Iowa Hawkeyes @ Illinois Fighting Illini on November 1, 2008

The Hawkeyes (5-3, 2-2) travel to Champaign to face the Fighting Illini (4-4, 2-3) kickoff at 2:30 pm on ABC in the Midwest and on ESPN elsewhere.

This is a huge game for both programs. Iowa's coach Kirk Ferentz has had the upper hand on both the Illini (5 straight) and vs. Illini coach Ron Zook (4 straight, including '04 Outback Bowl, when Zook coached the Florida Gators).

It's the Fighting Illini spread offense attack vs. crafty Iowa DC Norm Parker's 4-3 defense. The Iowa offense has improved greatly from last year's morbid unit. Iowa's RB Shonn Greene has been a huge surprise, while new QB Ricky Stanzi continues to show improvement with each game.

It should be a great game in Champaign... The Illini have been held to 13 or less points in each of the five games Iowa has won recently. Last year, Iowa held the Illini to two field goals, in a 10-6 Iowa win.

peace

Here's one way to get a Cyclone into a bowl...

The Iowa State Cyclones will not be going to a bowl this year, but their fans can enjoy the bowl at home, with a little Cyclone Crunch...

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Starting Illini Running Back leaves team, prior to game with Iowa

Ron Zook is an interesting coach. The coach has announced that starting TB Daniel Dufrene has taken a leave this year. His line about being "worried" and "he'll be fine" appears to be one of many classic lines that the football coach has had over the years.

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State of Iowa State Football Playoffs: Sub-State Round in book

University of Iowa in-state commits played in the Iowa State Football Playoffs: Sub-State Round on Wednesday:

Brandon Wegher (Game Recap)

Keenan Davis (Game Recap)

Jordan Cotton (Game Recap)

Drew Clark (Game Recap)

Class of 2010 commit James Morris (Game Recap)

I attended the Cedar Rapids Washington game vs. Muscatine last night. The Warriors won the game 62-14. Though, the game was 20-14, prior to a Earnest Crank type touchdown (ie: former Iowa RB vs. Northwestern at Kinnick back in the 1990's) off a Muscatine failed on-side kick attempt, where Washington Warriors special teams player, Jerome Strong, took the failed on-side kick all the way for a touchdown to make the game 27-14 Washington.

Washington junior running back Andre Dawson and reserve RB sophomore Alex Carr went wild running the ball vs. the Muskies in the Warriors 62-14 win. Carr had a 70+ yard run called back for encroachment late in the game to reduce the blowout.

The Warriors (9-1) will face Dubuque Hempstead (6-4) on Monday night in the Class 4A first round. Ironically, the game will be in Dubuque.

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The NBA tips off 2008-09 season!

Major League Baseball is struggling to close the 2008 season late in October, the NBA has tipped off the '08-'09 season, with both the Boston Celtics and the Los Angeles Lakers scoring one in the win column to start the season.

The beginning of the 82-game season is just another sign that winter is on its way in the USA.

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Iowa's Defensive Coordinator Norm Parker and the 4-3 defense

Iowa (5-3, 2-2 Big Ten) at Illinois (4-3, 2-3 Big Ten) square off in Champaign in football on Saturday at 2:30 pm on ABC. A look from the Orange and Blue on Iowa's DC Norm Parker, a former Illinois assistant.

Iowa is going for their sixth straight victory over the Fighting Illini on Saturday. Iowa's defense under Norm Parker have held the Illini to no more than 13 points in the past five game (all Iowa wins).

Iowa won last year's game over Illinois 10-6 in Iowa City.

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Why is Baseball in America past its time...

Listening to Colin Cowherd today speak about Major League Baseball ... I have to ask, why is this guy the Commissioner?

How many other sports fans has he turned away from Major League Baseball in his tenure?

It's nearly November 4th, Election Day, and the World Series is in the same discussion?

Look at the weather the last week of October in America!

It's 10 pm Eastern... the game starts in 15 minutes?

And of course, lets create or set the rules on the fly and not tell anyone.

Soccer is a better sport than baseball today, in my opinion. It's not a great sport, but there is very little creditability in Major League Baseball today.

peace