Big Ten Football Preview Tour makes its 1st stop in Iowa City

IOWA CITY, Iowa -- It didn't take long for three Big Ten Network personalities to spout shining reviews of the University of Iowa football program following their visit to campus Wednesday.

"Best indoor facility in the Big Ten," BTN analyst Gerry DiNardo said.

"(Freshmen running backs) Greg Garmon and Barkley Hillcaught my eye this morning," said Tom Dienhart, senior writer for BTN.com.

"One thing you always know about the Hawkeyes when you look at them -- you're going to see a quality team," BTN analyst Howard Griffith said.

The Big Ten Network was in town for the first of its annual 12-stop tour around the conference for the Big Ten Football Preview Tour. Iowa's segment will be aired on the BTN on Thursday, Aug. 9, at 9 p.m. (CT).

"This is always a great stop," DiNardo said. "It's a fun place to come and (head coach) Kirk (Ferentz) and his staff treated us well. Practice didn't look much different; the names change, but we always say when we leave, that is one of the best practices we'll see during camp with the way it is organized and run. It was another great Iowa practice."

"This is always a great stop. It's a fun place to come and (head coach) Kirk (Ferentz) and his staff treated us well. Practice didn't look much different; the names change, but we always say when we leave, that is one of the best practices we'll see during camp with the way it is organized and run. It was another great Iowa practice." - Gerry DiNardo, Big Ten Network analyst

The Hawkeyes worked out inside their new indoor facility which provided an added treat to the BTN crew.

"First of all, the indoor practice facility is unbelievable," Griffith said. "It is well put together and well-designed."

"I know Kirk Ferentz pined for an upgrade facility-wise and he got it," Dienhart said. "I'll tell you what, this is spectacular."

Iowa returns 12 starters from a team that went 7-6 last season (4-4 in the Big Ten) and advanced to the Insight Bowl. The 2012 squad is heavy with underclassmen (81) and light at the upper end (40).

"If Iowa can answer questions at running back and along the defensive line, it could allow for a fast start to build momentum," Dienhart said. "If they can get the 4-0, 5-0 start, then they could be a dark horse in the Legends Division this year."

"If they can fix some of those (road) ills they had last year, there is no reason they shouldn't be right in the thick of things," Griffith said.

All eyes will be on a Hawkeye offensive backfield that returns running backs Damon Bullock (10 carries, 20 yards) and Brad Rogers (3 carries, 8 yards). True freshmen Hill and Garmon are already on the depth chart.

"(Garmon and Hill) hit the hole extremely fast," Dienhart said. "I saw them in some pass protection drills, going 1-on-1 with some of the linebackers and they stood up pretty well. For true freshmen without fully-developed bodies, they look like they have good strength to them, and their quickness was very apparent."

"They are going to be solid at the running back position, it's just a matter of time," Griffith said. "Clearly two freshmen are going to have an opportunity to contribute, and with freshmen, the key is to not put the ball on the ground, be able to pick up the blitz in the pass protection game, and catch the ball out of the backfield."

"My general feeling is there is talent there," DiNardo said. "It is hard to tell who is going to emerge based on one practice."

To read a recap of day by Dienhart, click HERE. To watch post-practice videos of Hawkeye players and coaches click HERE.

The University of Iowa football team will stage its annual "Kids Day at Kinnick" on Saturday, Aug. 11. Gates to Kinnick Stadium open at 11 a.m. (CT), with the team's practice scheduled to begin at noon. Iowa's 2012 Kids Day is presented by UI Children's Hospital and Kohl's Keeping Kids Safe.

The Hawkeyes kick off the 2012 College Football season on September 1st in Chicago's Soldier Field, as Iowa faces Northern Illinois for a 2:30 pm (CT) kickoff on ESPNU.

2012-13 Iowa Hawkeyes non-conference men's basketball schedule announced

IOWA CITY, Iowa -- The UI Department of Athletics and head coach Fran McCaffery have announced the 2012-13 nonconference men's basketball schedule. Iowa will play nine non-league regular-season contests on Mediacom Court at Carver-Hawkeye Arena, three neutral site games, and one true road contest.

Iowa will not face in-state rival Drake this season, with the creation of the Wells Fargo Arena Big 4 doubleheader with Drake, Iowa, Iowa State and Northern Ilinois.  Iowa will play UNI this year, while Iowa State will play Drake. Next year, the match ups will reverse for Iowa and Iowa State.

Iowa will hit the hardwood with three returning starters and five newcomers for the 2012-13 season.

