Game Day Saturday Week 3: #24 Iowa Hawkeyes host the UNI Panthers at Kinnick Stadium

Greatest new tradition in college football...The Iowa Wave. Here’s what it looks like from the field...the game stops and EVERYONE turns around and waves at the kids inside the Children’s Hospital. ❤️❤️❤️❤️ @CFBONFOX pic.twitter.com/Cipjq8Ccn4

— Holly Sonders (@holly_sonders) September 13, 2018

Iowa City, IA --- The Iowa Hawkeyes (2-0) unveiled the 'Iowa Wave' as College Football's newest tradition last year, in the season opening win over Wyoming. Tonight, it will be celebrated, as the University of Northern Iowa Panthers (0-1) arrive down I-380 from Cedar Falls to be a part of the college football celebration, with the 6:30 pm kickoff on the Big Ten Network.

After a slow start, Iowa rolls over Northern Illinois in the 2nd half, winning 33-7. Kirk Ferentz passes Hayden Fry as Iowa's all-time winningest coach. 2nd half highlites courtesy of @Admire_OnAir. pic.twitter.com/T7Rka5KpaF

— SoundOFF (@SoundOFF13) September 1, 2018

The Hawkeyes opened the 2018 season, with a 33-7 win over the Northern Illinois Huskies in Week 1. The Hawks followed it up last Saturday, with a 13-3 win over Iowa State to claim the Cy-Hawk Trophy for the fourth consecutive season, the first under Kirk Ferentz, who is in his 20th season at the helm as head coach and who passed Hayden Fry in career wins in the season opener.

#Hawkeyes Brandon Smith pulls in a long throw which setup a 2-yard touchdown run by Mekhi Sargent in the fourth quarter of #CyHawk game. Iowa wins 13-3. @marcmorehouse @jeje66 GALLERY: https://t.co/G8uZjC38Uz pic.twitter.com/XefFDiQCYv

— Stephen Mally (@stephenmally) September 9, 2018

The Panthers lost the season opener in Week 1 at Montana 26-23, as they got in a deep hole and ran out of time, in their effort to comeback, under their second team quarterback. The question heading into the Iowa game is who will be under center for Mark Farley's team?

Iowa Kirk Ferentz and UNI Mark Farley will watch their teams head into Kinnick
Stadium for the 18th meeting, since the 1898 debut, between the Hawkeyes-Panthers.

The Hawkeyes have won 16 straight over the Panthers, though the 2009 game, came down to the wire, in a 17-16 win, that ended on back to back blocked field goals by Iowa to preserve the win, as time expired. The Panthers finished 2017, with an 8-5 record and another birth in the FCS playoffs.

The Hawkeyes are 2-0 heading into the Week 3 game against Northern Iowa.
It is the first FCS opponent heading into Kinnick Stadium, since the Week 3
loss 23-21 in 2016 to North Dakota State. Will the Panthers step up tonight?

The Iowa Hawkeyes defense is off to an outstanding start in back to back games, only allowing a total of 10 points all season. The strength of the Iowa defense is the defensive line, which can go 8-9 deep across the line. They have 9 sacks, including two forced fumble recoveries, in the first two games.

The Iowa Defense has been "dominant" in back to back weeks at Kinnick Stadium,
in wins over Northern Illinois and Iowa State to start 2018.

The starting linebackers are all new for 2018, since Iowa lost their Top 4, after last season. Look for redshirt freshman WLB Dijmon Colbert, senior MLB Jack Hockaday and OLB sophomore Nick Niemann to make the start tonight against Northern Iowa.

Iowa redshirt freshman #32 Dijmon Colbert made his first start of his career in the
13-3 win over Iowa State. After a 66 yard scoring drive against the Cyclones to kickoff
the Cy-Hawk Game, the Iowa defense took over the line of scrimmage and shutdown
the ISU offense, including junior RB #32 David Montgomery.

The Iowa offense and junior QB Nate Stanley are off to a slow start in 2018. Sophomore RB Ivory Kelly Martin missed the last game, due to an ankle injury. Now, sophomore WR Ihmir Smith Marsette is out with a shoulder injury, after picking up a 45 yard reception against the Cylcones, which is the play he was injured. on.

As others are reporting, Iowa junior QB Nate Stanley is pressing to kickoff the
2018 season. Link is from @IowaSwarm https://t.co/Z4JWh0r5Zx, who talkd
about Stanley's early performance in 2018.

How will the Iowa Hawkeyes' offense come out against Northern Iowa on Saturday night?

Last weekend, Iowa State caught an L.

Northern Iowa is next as @HawkeyeFootball looks to continue conquering the state: pic.twitter.com/AIPaK6HgTf

— Iowa On BTN (@IowaOnBTN) September 13, 2018

The Hawkeyes should take care of business at Kinnick Stadium tonight. Our prediction is:

• The Hawkeyes 23 (Iowa is averaging 23 points per game in 2018)
• The Panthers 10 (Iowa has given up 10 points in two games in 2018) 

AJ Epenesa is this week’s @bigten Co-Defensive Player of the Week after registering 2 Sacks, 1 Forced Fumble, 1 Pass Breakup and 5 Tackles | #Hawkeyes https://t.co/1vSRw76rgO pic.twitter.com/i0gvs3bR66

— Hawkeye Football (@HawkeyeFootball) September 10, 2018

Iowa sophomore DE AJ Epenesa celebrates his birthday tonight at Kinnick Stadium, with his teammates. It should be a special night, as Pat Green performs his song Wave on Wave at halftime, with the marching bands. Green's song is played at the end of the first quarter, as the 'Iowa Wave' is performed each home game.

AJ Epenesa is this week’s @bigten Co-Defensive Player of the Week after registering 2 Sacks, 1 Forced Fumble, 1 Pass Breakup and 5 Tackles | #Hawkeyes https://t.co/1vSRw76rgO pic.twitter.com/i0gvs3bR66

