little concerned by the D-Line play entering a showdown at Kinnick vs. Arizona. Time for seniors Mike Daniels and Broderick Binns to step up, along with others in the Iowa defense.

If Pitt's junior QB Tino Sunseri beats Iowa with his feet and arm at Kinnick on Saturday, it could be a long season for the Hawkeyes. Sunseri has experience, but he has thrown more INTs than TDs thus far in '11 and Pitt is giving up sacks, after wins at home vs. Buffalo and FCS' Maine.

Pittsburgh needs to focus on Iowa. Next weekend at Heinz Field, the Panthers will host Notre Dame (0-2). The Panthers can't afford to look ahead?

Iowa's offense is lead by junior QB James Vandenberg, who is replacing three year starter Ricky Stanzi. Consistency for 60 minutes is needed from Vandenberg, as he has not accomplished that thus far in his career. Running the ball, Iowa turns to sophomore RB Marcus Coker, who looked better at Iowa State; but with three fumbles in two weeks, plenty of work for the young RB.

The tight end will be a focal point to watch for both teams. Former Illinois TE junior HB/TE Hubie Graham is a player to watch. Of course, new coach Todd Graham, former Tulsa coach, likes to run the spread, so the WRs for the Panthers, lead by junior Mikde Shanahan, a returning starter, and sophomore Devin Street, who started four games as a freshman.

Iowa's TEs go four deep, but consistency in the passing game, blocking and lining up at scrimmage, avoid the false start, has been a problem early in '11. Iowa senior TE Brad Herman has struggled a little, in his new role as #1 TE in Ken O'Keefe's Hawkeye offense. Improved play by Iowa's TEs should help Vandenberg's consistency and confidence, along will opening up the passing game for Iowa's WRs senior all-Big Ten performer Marvin McNutt, junior Kennan Davis and redshirt freshman Kevonte Martin-Manly, who all have scored in Iowa's passing game in '11.

Iowa needs special teams to be a difference in the game on Saturday. Sophomore placekicker Mike Meyers and newcomer at punter, senior Eric Guthrie, have both been pretty solid, thus far. Iowa has yet to return a punt this season and seeing junior FS Micah Hyde make some noise in the return game would be something to look for.

On Friday night, also on ESPN2, Iowa State won 24-20 @ UConn, after getting off to another 0-10 start, like their game vs. Iowa a week ago. The Cyclones are off to their first 3-0 start, since 2005. The Cyclones will be able to heal up with an upcoming bye week. They open Big 12 play at home in Week 5, as the Texas Longhorns come to Ames. Iowa State beat Texas for the first time in Austin last year.

Plenty of excitement in Week 3 on Saturday:

Saturday, September 17th (Printable Schedule w/ DirecTV channels)
Auburn at Clemson 11:00 a.m. ABC (HD)
Central Michigan at Western Michigan 11:00 a.m. MASN / ESPN-GP / ERTV (cable) / espn3 Eastern Michigan at Michigan 11:00 a.m. BTN (HD) / BTN2Go
Penn State at Temple 11:00 a.m. ESPN (HD) / espn3
Pittsburgh at Iowa 11:00 a.m. ESPN2 (HD) / espn3
Southeast Missouri State at Purdue 11:00 a.m. BTN (HD) / BTN2Go
West Virginia at Maryland 11:00 a.m. ESPNU (HD)
Wyoming at Bowling Green 11:00 a.m. (ESPN-GP / espn3) *2 / BCSN (cable)
Ole Miss at Vanderbilt 11:21 a.m. SEC Network / ESPN-GP / espn3
Duke at Boston College 11:30 a.m. (ESPN-GP / espn3) *2 / Raycom Cable *3 (HD)
Kansas at Georgia Tech 11:30 a.m. (FSN Affiliates (HD) / ESPN-GP / espn3) *2
Coastal Carolina at Georgia 12:00 p.m. (ESPN-GP / PPV (GA & SC) / espn3) *2
Colorado vs. Colorado State (Denver) 12:30 p.m. FSN Affiliates (HD)
Louisiana Monroe at TCU 1:00 p.m. MTN (HD)
Miami (Ohio) at Minnesota 2:30 p.m. BTN (HD) / BTN2Go
Michigan State at Notre Dame 2:30 p.m. NBC (HD)
Missouri State at Oregon(cancelled on ESPN-GP?) 2:30 p.m. (?ESPN-GP / espn3?) *2 / CSNNW (cable)
Northwestern at Army 2:30 p.m. CBSSN (HD)
South Carolina State at Indiana 2:30 p.m. BTN (HD) / BTN2Go
Tennessee at Florida 2:30 p.m. CBS (HD) / cbssports.com
Texas at UCLA 2:30 p.m. (ABC or ESPN / espn3) (HD) *7
Texas Tech at New Mexico 2:30 p.m. Versus (HD)
Virginia at North Carolina 2:30 p.m. ESPNU (HD)
Washington at Nebraska 2:30 p.m. (ABC or ESPN / espn3) (HD) *7
Arkansas State at Virginia Tech 3:00 p.m. (FSN Affiliates / ESPN-GP / espn3) *2
Nevada at San Jose State 3:00 p.m. ALT / CSCA / ESPN-GP / espn3 / WSN (cable)
Navy at South Carolina 5:00 p.m. ESPN2 (HD) / espn3
Washington State at San Diego State 5:30 p.m. MTN (HD)
Arizona State at Illinois 6:00 p.m. BTN (HD) / BTN2Go
Florida A&M at South Florida 6:00 p.m. ESPN-GP *2 / SNY / (BHSN/ERTV) (cable) / espn3
Idaho at Texas A&M 6:00 p.m. PPV
Louisville at Kentucky 6:00 p.m. ESPNU (HD)
Nicholls State at Louisiana Lafayette 6:00 p.m. ESPN-GP *2 / COX4 (cable)
Western Illinois at Missouri 6:00 p.m. PPV (updated)
North Texas at Alabama 6:30 p.m. (Fox Sports South / ESPN-GP / espn3) *2
Ohio State at Miami-FL 6:30 p.m. ESPN (HD) / espn3
Troy at Arkansas 6:30 p.m. ESPN-GP / (CSS / CST) (cable) / espn3
Oklahoma at Florida State 7:00 p.m. ABC (HD)
Syracuse at USC 7:00 p.m. FX (HD)
UTEP at New Mexico State 7:00 p.m. ALT (HD?) / ESPN-GP / espn3
Utah at BYU 8:15 p.m. ESPN2 (HD) / espn3
Hawaii at UNLV 9:00 p.m. MTN (HD)
Oklahoma State at Tulsa 9:00 p.m. FSN Affiliates (HD)
Stanford at Arizona 9:45 p.m. ESPN (HD) / espn3

Games not yet scheduled for nationally available networks

Akron at Cincinnati 2:30 p.m. espn3
Austin Peay at Memphis 6:00 p.m.
Buffalo at Ball State 6:00 p.m.
Central Florida at Florida International 5:00 p.m. espn3
Gardner Webb at Wake Forest 5:30 p.m. espn3
Houston at Louisiana Tech 6:00 p.m. espn3
Indiana State at Western Kentucky 6:00 p.m. espn3
Kent State at Kansas State 6:00 p.m. FCSC (cable)
Marshall at Ohio 6:00 p.m. espn3
North Dakota at Fresno State 9:00 p.m. espn3
Northern Illinois vs. Wisconsin (Soldier Field) 2:30 p.m. espn3
Northwestern State at SMU 7:00 p.m.
Presbyterian at California 4:30 p.m.
South Alabama at North Carolina State 5:00 p.m. espn3
Southeastern Louisiana at Southern Miss 6:00 p.m.
Stephen F. Austin at Baylor 6:00 p.m.
Tulane at UAB 3:00 p.m.

Boise State and Iowa State hit the East Coast for a Friday night game on ESPN and ESPN2

2011-09-16T17:36:00.004-05:00

Friday, September 16Th
Boise State at Toledo 7:00 p.m. ESPN (HD) / espn3
Iowa State at Connecticut 7:00 p.m. ESPN2 (HD) / espn3

Other games this weekend: Week 3 of College Football

Iowa State is off to a 2-0 start after beating in-state programs, UNI and Iowa at home. Now, the Cyclones take to the road for a Big 12-Big East BCS match up with UConn. How will Paul Rhoads' team adjust to a road environment? A win would set up a nice 3-0 mark heading into Big 12 play.

Toledo played Ohio State strong in Week 2. Boise State is the strongest non-BCS program in the FBS this year. This could be an interesting game, if Toledo can keep there emotions in check and step up to another solid opponent. Will they close, unlike Week 2 in Columbus?

Tonight, the Washington Warriors host Dubuque Wahlert at Kingston Stadium on Homecoming weekend. The Warriors fell victims to Kennedy last weekend 28-41. So, will they rebound at home this week?

Good College Football Game on Thursday and Good Recruiting News in College Basketball

2011-09-15T18:50:00.012-05:00

Thursday, September 15Th
#3 LSU at Mississippi State, 7:00 p.m. on ESPN (HD) (3D) / espn3

It would be a big upset in the SEC West for the Tigers to fall to MSU ...

Other upcoming College Football action

The University of Iowa basketball program on Wednesday received outstanding news, when all-state center Adam Woodbury of Sioux City North selected Fran McCaffery and Iowa over Roy Williams and North Carolina.

Preps C Adam Woodbury commits to Iowa, spurning Williams and North ...‎ - Washington Post
Sioux City East center Adam Woodbury says he'll play for Iowa next season instead of the Tar Heels. Woodbury, who's 7-foot-1, is widely considered one of ...
Highly Cited: Woodbury choice: Hawkeyes‎ - Sioux City Journal
Local: Woodbury plans to revive Iowa basketball‎ - SW Iowa News
Basketball recruit Adam Woodbury picks Iowa over North Carolina - USA Today

Cy-Hawk Game in Ames, as College Football Saturday hits Week 2 of the 2011 season

2011-09-10T08:59:00.003-05:00

On the news of Brent Greenwood's collapse and apparent heart attack, the Cy-Hawk football game between #22 Iowa Hawkeyes (1-0) @ Iowa State Cyclones (1-0) has a little different meaning on Saturday in Ames. Further, on Sunday, we celebrate the tenth anniversary of 9/11, which postponed the Cy-Hawk game back in 2001, along with all of college football that historic week in our history.

So, what should we expect during the 59Th game of the Iowa-Iowa State series in Football?

Both teams have new quarterbacks under center. Of course, ISU's JUCO transfer Steele Jantz is facing his first Cy-Hawk game. Iowa junior QB James Vandenberg is in his fourth season at Iowa and played briefly in Ames in '09 in a mop up role, after departed QB Ricky Stanzi lead Iowa over Iowa State 35-3. Look for more offense in '11 from the Cyclones.