Hawkeye fans will get their first glimpse of the new squad in the re-engineered "Black and Gold Blowout" on Oct. 19 and in an exhibition against Quincy on Nov. 4.Iowa's Big Ten schedule, game times and television information will be announced later this summer.

Nov. 9 vs. Texas-Pan American
Iowa opens its 2012 campaign against a team from the Great West Conference on a Friday night. The Hawkeyes are 3-0 all-time against the Broncs, with all wins coming in Iowa City and the last coming in 2006 (62-46). Iowa is 7-0 all-time against current Great West Conference members.

Nov. 12 vs. Central Michigan
The Hawkeyes will square off against the Chippewas for the first time. A familiar face will be returning with Central Michigan in former Drake head coach Keno Davis. Keno, who is the son of former Iowa head coach Tom Davis, enters his first season as head coach at Central Michigan.

Nov. 15 vs. Howard
The first of two Cancun Challenge preliminary games in Carver-Hawkeye Arena. It will mark the first time the Hawkeyes will have faced Howard. The Bison are a member of the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference, where the Hawkeyes boast a perfect 10-0 record against current members.

Nov. 17 vs. Gardner-Webb
The second preliminary game of the Cancun Challenge and Iowa's fourth game in nine days to open the season. Iowa has never faced Gardner-Webb, who is a member of the Big South Conference. The Hawkeyes have only played four previous contests against members from the Big South, winning three.

Nov. 20 vs. Western Kentucky (Cancun, Mexico)
Iowa's first game away from home comes in Cancun against an NCAA tournament team from a year ago. The Hilltoppers won four consecutive games in the Sun Belt Tournament and topped Mississippi Valley State in the First Four before falling to eventual national champion Kentucky in the round of 64 last spring. This will be another first-time opponent for the Black and Gold. The Hawkeyes are 16-2 all-time against teams from the Sun Belt. This also marks the UI men's basketball team's first-ever trip to Cancun.

Nov. 21 vs. DePaul/Wichita State (Cancun, Mexico)
Iowa will play DePaul or Wichita State in the championship or consolation game of the Cancun Challenge. The Hawkeyes are 4-4 all-time against the Shockers, having played them as recently as 2009 in Kansas City. Iowa and DePaul have only played three times, most recently in Moline, Ill., in the 1995 postseason NIT. Wichita State lost to VCU in the NCAA Round of 64 a year ago, while DePaul did not compete in a postseason tournament.

Nov. 27 at Virginia Tech 
Iowa will meet Virginia Tech in the ACC/Big Ten Challenge for the third time, most recently playing in Iowa City in 2009. The Hokies have defeated Iowa in both previous meetings. Iowa lost at Blacksburg in the Challenge in 2006 in its only visit to Virginia Tech. This is Iowa's first and only true road game of the nonconference schedule.

Dec. 1 vs. Texas A&M-Corpus Christi
Iowa returns to Iowa City and will play its final six non-league contests in the state of Iowa, five coming on its home court. Iowa and Texas A&M-Corpus Christi will meet for the first time. The Islanders are members of the Southland Conference, which the Hawkeyes are 4-1 against current league members.

Dec. 4 vs. South Dakota
The Hawkeyes will host South Dakota for the first time since 1964. Iowa is 10-0 all-time against the Coyotes. South Dakota is a member of The Summit League. The Hawkeyes are 28-3 against current members of The Summit League.

Dec. 7 vs. Iowa State (Iowa Corn Cy-Hawk Series)
Iowa and Iowa State renew their in-state rivalry for the 66th time; Iowa leads the all-time series 42-23. The Cyclones have won the last two meetings. Iowa is 26-6 against the Cyclones in Iowa City. This will be one of the events in the 2012 Iowa Corn Cy-Hawk Series.

Dec. 15 vs. UNI (Des Moines, Iowa)
After a week of final exams, Iowa travels to Des Moines to play UNI in the inaugural Big Four Classic. This will mark the second straight year the Hawkeyes will have played in Wells Fargo Arena; Iowa played Creighton at the venue in November, 2011. Iowa leads the all-time series, 33-9, and has won three of the last four. This will be the first time this in-state match-up will be contested on a neutral court.

Dec. 19 vs. South Carolina State
Iowa returns home for two games in three days. First, the Hawkeyes host South Carolina State of the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference. The Hawkeyes last played the Bulldogs in 2009, winning 82-69.

Dec. 22 vs. Coppin State
The Hawkeyes' final nonconference game comes against their third opponent from the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference. Iowa is 2-0 all-time against the Eagles, with the two teams previously playing in 1998 and 2006.