— Hawkeye Football (@HawkeyeFootball) September 10, 2018

Cancellations highlight Week 3 on Saturday in College Football

Saturday, September 15th 

• Ball State at Indiana, 11:00 am on BTN
• Florida State at Syracuse, 11:00 am on ESPN 
• Georgia Southern at Clemson, 11:00 am on ESPNU 
• Hawaii at Army, 11:00 am on CBSSN 
• Kent State at Penn State, 11:00 am on FS1
• Middle Tennessee at Georgia, 11:00 am on ESPN News
• Miami-FL at Toledo, 11:00 am on ESPN2 
• Murray State at Kentucky, 11:00 am on SEC Network 
• Oklahoma at Iowa State, 11:00 am on ABC 
• Rhode Island at UConn, 11:00 am on SNY / ESPN Extra
• Rutgers at Kansas, 11:00 am on FSN 
• Temple at Maryland, 11:00 am on BTN - possible trap game ahead of B1G play for Terps?
• Troy at Nebraska, 11:00 am on BTN - lost to NIU in Week 3 last year
• UTEP at Tennessee, 11:00 am on SEC Network 
• Georgia Tech at Pittsburgh, 11:30 am on ESPN Extra / ACC RSN / WatchESPN
• UC Davis at Stanford, 1:00 pm on PAC-12 Network
• Vanderbilt at Notre Dame, 1:30 pm on NBC
• Boise State at Oklahoma State, 2:30 pm on ESPN 
• BYU at Wisconsin, 2:30 pm on ABC 
• Duke at Baylor, 2:30 pm on FS1 
• Lehigh at Navy, 2:30 pm on CBSSN 
• LSU at Auburn, 2:30 pm on CBS 
• Miami-OH at Minnesota, 2:30 pm on BTN 
• SMU at Michigan, 2:30 pm on BTN
• South Florida at Illinois, 2:30 pm on BTN
• Colorado State at Florida, 3:00 pm on SEC Network
• Houston at Texas Tech, 3:00 pm on FOX 
• North Texas at Arkansas, 3:00 pm on SEC Network 
• UTSA at Kansas State, 3:00 pm on FSN 
• Ohio U at Virginia (Nashville), 3:30 pm on ESPN2
• New Hampshire at Colorado, 4:00 pm on PAC-12 Network
• San Jose State at Oregon, 4:00 pm on PAC-12 Network 
• Idaho State at California, 5:00 pm on PAC-12 Network 
• Alabama at Ole Miss, 6:00 pm on ESPN 
• Arkansas State at Tulsa, 6:00 pm on CBSSN 
• Oregon State at Nevada, 6:00 pm on ESPNU
• Akron at Northwestern, 6:30 pm on BTN 
• Louisiana Lafayette at Mississippi State, 6:30 pm on ESPN2
• Louisiana Monroe at Texas A&ampM, 6:30 pm on SEC Network
• Missouri at Purdue, 6:30 pm on BTN 
• Northern Iowa at Iowa, 6:30 pm on BTN - Hawkeyes get to 3-0 in a projected: 23-10 win
• UMass at Florida International, 6:30 pm on beIN / Video (not on DirecTV)
• Western Kentucky at Louisville, 6:30 pm on ACC RSN
• Eastern Washington at Washington State, 7:00 pm on PAC-12 Network 
• New Mexico at New Mexico State, 7:00 pm on ELVN / FSAZ+
• Ohio State vs. TCU (Arlington), 7:00 pm on ABC 
• Washington at Utah, 9:00 pm on ESPN
• Arizona State at San Diego State, 9:30 pm on CBSSN 
• Fresno State at UCLA, 9:30 pm on FS1
• Southern Utah at Arizona, 10:00 pm on PAC-12 Network 
• Alabama A&M at Cincinnati, 6:00 pm on espn3 Video
• Bethune Cookman at Florida Atlantic, 5:00 pm on Stadium Video / Facebook Video / Stadium
• Central Michigan at Northern Illinois, 2:30 pm on $espn+ Video
• Delaware State at Western Michigan, 6:00 pm on $espn+ Video
• Eastern Kentucky at Bowling Green, 3:00 pm on espn3 Video
• Eastern Michigan at Buffalo, 5:00 pm on $espn+ Video
• Prairie View at UNLV, 9:00 pm on MWC Video / Stadium
• Texas State at South Alabama, 6:00 pm on $espn+ Video
• Wofford at Wyoming, 3:00 pm on Stadium Video / Facebook Video / Stadium
• East Carolina at Virginia Tech Cancelled
• Marshall at South Carolina Postponed
• Norfolk State at Liberty Postponed
• Southern Miss at Appalachian State Postponed
• UCF at North Carolina Cancelled
• West Virginia at North Carolina State Cancelled

Game Day Saturday: Week 2 of the 2016 College Football season brings us the Cy-Hawk Game in Iowa City

