Happy New Year's Eve and best wishes to the Iowa State Cyclones

The final day of 2009 has finally arrived. What a year that seemed to pass by at record speed.

We have seen plenty this past 2009 and cheers to a better 2010 to each and all ...

Iowa State vs. Minnesota kicks off a 5 p.m. on the NFL Network. It is nice to see the in-state school in a bowl game in coach Paul Rhoads first season.

The MWC, Big East and Big Ten are off to good starts in th 2009-10 bowl season.

Have a safe and enjoyable New Year's Eve and a great new year in 2010.

peace

Out with Mike Leach at Texas Tech ...

As the attorney for Mike Leach was suggesting on Tuesday, Texas Tech has chosen to dismiss head football coach Mike Leach for cause ...

Mike Leach fired: Texas Tech coach's methods seen as cruel‎ - Christian Science Monitor

Mike Leach, the most successful coach in Texas Tech football history, was fired Wednesday after being accused of punishing receiver Adam James for not ...

Texas Tech Coach Mike Leach Fired!!‎ - Gather.com
Texas Tech Red Raiders fire Mike Leach - ESPN
Dec 30, 2009 ... Texas Tech fired coach Mike Leach on Wednesday, two days after he was suspended by the school as it investigated his treatment of a player ...

Mike Leach becomes the second coach in the Big 12 Conference dismissed this season, due to the treatment of players.

Ex-Kansas coach Mangino getting $3 million from KU - Associated ... - Sporting News
Dec 16, 2009 ... Former Kansas football coach Mark Mangino will be paid $3 ... Comparing what he'd have gotten had they terminated him "without cause" with ...

Big Ten opens 2009-10 bowl season at 1-0

Wisconsin 20, Miami 14 in the 2009 Champs Sports Bowl on Tuesday, Dec. 29Th on ESPN.

Today, December 30Th, two more bowl games are played ...

Roady's Humanitarian with Bowling Green vs. Idaho from Boise, Idaho at Bronco Stadium at 3:30 p.m. on ESPN.

Followed by the Prime Time match up on ESPN:

Pacific Life Holiday Bowl

Arizona vs. Nebraska
from San Diego and Qualcomm Stadium
7 p.m. on ESPN/ESPN Radio

My picks have definitely fallen off this bowl season, but we were happy to see Wisconsin win and help boost the Big Ten off at 1-0 start this 2009-10 bowl season.

Tonight, it should be an interesting game with two programs that we have ties too. Both schools won last season in bowl games and are looking to build for the 2010 season.

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It's certainly been an odd week so far in College Football with the news at Florida and now Texas Tech

What's going on around College Football, since Christmas? Urban Meyer is going and now on leave of absence. Now, Texas Tech is suspending coach Mike Leach, due to treatment of one of his players.

Who makes the hires while Meyer is away? - ESPN (blog)‎
Assuming Urban Meyer is indeed coming back after his leave, you know it's going to be his call at the end of the day. Most signs point to Chuck Heater ...
Ex-Gators cast doubt on Urban Meyer's sub - USA Today (blog)
To understand Meyer's flip-flop, one must first understand his past - SI.com
Florida's Interim Coach Is Like Meyer, but With a Passion All His Own - New York Times

What impact will Urban Meyer's leave of absence have on the Gators recruiting for 2010 and beyond?

Meyer's leave will have impact on Florida recruiting - USA Today
With signing day a little more than five weeks away, Urban Meyer's decision to take a leave of absence as Florida coach has created uncertainty with some of ...
Urban Meyer's gridiron guessing game - Palm Beach Post (blog)

The news out of the Texas Tech pre-bowl camp is even more odd ...

Leach's attorney says coach did no wrong‎ - AP
The lawyer for Mike Leach says the suspended Texas Tech coach did nothing wrong in how he treated a player with a "mild" concussion. ...

Texas Tech suspends Mike Leach after player complains about treatment‎ - USA Today
Texas Tech has suspended coach Mike Leach from all duties following a complaint from a player and his parents regarding Leach's treatment of the athlete ...

At least college football fans can enjoy some more bowl action today, with two more bowl games on ESPN ...

The Prime Time Game on ESPN tonight:

Champs Sports

Miami-FL vs. Wisconsin
Orlando, Fla. at the Florida Citrus Bowl
Kickoff is Dec. 29Th at 7 p.m. Central Time

The Wisconsin Badgers didn't fare well last year in Orlando vs. Florida State, so will the trip to face the Hurricanes be better in 2009? Maybe a prime time game for the Badgers will allow them to play better, than last year's day game in the 2008 Champs Sports Bowl?

Both teams finished 5-3 in their respective conferences, the ACC and the Big Ten; and 9-3 overall for the season.

Our Pick: Miami-FL 34, Wisconsin 32

The Tune up Game before tonight's Prime Time game on ESPN:

EagleBank

UCLA vs. Temple
Washington, D.C. at RFK Stadium
Kickoff is Dec. 29 at 3:30 p.m. Central Time

A Pac 10 vs. MAC showdown in Washington D.C. When is the last time a MAC team won a bowl game? Heck, the same can be said for UCLA, who have not been stellar in bowl games either. UCLA was only 3-6 in the Pac 10 in '09, 6-6 overall. Temple finished 7-1 in the MAC East, tied with Ohio U for first place. The Owls were 9-3 overall.

Our Pick: Temple 27, UCLA 24

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Oops, there is a Bowl Game today on ESPN2, we can't forget the Independence Bowl, the eleventh bowl for '09-'10 season

ESPN2 will spotlight the Independence Bowl from Shreveport, LA today at 4 p.m. Central Time, with an SEC-Big 12 match up.

Georgia vs. Texas A&M

Georgia defeated in-state rival Georgia Tech, but overall, had a very disappointing 2009 season. Texas A&M is rebuilding under second year coach Mike Sherman, who made the move from the NFL to the college game.

Our pick:

Texas A&M 24, Georgia 21

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ESPN continues it's Bowl coverage tonight with the Music City Bowl

Did you ever ask yourself why there are so many Bowl Games in College Football?

The tenth bowl game of the 2009-10 College Football Bowl Schedule is played tonight in front of another ESPN audience. The first ten bowl games are all on ESPN. Tomorrow night, ESPN2 gets into the action.

Bowl Line up through Sunday, December 27Th

• December 19Th - New Mexico, Wyoming 35, Fresno State 28 (2 OT) from Albuquerque, N.M. in University Stadium


• December 19Th - St. Petersburg pres. by Beef 'O' Brady's, Rutgers 45, UCF 24, from St. Petersburg, Fla. at Tropicana Field


• December 20Th - R+L Carriers New Orleans, Middle Tennessee 42, Southern Miss 32, from New Orleans in the Louisiana Superdome


• December 22Nd - MAACO Las Vegas, BYU 44, Oregon State 20, from Las Vegas at Sam Boyd Stadium


• December 23Rd - S.D. County Credit Union Poinsettia, Utah 37, Cal 27 from San Diego and Qualcomm Stadium


• December 24Th - Sheraton Hawaii, SMU 45, Nevada 10, from Honolulu at Aloha Stadium


• December 26Th - Little Caesars, Marshall 21, Ohio 17, from Detroit at Ford Field


• December 26Th - Meineke Car Care, Pitt 19, North Carolina 17, from Charlotte, N.C. at Bank of America Stadium


• December 26Th - Emerald, USC 24, Boston College 13, from San Francisco and AT&T Park

Next up: the 2009-10 College Bowl season's tenth bowl game on ESPN

• Gaylord Hotels Music City Bowl - Kentucky vs. Clemson from Nashville, Tenn. at LP Field
  Dec. 27 at 7:30 p.m. Central Time on ESPN

The SEC kicks off their bowl season vs. the ACC, who are 0-2 in bowls thus far, with the Kentucky Wildcats. The Clemson Tigers were within a possession of winning the ACC Championship and a bid in a BCS bowl.

Kentucky finished tied for fourth in the SEC East at 3-5 with South Carolina. The Wildcats were 7-5 in the regular season. Clemson finished runner-up in the ACC title game and 6-2 in the Atlantic Division, 8-5 overall.

Kentucky finished 7-6 in 2008 and won 25-19 over East Carolina in last year's Liberty Bowl. The Wildcats are 8-5 lifetime in bowl games and are looking for their fourth straight bowl games, with the streak starting in '06 with a 28-20 win vs. Clemson in the Music City Bowl. The Wildcats are lead by coach Rich Brooks, who is in his seven season in Lexington.