In the running game, Iowa is without '11 leading rusher true freshman Mika'll McCall (9 for 61 yards), who was lost for the season in Iowa's win over Tennessee Tech 35-7, due to a broken ankle. ISU's running game may be limited to a fleat footed QB, however, with Iowa's revamped defensive line, ISU coach Paul Rhoads will likely try to establish a running game, because Iowa's DC Norm Parker would love to see ISU become one demenional. Iowa's lead RB is sophomore Marcus Coker, who rolled Missouri for over 200 yards in the 2010 Insight Bowl, but looked rusty in the season opener.

The passing game for Iowa looked very well with Vandenberg in Week 1. On the flip side, Jantz was only 18-40 for 187 yards in ISU's 20-19 late minute win over Northern Iowa last week. Jantz also threw three interceptions. Turnovers are typically huge in a rivalry game.

As Paul Rhoads mentioned this week, the offensive line is often a key to victory in any football game. We can't forget the importance of the defensive line, as well. Iowa would appear to have a better O-Line, though ISU has some good parts, but will they have the chemistry needed? Is Iowa's O-Line ready for prime-time in Week 2? Iowa's 2002 O-Line is considered Iowa's best under coach Kirk Ferentz, but in Week 2 at Miami-OH in 2002, the Hawkeyes had to grind out a 29-24 win.

Iowa senior DT Mike Daniels had his first sack of 2011, last week vs. FBS' Tennessee Tech. Senior DE Broderick Binns had a huge play at Arizona in 2010, but didn't start most of the season. Those two Hawkeyes must anchor a young group of players in new roles for Iowa. ISU has some experience in the D-Line, but the Cyclones finished 5-7 in 2010 and defense was not strong in last year's 7-35 loss to Iowa in Iowa City.

Injuries have hit both Iowa and Iowa State in the linebacker corp over the past two seasons. Health could play a role in this year's game. The stronger unit on Saturday may be a huge part in determining the final outcome.

Both Iowa and Iowa State have some new parts in the secondary. Iowa's ability to force turnovers has been a big part of the Hawkeyes' success, including a +4 in '10 and +3 in '09. Iowa beat ISU in 2003 in Ames and turnovers played a key role in Iowa's 40-21 win.

In closing, another key area will be special teams. In Dan McCarney's first win over Iowa, in J. Hayden Fry's final season in 1998, a blocked punt fueled an Iowa State avalanche. Coaching should be solid on both sidelines. Kirk Ferentz and Paul Rhoades are fine representatives for both programs.

Our Prediction in the Cy-Hawk Game:

#22 Iowa 35, Iowa State 21
11:00 a.m. on FSN (HD) / Mediacom

A look around the rest of College Football for Week 2:

Central Michigan at Kentucky, 11:00 a.m. on ESPNU (HD)
Florida Atlantic at Michigan State, 11:00 a.m. on ESPN2 (HD) / espn3
#22Iowa at Iowa State, 11:00 a.m. on FSN (HD) / Mediacom
Oregon State at #8Wisconsin, 11:00 a.m. on ESPN (HD) / espn3
San Diego State at Army, 11:00 a.m. on CBSSN (HD)
South Dakota State at Illinois, 11:00 a.m. on BTN (HD)
Toledo at #15Ohio State, 11:00 a.m. on BTN (HD)
#16Mississippi State at #25 Auburn, 11:21 a.m. on SEC Network / ESPN-GP / espn3
Rutgers at North Carolina, 11:30 a.m. on SNY (HD) / ESPN-GP *2 / Raycom *3 (HD) / espn3
Norfolk State at #18West Virginia, 12:00 p.m. on RSPI (HD?) / MASN2 (HD?) / ESPN-GP / espn3
Northern Colorado at Colorado State, 1:00 p.m. on MTN (HD)
#1Alabama at Penn State, 2:30 p.m. on ABC (HD)
California at Colorado, 2:30 p.m. on CSCA / (FCSA / FCSP) (cable)
Cincinnati at Tennessee, 2:30 p.m. on ESPN2 (HD) / espn3
Eastern Illinois at Northwestern, 2:30 p.m. on BTN (HD)
Hawaii at Washington, 2:30 p.m. on (RSMW / RSNW) (HD?) / Oceanic PPV
Nevada at #7Oregon 2:30 p.m. on FX (HD)
New Mexico State at Minnesota 2:30 p.m. on BTN (HD)
North Carolina State at Wake Forest 2:30 p.m. on (FSS / SUN / FSPT) *5 / ESPN-GP *2 / espn3
Purdue at Rice 2:30 p.m. on CBSSN (HD)
#11 Stanford at Duke 2:30 p.m. ESPNU (HD)
TCU at Air Force 2:30 p.m. on Versus (HD)
#6 Virginia Tech at East Carolina 2:30 p.m. on FSN (HD) / Free SS preview
Rhode Island at Syracuse 3:30 p.m. on SNY / ESPN-GP / espn3 / (TWC / Cox RI) (cable)
#14 South Carolina at Georgia 3:30 p.m. on ESPN (HD) / espn3
North Dakota at Idaho 4:00 p.m. on ESPN-GP / espn3 / (SWX / Midco) (cable)
Southern Illinois at Ole Miss 5:00 p.m. on ESPN-GP *2 / PPV (MS & Memphis) / espn3
Texas State at Wyoming 5:00 p.m. on MTN (HD)
Ball State at #25 South Florida 6:00 p.m. on ALT-HD / ESPN-GP / (BHSN/ERTV) (cable) / espn3
#19 BYU at Texas 6:00 p.m. on ESPN2 (HD) (3D) / espn3
Fresno State at #12 Nebraska 6:00 p.m. on BTN (HD)
New Mexico at #10 Arkansas 6:00 p.m. on ESPNU (HD)
Northern Illinois at Kansas 6:00 p.m. on DirecTV - 623 / FCSC (cable)
UAB at #17 Florida 6:00 p.m. on Fox Sports South / ESPN-GP *2 / espn3
UTEP at SMU 6:00 p.m. on FSN (HD)
Virginia at Indiana 6:00 p.m. on BTN (HD)
Connecticut at Vanderbilt 6:30 p.m. on SNY-HD / ESPN-GP / (CST / CSS) (cable) / espn3
Utah at #21 USC 6:30 p.m. on Versus (HD)
Boston College at #20 Central Florida 7:00 p.m. on CBSSN (HD)
Notre Dame at Michigan 7:00 p.m. on ESPN (HD) / espn3
Northwestern State at # 3 LSU 7:00 p.m. on ESPN-GP *2 / PPV (LA) / espn3
San Jose State at UCLA 9:00 p.m. on FSW (HD) / FCSP (cable)

Games not yet scheduled for nationally available networks.

Alabama State at Eastern Michigan 12:00 p.m.
Central Arkansas at Louisiana Tech 6:00 p.m. on espn3
Charleston Southern at #4 Florida State on 5:00 p.m. espn3
Gardner Webb at Ohio 6:00 p.m.
Georgia Tech at Middle Tennessee 6:00 p.m. on espn3
Grambling at Louisiana Monroe 6:00 p.m. on espn3
Houston at North Texas 6:00 p.m. on espn3
Louisiana Lafayette at Kent State 6:00 p.m.
Maine at Pittsburgh 12:00 p.m. on espn3
Memphis at Arkansas State 6:00 p.m. on espn3
Morgan State at Bowling Green 6:00 p.m. on BCSN / espn3
Navy at Western Kentucky 6:00 p.m. on espn3
Nicholls State at Western Michigan 6:00 p.m.
Southern Miss at Marshall 2:30 p.m. on CSS (cable)
Stony Brook at Buffalo 5:00 p.m. on espn3 / TWCS (cable)
Temple at Akron 5:00 p.m. on espn3
Tulsa at Tulane 2:30 p.m. on CST (cable)
UNLV at Washington State 4:00 p.m.
Weber State at Utah State 7:00 p.m. on espn3
Wofford at Clemson 2:30 p.m. espn3

Quick Notes for Saturday of Week 2:

Alabama is 9-5 vs. Penn State and have won 4 of last 5 meetings! This would be a huge win for Joe Paterno's program, if the Nittany Lions can knock off Nick Saban's Crimson Tide!

South Carolina is only 5-11 in road openers and lost 37-41 the last time they played in Athens. Can Georgia's Mark Richt get it turned abound, after opening week loss vs. #5 Boise State?

Is Auburn a Top 25 team without QB Cam Newton? Mississippi State won in 2007 @ Auburn.

Does Michigan coach Brady Hoke get first win over Notre Dame as head coach. Many are predicting Notre Dame, but the Fighting Irish are not the same Irish of old. Neither is Michgian yet, but coaching change was a good start!

Colorado and Utah open play in the Pac 12 in Week 2.

Friday Night College Football: Though we may love the game; we must remember it's only a game!

2011-09-10T08:04:00.007-05:00

Football is clearly a game. After attending a disappointing prep football game at Kingston Stadium in Cedar Rapids, we noticed a shocking story. News of a fallen 23 year-old, who collapsed during a workout at his high school football field and track.

If anything would bring about pause, that football is just a game. Our thoughts and prayers go out to former Iowa safety Brent Greenwood, his family and the extended Hawkeye family near and far.

You don't expect to see a young man in headlines, like this.

Brett Greenwood in intensive care - ESPN
Ex-Hawkeye, PV star Greenwood collapses - Quad City Times
Former Steeler UDFA Brett Greenwood Collapses After Workout - Behind the Steel Curtain -
Former Steelers undrafted free agent S Brett Greenwood was hospitalized Friday in Iowa City, Iowa, ...

In College Football on Friday night, there were two games on ESPN and both them certainly ended with some excitement.

In Louisville on Friday night, a non-BCS conference school upset a BCS conference school, when FIU (2-0, 1-0 Sun Belt) held on to beat Louisville (1-1) by a score of 24-17. Florida International coach Mario Cristobal is in his fifth season, as head coach. This victory is the Panthers first win over a BCS program, since starting football in 2002. Cristobal played his college football at Miami-FL.

Friday night closed out, with a Top 25 battle in the desert in Tempe, as #23 Arizona State (2-0) beat #24 Missouri (1-1) in OT 37-30. Coach Dennis Erickson, in his fifth season at ASU, works his way off a warm seat, with a solid win over the Tigers. Missouri closed the 2010 season in the Desert, with a bowl loss in the Insight to Iowa 24-27. Erickson coached at Miami-FL, while Cristobal was four year letterwinner at the U.

As we head into the weekend of the 10Th anniversary of 9/11, our thoughts and prayers are with many. Whether it be a 23 year-old fallen athlete, those who lost loved ones ten years ago or those impacted by the challenges of today's world.

peace

Packers vs. Saints: NFL 2011 kickoffsas the 2011 and 2010 Super Bowl Champs square off from Lambeau Field

2011-09-08T17:05:00.006-05:00

We enjoyed a Labor Day weekend and the kickoff of College Football recently. Now, it's time for the NFL, with kickoff tonight of the 2011 NFL Season! From Obama to 9/11-10 years later to the NFL to College Football... plenty of action ahead over the next five days.