Saturday, September 10th 

• Boston College at UMass 11:00 am on NESN / SNY / (CSNC / CSBA) / espn3 / ASN  - the Eagles lost a close ACC opener in Dublin on Saturday, as they travel to meet the Minutemen carrying a 19-2 record, since 1966 against them ... upset alert?
• Central Michigan at Oklahoma State 11:00 am on FS1 - the game was semi-close in Michigan last year, in the season opener, but the Cowboys should take down the Chippewas at home ...
• Cincinnati at Purdue 11:00 am on BTN - the Boilermakers are 1-0, now turning to the FBS side of the 2016 schedule, against the Bearcats out of the AAC ... this game was an ugly loss for Darrell Hazel in his Purdue debut, so can the Boilermakers get some payback in '16?
• Howard at Rutgers 11:00 am on BTN - two 0-1 teams after the Bison got shot down at Maryland, so the Scarlet Knights can expect a nice rebound after the opening week loss @ Washington!
• Indiana State at Minnesota 11:00 am on ESPN News - the Golden Gophers took out the Oregon State Beavers in Week 1, so Sycamores are today's red meat in Week 2 ... 
• Lamar at Houston 11:00 am on CSNC+ / espn3 / ASN - the Cougars open on home field after taking care of business against OU in NRG Stadium in season opener, as the Cardinals are 0-6 against FBS ...
• Nicholls State at Georgia 11:00 am on SECN - the Bulldogs kickoff coach Kirby Smart's home opener with the FCS Colonels, who went down 95-0 last year against two FBS opponents ...
• North Carolina State at East Carolina 11:00 am on ESPNU - the Pirates took down the Wolfpack in 2010, in the last visit to ECU, so coach Dave Doeren needs to pull this one out ... 
• Penn State at Pittsburgh 11:00 am on ESPN / WatchESPN / espn3 Skycam - haven't played each other, since 2000, so the Nittany Lions-Panthers renewal should be one of the better match ups in Week 2 ... Go Panthers!
• Prairie View at Texas A&M 11:00 am on SECN alternate - the Aggies are 10-0 in this series and the Panthers just missed the FCS playoffs last season ...
• Rice at Army 11:00 am on CBSSN / CBSSN - the Black Knights won in Week 1 @ Temple, so Army needs pick it up at home, with a 1-4-1 record against the Owls in the past ...
• UCF at Michigan 11:00 am on ABC / espn3 - the Scott Frost era began, after a 0-12 season in 2015 for the Knights, but a road trip to Ann Arbor isn't likely to be pretty, as they kickoff the FBS slate in 2016 ...
• Wyoming at Nebraska 11:00 am on ESPN2 - the Cornhuskers are 7-0 in this series, though the 2013 season opener went down to the wire, so 2nd year Mike Riley team is expected to simply take care of business in this one!
• Charleston Southern at Florida State 11:30 am on ESPN Extra/ FSN Affiliates- with 14 players suspended for the Buccaneers, this will be an ugly and early one in Tallahassee for the Seminoles ...
• Troy at Clemson 11:30 am on ESPN Extra / ACC Network - the Trojans in 2011 lead at the half against the Tigers in previous meeting, only to lose 43-19 in the season opener ...
• Utah State at USC 1:00 pm on PAC-12 Network - the Aggies in 2013 lost a close one 17-14 in coach Matt Wells first season, so the Trojans need to take care of business, after a 52-6 disaster against Bama in Arlington to kickoff 2016 ...
• Youngstown State at West Virginia 1:00 pm on RSPI - Bo Pelini lost last year in his debut season with the Penguins @ Pitt, so fitting the Panthers' old rivals, the Mountaineers, are his next FBS showdown, where coach Dan Holgorsen is 6-0 against FCS foes ...
• Ohio U at Kansas 1:30 pm on FSN Affiliates - the Bobcats are coming off a 0-1 start, as former Huskers coach Frank Solich heads back to Lawrence against his old Big 12 foe, the Jayhawks, who opened with an FCS win over RI ...
• Akron at Wisconsin 2:30 pm on BTN - the Badgers got off to a great start with a win in Lambeau over LSU, so Wisconsin now looks to get to 3-0 in the series against the Zips ...
• Eastern Washington at North Dakota State 2:30 pm ESPN Extra / espn3 / NBC ND (cable) 
• Illinois State at Northwestern 2:30 pm on BTN - last year the Redbirds opened with Hawkeyes in a 31-14 loss, so how will the Wildcats rebound coming off the opening game 22-21 loss vs. Western Michigan?
• Kentucky at Florida 2:30 pm on CBS - the Wildcats fell late in season opener against Southern Miss, while the Gators took care of business against UMass, as Stoops' Wildcats head to Gainsville for the SEC East opener ...  
• Nevada at Notre Dame 2:30 pm on NBC - the Wolf Pack won a 30-27 game over Cal Poly, as the Fighting Irish fell down in Austin in OT, so this one could get ugly quick, as Notre Dame readies for a rivalry game in Week 3 ...
• North Dakota at Bowling Green 2:30 pm on ALT / NESN Plus / espn3 / ASN (cable) - wow, what did the Falcons do at Ohio State last week? The Fighting Hawks won @ Wyoming last year ... 
• Old Dominion at Appalachian State 2:30 pm on CSMA+ / CSBA / espn3 / ASN  - C-USA vs. Sun Belt showdown as Monarchs turn to FBS slate, while Mountaineers are coming off OT loss @ Tennessee ... can't afford a letdown game with Miami-FL next weekend!
• SMU at Baylor 2:30 pm on FS1 - it is the sixth meeting in this rivalry, since the SWC days!
• UConn at Navy 2:30 pm on CBSSN - time to kickoff AAC play in this inter-division match up, that went 28-16 for the Midshipment last year ... the Huskies are 1-7 in this season, so tough game today for Bob Diaco's team!
• Tulsa at Ohio State 2:30 pm on ABC / espn3 - the Golden Hurricane and Buckeyes have never meet, but road games at Power 5 opponents haven't been good for Tulsa ...
• Wake Forest at Duke 2:30 pm on ESPNU - after closing ACC play the past two seasons, the Demon Deacons and Blue Devils open conference play in this inter-division showdown ...
• Western Kentucky at #1 Alabama 2:30 pm ESPN2 - coach Jeff Brohm is entering Year 3 and the Hilltoppers finished #24 and 12-2 last seaosn, including a bowl win over USF, but the Crimson Tide won 35-0 in 2012 ...
• Ball State at Indiana 3:00 pm on ESPN News - IU is coming off a bowl season and a road win to open 2016, so doesn't want to take lightly a meeting against a little brother in-state school out of the MAC, as the Cardinals arrive in Bloomington ...
• Middle Tennessee at Vanderbilt 3:00 pm on SECN alternate - the Blue Raiders seek to be the next C-USA programs working to earn a win on the road in the SEC? Won last time @ Vandy!
• Wofford at Ole Miss 3:00 pm on SECN - the Rebels rebound against the Terriers, but huge SEC opener at home in Week 3 against #1 ...
• Idaho at Washington 4:00 pm PAC-12 Network - the Huskies may be the dark horse in some peoples minds to win the Pac 12, but they may be the favorite, as Chris Petersen leads in Year 3 in Seattle ...
• Montana at Northern Iowa 4:00 pm on ESPN Extra / espn3 / PSN (cable) - the Panthers beat ISU 25-20 in Ames, as the Grizzles come to town, as UNI seeks a strong September start in '16 ...
• Idaho State at Colorado 4:30 pm PAC-12 Network / PAC-12 - the Buffalos took care of business in the Colorado rivalry in Denver, now the home opener in Boulder against the Bengals ...
• Morgan State at Marshall 5:00 pm on beIN Sports / beIN Video / Facebook Video - We are ... hosts the Bears to kickoff the 2016 season, as the Thundering Herd didn't open in Week 1 ...
• Arkansas at TCU 6:00 pm ESPN / WatchESPN / espn3 Skycam - time for Being Bret Bielema to pull off a solid September Power 5 road win!
• Louisiana Monroe at Oklahoma 6:00 pm on PPV -
• Northern Illinois at South Florida 6:00 pm CBSSN / CBSSN Video 
• South Carolina at Mississippi State 6:00 pm ESPN2 / WatchESPN 
• UTEP at Texas 6:00 pm LHN / WatchESPN 
• Arkansas State at Auburn 6:30 pm SECN / WatchESPN 
• BYU at Utah 6:30 pm FOX / FSGo Video 
• Eastern Michigan at Missouri 6:30 pm SECN alternate / WatchESPN 
• Iowa State at Iowa 6:30 pm BTN - Kirk Ferentz was given a contract extension through 2026 this week, as he looks to even the Cy-Hawks series in his 18th season at .500, as the Cyclones have been one of his biggest thorns head to head, since 1999 ...
• Jacksonville State at LSU 6:30 pm ESPNU / WatchESPN 
• North Carolina at Illinois 6:30 pm BTN - the Lovie Smith era kicked off last week; opportunity knocks to pull off upset as Tar Heels come to town to take on Fighting Illini ...
• New Mexico at New Mexico State 7:00 pm on ESPN Extra / FSAZ+ / FSSW+ / FSPT / espn3 / AggieVision 
• Tennessee vs. Virginia Tech (Bristol) 7:00 pm on ABC / espn3 
• UNLV at UCLA 7:00 pm on PAC-12 Network
• Texas Tech at Arizona State 9:00 pm FS1 / FSGo Video 
• Washington State at Boise State 9:15 pm ESPN2 / WatchESPN 
• California at San Diego State 9:30 pm CBSSN / CBSSN Video 
• Virginia at Oregon 9:30 pm ESPN / WatchESPN -
• Grambling at Arizona 9:45 pm PAC-12 Network / PAC-12 
• Bethune Cookman at North Texas 6:00 pm on $CUSA Video 
• Eastern Illinois at Miami-OH 2:30 pm espn3 
• Florida Atlantic at Miami-FL 5:00 pm WatchESPN 
• Georgia Southern at South Alabama 6:00 pm espn3 / ASN (affiliates) 
• Georgia State at Air Force 1:00 pm MWC Video
• Maine at Toledo 6:00 pm espn3 
• McNeese State at Louisiana Lafayette 6:00 pm espn3 
• Mercer at Georgia Tech 2:00 pm WatchESPN 
• NC Central at Western Michigan 6:00 pm on espn3 - the Broncos are coming off a B1G road opener, as they kickoff the home slate, as the Eagles come to Kalamazoo! 
• Portland State at San Jose State 3:30 pm -  
• Sacramento State at Fresno State on 9:00 pm -
• South Carolina State at Louisiana Tech 6:00 pm on $CUSA -
• Southern at Tulane 7:00 pm on espn3 - 
• Stony Brook at Temple 12:00 pm espn3 - the Owls fell at home against Army in the opening week, so the Seahawks get a bruised program coming off a strong season, but opening 2016 very different ...
• UT Martin at Hawaii' 11:00 pm on Oceanic PPV - the Warriors opened 0-2 playing in Australia and in Ann Arbor, so when a FCS comes to the island, you have to take care of business!
• UTSA at Colorado State 3:00 pm on MWC Video - the Rams won 33-31 last year on the road, so coming off rivalry game, they don't want to take this one lightly ...