The 2012-13 season will be the third season under McCaffery.  Iowa is looking to compete for a shot at the NCAA Tournent.  Iowa hasn't danced over the past six seasons, so Hawkeye fans are hoping for a breakout season in 2012-13.

Can the Iowa coaching staff put the puzzle together for 2012?

Iowa is entering the 14Th season under head coach Kirk Ferentz.  The Hawkeyes should reach Ferentz's 100th career victory at Iowa during the 2012 season. 

The real question is can Iowa's coaching staff find a way to put all the pieces together for Iowa to challenge for a Big Ten Legends division title and a birth in the 2012 Big Ten Championship Game in Indianapolis this December?

On Monday, the 2012 players and coaches meet with the media for Iowa's 14Th Media Day under Kirk Ferentz.  Only the true freshman were not in front of the media.  Ferentz keeps them off limits, until their second season on campus.

In 2000, a senior quarterback named Drew Brees helped lead a young Purdue Boilermaker team to a Big Ten title and a birth in the Rose Bowl.

In 2012, Iowa will look for a senior quarterback and a young Hawkeye football team to attempt to achieve the same.  James Vandenberg (pictured) will lead Iowa again, after becoming Iowa's #1 signal caller in 2011.  Vandenberg lead Iowa in two games as a redshirt freshman in 2009, as well.

Iowa also has 28 underclassmen on the preseason depth chart heading into 2012.

"This is our youngest team. That's documented if you look at the number of seniors and projected senior starters, which is still up in the air. But, hey, that's college football. We've got a lot of guys that have been in the program, and when they get the opportunity, they'll do a fine job," said head coach Kirk Ferentz.

Vandenberg is a proven commodity as the team's starting quarterback, having thrown for 3,022 yards and 25 touchdowns as a junior in 2011, but who will be his top running mate in the back field is unclear. Sophomore Damon Bullock is the team's top returning rusher with 20 yards, leaving the door open for anyone and all.

"Basically anybody that's in the backfield position, maybe outside of Jonathan Gimm right now, is going to get a look at carrying the football to see if they can help us out in some way," said Ferentz. "We have guys out there that are capable. We have enough talent out there, and hopefully we can bridge the experience gap as well."

Freshmen Greg Garmon, Barkley Hill and Michael Malloy are all in the mix at running back after entering training camps following strong prep careers. Who will line up behind Vandenberg in Soldier Field will play out over the next month in practice.

"Everybody looks pretty good right now, but you'd expect that," said Ferentz. "Over the course of time usually the picture becomes a little clearer. The first hurdle is going to be what do we get done in camp, and who looks the best. We'll try to get that lined up correctly and see who they respond once we go to Chicago, and that'll be the next phase."

Ferentz has liked what he has seen from the 34 freshmen newcomers early in camp.

"So far, so good," said Ferentz, who played 10 true freshmen in 2011. "You're always a little cautious to say too much about anybody on the first blush, but they run around and look like they all belong on the field in their given spots for the most part.

"Everybody on the team has an opportunity; whether they show us they can contribute on special teams, be a backup or earn starting jobs too... we're open to anything."

Putting the pieces in place involves a lot of hard work and Ferentz knows it is not a process that is done overnight, it's done over time.

"We have a long road ahead of us right now, but we have a great opportunity to have a good season," he said. "As we move forward the keys are going to be improvement and developing consistency. Those things are a lot easier to talk about than do."

Iowa opens the 2012 season Sept. 1 against Northern Illinois at Soldier Field. The game will begin at 2:30 p.m. (CT) and be televised on ESPNU.

Iowa Hawkeye Media Day: Year 14 of the Kirk Ferentz era

The University of Iowa held media day for the 2012 Iowa Football team in Iowa City on Monday afternoon. Head coach Kirk Ferentz is entering his 14Th season as head coach.  Ferentz was also offensive line coach from 1981-89, under former head coach J. Hayden Fry.

Ferentz Iowa Football Media Day Press Conference Transcript

The Hawkeyes will kick off the 2012 season at Soldier Stadium in Chicago vs. Northern Illinois, with a 2:30 pm start on ESPNU.

After the visit to the Windy City, Iowa returns to historic Kinnick Stadium for four straight home games including the annual Iowa Corn Cy-Hawk Series event against Iowa State on Sept. 8. That first of seven home games is sold out, however, a limited number of tickets remain for the next two home events of the Hawkeyes: Sept. 15 against intrastate rival Northern Iowa and Sept. 22 against Central Michigan. 