Clemson was 7-6 in 2008 and fell short 21-26 in last season's Gator Bowl to Nebraska. Coach Dabo Swinney is in his first full season at the head of the Tigers program, after taking over for Tommy Bowden in the middle of the 2008 campaign. The Tigers have lost three straight bowl games and are 15-16 overall.

Who wants this game more is the real question in many bowl games. Will it be the Wildcats who have won 5 of the last 7 games this season? Or, will it be Clemson, who have lost two straight, after a six game winning streak in the middle of the season?

Prediction:

• Kentucky Wildcats 28
• Clemson Tigers 26

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Florida's Urban Meyer is stepping aside as head football coach for "faith and family" ...

He suggests that he has not taken care of himself, as a football coach.

It's an interesting development on the college football landscape. How his decision is factored by the pressure for success at the major college football level at SEC schools? It's Alabama Nick Saban, who is heading to the BCS Title Game, while Florida QB Tim Tebew winds down his college career in the Sugar Bowl, in now a game that could be Urban Meyer's last as a head football coach.

Source: Urban Meyer changes plans, taking leave of absence‎ - Miami Herald
Florida coach Urban Meyer told to the Gators he is not resigning but taking an indefinite leave of absence. Offensive coordinator Steve Addazio will be ...
Louisville AD Tom Jurich understands if Strong is interested in ...‎ - The Canadian Press
Meyer's Situation Is Not the First‎ - New York Times (blog)

If the decision is primarily due to coach Urban Meyer's health? That he is leaving college football, then we want to wish him a speedy recovery. However, remember when Florida basketball coach Billy Donavan was ready to step away from the basketball position at Florida to leave for the NBA? There was plenty of drama with that on again, off again saga.

Stay tuned ...

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The Christmas fest is complete; now, more College Bowls to digest for the season!

Hopefully, everyone had a very, merry Christmas with family and friends ...

We were pleased with both Utah and SMU in their respective bowl wins in the Poinsettia and Hawaii bowls, respectively ...

Wed., Dec. 23: Poinsettia in San Diego, Mountain West vs. Pac-10, Utah 37, California 27
Thu., Dec. 24: Hawaii in Honolulu, C-USA vs. WAC, SMU 45, Nevada 10

Saturday, December 26, 2009, there three more bowl games up for display, all on ESPN ...

• Sat., Dec. 26 at 12 p.m. Central Time
  Little Caesars Bowl from Detroit
  MAC vs. Big Ten (C-USA fills the Big Ten void): Ohio U vs. Marshall
• Sat., Dec. 26 at 3 p.m. Central Time
  Meineke Car Care Bowl from Charlotte
  ACC vs. Big East: North Carolina vs. Pittsburgh
• Sat., Dec. 26 at 7:30 p.m. Central Time
  Emerald Bowl from San Francisco
  Pac-10 vs. ACC: Southern California vs. Boston College

Our Picks for Saturday, December 26, 2009:

• Ohio U. 30, Marshal 24
• North Carolina 33, Pittsburgh 28
• Boston College 28, USC 25

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The College Bowl spotlight continues on Tuesday, December 22, 2009 with the MACCO Las Vegas Bowl: BYU vs. Oregon State

A 7 p.m. kickoff from Las Vegas on ESPN on Tuesday, December 22ND ...

MAACO Bowl Las Vegas
12/22/2009 - Maaco Bowl Las Vegas The Matchup: OREGON ST. (8-4, 6-3 Pac-10) vs. BYU (10-2, 7-1 MWC) Dec. 22, 2009, 5 PM PT, ESPN Sam Boyd Stadium Las ...

The Mountain West vs. Pac-10 with Brigham Young vs. Oregon State in a game that should be exciting to watch.

Brigham Young finished the 2009 season at 10-2 overall, second in the MWC with a 7-1 mark. While Oregon State finished 2009 with a 8-4 overall record, 6-3 in the Pac 10, tied for second place with Arizona and Stanford. The BYU Cougars lost two games at home to Florida State and TCU, while Oregon State lost to Cincinnati and Arizona at home and on the road @ USC and @ Oregon.

BYU looks to rebound in 2009, after losing in the 2008 Las Vegas Bowl to Arizona 21-31. BYU is playing in their fifth straight Las Vegas Bowl and is 2-2 in those previous games. Oregon State won the Las Vegas Bowl in 2003 over New Mexico 55-14. The Cougars should be a stronger foe for the Beavers in 2009. Oregon State won the 2008 Sun Bowl over Pittsburgh, 3-0.

Prediction for the 2009 Las Vegas Bowl:

Will the BYU coach get his alma mater? The crystal ball is a little foggy on this one ...

Brigham Young 30

Oregon State 28

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Iowa Basketball: When does two years equal the past 13 months? The answer is in a recent story in The Gezette

The Gazette's December 21, 2009 print version made the following comment about Iowa basketball player, Anthony Tucker's off the field problems ...

" (picture) Anthony Tucker... Second arrest in 2 years "

Well the young man enrolled at the University of Iowa in August of 2008, so he has been a college student for only 17 months or so. He has had two arrests in two seasons at Iowa, but in two years? More like the past 13 months.

The sophomore starting shooting guard has been suspended indefinitely, until the legal matter is resolved. This is the second suspension in 13 months for the sophomore from Minnesota.

The player has yet to play a game in the Big Ten, due to academic and legal woes as a true freshman during the 2008-09 season. Now, it appears that Iowa may miss him for his second straight Big Ten season.

Iowa enters the Big Ten schedule vs. Purdue on Tuesday, December 29Th at Carver-Hawkeye Arena. No Iowa player on the current roster has more than one year of Big Ten experience. Three key players are true freshmen.

Iowa has signed four players for the 2010-11 season. Will another roster spot be soon opening up in Iowa City for the Hawkeyes?

Hawkeyes' Tucker suspended indefinitely - Dubuque Telegraph Herald
Anthony Tucker's continuning trouble with alcohol has resulted in his indefinite suspension from the Iowa men's basketball team. ...
Hawks step up in Tucker's absence - Quad City Times
Hawkeyes win, questions remain - Burlington Hawk Eye
Iowa's Anthony Tucker Arrested for Public Intoxication - Bleacher Report

peace

Sunday Bowl Game tonight, after busy day in the NFL with Steelers vs. Packers going down to the Wire

Next up on Sunday, December 20, 2009:
7:30 p.m. Central Time kickoff on ESPN
New Orleans Bowl from New Orleans, LA
Sun Belt vs. C-USA
Middle Tennessee vs. Southern Mississippi

The Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders finished 7-1 in the Sun Belt in 2009, with an overall record of 9-3 on the season. While the Southern Miss Golden Eagles, they finished third in the C-USA East Division with a 5-3 record, 7-5 overall. An ESPN audience can tune in to see the Blue Raiders vs. the Golden Eagles square off in the Louisiana Super Dome.

Southern Miss is returning to the New Orleans Bowl in 2009 again, after finishing 7-6 in 2008 with a 30-27 OT win over Troy. The Golden Eagles are 9-8 overall in bowl games. Coach Larry Fedora is in his second season at the helm for the Golden Eagles.

Middle Tennessee State is coming off a 5-7 record in 2008. The Blue Raiders are making only their second bowl trip ever in the school's history. The Blue Raiders lost 14-31 to Central Michigan in the 2006 Motor City Bowl. Coach Rick Stockstill is in his fourth season at the helm for the Blue Raiders.

Middle Tennessee State enters the game on a six game win streak. The wins all came in conference play. Southern Miss lost their final conference game to lose out in an opportunity for the C-USA Title in 2009.

Prediction:

Southern Miss 30, Middle Tennessee State 17

In the NFL today: Pittsburgh beats Green Bay 37-36 on the final play of the game. Pittsburgh coach Mike Tomlin's failed onside kick attempt with the Steelers up 30-28 late provided plenty of drama for everyone watching. But, the Steelers took the ball all the way down the field in the final two minutes. Pittsburgh QB Ben Roethlisberger's career high 503 yards passing and a final TD pass from 18 yards on the final play of the game was the difference. Wow!

peace

Exciting finish in New Mexico, with next bowl coming up in St. Petersburg

Great finish in the first bowl game of the season with Wyoming defeating Fresno State in OT 35-28 in the New Mexico Bowl to kick off the 2009-10 bowl season.