Iowa programs go 3-0 on Halloween, as Iowa, UNI and ISU all win ...

#10 Iowa goes to 8-0 w/ win over Maryland. #18 UNI beats South Dakota 20-7 Texas falls 24-0 in Ames to Iowa State #Hawkeyes State 3-0 today!

— alias Rob Roy (@cidsports) November 1, 2015

Happy Thanksgiving #Hawkeyes #Jays #Cornhuskers #Panthers

Cedar Rapids, IA -- We have reached the point in the athletic calendar where College Football is winding down and College Basketball has tipped off another regular season.

Happy Thanksgiving to all!

The Iowa Hawkeyes (7-4, 4-3 B1G West) will host the Nebraska Cornhuskers (8-3, 4-3 B1G West) on the gridiron of Kinnick Stadium on Black Friday. It will be a 11 a.m. start televised on ABC.

Both, the Iowa and Nebraska basketball programs are off to a slower start with each experiencing a loss already on the books. Iowa is 4-2, while Nebraska is 3-1.

In football, some Hawkeye fans and even more Cornhusker fans are getting restless, tired and frustrated with their head coach's lack of high success. Neither Kirk Ferentz or Bo Pelini have won a conference title in the last ten and seven years, respectively. Ferentz did win in 2002 and 2004 at Iowa. Pelini is enjoying his seven year itch at Nebraska.

Remember, change for the sake of change often doesn't bring fruit in the Heartland. The Hawkeyes and Cornhuskers will enjoy their border way on Black Friday. Iowa won last year in Lincoln 38-17, but haven't won at Kinnick over Nebraska in 33 years.

At the present time, neither is ranked in the Top 25 in either sport.

Both will be heading south for the bowl season, but this game was hopefully for a division title on the line, but will have to wait for next season?

The B1G West title will be determined Saturday, as Minnesota @ Wisconsin is played for Paul Bunyan's Ax. The winnet will earn a date in the Big Ten title game with Ohio State. We expected the Golden Gophers to win, but with RB David Cobb's injury, the Badgers are likely in a good position for a date with the Buckeyes.

Creighton men's basketball is off to a 5-0 start, as head coach Greg McDermott turned 50 on Tuesday night with the Jays' fifth win of the season. Last week's win over then #18 Oklahoma at CenturyLink placed the Jays at #23 in this week's AP Poll.

With only one returning full-time starter, senior PG Austin Chatman, the new look Jays have seen five different players step up to lead the Creighton scoring chart in five straight games. Last year, NCAA player of the year Doug McDermott lead Creighton in scoring in all but three games.

The Jays men's soccer team beat Oregon State on Sunday to advance to the Sweet 16 of the College Cup. The women's volleyball team is still playing, after a successful Big East season.

Iowa State football plays West Virginia on Saturday at Jack Trice for Senior Day. It has been a long journey a 2-8 season and zero Big 12 victories. Time is running out, but the Cyclones won the Cy-Hawk Trophy, so Life's Good for Paul Rhoads and his program in Ames.

Iowa State (3-1) men's basketball is in good hands with coach Fred Hoiberg. The Cyclones fell to Maryland in Kansas City ahead of Thanksgiving.

The Cy-Hawk Game will be in Iowa City in December. Creighton at Nebraska will be another good intra-state basketball game coming in December. Both games will be televised by the Big Ten Network.

The University of Northern Iowa Panthers open the FCS Football Playoffs in the UNI-Dome hosting Stephen F Austin. The winner travels to Illinois State in the next round of the Playoffs.

On the hardwood, the Panthers are 6-0 and appear to have a good unit for the 2014-15 season. The Panthers received 17 votes in the latest AP Basketball Poll. They are coming off a 61-42 victory over Northwestern in Mexico on Wednesday night.

The smell of Thanksgiving is in the air, as the Detroit Lions continue the tradition of the NFL on this Holiday hosting the Chicago Bears (5-6) indoors. However, it is the Green Bay Packers (8-3) that now lead former Hawkeye Jim Caldwell's Lions in the NFC Central Division.

Enjoy the turkey and the festivities everyone!

First Saturday of November will shake up things a bit in College Football

Iowa and UNI play in Indiana on Saturday, while Iowa State hosts Nebraska for the final time in Big 12 play. How will the State of Iowa's three regent institutions open November?

You have Joe Paterno going for win 400 at Penn State, while Iowa's Kirk Ferentz and IU's Bill Lynch battle head to head for win 100.