Will it be a rematch in Super Bowl 46 from Lucas Field in Indianapolis on February 5, 2012 be a rematch of last year? We wouldn't complain, since we have always enjoyed both NFL programs.

Lucas Field will be an exciting place this football season, with the first Big Ten Championship Game on December 3, 2011, then the Super Bowl.

Should the Big Ten Schedule Early Season Conference Games?

2011-09-07T22:47:00.004-05:00

Discussed on the Big Ten Network on Wednesday night. Our answer is "NO" since the conference schedule is better for October and November, with the new Big Ten Championship Game in December. Play the out of conference games first, then open the Big Ten and work to avoid any out of conference once the Big Ten season begins. It can occur now, with an equal number of teams again.

In other conference races, we saw a couple of conference games in Week 1. There was an ACC conference opener, along with an conference opener in the Sun Belt in Week 1.

Miami-FL @ Maryland was a great game, with the Terps winning 32-24 over the Hurricane, in the first games for new head coaches at both schools. Maryland's Randy Edsall beat Miami-FL's Al Golden in College Park, as both coaches began their respective eras as head coaches.

North Texas @ FIU was a blowout. FIU beat North Texas and coach Dan McCarney's debut, with a 41-16 win in Miami. McCarney's first game in Denton will be in Week 2, as Houston (1-0) comes to town on the heals of a 38-34 home win over UCLA (0-1)

In Week 2 - There are some monster in-conference openers:

In the ACC, North Carolina State (1-0) @ Wake Forest (0-1)

In the C-USA, Southern Miss (1-0) @ Marshall (0-1); Tulsa (0-1) @ Tulane (1-0); and UTEP (1-0) @ SMU (0-1)

In the MAC, Temple (1-0) @ Akron (0-1)

In the MWC, TCU (0-1) @ Air Force (1-0)

In the Pac 12, California (1-0) @ Colorado; Utah (1-0) @ #21 USC, as both newcomers of the new Pac 12 open conference play for the first time in their new conferences.

In the SEC, #16 Mississippi State @ #25 Auburn; #14 South Carolina @ Georgia

Again, we are thankful, the Big Ten remains in the out of conference heading into Week 2. It should be an interesting Week 2.

Thursday, September 8Th

Arizona at #9 Oklahoma State, 7:00 p.m. on ESPN (HD) (3D) / espn3

Do we really expect coach Mike Stoops and the Arizona Wildcats to upset the #9 team on their home field in Stillwater? Not really, but we sure hope the former Hawkeye football player can lead his Wildcats to victory.

Week 1 is about in the books: Here's our Top 25 Rankings for Week 1

2011-09-06T18:00:00.003-05:00

Plenty of thunder and lightning this past weekend, with games interrupted at Iowa, Notre Dame, Michigan, Tennessee and West Virginia. Only Notre Dame (0-1) lost at home, among those schools, with a 20-23 loss vs. South Florida (1-0).

There are some questions heading into Week 2. In the next two weeks, we will see a shake up in the polls. Week 1 provided some opportunity to shake things up, as well.

Here is our Week 1: CIDSports Top 25 Poll:

Alabama (1-0) 1 - The Crimson Tide beat Kent (0-1) 48-7 in Tuscaloosa to open the 2011 season. The two major polls stuck with Oklahoma, but we will stay with the Crimson Tide. After all, defense wins championships! Week 2: @ Penn State (1-0), which will pit two programs playing two QBs right now. Will one earn the spot in the game at Happy Valley? Penn State is coming off a 41-7 win over FCS' Indiana State (0-1)

Oklahoma (1-0) 2 - The Sooners open 2011 with an emotional 47-14 win over Tulsa (0-1) in Norman. This off season, Sooners' LB Austin Box passed away suddenly, so plenty of emotion for the Sooners in the season opener. Week 2: the Sooners will enjoy a bye week in preparation for the Week 3 showdown @ #4 Florida State (1-0), which favored the Seminoles in 2010.

LSU (1-0) 7 - The Tigers rocked in Arlington, TX over former #3 rated Oregon (0-1) with a solid 40-27 win fueled by excellent defense and a steady performance by elevated QB Jarrett Lee for LSU. Quick Stat: "LSU has won 34 consecutive non-conference games games, the longest such streak in the nation, including all 23 in the regular season under seventh-year coach Les Miles." The last OOC loss came in the 2005 Capital One Bowl on the final play of the game vs. Iowa. Week 2: vs. FCS' Northwestern State (1-0) in home opener.

Florida State (1-0) 4 - The Seminoles took care of business in season opener in Tallahassee with a 34-0 win over Louisiana-Monroe (0-1). Week 2: The Seminoles will warm up for the Week 3 showdown with #2 Oklahoma, with a game vs. FCS' Charleston Southern (0-1).

Boise State (1-0) 5 - The Broncos traveled to Atlanta and took care of business over an overrated Georgia (0-1) 35-21. Both major polls felt the Bulldogs deserved a preseason ranking. Clearly Boise State becomes the nation's top non-BCS team, with TCU's opening weekend loss @ Baylor, and the win over the Bulldogs. Georgia head coach Mark Richt falls on the hot seat. Week 2: the Broncos enjoy a bye week, before traveling back East in Week 3 for a Friday night ESPN game @ Toledo (1-0), who will be coming off a short week, after a tough game @ Ohio State in Week 2.

Virginia Tech (1-0) 6 - The Hokies extended Frank Beamer's contract, as well as took down FCS' Appalachian State 66-13 in Blacksburg to open the 2011 season. Beamer is in his 25Th season as head coach for the Hokies. Week 2: the Hokies travel to Greenville for a game @ East Carolina (0-1).

Oregon (0-1) 3 - The Ducks fall in the season opener in Arlington, TX to former #7 LSU (1-0) 27-40. Is flip-flopping each team the appropriate move, after Week 1? The Ducks are still the team to beat in the new Pac 12, since LSU has a better defense, than anything you will find in the Pac 12. Week 2: the Ducks' home opener vs. Nevada (0-0), who must rebuild, after last year's amazing 13-1 season and #11 finish in the AP Poll.

Wisconsin (1-0) 12 - The Badgers finished #7 in the final 2010 AP Poll last season. With NC State transfer QB Russell Wilson moving into Scott Tolzien's position, the Badgers took down UNLV (0-1) in Madison 51-17 to open the 2011 season. Week 2: vs. Oregon State (0-1) in Madison. The Beavers lost the home opener in OT to FCS' Sacramento State (0-1) 28-29.

Oklahoma State (1-0) 9 - The Cowboys opened 2011 with a 61-34 win in Stillwater over Louisiana-Lafayette (0-1). Week 2: vs. Arizona (1-0) on a Thursday night ESPN home game that will be a good test, against a team rebuilding. The Wildcats won their home opener against FCS' Northern Arizona (0-1) 41-10.

Arkansas (1-0) 10 - The Razorbacks opened the season with a 51-7 win over FCS' Missouri State (0-1) in Fayetteville.. Week 2: vs. New Mexico (0-1) in Little Rock, against a team that lost the home opener vs. Colorado State (0-1) 10-14.

Stanford (1-0) 13 - The Cardinal opened 2011 with a home win over San Jose State 57-3. Week 2: The Cardinal travel across the country to Durham, NC for a game @ Duke (0-1). The Blue Devils fell 21-23 in the home opener to FCS' Richmond (1-0).

Nebraska (1-0) 12 - The Cornhuskers have joined the Big Ten and they kicked off the 2011 season with a 40-7 win over FCS' Chattanooga (0-1) in Lincoln. Week 2: vs. Fresno State (0-1), who are coming off a 21-36 loss to California (1-0) in San Francisco.

Texas A&M (1-0) 14 - The Aggies opened 2011 at home in College Station with a 46-14 win over SMU (0-1). Week 2: the Aggies can focus on the SEC and leaving the Big 12, while they enjoy a bye week, before hosting Idaho (0-1) in Week 3. The Vandals lost home opener vs. Bowling Green (1-0) 15-32 and will face FCS' North Dakota (1-0), before trip to College Station.

South Carolina (1-0) 16 - The Gamecocks opened 2011 in Charlotte, NC with a 56-37 win over East Carolina (0-1). Week 2: the Gamecocks open the SEC East on the road @ Georgia (0-1), who will attempt to rebound from a disappointing 21-35 loss in Atlanta vs. #5 Boise State (1-0). "Seven of the last 10 meetings between these schools have been decided by seven points or less."

Ohio State (1-0) 15 - The Buckeyes had a tough off season with the suspensions, resignation of Jim Tresell and NCAA investigation. Interim coach Luke Fickel lead the Buckeyes in the season opener to a 42-0 win over Akron (1-0). Week 2: vs. Toledo (1-0), who won 58-22 in the home opener vs. FCS' New Hampshire (0-1).

Mississippi State (1-0) 18 - The Bulldogs opened 2011 on the road @ Memphis (0-1) with a 59-14 win. Week 2: @ Auburn (1-0) for the SEC West opener. The Tigers are coming off a near upset loss vs. Utah State (0-1) in the home opener. Auburn is 59-23-2, but last year's game in Starksville, MS ended with a 17-14 win, the ninth in 10 years for the Tigers.

Florida (1-0) 19 - The Gators opened a new era under first-year coach Will Muschamp with a 41-3 win over Florida Atlantic in Gainsville. Week 2: vs. UAB (0-0) has their season opener in Gainsville, as the Gators work to fully implement new OC Charlie Weis' system.

West Virginia (1-0) 18 - The Mountianeers won a lightning/rain shortened game in Morgantown, new coach Dan Holgorsen's opener, with a 34-13 win over in-state Marshall. Week 2: vs. FCS' Norfolk State (1-0), a good tune up, before a tougher OOC road game @ Maryland (1-0) in Week 3.

Brigham Young (1-0) 23 - The Cougars began a new season as an Independent with a road test in Oxford, MS, with a 14-13 win over Mississippi (0-1). Week 2: the Cougars hit the road again with a trip to Austin and a meeting @ Texas (1-0), with their Top 25 ranking on the line. The Longhorns opened 2011 with a 34-9 home win vs. Rice (0-1). The Cougars are 2-0 all-time vs. the Longhorns.

Central Florida (1-0) nr - The Golden Knights finished 11-3 in 2010 and #21 in the final AP Poll. Central Florida beat Charleston Southern 62-0 in Orlando to open the 2011 season. Week 2: the Golden Knights vs. Boston College (0-1) in a prime time game in Orlando. The Eagles lost at home 17-24 to Northwestern (1-0) in the season opener.