Next up:
Sat., Dec. 19 at 7 p.m. Central Time
St. Petersburg Bowl from St. Petersburg, Fla.
Big East vs. C-USA: Rutgers vs. Central Florida

The Rutgers Scarlet Knights were picked by some in the pre-season to be the top contender in the Big East Conference in 2009, but the Scarlet Knights finished 3-4, tied for fourth in the Big East, and 8-4 overall. Central Florida Knights didn't enter the 2009 season with high expectations, but finished second in the C-USA East Division at 6-2, 8-4 overall for the 2009 season.

Rutgers was 8-5 in 2008 and won 29-23 in the Papajohns.com Bowl 29-23 over North Carolina State, while Central Florida finished 4-8 in 2008 and have only played in two bowl games in the school's history, losing both games, including the 2007 Liberty Bowl 3-10 to Mississippi State. Rutgers is 3-2 all-time in bowl games.

Prediction for the St. Petersburg Bowl:

Could three be the charm, as the Central Florida plays in its third bowl ever vs. a Rutgers team that is seeking to win their fourth straight bowl game in four years.

Rutgers 38, Central Florida 26

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Sidenote: Iowa beats Drake in basketball to stop a two game skid in the series, as well as win one of the three games in the Iowa Four Pack series. Creighton travels to undefeated New Mexico to face Steve Alford's club that is rising in the Top 25 right now.

The 2009-10 College Football Bowl Season kicks off on Saturday, December 19, 2009 through Thursday, January 7, 2010

Saturday, December 19, 2009 kicks off the bowl season for 2009-10 through Christmas, the holiday season, the New Year and closing out on Thursday, January 7, 2009 with the BCS Title Game from Pasadena, California in the Rose Bowl, with the #Alabama Crimson Tide facing #2 Texas Longhorn (though my #3 team, behind #2 TCU) for the BCS title.

Today, the 2009 New Mexico Bowl will kick off at 3:30 pm, Central Time, in Albuquerque, New Mexico with the Mountain West vs. WAC with a game matching Wyoming vs. Fresno State. ESPN Preview of the game between Wyoming and Fresno State.

Phil Steele's preview magazine picked Fresno State at the beginning of the season to play again in the New Mexico Bowl, but to face Utah (MWC), who are headed to the Poinsettia vs. Cal on Wednesday, December 23Rd.

The Wyoming Cowboys finished 5Th in the MWC with a 6-6 overall record and 4-4 in conference play. The Cowboys went 0-4 against four Top 25 teams in 2009 (#3 Texas, @ #21 Utah, #14 BYU and #2 TCU). Wyoming is coached by first year coach Dave Christensen, who was OC at Missouri prior to accepting the job in Laramie.

The Cowboys were 4-8 in 2008 and are headed to their first bowl, since the 2004 season, when the Cowboys beat UCLA 24-21 in the Las Vegas Bowl. The Cowboys are looking to get to .500 in bowls, bringing a 5-6 mark into the New Mexico Bowl vs. Fresno State.

The Fresno State Bulldogs finished 3Rd in the WAC with a 8-4 overall record and 6-2 in conference play. The Bulldogs went 0-3 against four Top 25 teams in 2009 (@ #24 Wisconsin, #6 Boise State and @ #5 Cincinnati) all in September of the regular season.

The Bulldogs were 7-6 in 2008 and lost in the New Mexico Bowl 35-40 to Colorado State (MWC team) in last year's game. The Bulldogs bring a 10-8 bowl mark to Albuquerque this season. The last bowl win for the Bulldogs was 2007, when Fresno State defeated Georgia Tech 40-28 in the Humanitarian Bowl in coach Chan Gailey's final season at Georgia Tech.

Can David knock off Goliath in New Mexico? The Wyoming Cowboys are trying to obtain their first winning season, since the 2004 season. The top QB for the Cowboys is a freshman right out of San Jose CA, Austyn Carta-Samuels who is 6-2 210 and was a Phil Steele #85 rated QB out of high school last season. Fresno State is lead by first year starter, QB Ryan Colburn, a junior.

Most of the wins this season by Wyoming was with 30 points on the score board. They had one win where they beat New Mexico 37-13 at home and scored over 30 points. By the way, the Cowboys haven't won in New Mexico, since the 2006 season. Fresno State is far superior football program to the Lobos (3-7-1 in bowls), who won the '07 New Mexico Bowl.

Only two teams have held Fresno State under 30 points all season. In those two games, Fresno State lost @ # 5 Cincinnati (L, 20-28) and @ Nevada (L, 14-52), so defense is key. Teams have put up points on Fresno State, but winning those shootouts can be dangerous, as the Illinois Fighting Illini found out, in a 52-53 loss to end the Fighting Illini's season.

• Wyoming wins if the game is 28 points or less


• Fresno State wins, if they can force enough points and make it a shoot out, over 35 points


• MWC is a better conference than the WAC and will be going for its third straight win, since San Jose State's 20-12 win over New Mexico in the 2006 New Mexico Bowl

Our pick: Wyoming 30, Fresno State 25... Go Cowboys and Happy Holidays!

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Two Hawkeye Football Players named to Walter Camp team for 2009

Iowa linebacker and offensive tackle are named to named to the 2009 Walter Camp (pictured left) All-America team.

Angerer and Bulaga named All-Americans - HawkeyeReport.com

Angerer, Bulaga named Camp all-Americans - Gazette Online (blog) - Marc Morehouse
Iowa's Pat Angerer (43) intercepts a pass intended for Wisconsin's Travis Beckum (9) during the second half of this NCAA college football game, Saturday, ...

Iowa running back Shonn Greene was a first team Walter Camp member in 2008.

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Our Take on the final Top 25 at end of the regular college football season and Final 2

What a regular season in 2009 ... five schools finish undefeated during the regular season, but only two can head to Pasadina for the BCS title game. Maybe this is the year that a +2 system for the BCS title game would better take care of business?

• Alabama
• TCU
• Texas
• Cincinnati
• Boise State

Clearly, everyone has Alabama #1 and at the top of the list after Alabama defeated Florida 32-13 in the SEC Championship game. Can we project RB Mark Ingram #1 in the Heisman ballots too?

The trouble comes for #2 in the final rankings. Who has Texas beat in 2009? Does the 2009 Big 12 Championship game with Nebraska warrant reconsideration for TCU, Cincinnati or Boise State as the #2 team, in place of Texas? Texas defeated Nebraska 13-12 on the final second with a 46 yard field goal in the Big 12 Championship game.

It would be more apparent today that the two non-BCS teams should get cracks at the BCS programs. Judging from the Texas-Nebraska game, TCU can be projected to be equal on defense to Nebraska and better on offense to the Cornhuskers. Place TCU in place of Nebraska vs. Texas and the projected outcome would be a TCU win over Texas. TCU beat Georgia Tech's final opponent (Clemson) on the road and took out Top 25 teams Brigham Young on road and Utah at home in MWC play.

The Big East conference game in a way came down to a miscue on a late extra point kick. Cincinnati defeated Pittsburgh 45-44 in the final minutes, after the Panthers missed their final extra point to take a six point lead. The Bearcats made all of their final possession marching down field to score their final touchdown and win by 1.

Boise State finished the regular season with a 42-7 win over New Mexico State in WAC play to finish undefeated in the regular season for the third time in four seasons. Boise State's marqee win was in the season opener at home vs. Oregon 19-8.

Congratulations to other conference championship game winners:

• Georgia Tech in winning the ACC Championship game in a 39-34 win over Clemson
• East Carolina in winning the C-USA Championship game in a 38-32 win over Houston
• Central Michigan in winning the MAC Championship game in a 20-10 win over Ohio U

The BCS Title Game would be better off as follows:

• #1 Alabama vs. #2 TCU, but most will project it a SEC vs. Big 12 affair again.
• We would suggest TCU would give Alabama a far better game than Texas.