Saturday, November 6th (times are Central Time)

• Air Force at Army 11:00 a.m. CBSC (HD)
• Illinois at Michigan 11:00 a.m. ESPN (HD)
• Iowa at Indiana 11:00 a.m. BTN (HD)
• Louisville at Syracuse 11:00 a.m. MASN / SNY / ESPN-GP / ERTV (cable)
• Maryland at Miami (FL) 11:00 a.m. ESPNU (HD)
• Minnesota at Michigan State 11:00 a.m. BTN (HD)
• North Carolina State at Clemson 11:00 a.m. ESPN-GP *2 / ACC Network
• Wisconsin at Purdue 11:00 a.m. BTN (HD)
• Florida at Vanderbilt 11:21 a.m. SEC Network / ESPN-GP
• Baylor at Oklahoma State 11:30 a.m. FSN (HD) (affiliates)
• Idaho State at Georgia 11:30 a.m. ESPN-GP *2 / WSB Atlanta
• UT-Chattanooga at Auburn 12:00 p.m. ESPN-GP *2 / PPV (AL & TN) *8
• UNLV at BYU 1:00 p.m. MTN (HD)
• Alabama at LSU 2:30 p.m. CBS (HD) / cbssports.com
• Hawaii at Boise State 2:30 p.m. ESPNU (HD) / ESPN 3D
• Navy at East Carolina 2:30 p.m. MASN (HD)
• Nebraska at Iowa State 2:30 p.m. ABC *1 / ESPN-GP *2
• North Carolina at Florida State 2:30 p.m. ABC *1 / ESPN-GP *2
• Northwestern at Penn State 2:30 p.m. ABC *1 or ESPN2 *7
• TCU at Utah 2:30 p.m. CBSC (HD)
• Washington at Oregon 2:30 p.m. ABC *1 / ESPN2 *7 / ESPN-GP *2
• California at Washington State 3:00 p.m. FSNW / CSCA / FCS Pacific (cable)
• Fresno State at Louisiana Tech 3:00 p.m. ESPN-GP / WSN (cable)
• Nevada at Idaho 4:00 p.m. ESPN-GP / CSCA / (cable)
• Wyoming at New Mexico 5:00 p.m. MTN (HD)
• Arkansas at South Carolina 6:00 p.m. ESPN (HD)
• Louisiana-Lafayette at Ole Miss 6:00 p.m. ESPNU (HD)
• Oklahoma at Texas A&M 6:00 p.m. FSN (HD)
• Oregon State at UCLA 6:00 p.m. Versus (HD)
• Louisiana-Monroe at Florida International 6:30 p.m. ESPN-GP *2 / (CSS & CST) (cable)
• Arizona at Stanford 7:00 p.m. ABC *1 (HD) or ESPN-GP *2
• Missouri at Texas Tech 7:00 p.m. ABC *1 (HD) or ESPN-GP *2
• Tennessee at Memphis 7:00 p.m. CBSC (HD)
• Texas at Kansas State 7:00 p.m. ESPN2 (HD)
• Colorado State at San Diego State 9:00 p.m. MTN (HD)
• Arizona State at USC 9:30 p.m. FSN (HD)

Games not selected for nationally available networks.

• Akron at Ball State 12:00 p.m.
• Boston College at Wake Forest 2:30 p.m. espn3.com
• Colorado at Kansas 1:00 p.m.
• Florida Atlantic at Western Kentucky 3:30 p.m.
• Marshall at UAB 3:00 p.m. CSS (cable)
• New Mexico State at Utah State 2:00 p.m. CW30 (cable)
• Rice at Tulsa 1:00 p.m.
• SMU at UTEP 8:00 p.m.
• Southern Miss at Tulane 2:30 p.m.
• Temple at Kent State 1:00 p.m.
• Troy at North Texas 6:00 p.m.
• Virginia at Duke 11:00 a.m. espn3.com
• Northern Iowa at Indiana State, 2:00 p.m.

peace

Week 6: Some interesting games on Saturday

Week 6 is off to a good start with Rutgers winning on a late field goal to open Big East play with a win over UConn on Friday night. Troy won Tuesday night over Middle Tennessee on the road to take the lead in the Sun Belt. Two Big 12 teams remain undefeated after Thursday night and Friday night wins, respectively.

• #10 Nebraska looks like a Top 10 program taking down the Wildcats in the Big 12 opener on the road @ Kansas State
• Oklahoma State wins on the road @ Louisiana-Lafayette and is developing into a program to keep your eye on in 2010.

Saturday, October 9Th in College Football (Times are Central Time)

• Bye Week for #14 Iowa in Week 6, with Michigan next in Week 7
• Baylor vs. Texas Tech (Dallas) 11:00 a.m. FSN (HD)
• Boston College at North Carolina State 11:00 a.m. ESPN-GP *2 / ACC Network (cable)
• Central Michigan at Virginia Tech 11:00 a.m. ESPNU (HD)
• Illinois at Penn State 11:00 a.m. ESPN2 (HD)
• Indiana at Ohio State 11:00 a.m. ESPN (HD) / ESPN 3D
• Syracuse at South Florida 11:00 a.m. MASN / SNY / ESPN-GP / ERTV (cable)
• Temple at Northern Illinois 11:00 a.m. ESPN-GP / ERTV (cable)
• Western Michigan at Ball State 11:00 a.m. ESPN-GP / ERTV (cable)
• Tennessee at Georgia 11:21 a.m. SEC Network / ESPN-GP
• Colorado State at Air Force 1:00 p.m. MTN (HD)
• Northern Iowa at Southern Illinois 2:00 p.m. DirecTV 657 / FCS Pacific (cable) / MVFC TV
• Akron at Kent State 2:30 p.m. ESPN-GP *2 / STO *8
• Alabama at South Carolina 2:30 p.m. CBS (HD)
• Arkansas at Texas A&M (Arlington) 2:30 p.m. ABC *1 / ESPN-GP *2
• Clemson at North Carolina 2:30 p.m. ABC *1 / ESPN *7 / ESPN-GP *2
• Michigan State at Michigan 2:30 p.m. ABC *1 / ESPN *7
• Pittsburgh at Notre Dame 2:30 p.m. NBC (HD)
• UCLA at California 2:30 p.m. FSN (HD)
• UNLV at West Virginia 2:30 p.m. MASN / SNY (jip) / ESPN-GP / ERTV (cable)
• Virginia at Georgia Tech 2:30 p.m. ESPNU (HD)
• Western Kentucky at Florida International 2:30 p.m. ESPN-GP *2 / (CSS & CST) (cable)
• Wyoming at TCU 2:30 p.m. CBSC (HD)
• Utah State at Louisiana Tech 3:00 p.m. ALT / ESPN-GP
• San Diego State at BYU 5:00 p.m. MTN (HD)
• Colorado at Missouri 6:00 p.m. FSN (HD) (alternate in St. Louis)
• Eastern Michigan at Vanderbilt 6:00 p.m. ESPNU (HD)
• Oregon State at Arizona 6:00 p.m. Versus (HD)
• Utah at Iowa State 6:00 p.m. DirecTV 623 / FCS Central (cable)
• Auburn at Kentucky 6:30 p.m. ESPN2 (HD)
• Purdue at Northwestern 6:30 p.m. BTN (HD)
• LSU at Florida 6:30 p.m. ESPN (HD)
• Florida State at Miami (FL) 7:00 p.m. ABC *1 / ESPN-GP *2
• Mississippi State at Houston 7:00 p.m. CBSC (HD)
• New Mexico at New Mexico State 7:00 p.m. ALT2 / Aggie Vision / ESPN-GP
• Toledo at Boise State 7:00 p.m. ESPN-GP / STO *8 / WAC Sports Network
• USC at Stanford 7:00 p.m. ABC *1 / ESPN-GP *2
• Arizona State at Washington 9:00 p.m. FSNW / FSAZ?
• Hawaii at Fresno State 9:00 p.m. ESPN-GP *2
• San Jose State at Nevada 9:30 p.m. ESPNU (HD)