USC (1-0) 21 - The Trojans opened 2011 with a 19-17 win in Los Angeles over Minnesota (0-1). Week 2: the Trojans open the Pac 12 season with Pac 12 newcomer Utah (1-0), who opened 2011 with a 27-10 home opener vs. FCS' Montana State (0-1). Another Top 25 game, where the winner will likely be ranked.

Iowa (1-0) 22 - The Hawkeyes were able to finish the home opener of 2011, despite a 1-1/2 hour lightning delay, with a 37-7 win over FCS' Tennessee Tech (0-1). Week 2: the Hawkeyes head to Ames for the Cy-Hawk Trophy Game @ Iowa State (1-0), who won a last minute game vs. Northern Iowa (0-1) 20-19. A new trophy will be on the line in this year's battle.

Arizona State (1-0) 24 - The Sun Devils opened 2011 in Tempe with a 48-14 win over UC Davis (0-1). Week 2: vs. #24 Missouri (1-0) on Friday night on ESPN in a key Top 25 showdown of Week 2.

Missouri (1-0) nr - The Tigers with new QB James Franklin under center opened 2011 with a 17-6 win in Columbia over Miami-OH (0-1). Week 2: @ # 23 Arizona State (1-0), as the Tigers travel back to Tempe, home of their last lost, in the Insight Bowl to Iowa, 24-27, to close out 2010.

(tied) Auburn (1-0) 25 - the Tigers, the defending BCS titleholders, nearly lost the season opener vs. Utah State (0-1) with a 42-38 win, fueled by a onside kick and TD return in the final minute. Yes, we thought of throwing them out of the Top 25, but they won, plus Week 2 vs. #16 Mississippi State (1-0), in the SEC West opener of the season should determine whether they stay or not. The SEC West figures to be the toughest division in college football again this season.
(tied) South Florida (1-0) nr - The Bulls held on to win a lightning delayed road game 23-20 @ former #8 Notre Dame (0-1) to open the 2011 season. Week 2: vs. Ball State (1-0), who beat Indiana (0-1) 27-20 in the season opener in Indianapolis.

Out of the Top 25: former #8 Notre Dame (0-1) - lost 20-23 in South Bend to South Florida (1-0); former #17 TCU (0-1) - lost 48-50 @ Baylor in Waco. Notre Dame didn't deserve the Top 25 ranking. Coach Gary Patterson at TCU wins with defense, so 50 points given up is a clear indication that there is plenty of rebuilding ahead for the Horned Frogs.

Last five out of the Top 25: Michigan State (1-0), Penn State (1-0), Southern Miss (1-0), Utah (1-0), Texas (1-0)

Program on the Hot Seat: Georgia (0-1), after the disappointing performance in Atlanta vs. #5 Boise State (1-0).

Happy Labor Day: Wrapping up the First Weekend of the 2011 College Football Season

2011-09-05T16:03:00.004-05:00

We hope everyone is enjoying their Labor Day weekend. It certainly was an interesting first week of the College Football season. The final game of the holiday weekend is the first ACC conference game of the season:

Monday, September 5Th
Miami-FL at Maryland, 7:00 p.m. on ESPN (HD) (3D) / espn3

Plenty of challenges ahead for Al Golden and the Hurricanes woes with NCAA violations

One of these teams will earn a 1-0 start in the ACC race fro 2011

The ACC was 7-3 in Week 1, however, they were 0-2 vs. BCS opponents, 2-0 vs. non-BCS opponents, 5-1 vs. FCS opponents.

BCS losses: Wake 29, @ Syracuse 36, while @ Boston College 17, Northwestern 24

FBS loss: @ Duke 21, Richmond 23

Best games: Top 25 rated Florida State beat Louisiana-Monroe 34-0, while Top 25 Virginia Tech beat Appalachian State 66-13

Plenty of games played on Saturday, now 3 games on Labor Day Sunday in College Football!

2011-09-04T10:31:00.004-05:00

Three games impacted by lightning on Saturday across the Midwest. What a storm!

Iowa wins 34-7, though an 1-1/2 hour interruption, delayed the expected outcome vs. Tennessee Tech

South Florida overcomes weather delay and Notre Dame comeback to win 23-20 in South Bend

Michigan-Western Michigan game was suspended in Ann Arbor, official score will be Michigan 34, Western Michigan 10

There are three games up for Sunday, September 4Th in College Football!

Howard at Eastern Michigan 11:00 a.m.

Marshall at West Virginia 2:30 p.m. ESPN (HD) / espn3

SMU at Texas A&M 6:30 p.m. FSN (HD) / (Click for DirecTV channels)

Plenty of College Football to talk about, but that will have to come later. It should be an interesting year in 2011. Plenty of thunder and lightning, indeed!

College Game Day for the Hawkeyes, Cornhuskers, Cyclones, Panthers and plenty of other teams kicking off the 2011 season!

2011-09-03T09:05:00.004-05:00

Are you ready for some Football? The 2011 College Football season kicks off on Saturday all around the country this Labor Day weekend!

What a start to the 2011 season on Friday night with TCU @ Baylor! After catching some local high school football in Cedar Rapids, we got the final minutes of Baylor's upset win over the defending Rose Bowl champion, the TCU Horned Frogs. Baylor takes down TCU 50-48 with a late minute FG.

In the Big Ten, two games are in the books, with Wisconsin's high scoring win over UNLV on Thursday night in Madison, with QB Russell Wilson now under center for the Badgers, while Michigan State beats Youngtowns State on Friday night on the Big Ten Network!

It's Saturday, with plenty of games kicking off. Some highlights:

The University of Iowa opens the season at Kinnick, with Tennessee Tech out of the Ohio Valley ...

The University of Nebraska opens the season in Lincoln, as the Cornhuskers officially kick off their new membership in the Big Ten

This evening, the UNI Panthers will take the field in Ames vs. the Iowa State Cyclones in semi-annual in-state affair between the Missouri Valley and the Big 12 teams

Four interesting national matchups: South Florida/Notre Dame, BYU/Ole Miss, Boise State/Georgia and LSU/Oregon

As we kickoff the first Weekend of College Football on Saturday, September 3Rd:

Akron at Ohio State 11:00 a.m. ESPN (HD) / espn3

Indiana State at Penn State 11:00 a.m. BTN (HD)

Miami (Ohio) at Missouri 11:00 a.m. FSN (HD)

Middle Tennessee at Purdue 11:00 a.m. BTN (HD)

Northwestern at Boston College 11:00 a.m. ESPNU (HD): Wildcats will be without QB Dan Persa for the opener, as he works his way back from season ending injury in '10.

Tennessee Tech at Iowa 11:00 a.m. BTN (HD) Prediction: Hawkeyes 37, Tech 17

Utah State at Auburn 11:00 a.m. ESPN2 (HD) / espn3

Kent State at Alabama 11:21 a.m. SEC Network / ESPN-GP / espn3

Appalachian State at Virginia Tech 11:30 a.m. ESPN-GP *2 / Raycom Cable *3 (HD) / espn3

South Dakota at Air Force 1:00 p.m. MTN (HD)

Arkansas State at Illinois 2:30 p.m. BTN (HD)

Delaware at Navy 2:30 p.m. CBSSN (HD) / Live video

James Madison at North Carolina 2:30 p.m. FSN (HD) / ESPN-GP / espn3

Louisiana Monroe at Florida State 2:30 p.m. ESPNU (HD)

Minnesota at USC 2:30 p.m. (ABC or ESPN2 / espn3) (HD) *7

South Florida at Notre Dame 2:30 p.m. NBC (HD)

UCLA at Houston 2:30 p.m. FSN (HD)

UT Chattanooga at Nebraska 2:30 p.m. BTN (HD) (Nebraska info / BTN 101)

Western Michigan at Michigan 2:30 p.m. (ABC or ESPN2 / espn3) (HD) *7

BYU at Ole Miss 3:45 p.m. ESPN (HD) / espn3

San Jose State at Stanford 4:00 p.m. CSBA (HD)

Colorado State at New Mexico 5:00 p.m. MTN (HD)

Montana at Tennessee 5:00 p.m. ESPN-GP *2 / PPV (TN) / espn3

Austin Peay at Cincinnati 6:00 p.m. FSOH / ESPN-GP / espn3

East Carolina vs. South Carolina (Charlotte) 6:00 p.m. FSN (HD) / ESPN-GP / espn3

Eastern Washington at Washington 6:00 p.m. RSNW / FCSP (cable)

Florida Atlantic at Florida 6:00 p.m. ESPNU (HD)

Fresno State at California 6:00 p.m. CSCA (HD)

Missouri State at Arkansas 6:00 p.m. ESPN-GP *2 / PPV (AR) / espn3

Elon at Vanderbilt 6:30 p.m. ESPN-GP / (CST / CSS) (cable) / espn3

Boise State vs. Georgia (Atlanta) 7:00 p.m. ESPN (HD) / espn3

LSU vs. Oregon (Arlington, TX) 7:00 p.m. ABC (HD)

Ohio at New Mexico State 7:00 p.m. ALT / ESPN-GP / espn3

Tulsa at Oklahoma 7:00 p.m. FX (HD)

Cal Poly at San Diego State 9:00 p.m. MTN (HD)

Louisiana Tech at Southern Miss 9:00 p.m. FSN (HD)

Northern Arizona at Arizona 9:00 p.m. FSAZ / (FCSA / KWBA) (cable)

Colorado at Hawaii 9:15 p.m. ESPN2 (HD) / espn3

Games not yet scheduled for nationally available networks

Army at Northern Illinois 6:00 p.m. espn3

Ball State vs. Indiana (Indianapolis, IN) 6:00 p.m. espn3

Buffalo at Pittsburgh 5:00 p.m. espn3

Charleston Southern at Central Florida 6:00 p.m. BHSN (cable)

Eastern Kentucky at Kansas State 6:00 p.m.

Fordham at Connecticut 11:00 a.m. espn3 (Moved from Thursday)

Howard at Eastern Michigan 6:00 p.m.

Idaho State at Washington State 4:00 p.m.

Liberty at North Carolina State 5:00 p.m. espn3

Louisiana Lafayette at Oklahoma State 6:00 p.m. FCSC (cable)

McNeese State at Kansas 6:00 p.m.

Northern Iowa at Iowa State 6:00 p.m.

Rice at Texas 7:00 p.m. LHN (HD)

Richmond at Duke 6:00 p.m. espn3

Sacramento State at Oregon State 3:00 p.m.

Southeastern Louisiana at Tulane 12:30 p.m.

Stony Brook at UTEP 8:00 p.m. TW El Paso (cable)

Texas State at Texas Tech 6:00 p.m.

Troy at Clemson 2:30 p.m. espn3

Weber State at Wyoming 8:00 p.m.

William & Mary at Virginia 5:00 p.m. espn3

Congratulations to EPSN Game Day personality Lee Corso on his 25Th anniversary on the Game Day set in 2011. Our thoughts and prayers go out to LeRoy Selmon, the former Oklahoma standout and USF athletic director on news of his stroke overnight.
Here's to an outstanding 2011 College Football season!