Our Picks for the best BCS Bowl Lineup for the 2009-2010 season:

• BCS Title Game: Alabama vs. TCU
• Rose: Oregon vs. Ohio State
• Fiesta: Texas vs. Boise State
• Orange: Georgia Tech vs. Iowa
• Sugar: Florida vs. Cincinnati

Our final Top 25 teams at the conclusion of the 2009 regular season:

1. Alabama (13-0, 9-0* SEC)
2. TCU (12-0, 8-0 MWC)
3. Texas (13-0, 9-0* Big 12)
4. Florida (12-1, 8-1* SEC)
5. Cincinnati (12-0, 7-0 Big East)
6. Boise State (13-0, 8-0 WAC)
7. Oregon (10-2, 8-1 Pac 10)
8. Ohio State (10-2, 7-1 Big Ten)
9. Iowa (10-2, 6-2 Big Ten)
10. Georgia Tech (11-2, 8-1* ACC)
11. Penn State (10-2, 6-2 Big Ten)
12. Virginia Tech (9-3, 6-2 ACC)
13. LSU (9-3, 5-3 SEC)
14. Brigham Young (10-2, 7-1 MWC)
15. Arizona (8-4, 6-3 Pac 10)
16. West Virginia (9-3, 5-2 Big East)
17. Miami-FL (9-3, 5-3 ACC)
18. Pittsburgh (9-3, 5-2 Big East)
19. Oregon State (8-4, 6-3 Pac 10)
20. Oklahoma State (8-4, 6-3 Pac 10)
21. Utah (9-3, 6-2 MWC)
22. Stanford (8-4, 6-3 Pac 10)
23. USC (8-4, 5-4 Pac 10)
24. Wisconsin (9-3, 5-3 Big Ten)
25. Central Michigan (11-2, 9-0* MAC)

* Conference title game win or loss counted in conference record

Final kudos for one team for each conference in pecking order:

• ACC - Clemson (8-5, 6-3* runner-up)
• Big 12 - Nebraska (9-4, 6-3* runner-up)
• Big East - Rutgers (8-4, 3-4)
• Big Ten - Northwestern (8-4, 5-3)
• C-USA - East Carolina (9-4, 8-1* champion)
• Independents - Navy (8-4)
• MAC - Ohio U. (9-4, 7-2* runner-up)
• MWC - Air Force (7-5, 5-3)
• Pac 10 - California (8-4, 5-4)
• SEC - Mississippi (8-4, 4-4)
• Sun Belt - Troy (9-3, 8-0 champion)
• WAC - Nevada (8-4, 7-1)

* Conference title game win or loss counted in conference record

The 2009 regular football season had some wonderful moments. The Iowa Hawkeyes went 9-0 for the first time in the school's history, but injuries caught up to them in the tenth game. Overall, college football was down in many ways. Alabama appears to be clearly the team to beat nationally. They had an outstanding regular season and coach Nick Saban had his troups ready for every test this season. Congratulations to TCU, Texas, Cincinnati and Boise State for undefeated regular seasons as well.

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Who should Notre Dame hire to replace Charlie Weis?

"It is critical to this program and to its place in this university and
college football that we compete at the highest level, that we compete for
national championships." - Notre Dame Athletics Director Jack Swarbrick

Notre Dame Fires Charlie Weis - US News and World Report

First, is it realistic for an Independent in major College Football to compete for national championships in the current landscape and at the 85 scholarship limit for FBS schools?

Our first choice for the University of Notre Dame head football job would be Pat Fitzgerald of Northwestern University. Think how Ara Parseghian, who coached at Northwestern for eight years prior to moving onto University of Notre Dame, did in South Bend?


Rumor has it that AD Jack Swarbrick is partial to a defensive minded coach. Well, former NU linebacker, defensive assistant turned head coach Pat Fitzgerald would appear to fit that bill better than anyone in our opinion. The academic standards at Northwestern would go hand and hand with the standards at the University of Notre Dame.

Of course, the challenge may be getting Pat Fitzgerald to move on from his alma mater, but the success of Ara Parseghian would be a good role model to pattern young Fitzgerald after.

Other articles on the Notre Dame search and Pat Fitzgerald ...

Can Notre Dame find its savior? - National Football Post
Similarly, Northwestern's Pat Fitzgerald, whose offense is gimmicky, hasn't been mentioned, but he's an intense, defensive-minded leader who has performed ...
The next Irish football coach will not walk into one of the nation's best ... - ESPN
The Next Notre Dame Coach is... - 1070 The Fan - Indianapolis
Charlie Weis never adjusted to college - The Detroit News

We know many say Brian Kelly, head coach at Cincinnati, but clearly Pat Fitzgerald is the head coach that Notre Dame should take a very close look at. The post-Weis era will be a challenge for whoever the University of Notre Dame land.

As a person more partial to Boston College, rather than Notre Dame, we would suggest Fitzgerald as a great candidate to build the passion of Irish Football back up. Fitzgerald's passion for the sport of college football would be a great selling point, in our opinion. His recruiting has been on the upswing and South Bend should only enhance his ability to recruit.


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We wrap up Thanksgiving weekend with another Top 25 adjustment in College Football

We will know a week from now who will make up the BCS Title Game for the 2009 college football season. Further, all the bowls will be known. There is still an outside chance for a non-BCS conference team to make the BCS Title Game.

The final candidates for #1 vs. #2 in the BCS Title Game for the 2009 season?

• Florida
• Alabama
• Texas
• TCU
• Cincinnati

Boise State is the final undefeated team, but appears clearly out of contention for the BCS title game for this year, based on the current BCS poll.

Here's our take on the current Top 25 in College Football ...