Games not selected for nationally available networks.

• Arkansas State at North Texas 6:00 p.m.
• Army at Tulane 2:30 p.m.
• Bowling Green at Ohio U 1:00 p.m.
• East Carolina at Southern Miss 6:30 p.m. (CSS / WITN) (cable)
• Florida Atlantic at Louisiana-Monroe 6:00 p.m.
• Memphis at Louisville 1:00 p.m. espn3.com
• Miami (Ohio) at Cincinnati 6:00 p.m. espn3.com
• Navy at Wake Forest 5:30 p.m. espn3.com
• Oregon at Washington State 4:00 p.m. Comcast (Oregon cable)
• Rice at UTEP 8:00 p.m. TBA
• Tulsa at SMU 7:00 p.m. Cox 3 (Oklahoma cable)

If you are watching college football, enjoy the action... it should be an interesting Saturday across the country with the line up of games.

peace

It's College Gameday: Week 3

Saturday, September 18Th
Times are Central Time

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

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

Games not selected for nationally available networks.

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

FCS Game Watch

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

peace

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

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

Remembering 9/11

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

Saturday, September 11Th

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


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


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


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


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


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


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


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


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


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


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


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


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


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


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


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


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


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


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


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


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


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


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


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


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


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


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


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


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


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


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


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


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


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


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


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


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


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


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


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


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


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


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


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


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


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

Games not selected for nationally available networks.

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


• Bowling Green at Tulsa, 6:00 p.m.


• Gardner-Webb at Akron, 11:00 a.m.


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


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


• Liberty at Ball State, 6:00 p.m.


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


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


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


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


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


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


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


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


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


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


• Rice at North Texas, 6:00 p.m.


• Tennessee Tech at #7 TCU, 6:00 p.m.


• Toledo at Ohio, 6:00 p.m.


• Troy at Oklahoma State, 6:00 p.m.


• UAB at SMU, 7:00 p.m.

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

peace

A Transition Weekend: July 31 to August 1

Well, Summer has hit the "dog days" for sure!

It has been a busy seven months in 2010. We haven't been able to post as often as one would like on our two blogs.

NFL camps are opening up and NCAA football camps will be opening soon with plenty of talk going on! Ohio State doesn't want to talk 2011! Even prep football will begin in August!

By Labor Day weekend, the 2010 college football season will kick off. Followed by the NFL in the following week.

The Iowa Hawkeyes will kick off the 2010 season vs. Eastern Illinois. Back to back seasons opening with a FCS opponent nicknamed the Panthers, after the exciting finish in 2009 opener vs. UNI.

peace

Iowa opens '09 season today vs. UNI; while other teams square off in season opener

Let's face facts, when FBS programs open the season with FCS programs, FBS teams usually win. Of course, defense, turnovers and special teams typically play the biggest roles in season openers. Teams typically improve the most between game 1 and game 2 of the season.

Iowa has big questions at running back with the departure of Shonn Greene to the NFL and the injury of Jewel Hampton for the '09 season. Next man in: Paki O'Meara from Cedar Rapids Washington. The former all-state football player in high school is now #1 on the Iowa depth chart.

Look for Iowa to win today: Iowa 40, UNI 11

In other games today: (our picks or favorites in bold)