It's the Friday of Labor Day Weekend: More College Football

2011-09-02T16:15:00.003-05:00

The 2011 College Football season kicked off Thursday, September 1St with very few surprises. Results from Week 1 of the 2011 CFB season.

Wisconsin rolled on UNLV - debut of QB Russell Wilson for Badgers a success!

Mississippi State beat Memphis: Bulldogs get out of the blocks

Arizona State won vs. UC Davis, a FBS school: Sun Devils look to have better year!

Friday, September 2Nd
Youngstown State at Michigan State 6:30 p.m. BTN (HD)
TCU at Baylor 7:00 p.m. ESPN (HD) / espn3

On the local front, plenty of high school football throughout the State of Iowa, including the annual Jefferson vs. Washington game at Kingston Stadium in Cedar Rapids. The Warriors look to be the J-Hawks and move to 2-0 on this young season!

It's September 1: Time for the Kickoff of the 2011 College Football season!

2011-09-01T15:11:00.007-05:00

It should be another interesting year in College Football. Will a program emerge like Auburn last year or will we see a dominate program, like Alabama in 2009, run away with the BCS Title, as the 2011 College Football season kicks off?

The defending Big Ten co-champion, Wisconsin Badgers, kick off the 2011 season in Madtown! Welcome, former NC State QB Russell Wilson, new #1 at UW!

Former Iowa assistant and ISU head coach Dan McCarney kicks off his era at North Texas with a conference road game in FL!

Will Arizona State contend for a division title in the new Pac 12?

How strong will Mississippi State be in the top flight SEC West in 2011?

Utah is now in the Pac 12 ... that is something to get used to!

Thursday, September 1st

National Line up tonight!

Murray State at Louisville, 5:00 p.m. on ESPNU (HD)

Drake at North Dakota, 7:00 p.m. DirecTV - 623 / FCSC (cable) - The Bulldogs are a huge underdog, but here's to them any way!

Mississippi State at Memphis, 7:00 p.m. on FSN (HD) (Click for DirecTV channels)

UNLV at Wisconsin, 7:00 p.m. on ESPN (HD) (3D) / espn3

Bowling Green at Idaho, 8:00 p.m. on ALT

Kentucky vs. Western Kentucky (Nashville), 8:15 p.m. on ESPNU (HD)

UC Davis at Arizona State, 9:00 p.m. on FSAZ (HD) / FCSP (cable)

Games not scheduled for nationally available networks

Montana State at Utah, 7:00 p.m. on (KJZZ / Max Media) (cable) / Live Video

New Hampshire at Toledo, 6:00 p.m. on espn3

North Carolina Central at Rutgers, 6:30 p.m. on espn3

North Texas at Florida International, 6:00 p.m. on espn3

South Carolina State at Central Michigan, 6:00 p.m.

Villanova at Temple, 6:00 p.m. on espn3

Wake Forest at Syracuse, 7:00 p.m. on espn3

Western Carolina at Georgia Tech, 6:30 p.m. on espn3

The first weekend will have some very good games. Tonight's top game should be Wake Forest at Syracuse, two BCS programs, but it doesn't even garner a major network broadcast. What does that say about the ACC and Big East?

Here's our CidSports PreSeason Top 25 teams for 2011

2011-09-01T06:30:00.004-05:00

We kickoff the 2011 College Football season and after taking much of the Summer off from blogging, we thought it was time to finally get our Top 25 Preseason Poll out for 2011!

AP Preseason Poll

Alabama - the Crimson Tide seek their second BCS title in three seasons. Defense could even be better than the '09 BCS champs! The offense has some retooling at QB!

Oklahoma - the SEC has won five straight titles, so while the major polls may like the Sooners... we say wait until we see them @ Florida State and in the new Big 12!

Oregon - runner-ups in '10, the Ducks may be a team to watch, but do they have the quality defense that typically goes hand in hand with National Title?

Florida State - could the Seminoles finally be back? Stoops (OU) and Chizik (Auburn) won titles in year 2, while Kelly (Oregon) was a runner-up!

Boise State - the way non-BCS teams have played over the past decade... it is only appropriate to rank the Top non-BCS team in the preseason Top 5, right?

Virginia Tech - the Hokies have some retooling to do, but Frank Beamer is one of the best in College Football. Special teams, defense plus offense makes a good formula!

LSU - We have knocked them down a little, due to questions over the past month... this program has a tough schedule in 2011, but can't be overlooked!

Notre Dame - are the Fighting Irish back in the BCS mix? Wait, they have really never been in the BCS mix, though they have played in BCS bowl games.

Oklahoma State - they have a Man of a Coach and the new Big 12 minus Colorado and Nebraska will have an interesting nine game format, like the old Pac 10.

Arkansas - the SEC West is the best division in College Football. We lost two divisions (Big 12) and gained four more (Big Ten and Pac 12)... someone needs to be #10!

Nebraksa - they join the Big Ten and they are at the top of the ladder in the preseason Top 25? Something just doesn't seem right, but we shall see how it all plays out!

Wisconsin - the defending Rose Bowl representative for the Big Ten begins division play hosting Nebraska... will NC State transfer, QB Russell Wilson, shine in the Big Ten?

Stanford - Yes, they have QB Andrew Luck, but they will be absent the head coach that lead them to a Top 5 finish in '10 and there is an offensive line that must gel!

Texas A&M - Many have the Aggies higher in the preseason polls, but the new conference talk has to be a distraction in College Station, so we are lower expectations for '11.

Ohio State - This team has won a share of the Big Ten title for six straight seasons, though sanctions tossed out the '10 season. What's up for 2011 in Columbus?

South Carolina - I love their RB, who may be worthy of Heisman talk by mid-season, but QB is always a question mark for the 'ole ball coach in Columbia!

TCU - a little high maybe for all the players departed, but coach Gary Patterson showed in the Rose Bowl win last season that he is among the best in college football...

Mississippi State - Not a lot of choice again, there are a number of question marks with talent that has moved onto the NFL with a lot of programs. So, Bulldogs are #18...

Florida - defense wins championships, so will a new head coach with a defensive flair help retool at program that has won two titles under their departed coach in '06 and '08?

West Virginia - a Big East team certainly deserves to be in the preseason Top 25? But, will the Mountaineers get it done, under a new coach?

USC - should they be in the Top 25, since they are on probation? They certainly could be a spoiler in the Pac 12 South division race in '11.

Iowa - The Hawkeyes have lost some games over the past three seasons, but none by more than 7 points. Kirk Ferentz and the Hawkeyes have a favorable schedule in '11.

Brigham Young - the Cougars move from the MWC to becoming an Independent in Football in '11. There are a lot of questions in 2011 from top to bottom, so #23...

Arizona State - the Sun Devils haven't won a lot of games of late and didn't even make a bowl game at 6-6 in '10... but, they have a lot of starters returning and could suprise!

Auburn - they are the defending BCS title winners, but in 2009 they were not a Top 25 program, so why should they be with the absence of Heisman Trophy QB Cam Newton?

Last Five Out for 2011: Michigan State (lost to Iowa and Alabama badly in '10), Missouri (lost to Iowa in the Insight), Penn State (lost 8 of the last 10 vs. Hawkeyes), Southern Miss (lost trademark case with the Hawkeyes over Summer), Utah (moves from the MWC to the Pac 12 in '11).

Teams that need to win before being ranked in 2011: Georgia (6-7 in '10) and Texas (5-7)...

It should be a great College Football season in 2011.

B1G Football 2011: A lot of interest in the first ever race for the Big Ten Title Game

2011-07-31T12:55:00.005-05:00

Season One of a new era of B1G football ...

General tickets for the inaugural Big Ten football title game at Lucas Oil Stadium sold out in less than two hours today, the conference announced. - Indianapolis Star

Big Ten Title Game will be Saturday, December 3Rd

The 40Th annual Big Ten Kickoff Luncheon unfolded this past week, as all 12 Big Ten coaches and 36 student-athletes meet in Chicago to discuss the 2011 Big Ten Football season, as division play and the first Big Ten Title Game will unfold, with the addition of Nebraska in the conference.

The Big Ten welcomed four new football coaches, along with Nebraska's Bo Pelini to the conference media day in Chicago for the upcoming 2011 season. We will have to wait until about mid-August on whether the Ohio State will be eligible for the inaugural Big Ten Title Game.

The Iowa Hawkeyes has been competitive in all games over the past three seasons, with all of their losses within seven points or less. After a 6-6 season in 2007, Iowa has finished 9-4, 11-2 and 8-5 the past three seasons. NFL bound QB Ricky Stanzi lead Iowa to three straight bowl wins the past three seasons.

"Really in a nutshell for us, last year came down to how we handled close games. We dropped three games in November, total of 10 points. If you look at all of our losses over the season, about four points a game. If you contrast that to the year before, we ended up in the Orange Bowl. That was a year we did very well in close games." - Iowa's Kirk Ferentz

Will the Hawkeyes be one of the teams headed to the Big Ten Title Game in 2011? One member of the media indirectly was predicting it or simply didn't remember that Iowa vs. Ohio State isn't on the regular Big Ten schedule. The past two seasons the game has been played down the wire.

Iowa-Nebraska rivalry?

“We believe that the people of Iowa and the people of Nebraska are very much alike in many ways. Both believe in an honest day’s work, the importance of community and family, and both love college football and their football heroes.” - Nebraska's Dr. Tom Osborne

Iowa and Nebraska announce `The Heroes Game' where both institutions to use national stage to honor `citizen heroes,' provide support for charity. Heroes come in all shapes and sizes and Black Friday, the day after Thanksgiving will provide a football game to spotlight such.

Questions heading into August Camp in the B1G:

Will quarterback North Carolina State transfer Russell Wilson fill the void at Wisconsin for the loss of Scott Tolzien or will it be someone else nor not happen in 2011?

Iowa saw success in Year 3 of J. Hayden Fry in 1981 running a two-quarterback system, so will Purdue's Danny Hope enjoy the same with QB Robert Marve and Rob Henry in his Year 3 in West Lafayette?

Michigan State hasn't been to the Rose Bowl in last 24 seasons, so can Mark Dantonio overcome the hurdles to get Spartans at the top of the Big Ten in '11?

“I don’t think we’re rebuilding. Period,” New head coach Brady Hoke said. “We’re Michigan.” So, should the rest of the Big Ten buy this approach for the team in Ann Arbor?

Sophomore QB Rob Bolden was denied his release to transfer in the Spring by Joe Pa at Penn State. So, will Bolden win the QB derby or will it be junior Matt McGloin again?

Illinois won first bowl game, since 1999, with win over Baylor, as the Fighting Illini must reload for Ron Zook, which didn't work well, after 2007 season and Zook's first bowl trip. Will 2011 be any different from 2008 for Ron Zook's program?