The Hawkeyes kick off Big Ten play on September 29Th vs. Minnesota at Kinnick.  It will also be the 2012 Homecoming Game for Iowa.

Who Should Be #1 in College Football this Preseason?

The USA Today Coaches Top 25 Preseason Poll was released last week, with LSU #1.  Phil Steele has Florida State #1 in Phil Steele's 2012 College Football Preview, while Athlon Sports Top has USC #1.  Ever since the end of the 2011 season, when Alabama beat LSU in the BCS title game, the early Top 25 polls/ratings for 2012 have been available.

Who should be #1?  The team that is best right now or the team that is projected to win the BCS title in 2012? 

Should any conference team other than from the SEC be given a #1 ranking, based on the past six years?  No non-SEC has won the BCS title, since the 2005 season, when Texas beat USC in the Rose Bowl.  Since the BCS title game became its own final game, only the SEC have won.

• 2011 season - Alabama
• 2010 season - Auburn
• 2009 season - Alabama
• 2008 season - Florida
• 2007 season - LSU
• 2006 season - Florida

Should it be last year's winner, until someone knocks them off?  At the beginning of the 2011 season, no one would place Auburn #1.  Heck, they were a reach for making them a Top 25 program, heading into the preseason season following their first BCS title, due to the loss of QB Cam Newton to the NFL.

Is Alabama worthy of #1?  Well, Alabama has won two of the last three titles in FBS College Footbal1, so if any program is worthy of #1, it may be Bama?  Head coach Nick Saban has three BCS titles, including the 2003 season, when he coached at LSU.

The LSU Tigers have two previous BCS titles, one under current coach Les Miles and the one under former coach Saban.  The Tigers finished #2 last year, losing 0-21 to Alabama, after beating the Crimson Tide 9-6 in OT on the road in the regular season.  Both teams will face each other on November 3Rd in Baton Rouge in what will be an important SEC West showdown again.  Popular pick, since they are a SEC team, but after last year's performance... earn it!

The Florida State Seminoles haven't won the BCS title, since the 1999 season, when they won the 2000 Sugar Bowl 46-29 over Virginia Tech.  Now, both schools are in the ACC and the ACC hasn't been relevant in the BCS title hunt for some time.  Florida State may have a very favorable schedule, but are they really worthy of a #1 ranking at this time?  Third year head coach Jimbo Fisher was LSU's offensive coordinator during the 2007 season, so he has been a part of a BCS title team, but not on his own.

USC was a dominate program in the early part of the last decade under head coach Pete Carroll.  The Trojans won the 2004 season, with a 55-19 blowout in the Orange Bowl over Oklahoma.  Carroll bolted back to the NFL in 2010, while the Trojans have enjoyed NCAA sanctions the past two seasons under new head coach Lane Kiffin.  Will USC find the right mojo in 2012, coming off NCAA probation?  Kiffin was a part of the Trojans success, under Carroll, as an assistant.  However, coming off NCAA probation and the recent success of both Oregon and Stanford in the Pac 12... earn it is applicable for the Trojans, dispite the 10-2 record last year, with losses at Arizona State and in 3OT vs. Stanford.

The Oklahoma Sooners are always worthy of some talk under head coach Bob Stoops, now in his 14Th season in Norman.  But, the Sooners haven't won the BCS title, since the 2000 season, a 13-2 win over the defending BCS champs, Florida State in the Orange Bowl.  The Sooners have played for the title game multiple times, but clearly 2000 was Stoops' year.

The Texas Longhorns are the last program outside the SEC to win a BCS title, when they defeated USC 41-38 in the Rose Bowl during the 2005 season.  However, the past two seasons, the Longhorns have not finished in the Top 25, after finishing #2 during the 2009 season in a 21-37 loss to Alabama.

So, who should be #1 in College Football this Preseason?  The right choice appears to be the defending champion: the Alabama Crimson Tide.  Yes, they have lost talent, as have others.  But they are a clear cut Top 5 program, who open the 2012 season in Arlington, Texas vs. the Michigan Wolverines, who are coming off a Sugar Bowl win over Arkansas.

LSU opens with North Texas at home in 2012.  After home games in September vs. Washington and Idaho, a September 22Nd road trip to open the SEC at Auburn should determine, whether LSU is a solid contender or not.  The QB position for the Tigers held them back in 2011.  Has anything changed in 2012?  The Tigers are hoping a JUCO transfer pays dividends, like Auburn in 2010?  Also, Penn State QB junior Rob Bolden has transferred to Baton Rouge, as well.  The QB position holds a lot of the keys to LSU's success in 2012.