• Akron at Penn State, 11:00 a.m., BTN (HD)
• Appalachian State at East Carolina, 11:00 a.m., MASN / WITN (cable)
• Kentucky vs. Miami Ohio (Cincinnati), 11:00 a.m., ESPNU (HD)
• Liberty at West Virginia, 11:00 a.m., SNY / ALT / ESPN-GP / ERTV (cable)
• Minnesota at Syracuse, 11:00 a.m., ESPN2 (HD)
• Montana State at Michigan State, 11:00 a.m., BTN (HD)
• Navy at Ohio State, 11:00 a.m., ESPN (HD)
• Northern Iowa at Iowa, 11:00 a.m., BTN (HD)
• Toledo at Purdue, 11:00 a.m., BTN (HD)
• Towson at Northwestern, 11:00 a.m., BTN (HD)
• Western Kentucky at Tennessee, 11:21 a.m., ESPN-GP (no blackouts?) / SEC Network *4 (HD),
• Portland State at Oregon State, 1:30 p.m., FSNW (HD) / FCS Pacific (cable)
• Baylor at Wake Forest, 2:30 p.m., ABC *1 / ESPN-GP *2
• Georgia at Oklahoma State, 2:30 p.m., (ABC *1 or ESPN2 *7) (HD?) / ESPN-GP *2
• Illinois vs. Missouri (St. Louis), 2:30 p.m., ESPN (HD)
• Jackson State at Mississippi State, 2:30 p.m., ESPNU (HD)
• Nevada at Notre Dame, 2:30 p.m., NBC (HD),
• San Jose State at USC, 2:30 p.m., FSN (HD) / FCS Atlantic (cable)
• Western Michigan at Michigan, 2:30 p.m., (ESPN2 *7 or ABC *1) (HD)
• Stanford at Washington State, 5:00 p.m., FSNW (HD) / FCS Pacific (cable)
• BYU vs. Oklahoma (Arlington), 6:00 p.m., ESPN (HD)
• Charleston Southern at Florida, 6:00 p.m., (FSS / FSSW / SUN) (HD) *6 / ESPN-GP *2
• Florida Atlantic at Nebraska, 6:00 p.m., FSN PPV
• Louisiana-Monroe at Texas, 6:00 p.m., FSN PPV
• Louisiana Tech at Auburn, 6:00 p.m., ESPNU (HD)
• Missouri State at Arkansas, 6:00 p.m., ESPN-GP *2 / PPV (AR & MO cable)
• Northern Colorado at Kansas, 6:00 p.m., FCS Central (cable) / DirecTV - 617
• Northern Illinois at Wisconsin, 6:00 p.m., BTN (HD)
• Wofford at South Florida, 6:00 p.m., SNY / ESPN-GP *2 / BHSN (cable)
• Indiana State at Louisville, 6:30 p.m., ESPN-GP / (WHAS) (cable)
• San Diego State at UCLA, 6:30 p.m., FSW (HD) / FCS Atlantic (cable)
• Western Carolina at Vanderbilt, 6:30 p.m., ESPN-GP (no blackout?) / CSN (B/C/E) / CSS
• Alabama vs. Virginia Tech (Atlanta), 7:00 p.m., ABC (HD)
• Idaho at New Mexico State, 7:00 p.m., ALT / ESPN-GP / Aggie Vision / GVN
• Buffalo at UTEP, 8:00 p.m., CBSC (HD)
• Idaho State at Arizona State, 9:00 p.m., FSAZ (HD) / FCS Pacific (cable)
• Maryland at California, 9:00 p.m.,ESPN2 (HD)
• LSU at Washington, 9:30 p.m., ESPN (HD)
• Alcorn State at Southern Miss, 6:00 p.m.
• Army at Eastern Michigan, 6:00 p.m.
• Central Michigan at Arizona, 9:00 p.m.
• Connecticut at Ohio, 6:00 p.m., ESPN 360
• Jacksonville State at Georgia Tech, 12:00 p.m., ESPN 360
• Middle Tennessee at Clemson, 5:00 p.m., ESPN 360
• Mississippi Valley State at Arkansas State, 6:00 p.m.
• New Mexico at Texas A&M, 6:00 p.m.
• Nicholls State at Air Force, 1:00 p.m.
• North Dakota at Texas Tech, 6:00 p.m.
• Northeastern at Boston College, 1:00 p.m. ESPN 360
• Northwestern State at Houston, 6:00 p.m.
• Rice at UAB, 3:00 p.m., CSS
• Richmond at Duke, 6:00 p.m.
• Sacramento State at UNLV, 9:00 p.m.
• Samford at Central Florida, 5:00 p.m., BHSN
• Southern at Louisiana-Lafayette, 6:00 p.m.,
• Southern Illinois at Marshall, 3:30 p.m.
• Stephen F. Austin at SMU, 7:00 p.m.,TWC Metro Sports
• The Citadel at North Carolina, 5:00 p.m., ESPN 360
• UC Davis at Fresno State, 9:00 p.m.
• UMass at Kansas State, 6:00 p.m.
• Weber State at Wyoming, 2:00 p.m.
• William and Mary at Virginia, 5:00 p.m., ESPN 360
• Youngstown State at Pittsburgh, 12:00 p.m.
  

Not many Top 25 match ups to kick off the '09 season. Three huge games open the season with Georgia @ Oklahoma State, Alabama vs. Virgina Tech and BYU vs. Oklahoma. It should be an outstanding '09 season.

Look for parity in the Big Ten Conference with a good chance that several teams: Ohio State, Penn State, Illinois and Iowa all in the mix for the top honors. Michigan and Michigan State should be an interesting battle in '09. Northwestern and Wisconsin look to move up or in the Wildcats situation, relevant in the bowl mix. Minnesota launches a new era with their new outdoor stadium, while a new coach brings Hope to Purdue and IU tries to stay out of the cellar.

peace

Seven days until Kickoff at Kinnick Stadium for the 2009 Iowa Football season ...

Well, we got a little football under our belts at Kingston Stadium last night, with the Washington Warriors victory over Cedar Falls in the opener, 28-10, in the high school opener for both teams.

Now, we turn to College Football in 2009 starting on Thursday, with games beginning for the in-state schools in FBS or FCS. Iowa State University (3-9 in '08) will open with North Dakota State (6-5, as a FCS school) on Thursday. The rest of the State gets started on Saturday, with the University of Northern Iowa coming down I-380 to Kinnick Stadium to open at the University of Iowa for another FBS vs. FCS showdown.

The Iowa Hawkeyes are coming off a 9-4 season (5-3 in the Big Ten) last year. The Hawkeyes look to become a contender in the Big Ten, for the first time, since the '04 season. UNI (12-3, as a FCS school).

Iowa has had some injuries and some suspensions entering the 2009 fall camp that they are working around. It will be interesting to see what newcomers step forward in '09. ESPN's Adam Rittenberg has a blog article titled: More on Iowa's injury situation. UNI has some suspension headed into the opener with Iowa too. A couple articles on the UNI situation: Chicago Tribune and The Gazette.

In Ames on Thursday, the Iowa State Cyclones will welcome in the Paul Rhoads era in football. The two year Gene Chizik era has moved on, after a 5-19 record. Since 1999, Iowa State is 6-0 in season openers vs. FCS opponents. All six opponents play in the Missouri Valley Football Conference, like North Dakota State. North Dakota State is 3-2 vs. FBS schools, with two losses totaling 4 points. Look for Iowa State to continue the streak in the 2009 opener against FCS schools.

peace

Less than 30 days until the opening of Iowa, Northern Iowa and Iowa State 2009 football seasons

The University of Iowa will kickoff the 2009 football season on September 5, 2009 at Kinnick Stadium, when the Hawkeyes host Iowa's FCS top 10 program, the University of Northern Iowa. On Thursday, September 3, 2009, the Iowa State Cyclones will host a UNI's fellow FCS and MVC Football Conference member, North Dakota State.

The University of Iowa is coming off an Outback Bowl victory over the University of South Carolina. The Hawkeyes look to take the momentum from last year's 9-4 overall record (5-3 in the Big Ten) into the 2009 season. Iowa and Michigan State return the highest number of returning starters in the Big Ten Conference.

Iowa needs defense to excel to contend in Big Ten - Chicago Tribune‎
When he did see the field, he found himself clearing the way for Iowa's running game, especially last season when Big Ten Silver Football winner Shonn ...
Arkansas State scores big at Kinnick - Gazette Online
2009 Football season preview: Iowa - University of Wisconsin Badgers

Iowa State has opened camp for the 2009 season.