Welcome back to B1G new Indiana coach Kevin Wilson, who was on the late Randy Walker's first staff as OC for three years, before leaving to run Oklahoma's offense for Bobby Stoops. How will the adjustment be in Bloomington?

Battle-tested veterans Mike Daniels and Broderick Binns will anchor the defensive line for Iowa's Kirk Ferentz, but will the combination of players to fill the other two open spots work for the Hawkeyes?

Minnesota first-year head coach Jerry Kill rebuilt Northern Illinois, after success at the FBS level, so will his next project be successful too?

Pat Fitzgerald has lead Northwestern to three straight bowl games, but with a record of 1-8 overall, since the first win 1949 Rose Bowl... do the Wildcats pull out a win in '11?

Luke Fickel steps in at Ohio State for the season, after Jim Tressel was released after the Spring. So, will Fickel maintain the Buckeyes at a high level or will the NCAA issues cost the Buckeyes too much in '11? Suspensions remain heading into the first five games.

How will Bo Pelini and Nebraska enjoy the first campaign in the Big Ten?

Iowa is a "wholesome" and "no-nonsense" program like Nebraska

2011-07-24T11:17:00.005-05:00

Nebraska will likely be favored as the team to beat in the first Legends division race of the Big Ten in 2011. Gerry DiNardo of the Big Ten Network labels Nebraska as potentially the team to beat, while calling Iowa a "wholesome" and "no-nonsense" program like Nebraska.

The Big Ten Conference will hold its Media Day in Chicago on July 28Th and 29Th, including the 40Th Annual Big Ten Kickoff Luncheon. The SEC held its Media Day this past week to kickoff the beginning activities leading up to the 2011 College Football season. The Big 12, without Colorado and Nebraska, will kickoff on Monday and Tuesday.

Thirty-six student athletes will join head coaches in Chicago for Media Day. Iowa head coach Kirk Ferentz, entering his 13Th season as head coach of the Hawkeyes, is bringing DT Mike Daniels, WR Marvin McNutt, Jr. and LB Tyler Nielsen. All three players are seniors for the 2011 Hawkeye football team.

The 2011 season will kickoff for the Big Ten on Thursday, September 1St in Madison.

UNLV at Wisconsin
7:00 p.m.
ESPN (HD)

Wisconsin is the reigning co-champion of the Big Ten and represented the Big Ten in the 2011 Rose Bowl, losing 19-21 to TCU. Excitement in Madison is high with transferring QB Russell Wilson, from North Carolina State, competing for the open QB position in 2011. Wisconsin could be the team to beat in the Leaders division in 2011? DiNardo like the Badgers and "window" of opportunity.

The Hawkeyes finished 8-5 in 2010 and haven't won a share of the Big Ten, since 2004. Will the young Hawkeyes make noise in 2011? Iowa will start 2011 with a new QB, as junior James Vandenberg takes over the reigns, with Ricky Stanzi, Iowa's first 3-0 bowl winner as a starting QB, moves on to the NFL.

cidsports

Big Ten officially welcomes the University of Nebraska at Lincoln

2011-07-03T10:34:00.004-05:00

The University of Nebraska officially became the 12Th member of the Big Ten Conference on July 1, 2011. The first official activity will be the 2011 Big Ten media day later this month in Chicago on July 28-29.

The Road to Omaha is Complete; College World Series: Play Ball!

2011-06-18T08:49:00.006-05:00

The new TD Ameritrade Park in Omaha will host the College World Series this year for the first time. The memories of old Johnny Rosenblatt Stadium in Omaha will be replaced with a new downtown facility close to hotels and Omaha's Old Market district.

Eight teams will battle in this year's double elimination bracket, followed by the best of three games championship series format for the 2011 tournament. The 2010 College World Series champs are back, with South Carolina in Omaha to defend their title.

Bracket 1: (starts Saturday, June 18Th)

Game 1 - North Carolina vs. Vanderbilt

Game 2 - Texas vs. Florida

Bracket 2: (starts Sunday, June 19Th)

Game 3 - California vs. Virginia

Game 4 - South Carolina vs. Texas A&M

Twenty years ago, Creighton and Wichita State faced off in the 1991 College World Series in one of the most memorable games at Johnny Rosenblatt Stadium. The losing pitcher that day was Creighton's Brian O'Connor. O'Connor is back in 2011 as the head coach leading the Virginia into the 2011 CWS.

New memories begin in 2011 at the College World Series in the new downtown venue in Omaha.

peace

Heading into the 2011 College Football season... who looks worthy and who is not for the preseason Top 25?

2011-06-01T14:23:00.000-05:00

The first college preseason magazines are hitting the shelves for the 2011 season. The preseason magazines will get some right and get some wrong, in both directions. In 2010, Auburn and Stanford became the surprise teams of the season, while, on the flip side, Texas went from the BCS title game runner-up in 2009 to a sub .500 season under Mack Brown in Austin in 2010. Who will not make it from the Top 25 in 2010?

Over the past four seasons, Boise State has been the #1 program for winning percentage. Actually, you have to go back to 1996 to knock Boise State off as #1 program in terms of winning percentage. Since 1996, Ohio State was #1, but times may be changing in Columbus with the resignation of coach Jim Tressel on Memorial Day.

Boise State moves to the MWC in 2011, while Utah moves to the new Pac 12 and Boise State become the fourth Independent in College Football. Will Boise State knock off TCU, who is coming off an undefeated season in 2010? It should be an interesting race in 2011 in the MWC.

Auburn is the defending champion. They went from unranked in the final poll in 2009 to #1 in 2010. Are they even worthy of a Top 25 ranking, after one-season wonder, Heisman Trophy winning QB Cam Newton bolted to the NFL? As Phil Steele highlights on his web site, Auburn ranks #120 in number of returning starters for the 2011 season. They could fall from top team in SEC to near the bottom of the SEC West.

peace

Will Luke Fickel become the next Bill Lynch in the Big Ten Conference?

2011-05-30T10:34:00.006-05:00

The circumstances are completely different. The Ohio State University is in trouble with the NCAA and many have said that Jim Tressel had to go in Columbus.

News in: Ohio State football coach Jim Tressel resigns

Yes, it's Memorial Day, but in Columbus, it's the day that Tressel said "goodbye" to one of the prime jobs in all of College Football.

So, will Luke Fickel be the next Bill Lynch and take the interim tag to head coach, as Lynch did at Indiana, after the death of former IU coach Terry Hoeppner? Lynch replaced Hoeppner in 2007, leading IU to a 7-6 season. Lynch was dismissed, after the 2010 season though, when IU lost for the third straight year.

Some call for the Death Penalty for Ohio State. However, that would be terrible for College Football, especially the Big Ten Conference. How did the Southwest Conference fare the demise of SMU? Ohio State's ills are not good for the conference, but OSU is not SMU either, and the conference's most consistent program just took a hit.

Luke Fickel will likely wear the interim tag for the 2011 season. The 2011 Big Ten conference race just opened up even more, with the six-time defending champions of the conference joining the ranks of Michigan, Indiana and Minnesota welcoming a new coach for the 2011 season.

The 2011 Big Ten season will certainly be an interesting one.

Nebraska joins Big Ten and conference will host first ever Big Ten title game

Legends and Leaders

Michigan hires Brady Hoke to replace

Indiana hires Kevin Wilson, most recently OC at Oklahoma

Minnesota hires Jerry Kill, most recently NIU's head coach

Luke Fickel moves from five game interim coach to 2011 interim coach, upon news of Tressel's resignation in Columbus for Ohio State

It's Memorial Day ... the 2011 Big Ten season just got a little more interesting!

peace

Memorial Day weekend opens the official preseason of College Football as the magazines soon hit the newstand for the 2011 College Football Season

2011-05-28T10:56:00.004-05:00

Happy Memorial Day weekend everyone. It's Iowa, cool and wet, another tradition this time of year, along with the arrival of Summer and preseason college football magazines in June!

The first magazine out for the 2011 Preseason is AthlonSports, as Pat Harty's article highlights. Don't look for Iowa to a be a preseason darling in the Top 25 or in the Big Ten for 2011.

Oklahoma will be a team getting a lot of attention this preseason nationally and in the new Big 12

Despite the off the field distractions, suspensions; Ohio State is the team to beat in Big Ten, again

The Big Ten will kick off a Big Ten title game in '11 between the winners of the Leaders and Legends divisions

The Big Ten grows to 12 teams in '11 - Nebraska may be team to be in new Legends division?

AthlonSports appears to like four Big Ten teams in Preseason Top 25

Iowa's final opponent for 2010 - Insight Bowl: Missouri is in at #25, coming off loss to Iowa in the bowl game and absent QB Blaine Gabbert

As always, Athlon's 2011 annual provides in-depth team-by-team previews, along with our preseason Top 25, All-America teams, the first annual Big Ten Championship Game pick, All-Big Ten teams and everything else you need to know about the upcoming season of Big Ten football. - AthlonSports

Iowa's Marcus Coker is #26 in Athlon's College Fantasy Mock Draft, but surprising that Iowa WR Marvin McNutt is not listed among the 240 drafted. Major -FAIL - alert anyone?

peace

April 30: Final Day of NFL Draft; a little recap on Iowa sports

2011-04-30T12:12:00.004-05:00

The NFL Draft closes out rounds 4-7 on Saturday April 30Th, as Iowa football players look to be drafted. Unlike other years, the NFL lock-out will close the door on those players not drafted.

The University of Iowa has seen undrafted free agents sign right after previous drafts and gone on to be successful in camp, making an NFL roster on opening day. The Class of 2011 will not have the same opportunity, unless they are drafted. Undrafted prospects will have to wait and see.

On Day 1 - Tampa Bay drafted Iowa DE Adrian Clayborn - #20 - in the first round of the 2011 NFL Draft!

On Day 3 - Minnesota drafted Iowa DL Christian Ballard in Round 4 and recap of Iowa players in the Class of 2011.

On Tuesday, April 26 - The Iowa Basketball program signed another player for the Class of 2011 - fourth player for the Class of 2011 - 6-10 center Gabe Olaseni, a native of London, England.

On April 22Nd - The University of Iowa is announced Leadership Group Named For 2011 - 14 players selected to group.

Iowa Football and Iowa Basketball both appear on a good track heading into the 2011-12 season. For Iowa football, they will welcome a new series with new Big Ten opponent Nebraska. While the Iowa basketball program will look to get back to postseason for the first time, after five seasons not being involved in post-season play.

peace

Virginia JUCO commits to Iowa Basketball and Fran McCaffery for 2011-12 season

2011-04-23T12:26:00.004-05:00

The University of Iowa have received a commitment on Easter Saturday from junior college all-American Anthony Hubbard, a 6-5 athlete. Hubbard becomes the third member of the Class of 2011 for the Iowa Hawkeyes.