1. Florida Gators (12-0, 8-0 SEC) - They will face #2 Alabama (12-0, 8-0 SEC) in the SEC title game this Saturday. Did you know that Tim Tebew's first bowl game was vs. Iowa in the 2006 Outback Bowl? The Gators would match up extremely well vs. Iowa, better than 2006, when the Gators beat Iowa 31-24 in Tampa.
2. Alabama Crimson Tide (12-0, 8-0 SEC) - The Crimson Tide are a little dinged with star sophomore RB Mark Ingram tending to an injury. The game with the Gators in the SEC title game will be a challenge for the Crimson Tide. It would be interesting to see coach Nick Saban and Alabama face off in a bowl game this season. Saban faced Iowa, when he was at LSU in the 2005 Capital One Bowl. The Hawkeyes pulled off the upset 30-25 on the final play. Could a Bama-Iowa match up be on the horizon?
3. Texas Longhorns (12-0, 8-0 Big 12) - The Longhorns will face the Nebraska Cornhuskers (9-3, 6-2 Big 8) in the Big 12 title game. A loss by the Longhorns would have to go down as the biggest upset in Big 12 title game history. The Longhorns and Hawkeyes faced off in the 2006 Alamo Bowl, when the Longhorns beat Iowa 26-24. It's not likely the Hawkeyes will see the Longhorns in a bowl game this season.
4. TCU Horned Frogs (12-0, 8-0 MWC) - The Horned Frogs need help to find a spot in the BCS title game. They actually could fall out of the Top 4, if Cincinnati gets enough love in the Bearcats final game. A TCU-Iowa bowl game is possible, but not expected at this point.
5. Cincinnati Bearcats (11-0, 6-0 Big East) - The Bearcats close out the regular season @ Pittsburgh (9-2, 5-1 Big East) in what is basically the Big East championship game, where the winner will represent the Big East in the BCS. Can the Bearcats make it two year in a row?
6. Boise State Broncos (12-0, 8-0 WAC) - The Broncos have finished 12-0 in two of the three past seasons now, with a strong season in '09. Could an Iowa-Boise State match up be on the horizon in the Fiesta Bowl? Many are pinning their hopes on such a match up in the Valley of the Sun this season.
7. Oregon Ducks (9-2, 7-1 Pac 10) - The Ducks close out the regular season Thursday when the host in-state rival Oregon State (8-3, 6-2 Pac 10), in what is basically the Pac 10 championship game. The winner will represent the Pac 10 in the Rose Bowl vs. the Big Ten champ, Ohio State (10-2, 7-1 Big Ten).
8. Ohio State Buckeyes (10-2, 7-1 Big Ten) - The Buckeyes are waiting to learn the news of who from the Pac 10 will face the Buckeyes in the 2010 Rose Bowl game in Pasadena. The Buckeyes captured the Big Ten birth this season with a OT win at home vs. Iowa two weeks ago.
9. Iowa Hawkeyes (10-2, 6-2 Big Ten) - The Hawkeyes need some help to figure in the at-large spot in the BCS bowls. An upset in the Big 12 title game would not likely be good for a Big Ten at-large team. Many are projecting Iowa vs. Boise State in the Fiesta Bowl. We will find out next Sunday.
10. Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets (10-2, 7-1 ACC) - The Yellow Jackets will face Clemson (8-4, 6-2 ACC) in the ACC title game. The Yellow Jackets are going for their third straight win over the Tigers.
11. Penn State Nittany Lions (10-2, 6-2 Big Ten) - The Nittany Lions are sitting and waiting to see, if they may be the 2Nd Big Ten team picked as an at-large BCS bowl invitee. Some project that the Nittany Lions may favor higher than Iowa for the Orange, should the Orange go with a Big Ten team as their at-large pick. Despite losing head to head to the Hawkeyes, the Nittany Lions may be favored in the Orange?
12. Virginia Tech Hokies (9-3, 6-2 ACC) - The Hokies regular season has concluded, but they will represent the ACC in a bowl game this season. The Hokies closed out the regular season with a 42-13 win @ Virginia (3-9, 2-6 ACC) that may be the final nail on the Al Groh era at UVA!
13. LSU Tigers (9-3, 5-3 SEC) - The Tigers closed the regular season with a 33-30 OT win vs. Arkansas (7-5, 3-5 SEC). The Capital One Bowl is a likely spot for the Tigers. Could a rematch be on track vs. Iowa, who squared off in 2005 in Tampa?
14. Pittsburgh Panthers (9-2, 5-1 Big East) - Despite the loss 16-19 loss @ West Virginia (8-3, 4-2 Big East) this Thanksgiving weekend, the Panthers still have a lot to play for. This week, the Panthers host #5 Cincinnati (11-0, 6-0 Big East) for a birth in a BCS bowl game. This would be the first BCS bid for Pitt, since the 2004 season, under former coach Walt Harris.
15. Oregon State Beavers (8-3, 6-2 Pac 10) - Can the Beavers play in their first BCS bowl game with a win @ Oregon? The Beavers @ #7 Oregon (9-2, 6-1 Pac 10) for the Pac 10 title and the birth in the Rose Bowl vs. Ohio State.
16. Brigham Young Cougars (10-2, 7-1 MWC) - The Cougars closed out the regular season with a solid 26-23 OT win over MWC and in-state rival Utah (9-3, 6-2 MWC). Could a bowl bid with Arizona be on the horizon again for the Cougars?
17. Miami-FL Hurricanes (9-3, 6-2 ACC) - The Hurricanes closed out the regular season with a 31-10 road win @ South Florida (7-4, 3-3 Big East). The Hurricanes await a bowl bid for the second straight season.
18. USC Trojans (8-3, 5-3 Pac 10) - The Trojans close out the regular season hosting Arizona (8-3, 5-3 Pac 10) in a final Pac 10 showdown of the regular season. The winner will finish in the top half of the conference.
19. California Golden Bears (8-3, 5-3 Pac 10) - The Cal Bears close out the regular season @ Washington (4-7, 3-5) in a final Pac 10 showdown of the regular season. The Huskies don't have a bowl game, so the Golden Bears need to be careful up North.
20. Houston Cougars (10-2, 6-2 C-USA) - The Cougars will face the East Carolina Pirates (8-4, 7-1 C-USA), who are the defending C-USA champs, in the C-USA title game. The Cougars are coming off a 73-14 blow out vs. Rice (2-10, 2-6 C-USA) to close out conference play.
21. Nebraska Cornhuskers (9-3, 6-2 Big 12) - The Cornhuskers will face #3 Texas (12-0, 8-0 Big 12) in the biggest game in the coach Bo Pelini era. Pelini is in his second season at Nebraska. A win in the Big 12 title game would be huge for the Husker nation. The Huskers are coming off a 28-20 win @ rival Colorado (3-9, 2-6 Big 12).
22. Oklahoma State Cowboys (9-3, 6-2 Big 12) - The Cowboys crashed and burned their BCS opportunity with a 0-27 loss @ Oklahoma (7-5, 5-3) over the Thanksgiving holidays. A solid bowl bid is likely, but the health of the Cowboys team is weakening, after a physical game with in-state rival OU.
23. Stanford Cardinal (8-4, 6-3 Pac 10) - The Cardinal ended Notre Dame's (6-6) regular season with a 45-38 home win to close out the regular season. Stanford has not been bowl eligible, since the '01 season. Coach Jim Harbaugh is in his third season at Stanford.
24. West Virginia Mountaineers (8-3, 4-2 Big East) - The Mountaineers pulled off a 19-16 home win over Pittsburgh (9-2, 5-1 Big East) in Big East play. The Mountaineers close out Big East play @ Rutgers (8-3, 3-3 Big East) to end the regular season this weekend.
25. (tie) Clemson Tigers (8-4, 6-2 ACC) - Next up for the Tigers is a ACC Championship game match up vs. Georgia Tech (10-2, 7-1 ACC). The Tigers are coming off 17-34 loss @ in-state rival South Carolina (7-5, 3-5 SEC), who has lost 10 of the last 12 vs. the Tigers.
    (tie) Utah Utes (9-3, 6-2 MWC) - The Utes concluded the regular season with a 23-26 loss @ Brigham Young to close out MWC play. The Utes await their seven straight bowl bid to close out the 2009 season.

peace

Hope everyone is enjoying their week of Thanksgiving!

Happy Thanksgiving!

The Creighton Bluejays pushed the Michigan Wolverines into OT in Orlando on Thanksgiving. But, too many mistakes cost the Jays down the stretch.

Ott's Thoughts: Michigan 83, Creighton 76 (OT) - White and Blue Review ‎
Except Creighton fans could say the same thing. The Bluejays out rebounded Michigan for the better part of 45 minutes. The Jays shot better than UM. ...
Michigan Holds Off Creighton in Overtime - New York Times
Michigan 83, Creighton 76 - USA Today
Recap: No. 15 Wolverines 83, Jays 76 (OT) - Detroit Free Press

Celebrating Thanksgiving today with our family and a little football

Friday, November 27Th on DirecTV today

• Rutgers at Louisville 10:00 a.m. ESPN2 (HD)


• Temple at Ohio 10:00 a.m. ESPNU (HD)


• Illinois at Cincinnati 11:00 a.m. ABC (HD) - Tough times for the Fighting Illini!


• Wyoming at Colorado State 1:00 p.m. Mtn.


• Alabama at Auburn 1:30 p.m. CBS (HD) / Online


• Memphis at Tulsa 2:30 p.m. CBSC (HD)


• Nebraska at Colorado 2:30 p.m. ABC (HD) - A Thanksgiving Family Tradition


• Pittsburgh at West Virginia 6:00 p.m. ESPN2 (HD)


• Nevada at Boise State 9:15 p.m. ESPN2 (HD)

Wishing everyone a safe and enjoyable Thanksgiving weekend!

peace

Iowa Basketball is 1-0 outside and 0-4 within the CBE Classic to open the '09-'10 season

The 2009-10 basketball season for the University of Iowa has not gotten off to a good start. The Hawkeyes did get one victory over Bowling Green in game 3 of the season. But, the Hawkeyes went 0-4 in the CBE Classic. The Hawkeyes lost two games at home in the on-campus part of the CBE Classic. Then, they followed it up with back to back games in Kansas City, both losses. The Hawkeyes fell to #3 Texas on Monday, then vs. Wichita State tonight.

Iowa is now 1-4 to open the season.

It's not likely going to be a pretty season for coach Todd Lickliter, now in his third season, at Iowa. The Hawkeyes have only two upper classmen and are not at full strength with a 13 player roster.

Looking at the teams in the CBE Classic field. Clearly the University of Iowa played the toughest slate of teams. Duquense and Texas-San Antonio were two of the better bottom bracket teams.

The bottom line is Iowa is not a very good team right now. They are inconsistent and lack a lot of what it takes to compete with the better programs in the NCAAs.

If you are an Iowa fan in 2009-10, it would serve you well to be patient. Otherwise, it will get pretty negative at times.

Remember, this is the time for Thanksgiving. On the football side, Iowa finished 10-2, 6-2 in the Big Ten, which is good for second place. Time will tell in the next couple of weeks, whether Iowa will pull in their second BCS bid in the history of Iowa football.

peace

Who is worthy of all-Big Ten in Football in '09?