Rhoads Brings Different Kind Of Enthusiasm -CycloneSportsReport.com ‎
One change ISU football fans will notice about the 2009 Iowa State Cyclones in their first season under new coach Paul Rhoads is that the ...
ISU Football Media Day: New OC Herman young and confident enough ... - Daily Freeman Journal
Iowa State Cyclones media day coverage - DesMoinesRegister.com‎

Economic woes force Iowa schools to cut budgets - Quad City Times
Iowa State projects a 3.4 percent increase in its revenue to $43.3 million, although the Cyclones' athletic department joins Iowa in expecting a slight drop ...

Iowa State football: Cyclones hope to slow down high-powered Big ... -DesMoinesRegister.com
Iowa State nose guard Nate Frere is not predicting an over-under number for wins. He isn't going out on a limb about anything that involves digits — except ...
Rhoads ready for first season - Fort Dodge Messenger
Cyclones energized at dawn of new era - Waterloo Cedar Falls Courier
Iowa State coach says team ready to move ahead - Radio Iowa

Can Rhoads turn Iowa State around? -Dubuque Telegraph Herald ‎
"If I wanted to wrap up this microphone "" Iowa State football coach Paul Rhoads began to reporters at the Cyclones' media day Wednesday at Jack Trice ...

The University of Northern Iowa has opened camp for 2009 season.

UNI football reports to camp Wednesday - Waterloo Cedar Falls Courier CEDAR FALLS --- The University of Northern Iowa football team will report to camp Wednesday, and will begin practice Thursday. The Panthers will be prepping ...

peace

Creighton, UNI both finish tied for first place in the final MVC men's BB standings

The Creighton Bluejays (14-4, 25-6) and the Northern Iowa Panthers (14-4, 20-10) closed out the Missouri Valley Conference men's basketball regular season winning the co-championship on Saturday. The Bluejays are hot, winning ten straight games, nine in the Valley to finish with UNI at 14-4. Creighton beat #3 Illinois State (11-7, 22-8) 74-70 at the Qwest Center Omaha to avenge a disappointing loss at home last season.

Arch Madness, the State Farm MVC basketball tournament, will take place this week in St. Louis, beginning on Thursday with the play-in games, with the finals airing on CBS Sports next Sunday afternoon. The top four seeds are: UNI, Creighton, Illinois State and Bradley (10-6, 17-13).

With the major conferences getting most of the at-large seeds in the NCAA Tournament, neither Creighton nor UNI have earned a lock for the Big Dance, with a co-championship in the Valley.

Creighton is certainly a team that would be fun to see make the Big Dance in 2009. Senior Booker Woodfox is certainly one of the many unsung heroes in mid-major basketball, as Creighton's win over George Mason in the Bracket Buster game on Feb. 21 showed.

Arch Madness is always a joy to follow. Today, as we celebrate March arriving and the coming of Spring. Who will make the 2009 Big Dance is in full drive?

peace

January 25, 2009 - One Week from Super Bowl XLIII

Leaving church this morning, I visited briefly with a women, who like me was heading out to her car... I commented about the weather and said hello, her initial response was...

"What are we going to do with no football?"

So, I asked her who she was rooting for for the Super Bowl? She said, "I am University of Northern Iowa graduate." We didn't' have to say anymore about that one.

I have always enjoyed the Pittsburgh Steelers back during the 1970s and early 1980s under coach Chuck Noll. But, as a Cedar Rapidian and Iowan, I have to go with the Arizona Cardinals in Super Bowl XLIII (that's 43, if you don't know your Roman numerals). After all, Arizona starting QB Kurt Warner is a native of Iowa, a Cedar Rapids Regis graduate (now a middle school) and one-year starter for the University of Northern Iowa Panthers (now home of my oldest).div>

What are we going to do with no football?

I'll leave that for another day, since we have college football signing day approaching in early February. And, we still have the game of the year in professional football next Sunday. Let's welcome in Super Bowl XLIII week tomorrow.

Today, I'll relax with some classical music and the arts tonight.

peace

One Week Left: 2008 College Football season kicks off

Iowa State will host one of the first games of the 2008 college football season from Jack Trice Stadium in Ames, Iowa. The ISU Cyclones face the South Dakota State Jackrabbits, a FCS school, with a 7 pm start on August 28, 2008.

One week from today, the 2008 college football season will begin. Also, in the State of Iowa, high school football will begin, with the first week of action.

The Cyclones are coming off a 3-9 (2-6 in Big 12 in '07) season under second year head coach Gene Chizik. The Jackrabbits were 7-4 last year and will join the University of Northern Iowa in the new Missouri Valley Football Conference (formerly known as the Gateway) for 2008.

This will be a huge game for the Jackrabbits, who last year did not face a FBS opponent. As Jackrabbits head coach John Stiegelmeier points out in this "big time" game:

‘‘Normally we talk about a game three, four days before we play it. So we
started six, seven months early,’’ Stiegelmeier said Monday. ‘‘We did that
because things have changed. It’s a higher level. We need to have that focus.’’

Iowa State is on a one game losing streak to FCS programs, after losing to UNI at home in '07. However, the Cyclones are on a two game winning streak at Jack Trice, with back to back Big 12 wins over Colorado and Kansas State in '07.

One week from today... we will kick off the 2008 college football season!

peace

14 days to the Kickoff of Labor Day Weekend!

Wow, where has the year and summer gone in '07?

Colleges are getting started next week, such as UNI in Cedar Falls! The Cedar Rapids Community Schools here in Cedar Rapids start on Tuesday.

It's been a fast summer with plenty to look back on and smile about.

Kickoff of the Iowa Football Season in '07 is only 14 days away!

Soldier Field will be the venue for the '07 opener, as the Iowa Hawkeyes face the Northern Illinois Huskies in Chicago, IL. Followed up by the home opener, Saturday night, September 7th, with the Syracuse Oragemen.

peace

Becoming a UNI Parent this August '07

The dog days of Summer end quicker and quicker each year. Or is that just due to schools starting there school years earlier and earlier each year?

This week we helped get our oldest child started at her new destination, the University of Northern Iowa. One of the three outstanding regent institutions here in the State of Iowa.

I am happy for her to begin her college experience. The University of Northern Iowa is an excellent choice. I hear plenty of good past experiences from former students and parents of students.

Most of her friends are off to the University of Iowa, Creighton, Iowa State, Drake and elsewhere. Always good to hear my alma mater mentioned!

I greatly enjoyed my college experience back in the 1980s. Here's to all starting and enjoying their college experience this fall!

peace