The Iowa Hawkeyes were 11-20 in coach Fran McCaffery's first season at the helm. The Hawkeyes finished tenth in the Big Ten in 2011. The Big Ten will add Nebraska for 2011-12. Nebraska was the other finalist for Hubbard's services.

The Gazette Iowa basketball reporter Scott Dochterman reported on twitter:

Anthony Hubbard picks Iowa: Iowa picked up its third recruit for the 2011 class when junior-college All-American... http://bit.ly/fXaFGH

Iowa did its due diligence on Hubbard, talked to multiple people in high places at the UI and got the OK to pursue him

Iowa has two more scholarships to give for the Class of 2011. However, Fran McCaffery in Cedar Rapids on Thursday reported that Iowa may sign 1, 2 or 3 more for this class. Iowa signed two players in the Fall signing period. Hubbard joins 6-6 wing Josh Ogelsby from Cedar Rapids Washington and 6-8 forward Aaron White from Strongville, Ohio.

peace

Post Spring Drills: Iowa Football 2011

2011-04-16T13:29:00.004-05:00

The Iowa Hawkeyes enter 2011 likely an off-the-radar team in the Big Ten. Who should people keep an eye off as we head to Summer drills and August camp in 2011? Iowa spring roster and Spring Drills Recap.

QB - 16 James Vandenberg, fourth year junior, will step in for departed senior Ricky Stanzi, who will see his name in the NFL Draft later this month. Iowa has two players battling for the #2 spot, with junior 14 John Wienke and local product, redshirt freshman 17 A.J. Derby. As long as Iowa's signal caller tries to manage the Iowa offense, than attempt to win ball games, the Hawkeyes should be pretty solid at QB. Iowa did sign a freshman quarterback out of Florida, who should be a contributor down the road for Iowa (i.e. not 2011).

RB- True sophomore 34 Marcus Coker stepped up in the Insight Bowl win over Missouri, after Iowa's top running back Adam Robinson, a sophomore in '10, was left home, due to off-the-field issues. Iowa's running back position has been a roller coaster ride, since the Spring of the 2008 season, with both off-the-field issues, grades and injuries. Entering the '10 season, Kirk Ferentz was as high on the young RB Coker, than any RB he has recruited. Marcus Coker ran for 219 yards in the Insight Bowl win over Missouri and awarded offensive player of the game. This spring, junior walk-on 3 Jason White has ran #2 at RB. White played some in 2010 at RB and on special teams, but a knee injury knocked him out for most of the season. Redshirt freshman 30 De'Andre Johnson participated in the Spring, but was slowed entering Iowa due to a knee injury. This is a position where Iowa signed four running backs in Class of 2011.

FB - This is a position that is open for the Hawkeyes in 2011. The top candidate is out, due to medical reasons. True sophomore 38 Brad Rogers was held out of the Insight Bowl, due to a heart condition. He missed the Spring, due to the "cardiac" condition. Brad Rogers played a key role in his start at Michigan in '10. Iowa often will go one back, with either two tight ends or with three wide receiver sets, so how Iowa fills this open position in 2011 is clearly yet to be seen. Junior converted tight end 92 Jonathan Gimm and sophomore 41 Jacob Reisen saw reps in the Spring. Could we see a freshman step in or more HB sets in 2011?

WR - Iowa typically goes with three WR sets. Three players typically get the reps as starters under offensive coordinator Ken O'Keefe offense for coach Kirk Ferentz. O'Keefe has been at Ferentz's side for 13 seasons now. The top wide receiver is 7 Marvin McNutt, Jr., who took the Spring off recovering from off-season surgery, but he should be 100% for his senior season. McNutt has been an outstanding performer the past two seasons for Iowa. The #2 spot likely will go to junior 6 Keenan Davis, who is entering his third season out of Cedar Rapids Washington. Davis appeared to have an outstanding Spring. A junior walk-on out of Oksaloosa 83 Steven Staggs is a player to watch heading into the 2011 season. The third spot may go to two youngsters though, true sophomore 8 Don Shumpert or redshirt freshman 11 Kevonte Martin-Manley. Iowa has some freshman members from the Class of 2011 that fans hope to see step up, as well.

TE - Many sports fan might not think of Iowa as being a TE-U, but under Kirk Ferentz, most senior TEs that start at Iowa go on to be drafted by the NFL team and spend time on a NFL roster. The two top TEs over the past 12 seasons under head coach Kirk Ferentz are Dallas Clark and Tony Moeaki. Iowa will replace Allen Reisner from '10, with another senior 39 Brad Herman for 2011. Iowa has a true sophomore, 86 C.J. Fiedorowicz, who may be Iowa's next top star at TE, from a physical standpoint. Another player, junior walk-on 85 Zach Derby will play a role, in a offense that requires three deep at the TE position. Iowa has a large roster of TEs, including incoming true freshman Ray-Hamilton.

Head coach Ferentz is entering his 13Th season as Iowa's head football coach. From '81 to '89, Ferentz served as former head coach J. Hayden Fry's offensive line coach. So, like most football teams, the offensive line is a key area to watch, especially, when you are examining an Iowa football team. Iowa returns three starters from the '10 season in the offensive line, plus a couple of part-time starters. Look for Iowa to have a solid offensive line heading into 2011.

LT - Junior 77 Riley Reiff is the returning anchor for 2011 Iowa offensive line. Reiff will begin his third year as a starter. The Hawkeyes have had some outstanding left tackles under Ferentz. Reiff replaced Bryan Bulaga in '10 at left tackle, moving over from the right side. Bulaga left Iowa early for the 2010 NFL Draft and finished his first season as starting right tackle for the Super Bowl champion Green Bay Packers. Junior 60 Matt Tobin heads out of Spring as the #2 LT for Iowa.

LG - Senior 73 Adam Gettis started the '10 season as the starting right guard, but an injury slowed him last season. Gettis is the top candidate to replace departed LG Julian Vandeverde, who played well in his final season, after being slowed by injury much of his career at Iowa. He ended the Spring as the #1 right guard, but he could very well be Iowa's top choice at LG this fall. Redshirt freshman 68 Brandon Scherff was the #1 LG at the end of Spring drills. Iowa will determine the Top 5 or 6 linemen in the Fall, before they start using pen over pencil. with the offensive line. Sophomore 60 Drew Clark looks to provide depth at one of the guard positions in 2011.

C- Junior 53 James Ferentz will enter his second season as the Iowa signal caller in the offensive line. Ferentz remains an undersized center, who many believe would be an all-American, if he had a larger frame. Sophomore 59 Conor Boffeli is another lineman that the coaching staff is high on. He could shift over to guard, if required.

RG - Sophomore 76 Nolan MacMillan was a part-time starter in '10, but has been dinged both last year and this Spring. MacMillan was recognized for his play as a freshman nationally last season, so he could be a player to watch at RG in 2011. Gettis could remain at RG, especially, if MacMillan doesn't get back on the field. Another player to watch at RG coming out of the Spring, as #2 RG, is senior 72 Woody Orne.

RT - Senior 56 Markus Zusevics returns for his second season as a starting tackle for Iowa. Sophomore 70 Brett Van Sloten returns at the #2 spot at RT for Iowa in 2011. Others to watch in the offensive line for Iowa in 2011: redshirt freshman 78 Andrew Donnal and junior 66 Casey McMillan, Newcomer, JUCO transfer sophomore 67 Dan Heiar, likely will miss the 2011 season, if he is unable to recover from a recent single-vehicle accident that cost him in the final week of Spring drills.

Last season, Iowa was without the services of defensive coordinator Norm Parker for much of the season. He did return at the end of the season. Parker has served as Ferentz's DC for all 13 seasons. His presence is very important and Iowa looks to retool in 2011 on the defensive side of the field. Iowa must replace three starters in the defensive line, retool a linebacker corp that was killed in '10 with injuries, as well as replace both starting safeties for 2011.

LE - Senior 58 Lebron Daniel becomes one of the new starters in the 2011 defense. Daniel has served as outgoing DE Adrian Clayborn's back up the last couple of seasons. It will be interesting to see how Daniel responds to the new role. Sophomore 79 Dominic Alvis is listed in the #2 spot, but he played with the #1 defense at DT rotating with Carl Davis. Iowa often uses undersized players at DT taking advantage of their motors and quickness.

LT - Senior 93 Mike Daniels is considered a returning starter, after former DT Christian Ballard moved outside much of the '10 season at DE. Clayborn, Ballard and DT Karl Klug have all departed. It will be interesting to see how leadership steps, up from three seniors who likely will start on the defensive line this season. A walk-on freshman 64 Cole Heissel has emerged as a backup for Daniels.

RT - For the Spring controlled scrimmage sophomore 79 Dominic Alvis and redshirt freshman 71 Carl Davis rotated with the first unit at DT opposite Mike Daniels. Another player expected back from injury in the fall is junior 54 Steve Bigach, who saw action as a reserve in '10 and can't be ruled out in the rotation. The #2 spot during the Spring was manned by redshirt freshman 98 Mike Hardy, who is a nice prospect out of the State of Wisconsin. Another redshirt freshman to watch is 74 Donavan Johnson. Another veteran, who should be back for 2011, is senior 87 Thomas Nardo, who was held out this Spring, due to injury. Another redshirt freshman 90 Louis Trinca-Pasat will provide depth to the defensive line.

RE - Senior 91 Broderick Binns was a starting DE in 2009 is back in the starting line-up, after being a part-time starter in '10. The back up at DE may change, but coming out of the Spring is senior 96 Joe Forgy. But, what side will junior 99 Joe Gaglione, who has been slowed by injuries, but was able to participate in the Spring controlled scrimmage, which is a welcome sign for Iowa.

WLB - Two youngsters are battling for the #1 spot this Spring. True sophomore Christian Kirksey from St. Louis and converted back true sophomore Anthony Hitchens from Ohio are battling for the #1 spot. Kirksey is in the lead heading into Fall.

MLB - True sophomore 44 James Morris, started #3 at MLB in '10, but elevated to the #1 spot, due to injuries and received some freshman all-American recognition. Morris will be back by #2 MLB from a year ago, senior 57 Bruce Davis, who is coming off a knee injury from last season. Junior walk-on 51 Terrance Pryor could figure inside or at WIL as a reserve.

WIL - Senior 45 Tyler Nielsen broke his neck in the middle of '10 season. He returns and should anchor the LB corp, along with Morris. Nielsen should be an outstanding LB for Iowa. He was having a solid season, until he injured his neck. Converted TE sophomore 47 Dakota Getz will provide depth at the WIL position. Like most LBs, look for a major role in special teams from others, such as sophomore 37 Shane DiBona, who played in '10, but missed Spring, due to injury. Others: redshirt freshman 43 Jim Poggi, 50 walk-on redshirt freshman Palmer Foster, 54 sophomore Marcus Kloos, redshirt freshman 56 Lucas Speaker and true freshmen may see an opportunity to make a mark on special teams, as many last year did for Iowa.