The Big Ten Conference annouced the 2009 all-Big Ten football team on Monday, November 23, 2009. Here's a look at our all-Big Ten team for 2009 from cidsports, using Big Ten only stats.

First and second team offensive members

QB: Darryl Clark, senior, Penn State and Mike Kafka, senior, Northwestern
RB: John Clay, junior Wisconsin and Brandon Saine, junior, Ohio State
RB: Evan Royster, junior, Penn State and Adam Robinson, freshman, Iowa
WR: Blair White, senior, Michigan State and Tandon Doss, sophomore, Indiana
WR: Keith Smith, junior, Purdue and Derrell Johnson-Koulianos, junior, Iowa

TE: Tony Moeaki, senior, Iowa and Garret Graham, senior, Wisconsin

C: Stefen Wisniewski, junior, Penn State and Rafael Eubanks, senior, Iowa
G: Dace Richardson, senior, Iowa and Jon Asamoah, senior, Illinois
G: Justin Boren, junior, Ohio State and John Moffitt, junior, Wisconsin
T: Bryan Bulaga, junior, Iowa and Kyle Calloway, senior, Iowa
T: Gabe Carimi, junior, Wisconsin and Dennis Landolt, senior, Penn State

First and second team defensive members

E: Adrian Clayborn, junior, Iowa and Ryan Kerrigan, junior, Penn State
T: Jared Odrick, senior, Penn State and Mike Neal, senior, Purdue
T: Christian Ballard, junior, Iowa and Karl Klug, junior, Iowa
E: Brandon Graham, senior, Michigan and O'Brien Schofield, senior, Wisconsin
LB: Navarro Bowman, junior, Penn State and A.J. Edds, senior, Iowa
LB: Pat Angerer, senior, Iowa and Ross Homan, junior, Ohio State
LB: Greg Jones, junior, Michigan State and Sean Lee, senior, Penn State
CB: Amari Spivey, junior, Iowa and Brandon King, senior, Purdue
CB: Sherrick McManis, senior, Northwestern and Donavan Warren, junior, Michigan
S: Tyler Sash, sophomore, Iowa and Brad Phillips, senior, Northwestern
S: Kurt Coleman, senior, Ohio State and Brett Greenwood, junior, Iowa

First and second team specialist members

PK: Ryan Swensen, senior, Michigan State and Stefan Demos, junior, Northwestern

PT: Zoltan Mesko, senior, Michigan and Jeremy Boone, senior Penn State

KR: Keshawn Martin, sophomore, Michigan State and Ray Small, senior, Ohio State

KR: Derrell Johnson-Koulanos, junior, Iowa and Arrelious Benn, junior, Illinois

PR: Ray Small, senior, Ohio State and Colin Sandeman, junior, Iowa

Coach of the year: Kirk Ferentz, Iowa
Offensive player of the year: John Clay, RB, Wisconsin
Defensive player of the year: Jared Odrick, DT, Penn State
Newcomers of the year: Offense: Adam Robinson, RB, Iowa. Defense: Chris Borland, LB, Wisconsin

peace

The Iowa Hawkeyes finishe regular season 10-2, 6-2 in the Big Ten for '09, what next?

The Iowa Hawkyeyes (10-2, 6-2 Big Ten) keep Floyd south for winter for the eighth time in nine seasons with a 12-0 win over the Minnesota Golden Gophers (6-6, 3-5 Big Ten) at Kinnick Stadium on Saturday. Could a Fiesta be on the horizon for the Iowa Hawkeyes? Time will tell.

Bowl predictions: Iowa, 3 others battling for two BCS spots - Gazetteonline

The Hawkeyes are 11Th in the BCS bowl currently, after Week 12. The AP and Coaches polls rank Iowa 13Th. Latest college football rankings and polls

How would cidsports rank the Top 25 after Week 12?

1. Florida (11-0, 8-0 SEC)
2. Texas (11-0, 7-0 Big 12)
3. Alabama (11-0, 7-0 SEC)
4. TCU (11-0, 7-0 MWC)
5. Cincinnati (10-0, 6-0 Big East)
6. Boise State (11-0, 6-0 WAC)
7. Georgia Tech (10-1, 7-1 ACC)
8. Ohio State (10-2, 7-1 Big Ten)
9. Oregon (9-2, 7-1 Pac 10)
10. Pittsburgh (9-1, 5-0 Big East)
11. Iowa (10-2, 6-2 Big Ten)
12. Penn State (10-2, 6-2 Big Ten)
13. Oklahoma State (9-2, 6-1 Big 12)
14. Virginia Tech (8-3, 5-2 ACC)
15. LSU (8-3, 4-3 SEC)
16. Oregon State (8-3, 6-2 Pac 10)
17. Clemson (8-3, 6-2 ACC)
18. Miami-FL (8-3, 5-3 ACC)
19. BYU (9-2, 6-1 MWC)
20. Utah (9-2, 6-1 MWC)
21. USC (7-3, 4-3 Pac 10)
22. California (8-3, 5-3 Pac 10)
23. Houston (9-2, 5-2 C-USA)
24. North Carolina (8-3, 4-3 ACC)
25. tie Nebraska (8-3, 5-2 Big 12)
    tie Mississippi (8-3, 4-3 SEC)

peace

Can Iowa get to a BCS at-large bowl bid with win over Minnesota on Senior Day 2009?

The Iowa Hawkeyes have played some outstanding football in 2009, despite detractors nationally in the media over the course of the 2009 season. Iowa (9-2, 5-2 in the Big Ten) will face the Minnesota Golden Gophers (6-5, 3-4 in the Big Ten) for the annual battle for the Floyd of Rosedale Trophy at Kinnick Stadium. It's a 11 a.m. kickoff on ESPN.

• Seniors remain resilient - UI The Daily Iowan


• Iowa football: Hawkeyes will settle for any kind of win vs. Gophers - DesMoinesRegister.com


• Iowa, ISU still look good in bowl picture - Spencer Daily Reporter


• Minnesota Coach Tim Brewster’s memory is pink and hazy - Gazetteonline
  
  Our prediction for today's battle:

Iowa Hawkeyes 36

Minnesota Golden Gophers 18

Look for Floyd of Rosedale to remain in his southern home for another year!

peace

Congratulations to Coach Todd Lickliter and the Iowa Basketball team

The Iowa Hawkeyes (1-2) get first win of the 2009-10 basketball season on Friday night, with a 68-46 home win over Bowling Green.

Iowa claims first win of season - Quad City Times
"Eventually, I knew the shots would start to fall," Gatens said, referring to his 19-percent shooting in the Iowa basketball team's first two games. ...
Men's basketball: Hawkeyes cruise to first victory of season - DesMoinesRegister.com
Hawkeyes await shooting thaw - Burlington Hawk Eye

peace

Can #10 Iowa 'Just Do It' today in the Horseshoe vs. #11 Ohio State?

ESPN's College Game Day, the National media, the NFL on Fox, the Buckeye nation ...

They will all say 'no'.

#10 Iowa at #11 Ohio State in the Horseshoe on ABC/ESPN at 2:30 pm CT.

Who would have believed it at the beginning of the season? Where's Penn State or Michigan State in the Big Ten Conference title race?

Of course, Michigan State and Northwestern don't face the Buckeyes in 2009.

Iowa certainly has been tested all season and enters the game 9-1, 5-1 in the Big Ten. This is not a Ohio State coach Jim Tressel's BCS title bound or contending type team. They lost at home to a 2-loss USC team, lead by a true frosh. They were taken down on the road early in the Big Ten at Purdue, who is coached by a first year head coach.

Iowa has a huge test today. They don't get to take it at full strength. They debut a redshirt freshman at quarterback in his first start. It's truly a David vs. Goliath game for Iowa at Ohio State.

Just Do It Iowa!

Pick: Iowa 18, Ohio State 13

If true, the Hawkeyes, not the Buckeyes will be heading to the Rose Bowl this season.

peace

What the AP has to say about this week's game:

No. 15 Iowa (9-1) at No. 10 Ohio State (8-2), 3:30 p.m.
(ABC)

Line: Ohio State by 14.

Series Record: Ohio State leads 44-14-3.

Last Meeting: 2006, Ohio State, 38-17.