USC opens 2012 hosting Hawaii in Los Angeles, then hits the road out East, for a non-conference game vs. Syracuse in East Rutherford, NJ.  Then the real season begins, as the Trojans open Pac 12 play at Stanford on September 15Th.  The Trojans are very much in the hunt in 2012, but will they get it done?  Senior QB Matt Barkley returned for his final season for a better bowl/final game win than the 2009 Emerald Bowl, during his freshman season?

Florida State finished #23 in both major polls last year.  They open with two back to back FCS programs in 2012: vs. Murray State and vs. Savannah State.  Next!  The Seminoles haven't earned anything yet!

The Big 12 welcomes TCU and West Virginia as members, as Missouri and Texas A&M join the SEC.  Oklahoma State was the top dog in 2011.  Can Oklahoma and Texas get back to battling for 1-2 again?  Or, will

The Big Ten takes a huge hit with two programs with NCAA sanctions for 2012.  Ohio State is on probation for one year and they may be the Big Ten's best program, but they will not be able to play in the Big Ten title game or go to a bowl game?  Penn State is now on a five year probation, with four seasons without bowl participation. Tough penalties from the NCAA, as PSU joins IU and MSU, as programs hit with heavy sanctions from the Big Ten.

Opportunity knocks for Wisconsin, who are 0-2 in the Rose Bowl under coach Bret Bielema the past two seasons.  The Badgers kick off the 2012 season with a FCS top 25 program, the UNI Panthers, but only compete with Illinois, Indiana and Purdue for the Leaders division title in 2012.  The Legends division race should be interesting, with Iowa, Michigan, Michigan State, Minnesota, Nebraska and Northwestern all eligible for the title game.

Is Oregon the other team to watch in the Pac 12, as the season moves forward?  The defending Rose Bowl champ is now two years removed from the BCS title game during the 2010 season, which resulted in a 19-22 loss to Auburn?  The Ducks return 61 letter winners for fourth year coach Chip Kelly.  A light non-conference schedule of Arkansas State, Fresno State and FCS, Tennessee Tech, then a Pac 12 opener at home with Arizona kicks off the Ducks 2012 campaign.

A good look at some of the Top Teams in College Football heading into 2012.  Our #1 is Alabama, since the defending champions don't lack much more than what other programs do at this time?  Sure, it is business as usual in Tuscaloosa, as Crimson Tide reload from losses to the NFL...

Less than 30 days until the kickoff of the 2012 College Football Season

We hope everyone is have a Jolly Good 2012 ... as the Summer XXX Olympic Games are in full gear in London this August 2012! After beginning blogging back in 2007 or so, we have taken some time off to enjoy Life, Liberty and other Pursuits of Happiness in our life.

College Basketball was interesting in the beginning of 2012. It was great to see the Creighton Bluejays win The Valley and make the 2012 NCAA Tournament in Greg McDermott's second season at the helm on the Hilltop. It was great to see a victory over Alabama in the Second Round and a tough Third Round loss at North Carolina, as well.

With all-American Doug McDermott back for his junior season in 2012-13, the Creighton Bluejays should be a Top 25 College Basketball team again. Down in Iowa City, coach Fran McCaffery should have a better brand of Iowa Basketball for 2012-13, as he enters his third season at the helm for the Hawkeyes.

The Heartland has been hot, hot and dry, dry throughout the Summer of 2012.  We hope you have all enjoyed the Dog Days of Summer 2012 style!  It hasn't been hot like this, since the Summer of 1988, when we moved back to Cedar Rapids.  Of course, weather like this year is causing some people to reflect on the dust bowl days of the 1930s ...

In less than 30 days, the 2012 College Football season will kickoff on Thursday, August 30Th.  The first game up will be a SEC showdown on ESPN with South Carolina at Vanderbilt.  There will be some outstanding games the first weekend of the 2012 season.  Plenty of questions in 2012:

• Who should be #1 preseason team in College Football in 2012?
• Did the preseason USA Today Coaches Poll get it right?
• What teams are in the hunt for the first BCS title outside the SEC, since the 2005 season?
• Wisconsin is going for three in a row in the Big Ten - who stands in the way in 2012?
• Top non-conference games of 2012?
• Hot conference races of 2012?
• 124 FBS programs for 2012 in College Football - what?
• Phil Steele, Athlon Sports and other previews into College Football for 2012 ...

We hope you find our blog fun, as we get ready to enjoy another outstanding College Football season ...

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

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!