CB - Junior 2 Greg Castillo and true sophomore 19 B.J. Lowery are battling for one of the open spots in the secondary, since returning starting CB junior 18 Micah Hyde was moved to FS to fill one of the two safety spots open in the Spring. Will Hyde stay at FS? If so, look for Castillo and Lowery to battle or rotate opposite Iowa's top CB.

FS - Junior 18 Micah Hyde was moved from CB in the Spring. True sophomore 5 Tanner Miller was the #2 FS in '10, but was held out during the Spring, due to a surgery. Hyde or Miller could figure at FS. One or the other could be moved to another position, such as CB for Hyde or SS for Miller. Junior 40 Jack Swanson will provide depth at FS, as he did last year and play special teams.

SS - The other open position in the secondary in 2011. Junior walk-on 16 Collin Sleeper could be the next walk-on safety to sign during the Ferentz era. He worked with the #1 unit during the Spring. Two seniors are expected to provide depth at SS, as well, with 13 Tom Donatell and 4 Jordan Bernstine. A true freshman Nicholas Law from Maryland may be a prospect to watch in 2011.

CB - Senior 28 Shaun Prater, opted to not enter the NFL draft and figures to be one of the leaders in the 2011 secondary for Iowa. A walk-on redshirt freshman 26 Jordan Price will provide depth, along with senior 4 Jordan Bernstine. Others, who figure to provide depth in the secondary and on special teams in 2011: senior walk-on 12 Kyle Steinbrecher, redshirt freshman walk-on 22 Brian Kroll and junior walk-on safety 29 Nick Nielsen is back. Look for opportunities again from members of freshman class on special teams. One senior 10 William Lowe is missing this Spring, due to complications coming out of Iowa's rhabdo medical condition, which impacted 13 members of the team in January conditioning drills. The senior CB is a reserve CB and contributor on special teams in the past.

PK - True sophomore 96 Mike Meyer emerged as the #1 PK in 2010. He returns, along with junior 8 Trent Mossbrucker, who has experience at PK over the past three seasons. Iowa did invited a preferred walkon for 2011, so if Meyer and Mossbrucker have issues, another player may be called on in reserve. Meyer and Mossbrucker should be the two in 2011.

PT - Four-year starter Ryan Donohue has departed. Fifth-year senior walk-on 6 Eric Guthrie appears to be the #1 guy heading into the Fall. Redshirt freshman 15 Jonny Mullings from Canberra, Australia appears to be still a work in progress. Iowa has given junior QB 14 John Wienke, an opportunity to compete for punter, as well. Wienke is currently one Iowa's #2 QBs and will likely be Iowa's holder on placekicks in 2011. Under Ferentz, typically, a punter is used as a holder, like most NFL teams.

LS - Sophomore 61 Casey Kreiter will be Iowa's new deep snapper. Iowa will have newcomers at holder, long snapper and punter in 2011. Further, Iowa will need to have newcomers step up at kick returner and punt returner in 2011.

KR - Keenan Davis has been the sidekick next to #1 KOR Derrell Johnson-Koulanos the past two seasons. With DJK's departure, Davis likely will get an opportunity with Iowa's newcomers on the kick off return team.

PR - Could Keenan Davis get the nod? The Hawkeyes could look at Kevonte Martin-Manley, Micah Hyde or Don Shumpert. Of course, Iowa may look at a newcomer at either KR or PR in 2011.

It will be a wide open race in the Big Ten, especially with the new division play format. Iowa will play in the Legends Division with Michgian, Michigan State, Minnesota, Nebraska and Northwestern. In the other division, the Leaders Division will consist of Illinois, Indiana, Ohio State, Penn State, Purdue and Wisconsin. The Big Ten title game will be in Indianapolis this season.

peace

If Spring Football attendence was the measurement of success in College Football, then Nebraska would be among the best!

2011-04-16T11:54:00.004-05:00

Most Big Ten spring experiences don't compare to NU's - Omaha World Herald

The Iowa-Nebraska rivalry should be a good one in time. For the fans, it will start immediately, but we will have to wait and see if three's a charm. Iowa will replace Oklahoma, then Colorado, as the Nebraska Cornhuskers final regular season opponent. Historically in the old Big 8, it was always Oklahoma-Nebraska. In the Big 12, it became Colorado-Nebraska on Black Friday, the day after Thanksfiving. Now, with the Cornhuskers debut in 2011 in the Big Ten, it will be Iowa-Nebraska on Black Friday. The Big Ten enters the post Thanksgiving era with division play and the first Big Ten title game in 2011.

peace

Spring Football: Iowa, Iowa State and Nebraska close out Spring in front of fans

2011-04-16T11:17:00.006-05:00

Fans will have an opportunity to view Iowa, Iowa State and Nebraska on Saturday, as Spring Football winds down for all three programs. On the Big Ten Network, the Michigan spring game is being televised, as new coach Brady Hoke takes the field with the Maize and Blue again!

Spring Fever for Iowa witnessed a little morning snow - The Gazette

IOWA CITY, Iowa — Kirk Ferentz said it earlier this week. Spring football is kind of a peaceful deal. No game preparation. No late-week TV production meeting with the guy who questioned your game management the previous week. No hours of video prep and what not...

The real excitement in the Big Ten in 2011 will be division play and the addition of a 12Th program, with the University of Nebraska joining the conference. The Iowa-Nebraska game will debut on Black Friday, the day after Thanksgiving, in Lincoln in 2011.

Iowa State University will see a different landscape, as the Cyclones face ten bowl teams from last year with the 2011 schedule, not counting games with traditional Big 12 power Texas and FCS power Northern Iowa. It will be Year 3 for the Paul Rhoads era in Ames. The Cyclones will have new players leading the way at the skill positions and will face a nine game conference schedule, with Colorado exiting to the new Pac 12 and Nebraska joining the Big Ten.

The Iowa controlled scrimmage will begin at Noon at Kinnick Stadium in Iowa City. The Hawkeyes will likely be an under-radar team heading into the 2011 season. Does that make the Hawkeyes a dangerous team in 2011? We shall see, but as Iowa heads into the 13Th season, under head coach Kirk Ferentz, look for a strong mix of senior leadership and youth to be the key to the 2011 season.

peace

NCAA Championship Game: Butler vs. UConn

2011-04-04T18:15:00.005-05:00

Great match up on Monday night between a mid-major darling, the Butler Bulldogs, facing one of the better major conference programs, the UConn Huskies. Questions entering tonight's NCAA Championship Game:

Who will win the battle of the boards in Houston?

Which team's junior star will have the better game: UConn's Kemba Walker vs. Butler's Shelvin Mack

UConn is 31-9 record compared to an almost as impressive 28-9 record for Butler: by the numbers...

Both teams average about 72 points for the season

The youth of Butler's head coach Brad Stevens vs. UConn's veteran bench coach Jim Calhoun, looking to be the oldest head coach to win a NCAA title game

It should be a good game Monday night in Houston. Look for a score in the 60s... our pick: UConn over Butler!

peace

Spring Football is on throughout the Big Ten and across the landscape... Who should make up the 2011 preseason Top 25?

2011-04-03T12:40:00.004-05:00

Plenty of troubling off-season news in the SEC, elsewhere and at the Fiesta Bowl, the NCAA certainly has some work to do cleaning up College Football. Ohio State will see its head coach and five players suspended for the first five games of the season, though those five players were allowed to play in the 2011 Sugar Bowl. How much does the off-season news take away from the excitement of division play and a Big Ten Title game in football?

Who should be the Top 25 candidates for 2011 this preseason?

Despite National Title Loss, Ducks Look Like the Team to Beat in 2011 - about.com

SEC teams dominate early look at 2011 - Mark Schlabach Espn.com

Outlooks: Final Top 25 teams look ahead to 2011 season - USA Today

Always out with the earliest Preseason Top 25 and more rankings - NationalChamps.net

Really, really early 2011 college football Top 25 - Orange County Register

Loaded Oklahoma, Oregon headline way-too-early look at 2011 Top 25 - Andy Staples SI.com

How will the Iowa Hawkeyes fare in 2011? The Hawkeyes appear to be an "off the radar" program in most preseason Top 25 conversations. It should be noted that Iowa defeated both Michigan State and Missouri last year. Both Iowa and Missouri have starting quarterbacks and the top DEs to replace on the edge on defense.

Is Iowa a dangerous program under Kirk Ferentz, when they are under the radar? From 2002 to 2004, a run where Kirk Ferentz and Iowa finished #8 each season in the final Top 25 polls. Iowa had a different starting QB all three seasons, with Brad Banks, Nathan Chandler, then Drew Tate. Iowa enters the Spring with junior James Vandenberg (1-1 in 2 starts in '09) as the top returning quarterback.

Over in Ames, will head coach Paul Rhoads get Iowa State to a bowl game in his third season? The Cyclones were bowl bound in Rhoads' first season, after replacing Gene Chizik, but last year, the Cyclones didn't get enough wins to be bowl eligible. For Iowa State, it has been ninety-nine years, since the Cyclones last conference football title and 100 years, since the Cyclones' first conference title in football.

Talk about Gene Chizik and his second season at Auburn, after going 5-19 his two seasons at Iowa State. Chizik was clearly out of his element north of the Mason-Dixon Line, but at Auburn: a different story. Chizik helped lead the Tigers to the programs second national title in school's history. Chizik will have a lot of work in 2011 reloading or rebuilding the Tigers, without Heisman Trophy QB Cam Newton.

Nebraska will join the Big Ten in 2011. Head coach Bo Pelini will return to the conference he played college football in (Ohio State) and started his coaching career (graduate assistant at Iowa). The Cornhuskers started playing football began football back in 1890 as an Independent for two seasons. The Cornhuskers joined the Western Inter-State University Football Association for six seasons, before going back to being an Independent, until joining the Missouri Valley Conference in 1907. In 1928, the Cornhuskers became an original team of the old Big Eight Conference, then in 1996 became a member of the new Big 12 with four programs from the old Southwest Conference. Now, the Cornhuskers rejoin Iowa in the same conference again in 2011.

2011 College Schedules

2011 Conference Alignments

2011 Coaching Changes

Best College Football Preview Magazine

*** Unrelated to football, many in the Big Ten Conference are excited with the decision to create men's hockey as a conference sport. The impact of Penn State creating a hockey program and the conference merging programs into the Big Ten will have a negative impact for programs outside the Big Ten.

peace

The Final Four: Butler, UConn, Kentucky and VCU

2011-04-02T16:57:00.004-05:00

The Final Four has arrived in Houston, with a top bracket featuring two strong programs from major conferences, with the bottom bracket featuring a returning team from a mid-major and another mid-major, who were an 11Th seed and played in the First Four.

UConn over Kentucky

VCU over Butler,

but look for Butler to actually pull it out

Enjoy the games everyone! March Madness is over and the Final Four has begun!

peace