What's at Stake

Pretty simple, really: The Big Ten's automatic Bowl Championship
Series berth in the Rose Bowl. The winner will also be assured of at least a
share of the conference title with a one-game lead with one game left (Iowa
hosts Minnesota, Ohio State is at Michigan). Both teams are coming off emotional
games, the Buckeyes winning 24-7 at Penn State and the Hawkeyes falling for the
first time this season at home against Northwestern, 17-10.

Key Matchup

Iowa QB James Vandenberg vs Ohio State's defensive line. All
season long, DTs Doug Worthington and Todd Denlinger and DEs Thaddeus Gibson and
Cameron Heyward have applied heat. With Vandenberg making his first career start
in relief of injured Ricky Stanzi (ankle), those four will try to harass
Vandenberg. How the youngster — and his line and offensive coaches — handle it
will determine the outcome.

Players to watch

Iowa: DEs Adrian Clayborn and Broderick Binns can pen in Ohio
State QB Terrelle Pryor if they keep him off the edge. MLB Pat Angerer will
likely have a few collisions with Pryor too. RB Brandon Wegher must consistently
gain yards to wear down Buckeyes defense and keep ball away from the offense. TE
Tony Moeaki and WR Derrell Johnson-Kouliano need to keep defense honest to keep
pressure off Vandenberg.

Ohio State: Pryor is coming off a homecoming at Penn State that
was a huge success. No room for a letdown here. K Devin Barclay hasn't faced a
must-make FG since taking over for the injured Aaron Pettrey (knee). Can RBs Dan
Herron and Brandon Saine run against Iowa's stout defense?

Facts & Figures

Ohio State has won 10 of the last 11 meetings by an average
score of 34-17. ... Iowa has won four games by three or fewer points for the
first time in program history. ... Don't expect much scoring: Only a reviewed
(and still debated) Penn State rushing touchdown last week prevented the
Buckeyes from their fourth shutout of the year. Seven of Iowa's opponents have
scored 17 or fewer points. ... Iowa won 13 straight games before last week's
loss, its longest since a 20-game streak from 1920-1923. ... The Buckeyes can
clinch a share of their fifth straight Big Ten title, a feat accomplished only
twice before. Ohio State won six in a row (1972-77) and Michigan five
consecutive (1988-92). ... The Hawkeyes have won their last six road
games.

Tough day for this Iowan: the Hawkeyes fall in Football, later the U.S. House passes Health Care bill

Iowa 10

Northwestern 17

Final

The Hawkeyes lose four turnovers in the second quarter and QB Ricky Stanzi to injury to eventually fall to the Wildcats 10-17 at Kinnick Stadium on Saturday. The beginning looked good, as Iowa opened up with a 10-0 lead. But, instead of taking what the defense would give, short passes, the Hawkeyes were forced to punt, then turned the ball over, and eventually allowed Northwestern to take full control of the game with ball control, field position and mistakes by the Hawkeyes.

‘Cost us a TD and a QB’ - The Gazette

IOWA CITY — On Ricky Stanzi’s right, Iowa had a tackle, tight end and an H-back. Then, the ball was snapped...

Cidsports: Sadly, the tight end and H-Back may have gave away the play with the
pre-snap conversation!

Northwestern 17, Iowa 10: The Fifth Quarter - DesMoinesRegister.com
Iowa players said after Saturday's 17-10 loss that the redshirt freshman from Keokuk had few to no game reps with the No. 1 offense. On the bright side, ...
Final: Northwestern 17, Iowa 10 - ESPN
Big Ten: Iowa's perfect season ruined by Northwestern - Los Angeles Times
Northwestern topples No. 8 Iowa 17-10 - Chicago Tribune

Later on Saturday, the U.S. House passed a revised H.R. 3200 by a vote of "220 to 215 vote on HR 3962, Affordable Health Care for America Act, was taken late Saturday evening, and fell largely along party lines, although 39 Democrats voted no and one Republican – Rep. Joseph Cao of Louisiana – voted yes, according to C-SPAN."

The country has been hit by a “difficult economic shock” over the last year.
He said huge government spending efforts like the stimulus bill haven't helped,
and said the government was on an “unsustainable” course - Rep. John
Boehner (R-Ohio), the House minority leader

House passes health care reform bill Saturday - Lake County News - Elizabeth Larson
A summary of HR 3962 provided by the House Committee on Energy and Commerce states that HR 3962 would include sliding scale affordability credits, ...

When the smoke cleared last night in the House of Representatives, the score
was Speaker Pelosi 220 and the American People 215 - The Examiner

President lies and Pelosi swears to it. Illegal aliens get benefits in ... - The Examiner
It is also worth noting that in its preliminary score of HR 3200, CBO found that in 2019 there would be “about 17 million nonelderly residents uninsured ...

In its preliminary score of H.R. 3962, the Congressional Budget Office noted
that, in 2019 there would be “about 18 million nonelderly residents uninsured
(nearly one third of whom would be unauthorized immigrants).” Thus, unless the
number of illegal immigrants is projected to be fewer than 6 million individuals
in 2019—nearly half the illegal immigrants currently estimated to be in the
U.S.—the CBO score presumes illegals would have health coverage, raising further
questions as to whether or not said coverage would be taxpayer-funded - The
Examiner

Iowans in the Second District re-elected Congressman Dave Loebsack (D-Iowa) in November 2008. He was among the 220 House members who vote for the bill. His opponent in November 2008, Dr. Marrianette Miller-Meeks does not support this type of Health Care Reform. Dr. Miller-Meeks has been busy at Tea Parties and at Health Care Forums discussing how health care reform should be shaped.

Loebsack pleased with vote on health care bill - Burlington Hawk Eye
"A lot of things, we've actually improved since it was (the earlier) HR 3200." Among the improvements are the provisions Loebsack and his fellow Iowa ...

Tough Saturday for Hawkeye fans and those concerned about the direction Health Care Reform is taking in Washington D.C. QB Ricky Stanzi joins RB Adam Robinson and OL Dace Richardson with ankle injuries and likely the rehab room for the rest of the regular season.

The Hawkeyes will face a tough road in Columbus next Saturday for the Big Ten title and the right to represent the Big Ten Conference in the Rose Bowl. A win by Iowa over Ohio State, which would be the first win for the Hawkeyes in Columbus, since 1991, would clinch the Big Ten tie breaker and the bid for the Rose Bowl.

On the Health Care Reform front, taxpayers and Americans will face a tough battle as the Health Care debate moves the U.S. Senate, where hopefully long-term impact and fallout from the House plan will be thoughtfully debated and overturned.

peace

Iowa Football: Hawks look to get to 10-0 vs. Northwestern on ESPN at 11 am

The Iowa Hawkeyes (9-0, 5-0 Big Ten) host the Northwestern Wildcats (5-4, 2-3 Big Ten) at Kinnick Stadium on Saturday, in front of a national audience on ESPN. The game is a 11 am Central Time kickoff.

Northwestern-Iowa Preview

He's done a great job of leading our football team." Senior quarterback Mike Kafka has done the same for Northwestern, leading the Big Ten in passing yards ... - ESPN

The Spotlight Dance — Northwestern - Gazette Online

Iowa football: Hawkeyes hope for better special teams play - DesMoinesRegister.com

Previewing the Hawkeyes - WNUR Sports

The Hawkeyes last win over Northwestern was a 62-10 win during Iowa's last and only 8-0 Big Ten run in 2002. The Wildcats have been a thorn for coach Kirk Ferentz, who is 4-4 as the Iowa head coach in this series. The Wildcats have won two straight in Iowa City and 3 of the past 4 in the series.

The Hawkeyes, #4 in the BCS, look to continue their historical run looking to get to 10-0 for the first time in the school's history. Iowa has the second longest FBS wining streak at 13, sandwiched in between #1 Florida and #3 Texas, in the latest CIDsports rankings.

Keys to the Game:

1. Line of scrimmage - who runs the ball effectively and who is able to get a pass rush/pressure going
2. Turnovers - Iowa's defeat at Kinnick in '08 to the Wildcats was fueled by 5 Hawkeye turnovers. Iowa was a -3 vs. IU last week, but won 42-24 any how
3. Special teams and field position
4. Red Zone production
5. Coaching

Prediction:

Iowa 31
Northwestern 20

peace

The Final Seven Undefeateds through the first nine weeks of the 2009 FBS season

Who should be the Top 7 in College Football, after nine weeks of play and through the first two months of action?

The candidates, in alphabetic order:

• Alabama (8-0, 5-0 SEC)
• Boise State (8-0, 3-0 WAC)
• Cincinnati (8-0, 4-0 Big East)
• Florida (8-0, 6-0 SEC)
• Iowa (9-0, 5-0 Big Ten)
• Texas (8-0, 5-0 Big 12)
• TCU (8-0, 4-0 MWC)

Of the Top 6 BCS conferences, only the Big East, Big Ten, Big 12 and SEC are represented. The ACC and Pac Ten have at least one loss or more among their members. Of the non-BCS conferences, the C-USA, MAC and Sun Belt have no representatives on the final seven, so it's up to the MWC or WAC member to carry the torch for the non-BCS teams. None of the three Independents are undefeated. Standings

Links to SOS rankings: CBSSports and Sagarin

So, entering November, who should be the Top 7 in College Football, why?

1. Florida Gators - The Gators are the defending BCS champions of a year ago. They hold the longest win streak in college football, losing to Ole Miss 30-31 in the fourth game of 2008 season. The Gators last OOC loss was in the Capital One Bowl at the end of the 2007 season, 35-41 to Michigan of the Big Ten. Florida already has locked up the SEC East spot in the SEC title game. Final three regular season games: @ South Carolina (4-4, 3-3 SEC), vs. Florida International (2-6, 2-3Sun Belt) and the in-state rivalry game vs. Florida State (4-4, 2-3 ACC). SOS rankings: #5 CBSSports and #27 Sagarin.
2. Iowa Hawkeyes - The Hawkeyes were 9-4 in 2008 and lost all four games by a total of 12 points. Iowa's last out of conference loss, was a 20-21 squeaker at Pitt in '08, prior to current QB Ricky Stanzi taking over from former Hawkeye QB Jake Christensen. The Hawkeyes in 2009 mirror very well with Alabama of 2008, as Phil Steele has pointed out before and during the 2009 season. The Hawkeyes beat the SEC's South Carolina 31-10 in last year's Outback Bowl. They have the second longest winning streak among FBS members. The Hawkeyes are 4-0 in 2009 in games trailing, while entering the fourth quarter. This week, Iowa scored 28 unanswered points vs. IU to beat Indiana at home 42-24. Unlike fellow Big Ten member, Ohio State, the Hawkeyes have beat a SEC opponent in bowl participation. For some number, OSU has never beat a SEC team in a bowl game, ever. Iowa's remaining games in the Big Ten are: vs. Northwestern (5-4, 2-3 Big Ten), @ Ohio State (7-2, 4-1 Big Ten) and vs. trophy game rival Minnesota (5-4, 3-3 Big Ten). SOS rankings: #12 CBSSports and #22 Sagarin.
3. Texas Longhorns - The Longhorns have the third longest winning streak in FBS, behind Florida and Iowa. The Longhorns avenged their lone loss in '08 when they beat Texas Tech in game 3 of the season, 34-24 in Austin. The Longhorns last OOC loss was a 7-24 vs. Ohio State at home in '06. The Longhorns avenged that loss last year in the Fiesta Bowl, beating the Buckeyes 24-21. The final four remaining regular season games for the Longhorns are: vs. UCF (4-3, 2-2 Sun Belt), then three final Big 12 games: @ Baylor (3-5, 0-4 Big 12), vs. Kansas (5-3, 1-3 Big 12), @ Texas A&M (5-3, 2-2 Big 12) and a possible Big 12 title game, if the Longhorns take care of business in the Big 12 South. SOS rankings: #31 CBSSports and #43 Sagarin.
4. Alabama Crimson Tide - The Crimson Tide have taken care of business in '09 thus far. The Crimson Tide were undefeated in the regular season in '08, but lost 20-31 to Florida in the 2008 SEC title game, then lost 17-31 to Utah to end the 2008 season in the Sugar Bowl. Coach Nick Saban is in his third season as head coach at Alabama. Ironically, his final game at LSU was a 25-30 loss vs. Iowa in the 2005 Capital One Bowl, where Iowa won on the final play of the game. The Hawkeyes have done that once this season @ MSU. A rematch of Iowa's Kirk Ferentz vs. Alabama's Nick Saban, who beat Ferentz in his first Big Ten game as Iowa's head coach, could be very interesting in a bowl game or title game, for that matter. LSU faces it's biggest SEC West game this week vs. LSU (7-1, 4-1), which could determine who plays Florida in the SEC title game. The Crimson Tide are coming off bye week. After LSU, the Crimson Tide face games @ Mississippi State (4-5, 2-3 SEC), vs. Chattanooga (a 5-3 FCS program, 3-3 Southern) and @ Auburn (6-3, 3-3 SEC). SOS rankings: #34 CBSSports and #36 Sagarin.
5. Cincinnati Bearcats - The Bearcats continue to remain undefeated in '09. This is despite the loss of QB Tony Pike to injury, which happened in '08, as well. Further, the Bearcats began the '09 season with a new DC Bob Diaco, former Iowa player at LB, and ten new starters on defense, from a team that went 11-3 and represented the Big East in the BCS bowl lineup in '08. The ACC's Virginia Tech beat Cincinnati though in the Orange Bowl last season, 20-7, which is the Bearcats last loss. The Bearcats last regular season loss in the OOC was a 26-52 loss early in '08 at Oklahoma (Big 12). The Bearcats have four more regular season games: vs. UConn (4-4, 1-3 Big East), vs. West Virginia (6-2, 2-1 Big East), vs. Illinois (2-6, 1-5 Big Ten) and @ Pittsburgh (7-1, 4-0 Big East) for a challenging slate for the Bearcats to close out '09. SOS rankings: #46 CBSSports and #74 Sagarin.
6. TCU Horned Frogs - The Horned Frogs come from the MWC and last year, the MWC represented the non-BCS conferences, since Utah went undefeated and beat TCU 13-10 at home in conference play in '08. The Horned Frogs went to Poinsettia Bowl in '08 and beat Boise State 17-16 to finish 11-2 in '08. TCU's lone OOC loss in '08 was at Oklahoma (Big 12) 10-35 before beginning conference play in '08. TCU has won four straight bowl games, with wins over Iowa State, Northern Illinois, Houston and Boise State. TCU closes out the regular season in conference play: @ San Diego State (4-4, 2-2), vs. Utah (7-1, 4-0), @ Wyoming (4-4, 2-2) and @ New Mexico (0-8, 0-4). SOS rankings: #40 CBSSports and #46 Sagarin.
7. Boise State Broncos - The Broncos are undefeated in the past two regular seasons ('08 and '09), but they have one big loss, a 16-17 loss in Poinsettia Bowl to close out '08 vs. TCU. The Broncos have lost back to back bowl games with losses vs. East Carolina (C-USA) 38-41 in the Hawaii Bowl to end '07 and of course last year's loss vs. TCU (Poinsettia). The Broncos last OOC regular season loss was @ Washington (Pac Ten) in '07 10-24. Boise State may end up undefeated in '09 and they have an impressive 19-8 season opening win vs. Oregon, 19-8, but it is hard to see the Broncos with a resume for a BCS title game in '09. The Broncos close out conference play in '09: @ Louisiana Tech (3-5, 2-3), vs. Idaho (7-2, 4-1), @ Utah State (2-6, 1-3), vs. Nevada(5-3, 4-0) and vs. New Mexico State (3-6, 1-3). Will the Broncos close out WAC play on top? SOS rankings: #85 CBSSports and #80 Sagarin.

We begin November play in Week 10. There is plenty of action to play out to determine most of the conference champs and who are #1 and #2 in the BCS race for a date in the Pasadena's Rose Bowl BCS title game.

Breakdown of conferences: (Bowl eligible, bowl eliminated)

• ACC - 3, 0
• Big 12 - 3, 0
• Big East - 3, 0
• Big Ten - 4, 0
• C-USA - 1, 1
• Independents - 1, 0
• MAC - 3, 4
• MWC - 4, 1
• Pac 10 - 3, 1
• SEC - 5, 1
• Sun Belt - 1, 0, x
• WAC - 2, 0

x - Western Kentucky cannot become for bowl eligible in '09.

Eight programs are already home for the Holidays in '09: Rice, Miami-OH, Akron, Ball State, Eastern Michigan, New Mexico, Washington State and Vanderbilt.

peace